Filed under: film noir

Rififi, Kiss Me Deadly, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Du-rififi-chez-les-hommes

I have always heard good things about Rififi. The rumors are true. It really is a standout in the film noir genre. Plus another film that Brian DePalma clearly rips off. 4.5/5

 

Kiss_me_deadly_poster

Kiss Me Deadly isn't as successful as Rififi. The guy that plays Mike Hammer is a horrible actor and can't carry the film. And Spielberg rips off the end of this film for Raiders of the Lost Ark. 2.5/5

 

Willy_wonka_and_the_chocolate_

I really love Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The original is just spot on. Dark, comic and manic, everything you want from a kids film. 4/5

F, The Big Bang

F

F is the latest in the unknown killer films. It's the blandest of the lot. If you've seen The Strangers or Them, then you've seen this done better. 2.5/5

The-big-bang-poster

From the director of Otis comes an unusual film noir. It's a fun movie and chock full of odd cameos. 3.5/5

Whirlpool, AntiChrist, Boss Nigger

Whirlpool

Very bizarre film noir about a woman who is hypnotized to commit crime. Whirlpool isn't great but it's worth a watch. 3.25/5

 

Antichristposterart

AntiChrist gets better with each watch. It was in my top 5 favorite films of last year and I like it even more having watched it again. 4/5

 

Bossnigger

Boss Nigger isn't what you would expect from a 70's studio release. Basically it's the same story as Blazzing Saddles but played straight. Good western. 3.5/5

The Prophecy, Pulp Fiction, Vicki

Prophecy

I never understood why people liked The Prophecy. Nothing happens for a long time, then the film is over. 1.5/5


Pulpfiction

I didn't like Pulp Fiction the first time I saw it. Then after watching it a few times, I fell in love with it. Now I find that it's still a really good but flawed film. Tarantino is in love with himself and a few cuts here and there would help with the pacing make it excellent. 4/5


Vicki-poster

Vicki has the same plot structure as Citizen Kane. A model dies and they try to reconstruct her life by interviewing people that knew her. The problem is Vicki's life wasn't that interesting. 2.75/5

Centurion, Road Train, Shock

Centurion

I really enjoyed Neil Marshall's latest film Centurion. It's nothing you haven't seen before but Marshall keeps the action intense and the pacing quick. I would recommend watching it with Vahalla Rising. 3.75/5


Roadtrainposter01

Road Train is pretty standard horror fair. This Australian horror has a group of 20-somethings on the run from a possessed semi. Worth a watch but very forgettable. 3/5


Poster_shock_vincent_price

A film noir starring Vincent Price! I was expecting great things from Shock. I was let down. A very routine thriller with no surprises or interesting moments. Pass. 2.75/5

Woman in the Window, Kansas City Confidential

Woman_in_the_window

Woman in the Window was a surprisingly good film noir. The ending kind of kills what would have been a great story payoff but otherwise, solid story telling. 3.5/5


Kansascityconfidential

Kansas City Confidential is so good. I'm surprised it hasn't been remade. It's perfect for modernization. A group of criminals frame a guy and he goes on a quest to find who framed him. The nice twist is everyone wore masks so none of the criminals know who the other members of their team is. Really enjoyed and a very early performance by Lee Van Cleef. 4/5