The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre; A Wild Journey taken by a trio of men who differ greatly in how they handle desperate times and moments of crisis. Bogart’s character is so very frustrating to stomach, a testament to his over dramatic turn butting up against his stellar costars. Great adventure; A-
 

The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon; A fast talking detective noir that doesn’t pull punches. The cast of characters spout dialogue like a radio play, snapping the plot along at a steady pace. Some parts seem silly to modern standards, but the entertainment value has endured nicely. Effie steals her scenes; A-

Chinatown

Directed by:  Roman Polanski
Starring:  Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, John Hillerman
Running Time:  2h 11min

A truly great script allows the viewer to comfortably sit back and watch the performers slowly unravel a compelling mystery.  Very controlled performances come out of Polanski's direction, making the genre of film noir ease into the 70s.  Nothing seems overcooked or typical. The scenery is stylish, the cars fantastic, and the wardrobe a wonderful sight.  The only real problem is the pace at which the film moves.  It's understandable why it builds the story, and the colours and performances help cut the film's long running time.  Nothing flashy, which is good because it allows a good script to provide the satisfaction.

Grade: B+