movie reviews by PvtCaboose91

"Bring the noise!"

Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg's second feature film collaboration, 2007's Hot Fuzz furthers the pair's cinematic interests that were previously established in 2004's excellent Shaun of the Dead. It's easy to parody a film genre, but it's another thing entirely to achieve a parody that simultaneously works as an effective entry to the genre it sends up. Shaun of the Dead accomplished this extraordinary balancing act, and Hot Fuzz pulls off a comparable miracle. Simply labelling Hot Fuzz as a parody would drastically undersell this gem - it's a loving valentine to Hollywood action flicks, with their overblown absurdity, macho posturing, gratuitous violence and frenetic camerawork. And with Wright and Pegg masterminding the project, the result is a home run, a riotously funny British comedy brimming with wit and energy.

A hard-nosed, career-focused London police officer, Nicholas Angel (Pegg) is so exceptional at his job that he makes his far lazier colleagues look bad in comparison. Receiving a promotion to sergeant, Angel is forced by his superiors to relocate to the small country town of Sandford, where crime is rare and there hasn't been a recorded murder in decades. Partnered with overeager action film buff Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), Nicholas is appalled at the lenience afforded to both the public and the incompetent police force, with the village's Chief Inspector (Jim Broadbent) eager to bring his new officer down a couple of pegs as Nicholas hands out speeding tickets and arrests petty shoplifters. However, Nicholas's interests are soon piqued by a series of "accidents" that may not be accidents. Suspecting foul play, Nicholas finds himself the only one prepared to deal with the situation adequately.

Hot Fuzz's primary target of adoration and satire is the buddy action movie, with the screenplay referencing and paying homage to everything from Bad Boys II to Point Break, and even the Miami Vice TV show. Danny is particularly fond of post-mortem one-liners, and he relishes the chance to educate his new partner by showing him as many Hollywood productions as possible. The real beauty of Hot Fuzz is that, on top of being funnier than most comedies, it has a story to tell, and the narrative is given a surprising amount of attention. The central mystery provides genuine intrigue, and there are stakes here, not to mention Wright manages to deal with plot and characterisation sufficiently whilst maintaining incredible narrative velocity. Other satirical targets include murder mysteries, with the genre's convoluted motives and investigations given a brilliant dressing down. Wright gets plenty of mileage from the picture's satirical elements, but the screenplay is also full of side-splitting one-liners and uproarious bantering. Above all, the gags aren't dumb or obvious; the humour is more cerebral, which is more satisfying than broad American comedies. Wright and Pegg's script is a work of art, and the on-screen execution is flawless.

Aesthetically, Wright sets out to ape the Tony Scott style of contemporary action filmmaking with frenzied camerawork, rapid-fire editing, extreme close-ups and overblown sound effects. Yet, Wright ultimately manufactures a style that is distinctly his own, and above all, he succeeds in crafting kick-ass action sequences that are both exhilarating and amusing. Wright's exaggerated technique delivers the lion's share of laughs - for instance, the shortest police pursuit in movie history is turned into a frenzy of over-editing and zoom-heavy cinematography. It is a credit to Wright's directorial sleight-of-hand that he can employ these typically irritating gimmicks in a coherent and riveting way. The climactic action sequence is, naturally, the picture's centrepiece - a masterclass of action filmmaking. Gloriously R-rated and filled to the brim with creative ideas (witness an old lady wielding dual pistols on a bicycle), the climax sustains excitement and intensity despite running for the better part of twenty minutes.

Hot Fuzz is also played with an incredible poker face, as nobody involved in the picture seems to be in on the joke. (Witness the sincerity of the scenes involving a runaway swan.) Wright's directorial excellence goes beyond the action scenes, too - an early montage to convey Angel's transition from London to Sandford should be studied in film schools worldwide. American productions treat such sequences as homework, inserting drab second-unit footage set to some upbeat pop song, but, impossibly, Wright uncovers opportunities for further laughs and maintains the furious energy levels. It's superb craftsmanship all-round. Additionally, the original score by David Arnold (late of several James Bond movies) is exceptionally memorable and catchy, perfectly complementing Wright and cinematographer Jess Hall's slick visual compositions while also contributing to the momentum of each set piece. It isn't easy to believe this technical brilliance was accomplished on a paltry $16 million budget.

There is a heart at the centre of the story: the touching platonic bromance between Nicholas and Danny. Although the pair are polar opposites in terms of appearance and personality, they grow a particular fondness for one another, and it's a sweet friendship that grows organically. As the confident Nicholas Angel, co-writer Pegg is tasked with playing the archetypal macho action hero, and he's an ideal fit. Pegg slimmed down and trained hard to nail the role's physicality, and he's a terrific straight man to boot. As usual, though, it's Frost's turn as goofball Danny Butterman that stands out. Similar to his Shaun of the Dead role, Danny is naïve and childlike but also very lovable.

The supporting cast is packed with recognisable British names. One of the most notable actors is former James Bond Timothy Dalton, who contributes a fine performance as the shady Simon Skinner. As Sandford's chief inspector, Broadbent is expectedly great, while Paddy Considine and Rafe Spall score a handful of laughs as other members of the Sandford Police Force. There are even cameos from Bill Nighy, Steve Coogan and Martin Freeman, and Bill Bailey gets a small but amusing role. Other famous actors also pop in, including Paul Freeman (Raiders of the Lost Ark) and The Wicker Man star Edward Woodward. It's a full roster, and all thespians are spot-on, contributing laughs and plenty of colour.

Although Hot Fuzz does seem long in the tooth at first glance, it improves with repeat viewings when you can appreciate all the subtle nuances of the script and marvel at the sheer brilliance of the storytelling. It's deliberately full of genre clichés and pays homage to countless movies, yet Hot Fuzz also manages to be boldly original and unique. It walks the same fine line as Shaun of the Dead: it's hilarious, exciting, and sometimes oddly emotional. For fans of Shaun of the Dead and/or the TV show Spaced, Hot Fuzz is a gift.

10/10

"There are many stories about Michael Sullivan. Some say he was a decent man. Some say there was no good in him at all. But I once spent 6 weeks on the road with him, in the winter of 1931..."

Following Sam Mendes' success with his masterpiece American Beauty, I found Road to Perdition to be a stunning, captivating, brilliant gangster thriller. The film is one of the best additions to the gangster genre of late and places itself in the league of such other gangster greats as The Godfather and GoodFellas.

Tom Hanks is an Irish mob hitman named Michael Sullivan who has dedicated his life to his career. Sullivan feels very distant from his family, especially his children who don't really know what he does for a living. His son Michael Jr. (Hoechlin) is curious, and is challenged by his younger brother to follow their father to work one night. But that night his life is changed when he witnesses a brutal slaying.

Now Sullivan and his family are in danger as the mafia are afraid that little Michael will talk. The film then follows father and son as they flee their home town to avoid the wrath of the men Sullivan used to work for, and to ensure that young Michael does not end up like his father.

The plot is fairly simple and straight-forward, but expanded upon extremely well by the screenwriter. The film does not go on for very long at all when you compare it to the running time of the other gangster classics. And this works because it doesn't waste any time with boring dialogue, but keeps the audience enthralled in the action that is occurring.

But the prominent thing that was vital for the success of the movie was the performances by the cast. Each performance was engaging and vibrant, with Tom Hanks in what could be his finest hour. We have never seen Hanks like this before. He is very sadistic and quite soft spoken. It was in his accent that helped the audience feel so mesmerised by every line that he delivered. Newcomer Tyler Hoechlin was fantastic. He is still a reasonably young actor, but he was able to make the audience feel a sense of intensity during the more thrilling sequences. I was unable to recognise Jude Law in such a unique performance here. Playing a hitman who is sent to eliminate Hanks' character, he feels so evil and so mesmerised by what he's doing. With each line he gives the audience the impression that he's some kind of a mad man. He looks and sounds like a man on the edge, who is usually very calm and concentrated on the task at hand; be it killing someone or photographing a corpse. Daniel Craig was fascinating to say the least. He's not his usual wooden self, but a completely different person altogether. Paul Newman was superb as a mob boss.

Sam Mendes excelled himself in the directing aspect. It was the film's visual style that keeps the audience engrossed for the film's duration. He keeps the dialogue taut, and in the scenes of action (which are very rare, to say the least) he keeps the violence strong and highly realistic.

It was a magnificent creative choice about the dynamic sound design. The gunshots sound so loud and deafening compared to the dialogue or anything else. And hence the dialogue will sound faint, but audible, and then when a gun is fired it sounds so deafening and something we did not expect. The sound is very contrasting to keep the audience on the edge and it does a fantastic job of it.

Road to Perdition is an extremely good movie and will become a gangster classic. The beautiful Oscar-winning cinematography, the focused direction, the engrossing performances and the vigorous sound design all add up to one fantastic experience. Do yourself a favour, and watch it.

"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is hands down the greatest western of all time - the third and final of Sergio Leone's trilogy of westerns with Clint Eastwood is the best of the bunch.

This film succeeds in every aspect where its predecessors failed, making it the essential spaghetti western. Clint Eastwood rides back into action as "The Man With No Name" - the good - who is now living in the time of the Civil War. Eli Wallach is a filthy outlaw named Tuco - the ugly. And finally Lee Van Cleef (returning from the cast of the previous film playing a different role) is a man known as Angel Eyes - the bad. In a remote cemetery an outlaw has buried a stash of $200,000 which immediately sparks interest from the 3 protagonists. Tuco and "The Man With No Name" form an uneasy alliance and have no choice but to trust each other when it's discovered that each possess half the information of the location of the hidden treasure.

Angel Eyes is also focused on finding the money and thus begins a race as the three men move through rugged landscape and across harsh deserts to get to their desired destination.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a very unconventional western. The plot of this third instalment is actually pretty easy to follow, and this simplicity makes the film not as confusing as its predecessors.

Each moment of the film is enthralling, and exceptionally created. Although clocking at almost 160 minutes, the film is not too long. My interest was sustained for each minute of its running time; containing intriguing characters and clever set-ups.

Clint Eastwood is fantastic as always. As always he plays the part to perfection - never showing signs of emotion and always being dark. Eli Wallach was a welcome addition to the cast. He portrays a very realistic outlaw, and his character is most certainly "the ugly". I was disappointed that Lee Van Cleef didn't stick to his original character from For a Few Dollars More, but he still plays this new part exceptionally well.

Of course what addition to this trilogy would be complete without Sergio's magnificent direction and Ennio Morricone's triumphant score. Ennio's music is nothing short of remarkable.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is an enthralling western. For those with short attention spans, go rent a Michael Bay flick. But for those who enjoy good quality westerns and don't mind the slow pacing then go right ahead. One of the best movies of all time!

"The eagle never lost so much time as when he submitted to learn from the crow."

Dead Man is definitely not a film for all tastes. This stylish production is sometimes difficult to watch due to the grainy black and white imagery, not to mention some of the harsh images of violence and even cannibalism.

Certainly not your average western, we follow a young accountant from Cleveland named William Blake (Depp) who takes the train into a town for an accounting position. Coming into town dressed in a smart suit and carrying a briefcase, he is the odd one out among the murderers and outlaws. But he is informed that he is too late for the job despite pouring every cent he had into coming to the town. After a number of mishaps, William begins to undergo a massive physical, mental and spiritual journey.

William is a young man looking for a steady job, and ends up taking a tragic descent into personal oblivion as he transforms into a wanted outlaw being hunted by numbers of bounty hunters.

To assist in his spiritual journey, William is accompanied by an Indian named "Nobody" (Farmer) who is rich in the ways of his tribe and ancestors. The transformation from meek accountant to hunted outlaw is emphasized by the weight of the wounds William carries, both physically and spiritually. His world becomes increasingly distant and he becomes ever more reliant on his Indian companion.

Dead Man is told with very alluring, unique cinematography and a very certain style. The director's prominent use of fades to cut shots together works exceptionally.

The film is also very ambiguous, told with deliberately slow pacing and performances that wouldn't normally grasp one with a short attention span. This style will not be embraced by modern audiences who crave fast-paced action, but the film will be adored by those who love art house cinema.

The director, Jim Jarmusch, struck massive success with the movie. He was finally discovered with the release of this movie, mainly due to the lead role being portrayed by Johnny Depp.

Depp's performance is sublime. He is able to let the audience empathize with his situation while never looking entirely vulnerable to his surroundings. The transformation of Depp's character was crucial for the success of the movie, and Depp played his role to perfection. If Depp isn't the greatest actor of all time, I don't know how to describe him.

The musical score is good at times, and creates a very haunting atmosphere to compliment the already exceptional visual images. At a glance, many might see Dead Man as one to leave on the shelf. If you crave simple mindless garbage that Michael Bay rolls out, you are correct to leave it alone. But if you are looking for a multi-layered production rich in messages about life, then I suggest you pick this one up without hesitation. I couldn't recommend this any higher.

"I am not an elephant! I am not an animal! I am a human being! I am a man!"

Based on a true story, The Elephant Man is a drama that unconditionally blew me away.

The film is a dramatisation of the life of Englishman Joseph Merrick (Hurt), known as John in the film, who was born with a grotesque physical deformity. Due to the nature and severity of the man's malformation he is unfortunately condemned to a life as a circus freak as people profit by displaying him in a freak show.

But all this changes when a London surgeon named Frederick Treves (Hopkins) discovers John in a street freak show. Frederick notices that John is also suffering from severe injuries due to improper action on the part of his owner. To treat his injuries, John is moved to a London hospital where Frederick also studies John's anatomical structure.

But while John is in hospital it is discovered that although suffering from rigorous deformities, underneath he is in fact a highly intelligent man capable of discernable speech, cerebral thought and sensitivity. Frederick is determined to make sure John is never mistreated again and isn't looked upon as just a freak with a physically deformed face.

This altruistic act of compassion and benevolence alters John's life forever. The film was shot in grainy black and white. In many ways this style suits the film perfectly. The picture looks dated; almost like genuine footage shot during the turn-of-the-century in London. I couldn't fault anything that I saw on the screen. Everything was able to catch my eye. Costumes looked authentic and the sets create the desired atmosphere of 19th Century London.

The make-up was outstanding! Every time the character of John 'The Elephant Man' appears on screen you can't recognise actor John Hurt underneath the elaborate make-up. His face looks authentically deformed and helps the audience get engaged in the film a lot easier.

On the topic of the performance, though, I get goose-bumps at the thought. John Hurt was robbed of his Oscar. The man's performance was a textbook example of portraying a character perfectly. His character is so poignant and so powerful. The world around him is so malevolent and prejudiced due to his appearance and we feel his pain like it's actually happening to us. The first time he utters a word in character I was in tears. And I stayed like that for the whole movie. I cried like a baby. And the thought that it actually happened and there was a real man of such animalistic appearance...made me cry even harder.

Anthony Hopkins was the ideal choice for his character of a London surgeon. I couldn't fault him anywhere because he's always so focused on bringing life to his character.

Many will not recognise this work being under the cap of director David Lynch. The storytelling isn't as bizarre or unusual as the kind of movies he became famous for. Instead the film is told using straight-forward storytelling that sometimes uses peculiar imagery to convey the situation to the audience. These instances include montages utilising images of elephants that contrast to the title character's outward show. Editing was sublime in these certain instances.

Overall, The Elephant Man is a brilliant piece of filmmaking in every sense of the word. The film is powerful, moving and unfathomably astounding. I cried for most of the film's duration. You will too.

"I got a good mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it."

The Marx Brothers have been fondly remembered for several of their timeless comedy productions. Similar to Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, their classic films are overflowing with terrific gags that are still hilarious even during the 21st Century.

On the topic of the best Marx Brothers picture many will agree that Duck Soup generally comes out on top. I strongly agree. Duck Soup was a massive failure at the box office when first released; despite this, I found the film to be excellent entertainment and one of the best classic comedies in cinematic history.

Be warned, though, that some might not find 30s humour to their liking. I absolutely adored the gags, but there will be some who disagree.

The country of Freedonia is in a financial mess. To save the country from bankruptcy a wealthy woman (Dumont) agrees to donate a large sum of money. But in return she requests that Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho) takes charge of Freedonia. But mayhem erupts when Firefly takes charge; he is a stubborn, sadistic leader who refuses to play politics by the book.

To make matters worse, the country doesn't have a strong relationship with their neighbouring country Sylvania. The government of Sylvania decide to send agents in to recover top secret information (i.e. the country's war plans). When relationships worsen between Freedonia and Sylvania, Rufus declares war just for the hell of it.

Duck Soup is a film filled with plenty of wonderful set pieces. The laughs just never get old. Said laughs are a combination of witty dialogue and wonderful physical humour. My favourite gag of the film will always be the mirror sequence. I died with laughter when I was watching that scene.

There are several other physical gags that I will always love but don't do much for advancing the plot. Not that I'm complaining, though. What makes this classic a whole lot better than recent comedies by modern comedians is that there was focus and attention on actually developing a discernable plot rather than focusing on the laughs. The Marx Brothers found the perfect balance of developing a good plot as well as a heavy concentration on the great humour. The plot isn't groundbreaking, but at least it's actually present.

I liked the energetic performances from everyone in the cast. The four Marx Brothers present in the film give it 100% (the final film that featured all four brothers). It's obvious that some of the more complicated gags had to be thoroughly rehearsed. This just goes to show how focused they were in the days preceding a heavy reliance on special effects or cutting corners.

Groucho was the real stand out for me in the movie. Don't get me wrong - they are all tremendously good - but my favourite was definitely Groucho. He was just so sharp and funny! As a confused politician, he nails it. The gags are staged very well thanks to both the cast and the great directing as well.

Overall, Duck Soup is a classic and a fantastic movie. It's funny and very entertaining. Proof that 1930's humour is still funny after all these years.

City Lights could be the best Charlie Chaplin film to date; this poignant, entertaining film is both funny and heart-warming. This film also marks one of Chaplin's last silent movies. It was a bold move to release a silent film when the day and age of silent movies had dissolved, but Chaplin's trademark character just wouldn't be as appealing with a voice.

City Lights is another tale of the trademark Chaplin character known as the Tramp. As the film opens, the Tramp (Chaplin) is revealed to be sleeping upon an important statue that is being unveiled to the public. After sparking a lot of protest by the people, the Tramp flees and runs into a beautiful blind girl (Cherrill) selling flowers.

After mistakenly giving the impression to said blind girl that he is wealthy, he frequently visits her and is determined to raise money for an operation that would cure her blindness. In the meantime, the Tramp saves a wealthy millionaire (Myers) from committing suicide. The millionaire is eternally grateful to the Tramp, but only recognises him whenever he's intoxicated. Every time the millionaire is sober, he cannot remember being grateful to the Tramp.

City Lights is a frequently hilarious film. For a silent movie the laughs are top notch. Some memorable gags here include a highly amusing boxing match, a set of gags that have the Tramp atop of a large statue and a very clever sequence during a party.

Chaplin expertly mixes a number of excellent gags with deep, tender moments that are truly moving. The final ambiguous encounter of the movie is has been lauded as one of the most memorable and moving moments in film comedy history.

Charlie Chaplin will always be the king of silent movie gags. His trademark costume, his cute walk and his amusing mannerisms have never been matched by any comedians after him. I am especially fond of the way he approaches every situation; never deeply concerned, and never runs out of ideas.

The sight gags are particularly exceptional in this film. And although it's a silent movie it still contains a massive plethora of great quality lines conveyed to the audience via title cards. Virginia Cherrill does an excellent job as a blind protagonist opposite Chaplin.

City Lights is nothing short of an utter masterpiece. It is a brilliantly conceived piece of film comedy that is told perfectly with two outstanding leading actors to carry the film throughout its running time. The entire film is a string of terrific laughs while still having a deep meaning underneath the surface.

It's simple: if you're a fan of Chaplin you'll love it. But if you're not fond of 30's slapstick humour or sight gags then it's not for you.

"We've just discovered the most wonderful, the most marvelous poisinous gas. It will kill everybody."

Charlie Chaplin quickly became one of the greatest film comedians in cinema history. His films are constantly full of such witty satire, quirky characters and a mixed bag of hilarious gags.

With The Great Dictator I feel that Chaplin has really excelled himself. Although not nearly as good as Modern Times, this addition to Chaplin's résumé is one that is still remembered as one of the greatest achievements in cinema history.

The Great Dictator is a film that spoofs Adolf Hitler and his stance against the Jews that eventually initiated the Second World War. Naturally, the film was a very bold move for its time. While in pre-production no-one ever thought that it would actually be made. A year later the film was in the can and ready for release. The film met with a mixed critical reaction but was a big commercial success.

Many will find Chaplin's style of humour quite hilarious but others may not. It depends on your taste. With The Great Dictator there's a host of purely brilliant gags ranging from sight gags, slapstick gags or just witty dialogue. Heck, I even found it hilarious when Chaplin was doing actions that were accompanied by specially synchronised music. Oh, and a very special mention to the hilariously clever title cards at the beginning of the movie that already had me laughing.

But what I found to be even more genius was that even with scenes of drama as opposed to humour, the film makes an impact. And for this reason it is groundbreaking. Chaplin's speech delivered towards the end of the movie was an especially brave move on the part of the filmmakers. It's qualities like these that we never find in modern comedies like something starring Jim Carrey or Adam Sandler. Unlike these two men, Chaplin's productions are actually brilliant because they take a chance. While still being mighty entertaining in terms of side-splitting gags, he actually delivers a potent message through the films he created.

The Great Dictator is the story of a young Jewish barber (Chaplin) who loses his memory after crashing a plane (that he was riding in upside down) during World War I. When he returns home he's admitted to an asylum. But after escaping the asylum he is unaware of the dictator named Adenoid Hynkel (also played by Chaplin) who has implemented laws against the Jews. He is also unaware of the stormtroopers at Hynkel's command who are persecuting Jews due to his policies and beliefs.

Chaplin plays duel roles here, and does so extremely well. Despite having moustaches for both characters he is capable of showing distinction between the two. He's an exceptionally talented actor who can have the audience laughing by means of physical gags or just a spoken line.

Amongst the memorable scenes we have the dictator playing with a balloon globe, the dictator struggling to look superior to his rival, and a very amusing scene during which barber chairs are elevated to quite enormous lengths. However my only complaint would be the film's length. All the better gags are at the beginning of the film unfortunately and it feels a bit overlong, running at about 2 hours. But even despite the length, the film moves at a brisk pace and is highly entertaining (and essential) viewing.

A very important production. The film also marks Chaplin's first full sound feature.

"When you're in love with a married man you shouldn't wear mascara."

Writer/director Billy Wilder expertly amalgamates comedy and drama in the critically acclaimed film The Apartment; a screen gem that is still remembered among the greatest films of all time.

For a dated romantic comedy this film is still immensely impressive in terms of innovative ideas, classic story and a vast array of fantastic laughs.

C.C. Baxter (Lemmon) is a regular guy with a steady job of an insurance clerk. He works with thousands of other employees and needs to stand out in order to get a promotion. But Baxter figures out the secret to success when he begins renting out his apartment to four powerful men in the company. These men schedule to borrow his apartment for the day, or the night, to use it for their extramarital affairs. What follows is a series of promotions as Baxter moves his way up the corporate ladder.

But trouble arises when he starts renting his apartment to his boss (MacMurray) who is dating elevator girl Fran (MacLaine). Fran is the girl of Baxter's dreams and he falls for her when she's in a state of emotional distress.

Like Billy Wilder's previous films, The Apartment is brilliant because of the great concepts and the fantastic screenplay (that Wilder penned himself). The dialogue is fascinating, and the filmmaking is engaging. With each new scene, Wilder is able to keep the audience's attention who await the next scene with baited breath.

Because each scene is so well crafted, the attention of the audience is never thrown. I found myself completely immersed in the drama and laughs that make this film so exceptional. It may be dated and many decades old, but the film still remains as one of the all-time classic romantic comedies and one of the best films ever made.

Jack Lemmon has a very appealing on screen persona. He successfully absorbs the complete attention of the audience. He plays his character so that we can empathise with him and care more about his situation. Shirley MacLaine is another fantastic addition to the cast. Like Lemmon, she is very alluring and can get the audience to care about her at the drop of a hat. There are some scenes in particular that showcase some sublime acting from MacLaine. Fred MacMurray was also very, very good as the snobby boss.

All the supporting cast were excellent as well, including some intriguing performances from people as Lemmon's neighbours and colleagues.

Some may pass up the chance to view classic romantic comedies such as these because of how old they are and they'd prefer new rubbish like an Adam Sandler film. If this be the case, you're missing out on an extremely good quality film.

The Apartment is classic in every sense of the word: classic formulaic story, classic stylish performances, classic clever screenplay. Winner of 5 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Writing.

"The stuff that dreams are made of..."

The Maltese Falcon is a classic, enthralling thriller and the definitive film version of Dashiell Hammett's unforgettable novel. Adapted by John Huston (who also directed), the film marks the big break of actor Humphrey Bogart who went on to star in such beloved classics as Casablanca and The African Queen.

John Huston's The Maltese Falcon is a film that has become an all-time classic, and is still considered one of the greatest movies at all time.

Humphrey Bogart plays a private detective named Sam Spade. When his partner is killed under mysterious circumstances, Sam soon becomes mixed up in a murderous hunt for a valuable statuette that has been described as "the stuff dreams are made of". The fabled treasure, known as The Maltese Falcon, is one of its kind and its current whereabouts is unknown.

This sizzling thriller moves at an invigorating pace and is carried by an abundance of magnificent performances. Aside from Bogart, whose performance was outstanding, there is a host of remarkable supporting players including Mary Astor, Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet.

For a crime thriller, the script was surprisingly excellent. The dialogue was fascinating, with plot twists established exceptionally well. Due to the film's plot twists and unexpected turns, it improves with each new screening. But the film is strictly for those who are looking for intelligent dialogue as opposed to no-brainer crime films we see far too much of in this day and age.

At just about every level, The Maltese Falcon has memorable things to offer. Bogart is frequently charismatic and is able to engage the audience who hang off every word that comes out of his mouth. His character is extremely well conceived, and executed with style by one of the most loved actors of all time.

And who could forget Peter Lorre? Lorre is undoubtedly among the best actors in the film. He creates a great atmosphere and a memorable character.

The Maltese Falcon is a film that has been regarded as being one the greatest films of all time. So what makes the film so great? An unbelievably fascinating story, great performances, an inspirational directorial debut by John Huston and the lightening pace that makes the film remarkable entertainment. My only complaint rests in the lack of chemistry between Mary Astor and Bogart, and the complex story that is a little hard to comprehend at times. But of course, even despite these flaws the film is still a far superior to any crime films we see in the recent contemporary age of cinema. No-one will ever be able to match the sheer genius of this classic masterpiece.

The Maltese Falcon may not be in the league of Casablanca or many other Bogart movies, but it still stands the test of time. Recommended.