What a fantastic crime film from Stanley Kubrick. Not only we have memorable characters here, but also a very inventive way of storytelling and a brilliant ending. I can totally see how this influenced Quentin Tarantino on making Reservoir Dogs and notice quite a few similarities between the two. I really liked how Kubrick constantly goes back and forth in time, in order to demonstrate each character's assignment and how everything must happen with precise and flawless execution. You really…

For some reason, I went in to The Killing assuming it was a play on words for a sure bet that pays off big - hence the racetrack setting. Boy, was I ever wrong.

The Killing has so many good things going for it that trying to list them all would be redundant considering how much is written about Kubrick. Sterling Hayden (hell, virtually all the speaking roles) put on such a good show, delivering that particularly overdramatic dialogue without…

The most remarkable thing about Kubrick's 1950's heist thriller is just how fast it moves, flying by in what seems like no time at all. Of course, clocking in at only 85 minutes it's fairly short, but it could've been 30 minutes longer and still feel every bit as brisk and exhilarating. The pacing of this film is simply impeccable and especially in this type of film that is often the most important aspect. Kubrick, who at the time was…

'The Killing' is widely considered to be Kubrick's first masterpiece and rightfully so. It's quite a step up from it's predecessor 'Killer's Kiss' in just about every way. Although I enjoyed 'Killer's Kiss' I found that film to be desperately in need of an editor and it's story to be incredibly predictable. Although 'The Killing' shares the same vibe and overall atmosphere, it's just about the opposite in every other way. It's a quick, tight, fasted paced heist film that…

The most fun aspect of watching The Killing is realizing how much Quentin Tarantino was inspired by it when he created his first masterpiece Reservoir Dogs. The rest of it wasn't as fun for me as I thought it would be, mostly because of the terrible acting and painful dialogue. I was surprised at how fast people talked, because throughout this Kubrick marathon I've been doing, most of the dialogue is slower and more deliberate. I'm used to words having…

*writing this in the voice of the narrator from the Killing*

Its one A.M. sharp. Amateur film fanatic PinHeadLarry pops in Stanley Kubrick's The Killing. As the chilling noir robbery film opens up he is exposed to a world of squinty-eyed, fast talking smokers with an eye for money. All of this is narrated with the tact of an auctioneer.

It's now shortly after one. Johnny Clay, played with cool intensity by Sterling Hayden is hatching a daring scheme to…

Again, Kubrick's versatility is proved.

A very different noir (I'd even dare to say it ain't a noir even though the cinematography follows that genre rules) in which the anti-hero is not depicted as a dirty, smart and cynical man. He's only out of ways to make money honestly; or he is only too lazy to work for this money.

The central theme in this film can be found in the famous scene of the chess game.

"You know, I…

A very well constructed heist movie in plot, pacing and style. Using a Rod Sterling-esque narration and jumping forward and back in time keeps a common story unique and interesting, particularly during the heist and its immediate aftermath.

Showing Kubrick's as adept at a standard crime thriller as he was in his later masterpieces and the film has clearly been an inspiration on directors such as Quentin Tarantino, who borrowed its structure for Pulp Fiction and Christopher Nolan who borrowed…

One of the most impressive aspects of Kubrick as a director is his ability to turn his hand to so many different genres, and in 'The Killing' he has produced a fine example of a noir crime-thriller.

This is nowhere near the heights that Kubrick begins to hit around 10 years later, but there are still glimmers of genius within this very slick film. Some of the camerawork is really very impressive, in particular the opening tracking shot of the…