The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon is generally considered one of the first, if not the first true film noir. It is a crime drama that puts Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade against character actors Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet. The film is an interesting film because while it seems like the film is about the Maltese falcon, it is really a movie about Sam Spade trying to find out who killed his partner, played by Jerome Archer. The movie is a well done and unique film, utilizing both witty comedy while staying serious when necessary. Humphrey Bogart's performance, as well as the direction of John Huston really help carry the film.
The one weak spot I would say that the film has is that its female lead Brigid O'Shaunessey, played by Mary Astor, was not altogether that interesting. If they could have gotten a slightly better known actress to play O'Shaunessey, she mat have been slightly more interesting. Other than that, the movie is always considered one of the top 50 movies of all time, and for good reason.

Still of Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre, Mary Astor, and Sydney Greenstreet in the Maltese Falcon
Picture courtesy of http://www.ilxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet?boardid=40&threadid=82532

I rate this film 9/10

Review of Psycho

       Psycho is one of the greatest horror movies of all time, featuring one of the greatest villain performances of all time in Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, and really the film's quality rests on the performances of Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh, and the shock of the movie, even by today's standards.

Still of Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates
Photo Courtesy of http://perisphere.org/2014/04/21/psycho-opens-our-6th-minneapolis-hitchcock-festival/

Since I am not going to give any spoilers, I will leave the details alone. However, the plot is thrilling, and it is careful not to give any hint of the resolution until the very end of the film. An excellent way of making a horror film, this Alfred Hitchcock take is really the first slasher film, featuring one of the most iconic scenes with the shower scene. This, despite the fact that it has nothing to do with the Halloween time of year, is an excellent film for that time of the year, because of how it was filmed, and the effect it had on the horror genre.

I will give a rating out of 10 for all of my reviews, and this is certainly a 9.5/10

My First Post

Hello everybody! I am not a film critic, nor am I probably going to be, but I enjoy the concept of film, and watching it. I enjoy all kinds of film, even if I am more partial to a suspense/thriller genre. I will review movies of today, and the past. Because everyone who watches film and is into film needs to be aware of the films of the past as well as the present.