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The Birds (1963)
Remains terrifying
Of all Alfred Hitchcock's movies, many of which are classics, the Birds contains a scene that remains one of the most frightening in cinema.
The film is unusual for Hitchcock as it is a horror film. He had often made thrillers but the Birds is distinctive in its horror content. His later film Frenzy would also contain elements of horror in it's presentation of violence.
Another distinctive aspect of the Birds is that it is an animal horror movie. 13 years before Jaws and a slew of animal horror films that followed on from Jaws, the Birds was there flying the lead. But is it actually a good Hitchcock film?
The first half of the movie is sedate in its pacing. Tippi Hendren's character follows the lawyer played Rod Taylor, presenting him with the lovebirds that he had been looking for in a pet shop. There are driving scenes in this section of the film which do not help the pacing. The meeting of the romantic leads is interspersed with the initial, isolated bird attacks. The movie picks up the pace in this section of the film.
What follows is the beginning of what is most memorable of this movie. Hitchcock shows his skill in building tension and providing frights. Some of the special effects of the bird attacks have not held up well as they involve back projection. The physical effects do work.
A scene from the barracaded house often appears in documentaries about horror films. While this is not Hitchcock's best film, it remains one of his most memorable and distinctive.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Is this sweeter than the original
Take Roald Dahl, add Tim Burton and sprinkle with Johnny Depp. Roald Dahl was well known for his dark stories and dark undercurrents in his more light hearted works. In comparison to the Gene Wilder original this was going to be less candyfloss sweetness than the rightly celebrated 1971 movie.
Tim Burton has added his touches to this classic childrens story. He presents Willy Wonka with a palour that hints at somethnig more menancing under the top hat. Johnny Depp's Will Wonka has more of the Peter Pan, the boy that never grew up, whereas Gene Wilder's was an adult.
In remaking classic movies, a new cinnamon twist is needed. Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have found an interpretation that is distinct from the 1971 movie and is more faithful to Dahl's novel. Recommended watching and then watch the original.
Loophole (1981)
Heist with class cast
Another heist movie. This is a cut above average with an excellent cast: acclaimed British film and stage actor Albert Finney. Martin Sheen who had just been shot to fame by Apocalypse Now, alongside Johnathan Pryce,Colin Blakeley, Robert Morley, Susannah Yorke, Dinah Booker and Colin Blakeley. All respected character and lead actors.
Albert Finney plays the leader of a criminal gang whose latest raid has come up short. He plans to break into a vault containing safe deposit boxes. In order to locate the exact location of the vault, he needs the help of an architect who can pinpoint where the tunnel needs to emerge. This is where Martin Sheen comes in.
Worrth watching for the cast giving good performances.
The Mummy (2017)
Keep the tomb sealed.
The film that launches the Dark Universe. They certainly didn't put a light on when filming the subterranean scenes. When the film is not hidden by lack of lighting, it maintains its gloo,m with a lack of humour and by being plain boring. Russel Crowe chewing the scenery with his Edward hyde accent livens things up. He and Tom Cruise make an effort in making this film convincing. But the script is dull weighed down by it's intent in attempting to be serious.
Sofia Boutella who is a trained dancer is better at physical acting than the dialogue she has to deliver.
This film lacks everything that the Brendan Frazer films had and it shows.