Adding to My DVD Collection: Psycho

When I first began this project or goal of adding to my measly DVD collection, I knew that a secondary goal would be to add to my Alfred Hitchcock collection. A collection that I only started adding to recently when I found out my sister hadn't seen a few Hitchcock staples. The first official Hitchcock purchase during my new goal of course had to be the Hitchcock film that meant the most to me--Psycho.

My love affair with Hitchcock began when I was in the 2nd grade, on a trip to Universal Studios during school vacation week. Obviously Universal Studios presented several rides of sheer terror that I knew to avoid *cough* JAWS., but it also excited me in its movie history nature. The most notable being when my parents took us to the Alfred Hitchcock experience or whatever it was called---a kind of display of the intrigue of Hitchock and most importantly the most groundbreaking Hitchcock film of all: Psycho.

I had never heard much about Psycho prior to 2nd grade. The "ride" highlighted the shower scene, and re-enacted it in live performance form (the Janet Leigh character donning a nude body suit and horrible blonde wig). I was terrified and intrigued all at the same time. Therefore it was much to my excitement that my parents suggested we rent Psycho upon returning to the hotel. The film was like nothing I had ever seen before. Black and white, violence, cross dressing sociopaths, dead bodies in fruit cellars. I didn't realize the extent of my excitement until I had to take a shower the next day. It took me probably double the amount of time it usually would because I couldn't stop looking out from the curtain to make sure a man wearing a wig wasn't coming at me with a giant knife. And also I was 98% positive that my older sisters were going to play a mean joke on me.

From that moment on--I was hooked. I immediately began acquiring a fascination for all things Hitchcock. I rented just about every Hitchcock movie from my public library that summer and absorbed myself in the fabulous Hitchcock book my parents bought me for Christmas that year.

So naturally, when wanting to add to my Hitchcock collection, Psycho was the film that I had to have immediately. It means so much to me as both a horror fan and young lover of movies. I would frame it if I could, like one of those infuriating toy collectors who keeps all the good stuff locked away from prying hands. I won't of course--because I need to watch it at least once a month, so I can stay captivated and intrigued for the rest of my life.

Rope

After the first time I had seen Psycho, I was invigorated with the purpose to watch every Hitchcock movie possible. In 2nd grade at the time, I began using my library card to rent every 10 pound Hitchcock VHS that they had. I was making great headway, having watched almost every one the library had to offer--but I couldn't help but notice that one of his films that I had looked very forward to seeing was absent. That Christmas after the initial Psycho viewing, my parents bought me a Hitchcock book--detailing every one of his movies, reviewing, and talking about its finer points and so on. The one that I became the most interested in was Rope. In its passage the author talked in great detail and apparent excitement about the fact that the film was shot in one continuous shot. The possibility of this statement boggled my mind. How could anyone shoot an entire movie in one shot?! I then made it one of my life goals to see Rope and find out what all the fuss was about.

I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to accomplish this, but perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. Had I seen this when I was in 2nd grade I would have watched and misinterpreted the movie the same way I had misinterpreted the books passage. The film is not one continuous shot rather, it is only made to look that way. It's a curious effect as it causes the film to appear to be in real time. It also tends to make things a lot more claustrophobic and practically causes us to shoot back the booze just like our friend Phil over there.

The entire film takes place in the apartment of Brandon and Phillip who have just murdered their former classmate David.

After strangling him with a rope, they stuff him into the chest that resides in the center of the sitting room. The motive behind it is to prove that they can really pull off the perfect murder. Brandon, who is more pleased than punch at what he has accomplished begins getting all these crazy thoughts. You see, the boys are about to have a party in the very apartment that they have just murdered someone. Brandon than believes that instead of serving the food on the dining table, they will instead serve the food on the chest that the dead David is inside of. And wait till you hear who is coming to this party. David's parents, his finance! Yes, it's all a little crazy hmm? Oh and Jimmy Stewart is their former prep-school headmaster who inspired this murder to take place. In school he used to speak about the art of murder and the intellectual concepts behind it. By committing the perfect murder one therefore gains a superiority over others. Apparently.

As you may assume, there isn't much that happens. Guests come and Brandon stirs things up. Phil grows increasingly more anxious and takes a liking to the vast supply of alcohol. The question of the night remains, "Where is David?" and Brandon gets more and more excited the closer people to get to worrying while Phil just gets drunker. There is one particularly brief moment of anxiety as the chest almost gets opened, but its flame is quickly distinguished. All goes well until Jimmy Stewart's character returns to the apartment looking for his cigarette case. It is now that the final showdown happens--but can you really call it that? If Rope was a heart monitor I would imagine its line would be a steady beat, briefly jutting up when a gun is wrestled from Phil's hand and then back to normalcy. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, although many would argue that the appeal of Rope lies solely in the illusion of the continuous shot.

I wouldn't say I completely agree but I do find it to be one of the less suspense inducing films of Hitchcock's. This is strange considering that unbeknownst to everyone except two people, there is a dead body in the room. I did enjoy seeing Phil battle with his conscience and watching his degradation happen. He quite obviously was not into this idea from the start, yet his strange loyalty to Brandon prevents him from ever backing down. Perhaps it's really all about the characters, or the subtext of Nietzsche and what is really meant by gaining superiority over others. I'm not sure it really is though. I still feel like the film is mostly about the one shot. I read somewhere that a critic once complained that he wished Hitchcock would have chosen a more interesting subject to use this new age technique on--and perhaps I agree. Rope will not be one of my favorites I don't think, but thank goodness I've finally watched it so that my life can go on.

This trailer is very interesting as that whole park scene was filmed solely for the trailer and is not in the film.

The Man Who Knew Too Much: Not to Be Confused With The Man Who Knew Too Little.

The Man Who Knew Too Much was always one of my favorite Hitchcock films as a child. I credit this to the fact that I just really loved hearing Doris Day sing at the end- and I also loved how the discovery of the true Ambrose Chapel comes about. Though not without it's flaws- a lot of Hitchcock purists dislike this particular film due to its apparent plot holes, or questionable actions of many of the characters. And to them I say fuck off chaps! I love this movie and you just can't tell me otherwise.

After being disappointed with his first stab at this movie in 1934, calling it the work of an "amateur"- Hitchcock came back this time armed with Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day as leads. Despite the obvious increase in production- Hitchcock still preferred the earlier version due to the most recent looking too "polished". Having never seen the original film I suppose my judgement on loving this film so much could be faulted but nevertheless I dig it.

While on a vacation in Morocco, Ben his wife Jo and their son Hank- witness the murder of a spy in the marketplace. After the spy- whom the family had met a day earlier, stumbles over to Ben, he whispers startling news into his ear. There is to be an assassination in London. Since Ben and Jo must be taken into the police for questioning, a couple that they had met at dinner offers to take Hank back to the hotel. While at the police station, Ben get's a phone call. A mysterious man's voice says that if he tells anyone what the spy whispered into his ear, his son will be in great danger.

Turns out- the couple that have taken Hank back to the hotel are the ones responsible for organizing the assassination- and they've kidnapped Hank! Ben and Jo although distraught take matters into their own hands- sending them on a wild goose chase as they try to find Hank and possibly stop an assassination along the way.

Although it runs at 2 hours long- as do most of Hitchcock's films, it manages to not feel like it's completely dragging. As I'm sure you've heard before Hitchcock is after all- the "master of suspense" and in this case I think that statement couldn't be more right. In the very beginning of the film a booming orchestra plays Storm Cloud Cantata while the title credits roll. Then the camera slowly zooms in on one man. Who turns, and grabs the pair of cymbals. As we wait in anticipation for the cymbals to crash, the music gets more and more intense until finally the crash happens and words; "A single crash of cymbals and how it rocked the lives of an American family" are printed across the screen. We wonder what does this mean? And unfortunately we do not find out until around the last half hour or so of the film. The building of up of this future suspense however is key- because just as we stood on edge waiting for those cymbals to crash- so are we standing on edge waiting for the moment to come when we find out why the crash of the cymbals shook our American family.

The scene in question is one of the most awe inspiring ones I've seen. It runs for 12 minutes without any dialogue- only the power of the Storm Cloud Cantata and the anticipation of what is to come. It's one of those scenes that had me biting my thumb and writhing in painful agony every time Jimmy Stewart opened the wrong door. Then there's the painful look on Doris Day's face while she wonders too when the moment will happen and dreads the fact that she can't really do anything about it- or can she?

It's an all around fantastic scene. But for every dramatic build up there are also scenes that weave in comedic relief. Perhaps only funny to me but whatever- is in the beginning when Hank falls on the bus and accidentally pulls off a Muslim woman's veil- causing some heated arguments between the man's husband. Jimmy Stewart stands up and in his classic drawling tones says something like "Now wait just a minute...." Oooh Jimmy! Stay out of those Muslim people's religious and social practices! It made me laugh but maybe for the wrong reasons? Ahem anyways, then there's the idea of Jo's friends all coming over and Jo and Ben both leaving once they figure out something important that has to do with Hank's disappearance. The friends keep getting confused and rightfully so- but it isn't until the final shot of the film- where we see them all still in Ben and Jo's room, and sleeping that we realize how confused they really were. Then there is of course Jimmy Stewart's last line.."Sorry we were gone so long, we had to pick up Hank!" Oooh goodness.

Then there is my favorite scene- Doris Day and Jimmy Stewart get taken to the Prime Minister's party where they believe Hank is being held. After Ben suggests that Jo should sing for the party- she sits at the piano and plays the very same song she and Hank would sing together, "Que Sera Sera/ Whatever will be will be"- Hank hears it and cries out "That's my Mother's voice! That's my mother singing!" but can't get out as the door is locked- and he is being held there so that he can be killed. It's a moment of pure emotion- as Doris Day's beautiful singing voice, paired with the tears in her eyes and the panic in Hank's voice. Oooh what a scene!!

Without a doubt I may very well love this film much more than the average Hitchcock lover, and I can't really tell you exactly why. I only know that it gets me right in the heart, plus it's exciting and hilarious--just like "UP" so yeah. What's not to love?

Frenzy: Bit Of a Waste Of Good Potatoes If You Ask Me.

While in my Hitchcock phase of life at the young age of 12 or so- I had gone through nearly every 12 pound collector's VHS at the library. I had also received a wonderful book for Christmas around that time, detailing every Hitchcock movie ever made. The page on Frenzy warned viewers that this was a very different Hitchcock movie and that the rape scenes were brutal- and that there were even *gasp* boobs! I knew I had to see it right then and there. Probably not the best film to watch with your father- but Bob's your uncle I did it and I was damn proud that I could sit through such a movie at 12 years of age. I was terribly embarrassed however that I was watching a movie with my Dad where boobs were involved but oh well, we can't have it all my good friends.

Frenzy is Hitchcock's second to last movie. It's funny to think that at one point in his career he was practically pushed in front of the firing squad for showing Grace Kelly pack an overnight bag in Rear Window- when Frenzy shows boobs boobs and rape and murder murder murder. Never one to fear pushing the bar, Hitchcock always went boldly to places others rarely went. Frenzy is the story about a string of murders in England committed by a man known as the "neck tie killer". His victims are usually naked and strangled with a necktie. After Richard Blaney's wife turns up as one of the victims- the police are fed a number of clues linking him to the murder. The audience however is fully aware that the rapist and murderer is not Richard- but rather his friend, Robert Rusk. While the bodies keep piling up- so does the evidence against Richard- and so he must try to maintain his innocence- while the guilty one continues to rape and kill.

If you've never seen Frenzy and are a fan of Hitchcock- what are you doing?? This film is utterly fantastic- although many people would claim otherwise because it's so drastically different from his previous work. I am here to tell you however- that it is not drastically different. The air of suspense is alive and well- as is the irony, the key shots, the off screen murders, the witty lines and overall amazing work. The only difference is boobs. Boobs boobs boobs. Who cares about boobs? Get over it.

I love so many things about this movie but namely the way that the murders are handled. There is only one murder shown on the screen- and it is brutal-but the great thing about it is that because of that brutal murder scene- the off screen murder is just as brutal. Therefore Hitchcock has done his job. By projecting that first murder on us- our heads are immediately filled with similar images when the rapist takes the second victim into his apartment. The shot pans out backwards down the stairs and focuses on all the people walking by, oblivious to the heinous crime being done above them. We however- are not oblivious. Just as we are not oblivious to the true identity of the killer. Our minds create a scene of our own where the victim is just as helpless and just as vulnerable as the first- it's quite a brilliant bit of movie making if you ask me.

The other great scene which I would wager you may have heard of before is the potato truck scene. Suspense in a truck filled with potatoes. Perfection. I won't give too much away but I will just say that the breaking of the first finger is excruciating and by the time the breaking of the third finger happens your eyes roll back into your head. Although we have no true remorse for the future of Robert Rusk- we are wide eyed when that truck stops- again brilliant. Yes it is brutal and extremely graphic for Hitchcock but it is still dealt with on his terms and therefore does not veer off from the usual course of his work.

Finally, I would just like to say that I am in love with the scenes where the inspector's wife tries to cook him fine gourmet French food. It may be the best thing ever. Yeah it definitely is. So in a nutshell- Frenzy is amazing. It's an instant watch on Netflix so make a day of it and sit and take in the wonder. Also pay attention to how amazing the very first scene is- irony at it's best. Oh and also my least favorite of all creepy gingers from Peeping Tom stars in this...bollocks.

Rear Window: Apparently Dead Dogs Are Also a Good Fertilizer.

It has come to my attention recently that I have never done a post on Rear Window. I'm not sure I can answer why that is- but I think it has something to do with that fact that I just assumed I posted up a review once when I was delirious or something- therefore forgetting that I never actually wrote anything in the first place.

So I will proceed in saying that Rear Window is one of the greatest films made by non other than Freddy Hitchcock. It stars James Jimmy Stewart as well as one of the most beautiful women in the world... Princess Grace of Monaco.

Sigh. Let's just take a moment to remember the wonderful Grace Kelly shall we?

OK. So Jimmy Stewart plays L.B. "Jeff" Jefferies a photographer who was injured while taking what were probably some really exciting photos. As a result, Jeff is confined to his home in a wheelchair with his sad broken leg and his camera. So what is a man to do when he has a broken leg? Spy on the neighbors of course! It's a good thing Jeff's apartment consists mostly of windows because he lives around some truly enticing characters. Now let me be clear that I am the number one offender of spying on people- so it was no surprise that I found those spying scenes completely moving. BUT even if you don't like spying on people- Hitchcock does something insanely marvelous here...he forces you to watch- AND become enthralled and invested in the action as much as Jeff does! It's probably one of my favorite parts about this film and not just because I'm super nosy.

Anyways- Jeff soons starts paying close attention to one of his neighbors-- Lars Thorwald a perpetually grumpy sort of man and his bedridden wife. After Jeff starts noticing that Thorwald takes several late night trips, often emerging with a large hand case- and polishing off a knife and handsaw he starts to wonder what has happened to Mrs. Thorwald- and whether or not Thorwald is up to some bad behavior.

Another simply great thing that this movie does which I can actually connect believe it or not to Martyrs- is that it creates a sense of disbelief. We too are experiencing the same strangeness when observing Thorwald's behavior- but what if Jeff is sorely mistaken? What if Mrs. Thorwald really has just gone on a vacation? How can he be so sure? This sort of feeling stays with us right till the end- when Thorwald's final confession to the police is almost like a deserved slap to the face.

Now as for the tension in this movie....holy crap! The scene where Grace Kelly breaks into Thorwald's apartment and we watch her every move from Jeff's point of view is so freaking intense. Every single time I watch that scene and see Thorwald mosey back into his apartment- while the unknowing Grace Kelly still searches in vain for evidence--I scream out loud with anguish.

And then of course the ultimate scene of intensity and excitement!--when Thorwald discovers why Grace Kelly is pointing at the ring on her finger... When he looks right into Jeff's apartment- I seriously lose my cool. Poor Jimmy Stewart is helpless and alone in his wheelchair- trapped with nowhere to go! It may be the most thrilling bit of cinema to ever grace the screen.

So in a nutshell- this is one of the best Hitchcock movies ever- and also just one of the best movies ever period. It's got suspense, it's got comedy and it even has a little risque interaction with Kelly and Stewart that caused many people in 1954 to stare at it with disgust! Can you imagine the sort of hate mail Alfred Hitchcock received when he showed that Grace Kelly brought her nightgown over the Jimmy Stewart's house?!

Oh and also sad dog death in this one folks. Keep a box of tissues close at hand.

This is Why I Don't Talk to People on the Train.

This is one of my favorite Hitchcock films. Based on the book by Patricia Highsmith who also wrote "The Talented Mr. Ripley" another great book AND movie which I think is rare to have both. Strangers on a Train is the classic tale of that friend who just won't leave you alone. And that friend who is a murdering psychopath. We all have them don't lie.

Guy Haines a famous tennis player is trying to divorce his wife Miriam. On the way to meet with her lawyer he meets a man on the train named Charles Anthony Bruno. The man seems like a nut job, and pries a little too much into Guy's life. After a few drinks Chaz suggests they make a swap. He'll kill Miriam for Guy if Guy kills his father for him. Guy thinks Chaz is merely making a joke and laughs it off as he gets off the train, saying yes yes Bruno whatever you say good plan.

Bruno meets up with Miriam at a fair where he stalks her, finally strangling her on an island. Bruno meets with Guy and tells him he's done his part and hands Guy Miriam's broken glasses. Guy flips out at him and rushes home. Bruno now starts following Guy every chance he can get, becoming friends with people he knows, slipping him maps of his house and sending him a revolver to kill his father with. It's all very stressful and Bruno is such a whack job.

The beauty of Hitchcock films for me are those amazing shots we get. There's the picture of Bruno after he strangles Miriam reflected in her glasses, the juxtaposed women with glasses, the scene at the tennis match where everyones heads are following the balls back and forth except Bruno who stares straight ahead at Guy amidst the sea of turning heads.

Bruno is really frustrating in this, which makes him an excellent villain and character. My other favorite character is Babs hah I love her. The end scene is also really really great and maybe a tad comical. But there are really some great moments in this one, especially when Bruno is tailing Miriam at the fair sooooo creepy.

So if you are interested in Hitchcock but haven't seen many, definitely see this one it can't be missed. Here is the creepy part where Bruno stalks Miriam at the fair.

Don't Investigate Bird Noises in The Attic When Your Town Is Being Invaded By Killer Birds.

The Birds is another movie I was exposed to at a young age. While it didn't really make me afraid of birds it did open my eyes further to the delights of Alfred Hitchcock. Birds are a great villain when you think about it. All those different species and flocks are striving for the wipeout of the human species. AND they can fly. pffffft amazing.

Melanie comes to Bodega Bay and meets Mitch, who buys lovebirds for his daughter. All is well until the birds start acting a bit strange. Nipping people at random and different flocks hanging out together? What is this madness?!

The Birds is a classic. If you're a Hitchcock newbie, Psycho and the Birds should be your first stop. The ending scenes in the house are pure terror. Melanie's scene in the attic, and the eventual escape from Bodega Bay are nail biting.

However, the best scene hands down is the school yard scene. Watch how Melanie smokes her cigarette while the crows start amassing slowly behind her. It's pure art. Once she realizes what is happening she attempts to get the kids to safety. The birds are not down with this idea and hysteria ensues. I can't find a good clip of it on youtube. So here is this little teaser trailer instead. It shows the madness of the situation in more than one way.

Psycho: At Least He Keeps the Place Clean.

Ah so here is the movie that started my horror movie obsession. The first time I saw it I was in the 2nd grade. The night after watching it, I couldn't take a shower without looking out the curtain every minute. People say Psycho ruined showers like Jaws ruined going to the beach, and they couldn't be more right. 

This is my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie, and it's no surprise it makes #4 on Bravo's list, as well as countless others. 

The character of Norman Bates is perhaps the most perfect horror villain to ever be imagined. He is so nice and gentle, yet of course has a dark side/alternate personality.

Then of course there is the fact that our main character dies in the beginning of the film! Hitchcock did many groundbreaking things with this film and it will continue to be a masterpiece. If you haven't seen this you deserve to be punched in the head.

Other great aspects; the amazing music score, the shower scene cinematography, the mother's creepy voice, the ending picture, all the stuffed birds on the wall, the list goes on...

Here is my favorite trailer, of Alfred Hitchcock actually leading you through. It's quite spectacular in it's own right.