4K Release – 4.5/5
Read Window
Director – Alfred Hitchcock (The Birds, Psycho)
Starring – James Stewart (Vertigo, The Mountain Road), Grace Kelly (Dial M for Murder, Suspense), and Wendell Corey (Women of the Prehistoric Planet, Picture Mommy Dead)
Release Date – 1954
Rating – 4/5
Tagline – “The master of suspense brings you his masterpiece”
When most people think of the golden age of Hollywood they often think of star like Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and John Wayne. However, I often think of Alfred Hitchcock and all his contributions to cinema history. Not really known for horror, but he was a master of suspense with many of his thrillers often cited as some of the best movies in movie history.
I’ve watched my fair share of Hitchcock films but one movie I had never seen was his 1954’s Rear Window starring James Stewart. I had heard about this film and how it was considered one of Hitchcock’s best for years but I never got the opportunity until the 4K Alfred Hitchcock Collections was sent my way for review.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows Jeff (Stewart) who is wheelchair bound after an accident leaves his leg in a cast. A photographer by trade, he finds himself observing people in the apartment building across the way from his. His people watching takes a suspicious turn when he believes a man has murdered his invalid wife. He tries to get the police involved but they believe that this is just the musings of a man with too much time on his hands. He then turns to his girlfriend and hired help to investigate him. **Spoiler Alert**
I had always heard great things about Rear Window but I never took the time to pick up a copy for viewing so I was very excited when I was sent this 4K release. With that being said, this movie was absolutely amazing. Hitchcock is the master of suspense and Rear Window is the reason he is called that. The movie is damn near perfect and I can see myself revisiting this one again soon.
The acting in this one is classic. James Stewart is a legend in Hollywood and his performance in Rear Window is absolutely phenomenal. His character, though wheelchair bound, brings some intensity to the film. He never disappoints in his scenes and his character carries the entire film on his shoulders. The supporting cast is just as fantastic but Stewart is amazing.
The story for this one is a top notch thriller full of atmosphere and tension. Hitchcock’s approach to story telling is a slow build up that finally explodes right before the story ends. With Rear Window that slow build, mixed with character development, works so well. The story may not be the most original or clever but it flows so damn well and still delivers even though it is predictable.
Finally, this is not a bloody piece of cinema. Instead, it is a character driven narrative that works for a mystery instead of horror. Overall, Rear Window is a fucking must for movie fans. It’s not a horror film so fans of other genres can really appreciate this classic work. The 4K release is absolutely stunning and really did impress me. The image and audio is just as flawless as the film itself.
Vertigo
Director – Alfred Hitchcock (Rear Window, The Birds)
Starring – James Stewart (Rear Window, Anatomy of Murder), Kim Novak (Tales That Witness Madness, Malibu), and Barbara Bel Geddes (Dallas, Alfred Hitchcock Presents)
Release Date – 1958
Rating – 3/5
Tagline – “A tall story about a pushover”
I was riding a high after watching Rear Window for the first time. I had watched several Hitchcock flicks prior to receiving this 4K collection for review but Rear Window was one of the few I had never seen until now. After seeing how amazing it truly was I couldn’t wait for the next film in the set which, coincidentally, was another Hitchcock flick I had never seen before. Vertigo was released in 1958 and also starred James Stewart. Rear Window was amazing so I went into this one with high hopes.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows Scottie (Stewart) is a former detective that suffers from vertigo and a fear of heights after witnessing a suspect fall to his death. Unable to work, he spends most of his time travelling around town. He is approached to follow a beautiful young woman who the man suspects may be in danger. He becomes obsessed with her and this obsession sprawls into another obsession with a different woman that is the mirror image of the young woman he was tasked with following. **Spoiler Alert**
Rear Window, though predictable, did a fantastic job pulling the viewer in and holding their attention. The suspense and tension is fucking perfect and the final is so satisfying even though you see it coming. Sadly, Vertigo was nothing like that. It’s still an entertaining watch but the mindfuck Hitchcock throws at the viewer just feels clunky and chaotic. It’s a fun watch but a movie I don’t see myself watching that often if at all again.
The acting in this one is so good. James Stewart and Kim Novak are absolutely stunning together. Both characters feed off each other and the two work so well together. The supporting cast is solid as well but these two characters really carry the story on their backs. The story for this one is solid on paper but Hitchcock tries to throw some twists at the viewer but those twists are predictable and drags the flow of the film down drastically. If the story was more of a straight forward story it would have been much more entertaining.
Finally, this is not a bloody mess that most modern horror fans look for. Instead, it’s very story focused. Overall, Vertigo was fun but nowhere near as entertaining as other Hitchcock works that I had previously seen. With that being said, the 4K upscale looked just as good as Rear Window and really surprised me.
Psycho
Director – Alfred Hitchcock (Rear Window, Vertigo)
Starring – Anthony Perkins (Psycho II, Psycho III), Vera Miles (The FBI Story, Alfred Hitchcock Presents), and John Gavin (Spartacus, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour)
Release Date – 1960
Rating – 4/5
Tagline – “A new- and altogether different – screen excitement!”
I’ve been fortunate enough over the years to review some modern day hits, indie masterpieces, and legendary horror films that were re-released on a new format. When I get one of these classic films in for review I always feel like I’m contributing a small piece to movie history. Psycho is one of the most iconic horror films and a movie that is still discussed all these decades later. When I was sent this 4K box set to review with Psycho included I had a rush of excitement go over me. I couldn’t wait to dive into this one.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows lonely hotel owner Norman (Perkins) who lost his mother several years ago but refuses to let her memory go. His mental state allows him to slip in and out of his own consciousness and into that of his mother which has resulted in Norman killing several of his tenants. When a sister and her boyfriend start searching for a woman that had stolen 40 thousand dollars and skipped town they track her to Norman’s hotel where he becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance. **Spoiler Alert**
Psycho, as I stated earlier, is one of the most iconic horror films to ever be released and one of Hitchcock’s titular titles. The film inspired several sequels, a remake, and a television show with countless fans forever immortalizing Norman Bates and Marion Crane’s shower scene on posters, artwork, tattoos, and other forms of memorabilia. Reviewing this film is almost like reviewing The Goonies and Beetlejuice because everyone has seen it but I wasn’t allowing that to stop me from checking out the 4K transfer.
The acting in this one is great. I wouldn’t compare it to Rear Window but Anthony Perkins does a phenomenal job creating the now iconic character of Norman Bates. His calm and innocent demeanor that slow moves into the land of the unstable is brilliant and really works well with the story. Janet Leigh’s performance is great even though she is in the film for just a short time. Her shower scene may very well be one of the most iconic scenes in movie history. The supporting cast is great but those characters are easily forgettable.
The story for this one is simple enough but is stretched a little thin at times. The meek mannered man that is obsessed with his dead mother killing tenants in a hotel is a absolutely brilliant story for a horror film but some of the scenes do drag out a bit too long. The dialogue heavier scenes does drag the tone of the film down just a bit. It still works but it a tad too long.
Finally, though a horror film, this one is not a bloody masterpiece like more modern horror tales. We do get some practical effects but nothing that will last with the viewer. Overall, Psycho is an absolutely brilliant horror thriller from the master of suspense. The 4K transfer is picture perfect but the black and white tone is not lost in the upgrade.
The Birds
Director – Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho, Rear Window)
Starring – Rod Taylor (Inglorious Basterds, The Time Machine), Jessica Tandy (*batteries not included, Cocoon), and Suzanne Pleshette (The Invaders, Blackbeard’s Ghost)
Release Date – 1963
Rating – 4.5/5
Tagline – “…and remember, the next scream you hear could be your own”
When I was younger, around 4 years old or so, my home life was not the best. In fact, the police and social services were often called to my home to deal with my mentally ill mother and dumb ass father. It was also during this time that I remember my first brush with horror. It was one of the many days that I had to stay with my grandmother because of the shit going on with my parents. While I was at her home we were watching movies like we would often do. She then introduced me to Hitchcock’s classic The Birds. This would not be the film that made me fall in love with horror but it is the first film that truly scared the living shit out of me. I’ve watched it countless times since then but I couldn’t wait to revisit it on 4K.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) who was tricked by a lawyer when she was visiting a bird ship. To return the prank, she discovers where his family stays on weekends and delivers two love birds to him. However, her little trip backfires and she starts to fall in love with the good looking lawyer but neither of them can foresee the horrors that befall them when the birds flying around the small coastal town get a taste for blood. **Spoiler Alert**
The Birds, just like Psycho, is one of the most iconic horror films to ever filmed. The film is able to bring about a sense of dread and danger without having to cover the viewer in blood and gore like most modern flicks. The fact that it involves birds which, when I was little, was an irrational fear that I had prior to seeing this. However, after watching the film I found myself fucking terrified. From my understanding, I was not the only person that this film did that to. Sure, I’m over now and was soon after seeing that film for the first time but for a short period of time that film scared the shit out of me.
The acting in this one is absolutely phenomenal. Rod Taylor and Tippi Hedren are fantastic together and their characters work so fucking well for the story. I know Hitchcock is known as the master of suspense but he knew how to tie characters to stories and he couldn’t achieve that without these amazing casts. The story for this one is simple on paper but painfully difficult to shoot.
The story works because it uses nature against us. Something real that we can’t control has always scared man so turning something so innocent as a bird into a killer is enough to send chills. Knowing that one or two birds posed no danger, Hitchcock had masses of birds for the film. Using old school camera tricks and split screen he is able to pull off these tricky shots that works with the story.
Finally, if you are looking for a blood soaked film you will be disappointed. We get a little blood and some make-up effects but that is the extent of it. The film does use classic camera tricks that we mentioned before but those wanted practical effects will be disappointed. Overall, The Birds is essential viewing for movie fans regardless of the genre they prefer. It’s an important part of horror history, as well as, movie history. The 4K release is absolutely mind blowing. It looks so good compared to the DVD I bought some Halloweens ago.
