Midnight in Paris: A friend had recommended this when it first came out but I just now decided to give it a shot. I don't generally like Owen Wilson but he was alright in this. It's kind of a fun movie concept, being able to go back in time and see and meet an era and people that you love and revere. It was hard to watch parts, Wilson's character is in a very unhealthy relationship, I hate to think that there are people in such relationships and thinking about moving forward. Anyway, I don't know that this movie is going to be for everyone but it was enjoyable for me.

 The Man Who Knew Too Much: This is Hitchcock's original and it was interesting. I really think that Hitchcock might have created the action movie genera, I'd have to do research to be definitive. I think I like this better than the remake wit Jimmy Stewart

Kiki's Delivery Service: This is probably the second Miyazaki movie that I ever saw. It's a fun movie and of course beautifully animated. As a kid I didn't notice or think about it but watching it now I noticed discrepancies in in the time periods represented but that's part of the fun in Miyazaki movies.

Castle in the Sky: Another Miyazaki movie, another one of the first that I saw. There are parts of this movie that I love, like airborne pirates, there are also parts that I don't like, which are too much and perhaps make the point a little too strongly for me. Overall it's a good movie but it's not my favorite

The Lodger: This was apparently Hitch's first thriller, it's a silent movie and as it began I wasn't too impressed, the quality was not very good (film quality, not movie) and it is an adjustment to watch silent movies where you don't always get a write up of what's being said. It was good thought.

Torn Curtain: A good, suspenseful cold war thriller. Julie Andrews, Paul Newman both do a good job. Perhaps not my favorite Hitchcock film, but the man's a master, they're pretty much all good.

Rio: I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie but I did enjoy it and I did laugh out loud while watching it. I was pleasantly surprised I also thought it was weird.

Foreign Correspondent: Another Hitchcock movie, I believe this was his second movie made in the US, possibly the third. This movie was good, and it was probably more exciting in it's day, due to what was going on in the world (WWII) and compared to what was going on in movies of the day. It's not my favorite Hitchcock movie but it's not at all a bad movie. It's very similar to North by Northwest, or rather the other way around.

Letters to Juliet: I had heard good things about this movie and so I got it when I saw it at the library. It was cheesy but it was still very good, much higher quality than most movies today, in or out of the same genera. The movie was shot in Italy, it looked cleaner and less crowded than the Italy I went to a few weeks ago but to be fair I never went to Verona or Sienna, they might be different. They were beautiful however. I really enjoyed the woman who played Claire, the movie wouldn't be half so good without her.

Strangers on a Train: This was a pretty good movie, full of Hitchcockian standards, the wrong man being accused, morality with regards to killing, etc. It was very well done and is great visually.

Jane Eyre: I didn't have terribly high expectations for this movie, I knew that several not so great versions had been made and I'd heard from someone who saw it that they weren't too impressed. I thought it was very well done however, good acting, they cut a lot out of course but I believe they left the really essential parts. I did enjoy the fact that there were subtitles for the French, I neither speak nor read French and thus the passages in French in the book were a mystery to me. I thought it was quite good, that being said you should absolutely read the book.

Marnie: I didn't really know what to expect from this movie except that it was Hitchcock. It was such an amazing movie, a fascinating thriller and probably the best Hitchcock movie I've ever seen. Sean Connery in it and the movie would definitely not be the same without him, probably wouldn't be as good without him either.

Lifeboat: Yet another Hitchcock picture. This was a very interesting movie, it takes place in a lifeboat as the title might suggest, in looking back it seems that Hitch made multiple movies confined to perhaps and equally small space, Rope, Dial M for Murder, and Rear Window come to mind, but this one was the first, it was made during WWII. It's a good movie and explores a lot of difficult situations. I think that I'll come back to this movie and watch it again and again.

(The) Duplex: I don't remember if it was The Duplex or Duplex. I watched this last night with my friends, I was skeptical going it because it's a Ben Stiller movie, I haven't seen a lot of his movies and I haven't really enjoined those that I have seen. I didn't want to watch this movie but I did, that probably didn't help my opinion of the movie, but the movie didn't change my opinion either. This movie was for me, painful to watch and it was stupid, filled with kaniving cruelty, violence, destruction and stupid plans and characters that didn't learn. I didn't like it, I don't recommend it.

Rebecca: I got another Hitchcock collection from the library and the first one I watched in the batch was Rebecca. My dad told me it was creepy, and granted I watched it at home with the lights on, but I didn't find it all that creepy. The story reminded me somewhat of the plot of Jane Eyre, which I just reread. I thought it was a very well made movie and I enjoyed it. I don't know however that it's one I'll go back to time and time again.

The Paradine Case: My most recent Hitchcock viewing. It was naturally a well made movie but though I love Gregory Peck, I don't want to watch this movie again, the story was not the sort I care to watch or view.

Sabotage: This movie was one of Hitchcock's early movies, made while he was still in England. It's good but I felt it was rather short, I would have liked to seen more.

The 39 Steps: I recently saw a version of this movie on PBS, it was made by the BBC and a pretty good show, so I decided that I should see Hitchcock's version. I believe this movie was made in the 30s, at any rate it was in the early days of film, and it's very innovative and well made, but I wish I could have seen how Hitch would have done it when the technology was better. I recommend it, and if you watch this and want more there have been at least six versions of this story.

The Lemon Drop Kid: I heard about this movie through a friend of mine, she was telling about how it had been her husband's favorite movie when he was a kid. When I saw it at the library I decided to give it a try. It's a Bob Hope movie, and in that respect, rather typical of Bob Hope and his movie. It was amusing but I didn't love it. It also turned out to be somewhat of a Christmas movie, at least taking place in the Christmas season.

Joe Versus the Volcano: This is the first movie to pair Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks as romantic leads. It was an odd, quirky and funny movie. Meg Ryan plays three different roles in the movie.

Notorious: This is a spy movie and perhaps the spy movie that made the genera what it is today. Ingrid Bergman is convinced to take a spy job by Carey Grant, her father's Nazi sympathies make her perfect for the job. She doesn't have the cleanest past but she and Grant fall for each other on the way down to Brazil where the job will be taking place. The job creates trouble in paradise. This is an innovative and well made movie, by Hitchcock naturally.

Rope: This may have creeped me out the most of all the Hitchcock movies that I've ever seen. The rope is about two college aged, well off, intellectual young men who have murdered a friend of theirs for the art of it. It's eerie to listen to listen to them talk about it, their reasoning and what they do afterwords. The pair throw a party and serve out from their friend's resting place, inviting his friends and family. Jimmy Stewart is in attendance, a friend and former teacher, it was theories of his which inspired the act. Stewart is therefore the one that becomes the most suspicious through the course of the party. A very well made movie but I don't know that I'd care to see it again.

Saboteur: It was a Hitchcock mini marathon while I was working on getting a quilt tied. This movie takes place during WWII, and is somewhat of a propaganda movie to stir people to the war effort, not as much as other movies of the same period however. Barry Kane and his friend work at an air craft plant and when the plant is set a fire he and his friend try to help put it out, leading to his friend's death. After the fire Barry is wrongfully suspected of sabotage, he has to go on the run and try to clear his name. It's an interesting journey and along the way we see both the good and the bad of people. I recommend this movie.

Shadow of a Doubt: This movie, the last in my Hitchcock marathon, was not my favorite, nor was it pleasant to consider. In a small town a family waits for a visit from their Uncle Charlie, especially his name sake Charlie (Charlotte), she feels a special connection to her uncle. Uncle Charlie is much beloved but seems to be a little edgy, especially when two men show up to interview the family for the common good and to take pictures. Only Charlie finds out what Uncle Charlie knows, that these men are detectives that are looking for the "Merry Widow Murderer". Charlie is caught in a very hard and dangerous spot.

Tangled: I went to this movie with great expectations, the previews and advertisements that I've seen for this movie, as well as the reviews from friends etc. all made it sound very good. On the whole the movie was very good but I felt like it was not quite as good as the previews. I didn't care for the songs in the movie that much, but there were a lot of great and very funny moments in the movie. One thing was strange was hearing Zachary Levi's voice come out of a different face, Levi plays the title role in Chuck and it was a different sort of role for him. It was a really good movie but not as high I suppose as I expect from Disney and Pixar.

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner: I recently read a biography about Katherine Hepburn and this movie was mentioned, it's the last movie she and Spencer Tracy made together and I believe it was Tracy's last movie before he died. I saw it at the library, or maybe I put it on hold, either way I got it and watched it and it was phenomenal. Now despite my praise, and not to take away from it, this movie was a bit hard to watch. The plot centers around a biracial couple telling their parents that they mean to get married, it takes place in the late 60s or early 70s. I imagine that this movie was quite groundbreaking when it was made and possibly harder to watch then. It's hard to watch because even for all the progress made since the movie was made, the same issues still linger. The parents of the couple all struggle with the situation, they've worked for such a coupling to be possible and yet the prejudices and stereotypes that they were raised with are still hard to fight, the same struggles occur today. It's a very powerful movie, Sidney Poitier is fantastic in it, I think that everyone should see it.

Rear Window: I don't recall being too impressed with this movie the first time that I saw it but that was several years ago and I enjoyed it more this time. Alfred Hitchcock was truly a master at what he did, it's amazing to see the craftsmanship that he put into this and his other movies. I guess I have a bit more appreciation now and watching a documentary about it didn't hurt. I'm not Jimmy Stewart's biggest fan but both he and Grace Kelley were quite good in this movie. I think something that made me not so impressed with the movie the first time that I saw it is the advancement of movies since then. When I first watched this movie other movies like Bourn Identity etc. were around, perhaps not so masterfully done but designed to get adrenaline pumping. I also watched Rear Window in the comfort of my own home, not in a dark movie theater, that tones down the excitement some I would imagine.

The Trouble With Harry: I really enjoyed this movie, it's a black comedy but it's a lot lighter than most and very enjoyable. I credit how much I enjoyed this film to its director Alfred Hitchcock, the man made fantastic movies. It's very refreshing to see movies that are really and truly well crafted, so many aren't and they come and go quickly. See this movie.

National Treasure: I really liked this movie when it first came out but in subsequent viewings I've found myself liking it less. The plot is intriguing but it's really cheesy in many parts. It's not a bad action movie though and I like that it makes me think about history a bit more.

National Treasure 2: I don't actually remember what the exact title was. I think I like this one better than the first one, despite the fact that while a "national treasure" is a bit far fetched, a temple of gold behind Mount Rushmore is even more ridiculous. I think this movie on the whole is better than the first, however I think that the plot/idea behind the first movie was much better.

The Man Who Knew Too Much: I am a fan of Hitchcock and a moderate fan of Jimmy Stewart, but while this movie was very suspenseful, I didn't care for it. I blame Doris Day, she in no way says "Hitchcock thriller" to me, she says Glass Bottom Boat and other cheery movies full of song.

Quantum of Solace: I was a bit dissapointed with this movie, Casino Royal was such a good movie and this one was a little lacking. I am willing to cut it a little slack since the story wasn't actually a by Ian Flemming. Flemming's Quantum of Solace has nothing that would constitute a Bond movie, it's just an ambassador or someone like that, telling Bond a story. I also might not have gotten the whole effect of the movie because I was working on something while I was watching it. I do love Judi Dench as M though.

I Confess: This isn't a movie that I watched recently, it's one that was on the original movie blog that got deleted on accident. For whatever reason I remembered it today and decided to add it on here. I confess is a Hitchcock movie, but not my favorite. The plot is intriguing though, Montgomery Clift is a priest who hears a murder's confession. Suspicions fall on him and his vows don't allow him to clear himself, he has to try and find a way to clear his name.

Anastasia: This is not the more recent cartoon (though I love that). I've been interested in Anastasia since I read a book about her, with pictures from her life, anyway this movie was a version with Ingrid Bergman and Yul Brynner, the plot of the movie is similar to that of the cartoon, however the Rasputin aspect isn't there. It was a nice movie, I liked it.

The Paycheck: This is a pretty good action movie, not the best but pretty good. I hadn't noticed it when watching but in some of the extended stuff on the DVD they were talking about how they had been inspired by Hitchcock, especially North by Northwest and I saw what they meant, I just wouldn't have been able to put my finger on it otherwise. The plot of this movie is akin to that of Minority Report if you've seen that, I think I enjoyed this movie far more though. I liked the concept of the movie, it was unusual.

Spellbound: Alfred Hitchcock made simply amazing movies, he was a master of his art and I don't know that anyone, even today, does thriller movies like he did. In this movie Ingrid Bergman is a psychiatrist or psychoanalyst, I don't recall witch, she meets and falls in love with Gregory Peck's character only to find that he is not who he seemed to be and that he's accused of murder. Peck's character has amnesia and a guilt complex and Ingrid Bergman is determined to cure him and prove his innocence. It's a fascinating movie.
Murder on the Orient Express: I've never read the book by Agatha Christie but this movie is a wonderful whodunit, drama, comedy, emotion and intriguing. It's wonderful, simply wonderful and part of that is that there are so many wonderful actors in the movie; Ingrid Bergman, Lauren Bacall, and so many more.I highly recommend it.

Breakfast at Tiffany's: I hate the song but I love this movie. I'm a big fan of Audrey Hepburn and this movie is one of my favorites. Audrey Hepburn and George Pepard are wonderful in this movie.

Thursday, May 14

To Catch a Thief: I usually am a big fan of Hitchcock but this one wasn't my favorite. I think sometimes Hitchcock gets undermined by all the people who came after and have run with what he did so well. I remember watching Rear Window (which is the basis for Disturbia) after hearing all about it, but I remember being quite bored with it, part of that might have been from my watching it at home, in my basement with the lights on, however I think most of it is due to all the suspense movies I've seen since, all the people who were inspired by Hitchcock. Anyway, To Catch a Thief, you'd have to decide for yourself.
I Was A Male War Bride: I liked this one, a pretty good comedy and fairly witty in parts. One of the funniest things might have been seeing Carey Grant in drag, now some men can pull that off, but Carey Grant was not really one of those, just himself in a dress. I recommend it even if just for that.
That's all of the Carey Grant I've seen lately but there's probably more waiting for me at the library.
Sunset Boulevard: I think this is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time, very well crafted, a work of art. This movie is also very creepy, or maybe more along the lines of strange or unnerving. I watched the little thing on the DVD about the making of the movie and things got creepier, errie how close characters were cast in some cases. I liked it but I don't think I'll be watching it all the time, it's hauntingly close to some realities. I think everyone should see it once.
Roman Holiday: I have absolutely loved this movie from the very beginning, from the very first time I saw it. Roman Holiday was Audrey Hepburn's first big movie roll, it launched her into Hollywood stardom. I loved it this time because I can now pick out snatches of what's being said in Italian, I hadn't watched it since taking Italian. Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn are both simply wonderful in this movie. It's rightfully a classic.
Emma: I haven't ever read the book, nor do I intend to, however I do love the movie. I love the costumes, and Gweneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam. It is funny and sweet and right up there in the chick flick category.

Okay so I'm going to try and rewrite the last post I made:

From Here To Eternity: I'd heard a lot about this movie, it's famous for the beach make out scene. I really, really didn't like it. It was well made and well acted (Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra, Debora Kerr), but it struck a nerve with me and I'd just as soon never see it again.

Dial M For Murder: This was a wonderful Hitchcock movie, with Grace Kelly. I think this might be one of the most satisfying Hitchcock movie I've seen to date, it was perfect. From the beginning of the movie the murder's all set out before you and you are left sitting and waiting and wondering how it will all work out. An interesting side note is that the movie was filmed to be shown in 3D, apparently that was all the rage at the time, however it was naturally so good that it didn't need to be in 3D and so they stopped showing it that way.

The Navigator, The Boat, The Love Nest: Buster Keaton is the king of physical comedy and he's just wonderful in the Navigator, and frankly all of it but I liked the Navigator best. It's amazing to me the self sacrifice that he put into his art, to entertain people. I heard that through out his career Keaton broke every bone in is body...now that's dedication.

The General, The Playhouse, : More wonderful Keaton, there was one more in this set but I can't remember at the moment. See the above comments.

Duck Soup: The first Marx Brothers movie I ever saw and frankly I still think it's the funniest. There are prat falls, one liners, puns, sarcastic remarks and all sorts of fun. The very famous scene where Harpo and Groucho mirrored each other is also in this movie (it's really amazing, you should see it!).

Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow: I think this movie may be totally one of a kind in the way it was made; it was made with real people but everything else is animated into a sort of 40s si-fi/detective movie world. I think little kids would love this movie, and adults too. It's a thrilling adventure.

City Lights: Charlie Chaplin, just a nice, sweet, funny movie. Chaplin is wonderful as always, in fact in one scene he brought tears to my eyes I was laughing so hard. I think this movie is up there with the best of Chaplin.