BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Lawbolisted Powerful

Derry Herrera Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

cricketbat The Killing is one of Stanley Kubrick's best films. It was made before he got a big ego. The writing is excellent and the performances are memorable. If you like heist movies or film noir, this is one you should definitely check out.

Anssi Vartiainen A film from the early career of one Stanley Kubrick. You might have heard of him. And to be fair, the early nature of the film from such a unique director certainly shows. Because Kubrick is very much known as a visionary. His movies are art, every frame a painting. Whereas The Killing, while certainly well-made, is not. There are hints of the kind of films Kubrick would end up making in it, but as a whole you wouldn't be able to tell it for a Kubrick if you didn't know.This is not to say it's a bad film. Quite the opposite, actually. The story is about a horse track heist, an ageing criminal looking to pull one last job with the help of a carefully chosen crew. Unfortunately the greenest, but also one of the most essential, members turns out to be a bit too loose-lipped with the secret and the whole plan starts to unravel.The film jumps around in time and place a lot, telling the story in small segments. And yet the storytelling is tight enough that it's never hard to follow. The characters are all interesting and the heist itself is very complicated, which in real world would be a huge problem, but which we allow in a film because it makes it more interesting.And then there's the ending. Kudos for Kubrick, because it's one of the finest I've seen in a while and certainly nothing you'd ever expect.All in all an interesting experience. A look into the growth of a great director and a good film in its own right.

elvircorhodzic THE KILLING is a pretty good crime drama about a doomed criminal effort. An experienced criminal is planning a big robbery, after which he will start a peaceful and quiet life with his girlfriend. He plans to steal a few millions from the money-counting room of a racetrack during a featured race. However, some of his associates in the robbery are quite upset ...The film is composed of familiar ingredients that make a good noir. The story is strong and tight, without any excessive melodrama. The story at times takes on the contours of the documentary, with a prominent and dissolving tension and unexpected irony in the end. The atmosphere is worthy of a noir. Mr. Kubrick has paid special attention to the narration in the film. It helps in better understanding of the chronology of the story. The director wanted to present the perfect robbery by an imperfect gang. I claim that he is able to connect a number of small particles in a solid construction. Sterling Hayden as Johnny Clay is strong, somewhat reserved and ineffective leader for an experienced criminal. Elisha Cook Jr. as George Peatty left the best impression as a suspicious cashier and timid person who risks his life for the love of his unfaithful wife. Marie Windsor as Sherry Peatty was an unfaithful wife and predator who only interested in money. An unsuccessful attempt to form a portrait of the classic femme fatale.Other characters are a professional wrestler, a psychotic killer, a bartender, who tried to help his sick wife, a corrupt cop and a beautiful fiancé. They are interesting, but do not represent anything new.The perfect robbery, which eventually turned into a complete disaster.

Cd1083 The Killing has been a Kubrick film I've looked forward to watching. It takes my deep love for Film-Noir and my fascination with Stanley Kubrick and puts them together and I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed, as if there was any doubt. Kubrick here presents a cinematic inspiration for those that followed in his footsteps. It's of no wonder that this film and its broken timeline inspired other filmmakers to present their storyline in a similar fashion. As a plot there isn't anything too special here, but like everything Kubrick, it's not what he's saying but how he's saying it. Visually the film holds together quite nicely and presents itself with low key lighting and very nice contrasts for emphasis. Your Kubrick catalog is not complete without The Killing, it's probably his most accessible film outside of Spartacus.