Category Archives: Movie Reviews

My Review of ‘Thief’ (1981)

Posted on September 12, 2019 by

I happened across this film by accident one evening, and was instantly drawn in by the description. It’s one of those heist movies in which the protagonist is a professional criminal who wants to make one last big score before … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime Movies, Heist Film, Movie Reviews, Neo-Noir | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

My Review of ‘Unforgiven’ (1992)

Posted on August 15, 2019 by

There is much I could write about this film. It is a revisionist Western. As such, one of its major themes is the cost that violence and revenge take upon one’s soul. The story, in a nutshell, is about an … Continue reading →

Posted in Movie Reviews, Westerns | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

My Review of ‘The Killing’ (1956)

Posted on August 1, 2019 by

This movie is notable in great part for its unusual narrative structure. Film noir icon Sterling Hayden plays ring leader Johnny Clay, who plans to pull that One Last Heist before going straight. Clay assembles a team of characters (of … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Noir, Movie Reviews | Tagged , | 4 Comments

My Review of ‘Woman on the Run’ (1950)

Posted on July 18, 2019 by

This is a most interesting entry into the film noir canon, particularly since the protagonist is female. And not a femme fatale. The woman in question is Eleanor Johnson (played with spirit by Ann Sheridan), and she’s on the run … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Noir, Movie Reviews | Tagged , | 4 Comments

My Review of ‘Shadow on the Wall’ (1950)

Posted on July 5, 2019 by

Okay, I should probably warn you that this review contains a bit of a retired lawyer’s/law librarian’s rant. But it’s for a noble purpose! 🙂 Anyhow, you’ve been warned. As psychological thrillers go, this one is as suspenseful as any. … Continue reading →

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My Review of ‘The Steel Helmet’ (1951)

Posted on June 20, 2019 by

This movie has the distinction of being the first one about the Korean War. It was also a breakout film for director Samuel Fuller (who also produced and wrote the screenplay). The story opens with the sole surviving member of … Continue reading →

Posted in Movie Reviews, War Movies | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

My Review of ‘Nightmare Alley’ (1947)

Posted on May 30, 2019 by

WARNING: This review does contain SPOILERS! But they don’t ruin the movie experience, I don’t think. 🙂 This has to be one of the bleakest films noir I’ve ever seen. Based on a novel with the same name, the movie … Continue reading →

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