My Favorite Movies

'The Killing' has been overshadowed by Stanley Kubrick's subsequent better known and better made movie masterpieces. Films like 'Dr. Strangelove', '2001' and 'A Clockwork Orange' are much more flamboyant and intellectually exciting than this early hard boiled crime thriller

one of his most entertaining movies, and in its own modest way just as brilliant as his more talked about films. 'The Killing' is still one of the greatest crime thrillers ever made, and one which influenced many film makers working in this genre, not the least of which Quentin Tarantino, who obviously worships this picture, and used its innovative structure as major inspiration for 'Pulp Fiction'. Kubrick wrote 'The Killing's script as well as directing, but made the smart move of asking "the Dime Store Dostoevski" Jim Thompson, author of pulp classics like 'The Killer Inside Me' and 'The Getaway' to supply the fresh and memorable dialogue. Sterling Hayden, who later achieved screen immmortality as General Jack D. Ripper in 'Dr Strangelove', is perfect as ambitious small time crook Johnny Clay. He is surrounded by an almost flawless supporting cast. I qualified that because I wasn't totally convinced by Coleen Gray who plays Johnny's girlfriend. However she only really has one scene, and the rest of the cast more than makes up for her. Especially memorable are the mis-matched husband and wife played by Elisha Cook, Jr ('The House On Haunted Hill') and the sultry Marie Windsor (noir classic 'Narrow Margin').

Their scenes together are simply terrific. Also noteworthy are the two scenes featuring legendary crazy Timothy Carey ('The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie'). Carey was one of the most extraordinary performers to set foot in front of a movie character, and is unforgettable. Kubrick obviously thought highly of him as he subsequently cast him in his anti-war classic 'Paths Of Glory', a move which antagonised the movie's star Kirk Douglas. Even if 'The Killing' didn't feature such a strong performance from Sterling Hayden it would be worth watching just to catch Cook, Windsor and Carey.

On top of that you have some other great actors such as Vince Edwards, an innovative script, hip dialogue and some brilliant directorial touches. This exciting heist movie can't be recommended highly enough, it's a real treat for film buffs. A brilliant film that still packs a punch after almost fifty years, something I doubt you will be saying about many movies currently showing in today's theatres. 'The Killing' is a super cool suspense movie and not to be missed!

The Hustler" is steeped in the seedy atmosphere of smoke-filled pool halls in the ugly urban hinterland of America. The Ames Billiard Hall is funereal in feel. When 'Fast Eddie' Felson walks in with Charlie, his manager, Charlie remarks, "These tables are the slabs they lay the stiffs on." The film is about the talented men who perform, but equally about the talentless predators who exploit them. The habitues of the pool hall cling to the shadows. They wince when a blind is opened and sunlight gets in. A new hustler enters, and these vultures gather silently on the margins.

Eddie is the youngster hungry for glory. He and Charlie pose as salesmen and Eddie feigns drunkenness, hooking the punters by repeating an almost-impossible shot. For all the slickness of the con, Eddie is impatient for bigger things. He wants to challenge Minnesota Fats, the best hustler in the land.

Newman gets his name above the title, but this is a film with four exquisite pieces of acting. Jackie Gleason as Minnesota, Piper Laurie as Sarah and George C Scott, playing Bert Gordon, turn in wonderful performances.

Eddie matures as the story progresses. He starts as a cheap chiseller, hustling ten bucks, but ambition carries him to Louisville and the world of the high rollers. Sarah's love opens emotional dimensions in him which he previously lacked. Bert Gordon confronts him with his own spiritual inadequacies, forcing him to understand himself. Eddie is jejune in the first game against the Fat Man, but by the second meeting he is emotionally strong, and completely his own man. He has made the spiritual journey from the whining "everybody wants a piece of me" to the inner knowledge that Sarah bequeathed him - that only those who give can truly live.

Bert Gordon, with his dark glasses and hawkish features, is a creature of the night. Loving the 'action' of a clash of talents, but lacking any talent of his own, Gordon is the predator on the sidelines. Hearing of the new hustler's presence, Gordon arrives soundlessly and sits watching intently for hours. His dark genius sees the weakness in every soul. In the bar, when he and Eddie talk business, Gordon is foreshortened to look tiny alongside the talented youngster. For all his money and sharp wits, Gordon will never be more than a parasite living off the ability of others. Finally, Eddie and Fats walk into the sunlight, heroes who have proved themselves. Gordon remains perched on his gloomy barstool, a prisoner in his own dark kingdom.But yeah anyways it was a good movie

This book, this film, is a masterpiece.
First, it works on the fears and frights all children have, but those fears and frights are all dressed up as something they like, as a clown, so friendly-looking, and yet IT is a fiend. Here King multiplies those fears so much, due to the fact that there are SEVEN children, six boys and one girl, that we get lost in the real labyrinth this book builds.



Second, it analyzes those children in so many details, and it takes them thirty years later, unrealized for most of them, successful but totally unrealized, just empty shells, filled with oblivion and the impossibility to really be full and happy. That is the worst thing fear produces in a man or a woman, the impossibility to be happy and to fulfill his or her perspective, plan, project or future. He or she can maybe reach a certain level of fame, or art, or quality, but he or she cannot enjoy the happiness any man or woman should endeavor and deserve to get. IT is the anchor that forces us not to go all the way to the rising sun.

Third, intelligence, conquering energy and strength is in children because they believe the world is not what they want it to be, they believe the world is what it wants to be, IT wants it to be, that is to say a long perspective of suffering and terror, interspersed with some moments of light and life and communion. This communion is the power of humanity. And grown-ups never get to that level of unity because they are afraid of the others, of their neighbors, of death, of suspicion, of what other people may think of them.
but i thought the book was way better but it took forever to read and i loved watching it as a kid

The movie Citizen Kane was loosely based on the life of William Randolph Hearst. The movie begins with the death of Charles Foster Kane, who was the editor of the New York Journal. He says the name rosebud and drops a crystal ball, which falls to the ground a shatters. News clips are shown about the different occurrences in Kane's life depicting how Kane acquired his fortune. Throughout the whole movie reporters are trying to figure out what the word rosebud meant and why it was the last word he said before he died. The reporters find people who knew Kane throughout his life trying to get information from them that would put some sense to Kane saying `rosebud' as his last word. Many of the stories told by the people interviewed show the audience a lot about his life through flashbacks. One of the opening scenes is that of Kane's mansion called Xanadu. It has a sign that says `no trespassing' that is hung from the outside gate. The shot is very dark and gloomy, hinting that maybe Kane's life was the same way. He was a very power-hungry man that went from being at the top to rock bottom. Many other movies have definitely taken note to style and effects of this movie. The camera work, lighting, acting a music contributed to making Citizen Kane one of the best American movies of all time. Orson Welles deserves all the credit that he receives from this movie. He was the leading character, producer and director; basically a one man show that still many of us appreciate. I thought that this movie was well done. It had so much symbolism that made the movie unique, although if you didn't know what was symbolic during the different scenes it would be hard to follow, but most of the symbolism is easily recognized. One of the best symbolic scenes that also foreshadows is when Kane is at the top of the stairs and he is told that he lost his position and as he walks down the stairs the camera is shooting from at the top and it looks like a spiral showing that Kane's life and career are out of control. Citizen Kane was very dramatic and all who took part in the movie played their roles well. The characters seemed very real and believable making this movie very memorable. This film has features that every movie should try to incorporate; symbolism, great actors, interesting storyline, excellent camera shots, lighting and sound techniques. I think everyone should see this movie at least once in their life time because it is one of the greatest American movies of all time.

"He's Big As Life In Bat-Epic"





This campy Batman movie based on the 60's hit series, is full of all your favorite main villains. The villains team up on a plot to destroy all the worlds leaders from a peace summit. Batman and Robin are entangled and nearly destroyed. Bruce Wayne's alter ego falls in love with a lady, who is purrrfectly sweet. But if looks could kill.....



The mayhem begins when the Dynamic Duo sail into the ocean on the Batboat to the yacht of Commodore Schmidlap, a yacht that proves to be a holographic hoax that leaves Batman caught by a shark filled with explosive that must be defeated with a handy can of Shark Repellent Batspray.



The four villains - The Penguin, The Riddler, The Joker, and Catwoman - use the ocean buoy that projected the hoax to lure Batman and Robin into a magnetic torpedo trap, but a powerful reverse polarizer by Batman saves the day for the moment, only to see the batteries run dry - until a school of noble dolphins rescues The Dynamic Duo from The Penguin's underwater missiles.





The Fearsome Foursome set another trap by kidnapping billionaire Bruce Wayne, a trap that goes awry and leads to a hectic dash by Batman to dispose of a bomb with innocent people all around and Batman left to mutter about how getting rid of a bomb can't be done on certain days, which leads to yet another supercriminal trap involving The Penguin himself infiltrating the Batcave with dehydrated thugs - whose rehydration goes wrong and leaves Batman to trick the Penguin into leading them back to his criminal cohorts' scheme at the United World building, where the supercriminal scheme takes place and a final confrontation on The Penguin's war-surplus submarine ensues.

Great movie and when It's noon. Concerned parents are lined up outside the schools waiting to escort their kids home for lunch. Signs along the street ask "Wer ist der Morder?" (Who is the murderer?) of eight children killed over the past year. Little Elsie Beckmann [Inge Landgut] has just become victim number nine.

Who is the murderer? It could be anyone (the viewer knows that it is Hans Beckert [Peter Lorre]). Neighbors are turning in neighbors and fingering strangers in the street just for talking to a child. The police are on the job 24 hours a day, but all they have turned up so far is some Ariston cigarette butts, some sugar grains, and a bag that held candy. They have investigated over 1,500 clues and have compiled 60 volumes of documents. Every thicket, every bush, every hole in the area has been combed. Every place from flop houses to underworld hangouts are being raided every night.

In fact, the police investigation has been so thorough that the Underground is getting worried about the shakedowns. Underworld boss Schränker [Gustaf Gründgens] has come to the conclusion that the child killer must be found before the police ruin business. After a lengthy discussion with all the Underworld bosses in attendance [there is a wonderful scenario where the Underworld bosses discuss strategies while the police do the same, such that it hard to tell the difference between Gangsters and Police], they decide that the best solution is to monitor all children at all times and that the best persons to do that, the only ones who can be seen on the streets without arousing suspicions, are beggars. So, every street has its beggar sitting in a doorway, having a smoke on the corner, watching the children and noting anyone following or with a child. But this was a great 1930's Horror Movie and great Performance by Peter Lorre and one of my favorite movies of all time and i highly recommend this Movie.

Alvin Cullom York (1887-1964), a modest American and Christian hero of World War I, is the subject of this biographical picture which goes beyond the mere telling of the tale how he won all the medals he did for bravery during the Meuse Argonne Offensive. It's the inner struggle of a man whose pacifist Christian beliefs came into conflict with his patriotism. It's the heart and soul of this film, beautifully crafted by director Howard Hawks.

The real Sergeant York eschewed all money making ventures that would have capitalized on his heroics in World War I and had resisted giving the rights to his story to Hollywood. He relented because in 1941 he became concerned with the danger fascism posed for the world and advocated preparedness. Part of what brought him out was the speechmaking of that other American hero Charles A. Lindbergh who was an appeasement advocate.

York even called the shots on who was to play him. So Jack Warner made a call to Adolph Zukor over at Paramount and probably paid one hefty sum for Gary Cooper's services. It was worth every penny of it as Cooper got his first Oscar for Best Actor.

Alvin York is a poor farmer supporting a widowed mother and a brother and sister. And he likes to cut loose every so often with a jug and a rifle. But he gets converted and gets involved in Walter Brennan's church which is a strict fundamentalist sort with pacifist tenets. When America gets into World War I, his very soul is tormented by the tenets of his church and the volunteer tradition of his state. Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State and that nickname is no lie. It bothers him more than other men because as Pastor Walter Brennan tells him he's "got the using kind of religion."

As for the action that won him decorations from all the Allied powers including the Congressional Medal of Honor, you'll just have to see the film for that. But while some liberties are taken with York's pre-war story, what happened in the Argonne is actually what happened.

I love this movie so much it is such a great movie i saw it today and i love the great speacial affects and my favorite charactor is Rorshach and i think its the best movie of 2009 and great acting and i thought Jackie Earle Haley did great as Rorshach and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as The Comedian as others as well but this was a GREAT movie and i highly recomend it and i give this movie 5 stars out of 5.

This was a great moive i loved the gret speacial effects and good storyline and plot because like at first i thought it was going to be a disapointment but it acually ended up being a good moive but there are some boring parts throught some of the moive but then other wise great moive and i thought Simon Pegg was great for Scottie and Chris Pine as James T. Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Spock and Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov and others as well but then some chessy moments but great acting but some parts go to fast that you cant see whats really going on sometimes but it was a great moive probably the best 2009 moive so far but i highly recommened it.

Kirk-Are you afraid or aren't you?
Spock- I will not allow you to lecture me.
Kirk-Then why don't you stop me?

Spock-We are traveling at warp speed. How did you manage to beam aboard the ship?
Kirk- You're the genius. You figure it out.
Spock- As acting Captain of this vessel, I order you to answer the question.
Kirk- Well, I'm not telling, acting Captain. What? Did...
[Kirk smiles]
Kirk- Oh, now that doesn't frustrate you, does it? My lack of cooperation? That doesn't...
[Spock turns to Scotty]
Spock- Are you a member of Starfleet?
Scotty- Uh, yes. Can I get a towel?

"I have a theory that you should do everything before you die."



Memorable for its famous 'criss-cross' murder scheme, "Strangers on a Train" is one of Hitchcock's most carefully crafted thrillers. The conflict between the two main characters is emphasized by many nicely constructed scenes and numerous carefully established contrasts. Although a couple of the important characters come across as somewhat passive, the suspense builds quickly and is sustained all the way to the end.

The tension starts right away. A short, clever sequence shows two men meeting on a train, who then start to discuss the persons in their lives that most stand in the way of their happiness, and consider what they might do about these obstacles. Guy (Farley Granger) innocently shares his secrets with the sinister Bruno (Robert Walker), setting in motion a lengthy chain of shocking events that doesn't stop until a very eventful climax. Many scenes emphasize the differences and similarities between the two protagonists, which are quite interesting in themselves, besides being important as plot elements.





Walker is outstanding as the ominous Bruno - his is one of the most memorable performances in any Hitchcock film. Granger and Ruth Roman (as his girlfriend) are both quite passive in comparison, almost lifeless at times, yet to a large degree this contrast is one of the themes of the film, and might have been undermined somewhat by stronger acting in these roles. And at any rate, the events and situations in the film are memorable enough to make up for any lack of energy on their part.

This fine film is a must-see for Hitchcock fans and for anyone who likes classic thrillers.