tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post778814143292902105..comments2024-03-28T06:14:54.076-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: the Directors: Alfred HitchcockAlex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-60835867459800047942018-01-08T10:54:39.768-05:002018-01-08T10:54:39.768-05:00Ha, thanks for the assessment, teach. Torn Curtain...Ha, thanks for the assessment, teach. Torn Curtain is pretty damn bad. I may have been kinder to that one than it deserved. I wrote my Kubrick post nearly 10 years ago (!), but I stand by most of the grades: <a href="http://www.andsoitbeginsfilms.com/2009/04/how-do-you-compare-kubricks-films-he.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.andsoitbeginsfilms.com/2009/04/how-do-you-compare-kubricks-films-he.html</a>Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-51070154680364596842017-12-26T15:35:27.856-05:002017-12-26T15:35:27.856-05:00Excellent piece, my friend. I disagree with you on...Excellent piece, my friend. I disagree with you on three of these rankings. MARNIE is by no means deserving of the GREAT moniker...GOOD will suffice. FAMILY PLOT is EH, no way can this be considered a GOOD film, and TORN CURTAIN is JUST PLAIN BAD...EH doesn't even begin to accurately describe it. Other than that you are pretty spot on and I give your overall report an B++ (just a hair under an A-). Next let's see what you can do with the KUBRICK OUVRE. Cheers! PUPPEThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04313051605337625376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-81478950328661011792015-08-11T12:53:33.562-04:002015-08-11T12:53:33.562-04:00Gotcha man. I completely get where you're comi...Gotcha man. I completely get where you're coming from!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-42242363022269941452015-08-04T03:45:24.974-04:002015-08-04T03:45:24.974-04:00Thanks, Alex, for being so cool about it. I do app...Thanks, Alex, for being so cool about it. I do appreciate his influence, and that his work was very ahead for its time. But like you said, sometimes going back to the source isn't as inspiring as it should be. And I like Rear Window, and I'm still going through his filmography, searching for a gem I'll like more.Nick9000https://www.blogger.com/profile/04850668284839130387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-12520749480500336252015-08-03T15:26:11.457-04:002015-08-03T15:26:11.457-04:00It's all good man. We all have our opinions. B...It's all good man. We all have our opinions. Believe me, I have a few unpopular ones about renowned filmmakers. Hey, we like what we like.<br /><br />The only response I'll offer to you is that taking Hitch's work into context is important. Thrillers (bad and great ones) are a dime a dozen today, but when Hitch was making them, he owned the genre. In the U.S., anyway. No one was doing what he was doing, and many (many, many, many) films made today would not exist were it not for his influence. I'll admit, sometimes going back to the source isn't as inspiring as it should be. But it is important to acknowledge that it <i>is</i> the source.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-13416228459866567522015-07-28T01:13:34.763-04:002015-07-28T01:13:34.763-04:00As always, you've made a marvelous post, Alex....As always, you've made a marvelous post, Alex. You're appreciation for Hitchcock really shines through.<br /><br />Sadly, this has always been one of my stronger unpopular opinions. I've seen Rear Window, Vertigo, Psycho, The Birds, North by Northwest, and Dial M For Murder. I will admit, Rear Window is a masterpiece, and Psycho and Vertigo have their moments, but the rest of his work has never done anything for me. I never felt like I was watching a Master of Suspense, I felt like I was watching a, dare I say, hack. I've given North by Northwest several chances, and I only come away from it hating how rushed its plot is, how unsufferably bad Cary Grant's performance is, how entirely forgettable its story and characters are, and most importantly, how godawful that ending is. That's got to be one of the worst endings I've ever seen! As for the Birds, I want my two hours back. I've never been so bored in my life. Also, how was Dial M for Murder a thriller. I honestly have no idea what scenes were supposed to be suspenseful. It's a vaguely interesting melodrama, but as a thriller, it fails completely.<br /><br />Okay, there. I've vented. I'm sorry. I'm going to go sit in my corner now.Nick9000https://www.blogger.com/profile/04850668284839130387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-79159455173328177582015-06-15T18:10:28.003-04:002015-06-15T18:10:28.003-04:00I had seen about half of them before I started wri...I had seen about half of them before I started writing. The other half (which were mostly his early films) I watched and wrote about as I went.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-9464603169637791502015-06-13T03:55:07.621-04:002015-06-13T03:55:07.621-04:00Question: you've seen all the films before to ...Question: you've seen all the films before to write or did you watch a movie and then wrote somethong about it?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059813680559966539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-23376990150163184592015-06-12T13:02:31.732-04:002015-06-12T13:02:31.732-04:00Thanks dude! Vertigo played in a theater here last...Thanks dude! Vertigo played in a theater here last month and I missed it! I was so bummed. Would love to see that one on the big screen. What a classic.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-89728987162842984382015-06-11T23:17:07.723-04:002015-06-11T23:17:07.723-04:00Fantastic job! I've been awaiting this post fo...Fantastic job! I've been awaiting this post for some time. ;) Hitchcock's easily one of my favorite filmmakers, though I haven't seen about 20 of his films - most of them early ones. Vertigo is firmly in my top 5 of all time, and Rear Window just misses my top 10. I also adore Dial M for Murder, The Birds, Psycho, and North by Northwest, among several others. Love this epic post, man!Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08596682195753811295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-30690423078209879292015-06-11T19:36:33.968-04:002015-06-11T19:36:33.968-04:00Thanks man! You have no idea how many times I sat ...Thanks man! You have no idea how many times I sat down (like you did) with the intention of crushing out Hitch film after Hitch film. But life always got in the way for me too. There is just so many films of his to get through. So happy to hear your praise for Psycho - nope, it'll never get old.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-72920925300490292712015-06-11T13:57:06.212-04:002015-06-11T13:57:06.212-04:00Wow. This is one hell of a post I might have to co...Wow. This is one hell of a post I might have to come back to several times before I digest it all and really spend time on your summarized reviews. Two years ago I attempted to do something similar, I was to watch 24 films by Hitchcock in one year. My life sneaked up behind me and it hasn't let go ever since. The result was that I only got to 7 films, 6 of which were new to me. I did not want to start out slow, so I went for the so-called classics, starting with North by Northwest and ending with Notorious. Though I instantly became a fan of the director's director, I've been unable or unwilling to really go through the list of his work. Perhaps I shall follow your lead. Lets hope time is on my side. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I couldn't agree more on what you said for nearly all of the ones I've seen. For me, I can't decide between Vertigo, Rear Window and Psycho, even though I do think that Psycho is, by far, the most timeless of all of his work. It will never feel old. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-74455583634053748662015-06-09T18:08:33.697-04:002015-06-09T18:08:33.697-04:00YES! Another Frantic fan. That's great to hear...YES! Another Frantic fan. That's great to hear - love finding other people who appreciate that one. This filmography was definitely a patience tester. There were so many days when I'd sit down with the intention of binging some of those early silent films, and I could never do more than one at a time. Definitely a long slog.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-83968627913367718932015-06-09T18:06:12.309-04:002015-06-09T18:06:12.309-04:00Yeah man, Vertigo, Psycho and NxNW are classics I ...Yeah man, Vertigo, Psycho and NxNW are classics I can watch over and over. Love them. Love Strangers and Dial M too. Thanks for the comment my friend!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-75318855612862150762015-06-09T18:03:07.146-04:002015-06-09T18:03:07.146-04:00Haha thanks! Hope you like those masterful films!Haha thanks! Hope you like those masterful films!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-79053746964516711242015-06-05T23:05:52.030-04:002015-06-05T23:05:52.030-04:00Very impressive, that long list of early films, ma...Very impressive, that long list of early films, many of which are silent, is a bit intimidating to me. I'm not sure I would have the patience. The slightly over half of Hitchcock's 53 that I have seen, all live in the top half of your list. My copy of Vertigo comes from a laser disc of the restored version after it's mid-eighties remastering. That film is amazing and the music haunts me still. Psycho and Rear Window are essential classics and the music for Psycho rings in my ears frequently. Frenzy was actually the first Hitchcock I saw on the big screen, it is a neglected masterpiece with a macabre sense of humor. That scene in the potato truck is suspenseful and hysterical. My personal favorite is probably North By Northwest because Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint seduce each other in such a sexy and sophisticated way. James Mason is unctuously slimy and Martin Landau is disturbing. The title sequence is as brilliant as the case at Mt. Rushmore. Richard Kirkhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16428986542891346618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-55415020340022316482015-06-05T05:22:09.740-04:002015-06-05T05:22:09.740-04:00Great roundup, you are the only person I know who ...Great roundup, you are the only person I know who has seen all of Hitchcock's filmography. <br /><br /> There are a trio of his films I go back to every so often: Vertigo, North By Northwest & Psycho. They never get old. <br />The last 3 years I discovered Strangers on a Train and Dial M For Murder, which are great too. Your post makes me aware there are so many I have yet to see!Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09395044055566348346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-16324557443876578272015-06-04T23:05:24.780-04:002015-06-04T23:05:24.780-04:00Holy bananas this is a great post! I just noted yo...Holy bananas this is a great post! I just noted your masterful selection of movies to add to my future watch-list. I haven't seen enough Hitchcock, unfortunately!!!! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-37553335042397118262015-06-03T19:10:10.171-04:002015-06-03T19:10:10.171-04:00I do love ole Hitch! Hope you're able to check...I do love ole Hitch! Hope you're able to check out some of his other classics soon!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-60896609978053285002015-06-03T11:28:58.150-04:002015-06-03T11:28:58.150-04:00Whoa you are a Hitchcock master! I only have seen ...Whoa you are a Hitchcock master! I only have seen 2, Psycho-which I love and strangers on a train, not too fond. I surely highlight the ones you find greatAndinahttp://www.inspired-ground.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-16001133042366788152015-06-01T12:45:18.485-04:002015-06-01T12:45:18.485-04:00Awesome that you dig NxNW that much. It does get b...Awesome that you dig NxNW that much. It does get better every time I see it, no question. That final jump cut is everything. You have some excellent Hitch films ahead of you - I hope you enjoy them!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-70671576561146668392015-06-01T12:44:06.389-04:002015-06-01T12:44:06.389-04:00I am SO with you about remaking already great film...I am SO with you about remaking already great films. Makes no sense to me. Why not try to improve upon an inferior film, as opposed to remaking one that is already so loved? But Topaz... man, so bad. <br /><br />Loved your list, and I loved your info about Smiler with a Knife. That would've been a great Hitch film right there. Thanks for this epic comment!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-77893194310693279092015-06-01T12:41:32.619-04:002015-06-01T12:41:32.619-04:00Thanks! Really glad you like it :)Thanks! Really glad you like it :)Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-46228473522843727462015-05-31T08:32:09.055-04:002015-05-31T08:32:09.055-04:00Wow that's quite an effort to get through all ...Wow that's quite an effort to get through all of his 53 movies. I have only seen 12! My favourite definitely being North By Northwest. Never get tired of that one; it's my favourite movie made before 1968 (2001 being in my all time top 10). Of the others I've seen Rear Window, Psycho and Vertigo are also great movies. He was really on a roll in the 50's into the 60's. Of the many that I haven't seen I'm keen to see Notorious, Spellbound, Rebecca, Marnie and The Wrong Man.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-37334600629041673572015-05-28T22:46:52.933-04:002015-05-28T22:46:52.933-04:00So impressive that you've seen all his films. ...So impressive that you've seen all his films. I've seen everything from the first Man Who Knew Too Much forward but I'm spotty on his earlier work. It looks like I've seen the better ones, The Lodger, Easy Virtue, Blackmail, and Murder! and it doesn't appear that I need to be too dogged in pursuit of the others. <br /><br />There are a couple favorites I would rate higher, and a few, Vertigo and Psycho among them, which I like but have never loved as much as most people do. But by and large your grades would be mine too. God how terrible is Topaz!! It has a promising story but it's such a miss, if they have to remake a Hitchcock why don't they try and fix that one instead of tampering around with Strangers on a Train!<br /><br />My top 10: <br />Saboteur-I have such a weakness for Priscilla Lane<br />Lifeboat<br />Rear Window<br />The Birds<br />Strangers on a Train<br />Notorious<br />North by Northwest<br />Shadow of a Doubt<br />The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)-Jimmy Stewart/Doris Day pairing makes this one for me.<br />Sabotage<br /><br />One project that I wish had come to fruition was a property called Smiler with a Knife based on a story written by Cecil Day-Lewis (Daniel's father). Hitchcock considered it but when he decided against it Orson Welles then took it up, each wanted Carole Lombard to star but she turned both down then Welles proposed Lucille Ball but the project fell apart and Welles moved on to Citizen Kane. Would have loved to see either version.joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.com