herbiehancock

No 103 - Rear Window Director - Alfred Hitchcock I had watched this film before, a few years back, and I thought I knew pretty much what was happening. Especially towards the end. However, I'm embarrassed to admit that at times, what I've done is mix this film with the Simpson's episode lampooning it. My mind appears to be a whirling blender of pop culture. Sometimes I'm not very good at sifting it. On the plus side, it meant I was constantly being surprised by a film who's actual plot I had forgotten. The plot it self is delightfully simple. L.B 'Jeff' Jeffries (played by the always brilliant Jimmy Stewart ) witnesses his neighbour acting very suspiciously and is gradually convinced that he has witnessed a murder. What is impressive is that Hitchcock leaves you guessing throughout the film. After all there are a lot of reasons why Jeff could be wrong, most of which are pointed out before the 'crime' is committed . It is unfeasibly hot and Jeff is...

No 195 - It's a Wonderful Life Director - Frank Capra This is a film I've been meaning to watch for years. However I keep missing it at Christmas, and it is a film so ingrained into the season that it seems strange watching it when it isn't Christmas. So finally I got round to watching it (in original black and white rather than new and coloured in). I was surprised by two things: Firstly this is a REALLY long film, running in at over two hours. Secondly, the first 90 minutes has nothing really to do with Clarence and what is typically known as the story of 'It's a Wonderful Life'. Instead we begin with some people praying for George Bailey (the always wonderful Jimmy Stewart) and (in my personal favourite moment) angels, represented by stars, having a little chat about what they should do to answer all these prayers. So, in order for Clarence the angel to know how to save George Bailey, we must know his story. This is the majority of the film, the life of Geo...

No 40 - Vertigo Director - Alfred Hitchcock This film made me feel stupid. I went in with very little knowledge of the plot, I only knew it had a dream sequence designed by Dali (another memory carefully stored from my wonderful times at MOMI ). It DOESN'T have a dream sequence designed by Dali! Spellbound does .... and Spellbound isn't even on the ruddy list. So, as I didn't know the plot of the film I was very surprised when it is unveiled that Gavin Elster would like retired detective John ' Scotty ' Ferguson to follow his wife because he thinks she is possessed by a suicidal ghost. That is a bit of a bonkers plot. It certainly isn't what I was expecting from a Hitchcock film. Now yes, there is a twist that explains it all in a logical way. It also cancels out the main crux of my bugbear with this film.... However, as the twist isn't revealed till about 20 minutes before the end, I have lots and lots of notes which talk about one thing: Jimmy Stewart ...