Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

"The brethren know they face extinction. All that remains is where they make their final stand."

Pirates are dying. Basically, if you have ever had any contact with a pirate or you are a pirate you will be hung. The film opens with mass hangings, but the pirates have not lost heart. Together they sing "Hoist the Colors" a code which calls all pirates to unite.

Here is the plot…
1. Beckett (Hollander) of the East India Company controls the oceans. Davy Jones (Nighy), Governor Swann (Pryce) and Norrington (Davenport, now an admiral) are being controlled by Beckett. Together they give him ultimate power: Jones controls the seas, the Gov. controls the people, and Norrington keeps order.
2. Jack (Depp) is imprisoned in Davy Jones’ Locker and is going crazy
3. The crew of the Black Pearl, Will (Bloom), Elizabeth (Knightley), Tia Dalma (Harris) and Barbossa (Rush) have teamed up to save Jack
4. After freeing Jack they must call upon the Brethren Court
5. The Brethren Court is the 9 Pirates Lords. Essentially they are the bad-ass pirates who control the various seas…they lords include Barbossa, Jack and Sao Feng (Yun-Fat) who makes Elizabeth his successor before he dies. And they also need Captain Teague (Keith Richards), Jack’s father who keeps the Pirate Code.
6. To stop Beckett they must stop Jones.
7. To stop Jones they will need all the help they can get. The woman he loved was the Goddess of the Sea, Calypso who was imprisoned by the Brethren Court (another reason to convene). If they release her, she could help them. The other way to stop Jones is to get the chest and stab the heart, thus killing him and making the person who stabbed the heart his successor.
8. There is a large battle...Beckett, Jones, and _____ against Barbossa, Elizabeth, and _____ (I can't give away the ending)

Basically…Beckett is evil and must be stopped. The only way to do so is for the pirates to unite and get rid of Jones. Can Will save his father (Skarsgard)? Will Elizabeth and Will ever get married? Will Norrington do the right thing? Who IS the captain of the Black Pearl? Is Jack crazy? Will the Brethren Court ever stop fighting?


There have been many bad reviews of this film, but I think it works. The plot is crazy...as you can tell from my numbering system above, and that is just a sketch of what happens. Once again the CGI is fantastic. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the ending, but I think overall it works. There are even more characters to figure out, but I thought the Brethren Court was great and Keith Richards is very funny. Also, Chow Yun-Fat is great. As far as sequels go (and a second sequel at that) it was decent. Not the best film I've ever seen...but not the worst by far.

Dude, it's quotable: a little darker than the previous films, but still worthwhile.
Rent it multiple times: at this time I've only seen it once and I think I understand everything that happened (but I found out the ending prior to seeing the film so I guess that helps). A second viewing is necessary to completely understand what happened. Plus the maelstrom is pretty awesome so I'd like to see that HUGE battle again.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) 168 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence and some frightening images.
Director: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow
Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa
Orlando Bloom as Will Turner
Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann
Jack Davenport as Admiral James Norrington
Bill Nighy as Davy Jones
Tom Hollander as Lord Cutler Beckett
Stellan Skarsgard as Bootstrap Bill Turner
Naomie Harris as Tia Dalma
Jonathan Pryce as Governor Swann
Chow Yun-Fat as Captain Sao Feng

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

"Captain, I think the crew, meaning me as well, were expecting something a bit more... shiny. What with the Isle de Muerta going all pear-shaped, reclaimed by the sea and the treasure with it."
"And the Royal Navy chasing us all around the Atlantic."
"And the hurricane."

How do you make a sequel to a very popular film? Let alone a pirate epic?? Well, you take three years, lots of CGI, and add some big names and new twists on the original...

In order to save their own lives Will (Bloom) and Elizabeth (Knightley) go on a quest to find their old "friend" Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp). After helping him in the first film they are the targets of Lord Beckett (Hollander), the cruel spokesman for the East India Trading Company. He wants Jack's compass, so he sends Will after it, and then gives Elizabeth papers that guarantees them a pardon when they return with Jack.

Meanwhile Jack has run into his own problems. He and the crew are captives to a group of natives who believe Jack is a god (and they must free him from his earthly body, by setting him on fire and eating him). Will finds them in time to help them escape, but trouble is still lurking in the presence of the fishy (and I do mean fish-like, not sneaky) Davy Jones (Nighy). Ole squid-face wants to collect Jack's soul, but Jack isn't willing to part with it. So Jack and the crew, which includes Norrington (Davenport) and Elizabeth seek a hidden chest which contains the heart of Jones. While Will is aboard the Dutchman (Jones' ship) to get the key to the ship, and reunites with his father Bootstrap Bill (Skarsgard).

Back from the first film are Ragetti (Mackenzie Crook): the guy with the wooden eye, his companion Pintel (Lee Arenberg), Jack's first mate Gibbs (McNally), the mute Cotton (David Bailie) and his parrot, and little person Marty (Martin Klebba); to add to the chaos. And they all seek help from the mysterious Tia Dalma (Harris).


I saw this film in a theater and did not like it...but I recently watched it again and found it to be much better. The plot is complicated...there are more individual characters to keep track of and the story is harder to grasp. The effects are stunning, including Jones' crew who all possess parts of the sea (i.e. one has the head of a hammerhead shark, Bootstrap has a starfish on his face, etc), and his pet the Kraken. So I suggest watching the film twice: once to take it all in and a second time to understand what is going on.

Dude, it's quotable: Jack once again has some fascinating phraseology, and now the rest of the cast has a chance to be funny as well. The crew of the Black Pearl really shine.
Rent it multiple times: Theres too much to understand the first time...plus, then you have a reason to watch the first one again!

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) 150 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of adventure violence, including frightening images
Director: Gore Verbinski

Starring: Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow
Orlando Bloom as Will Turner
Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann
Jack Davenport as Norrington
Bill Nighy as Davy Jones
Jonathan Pryce as Governor Swann
Kevin McNally as Gibbs
Stellan Skarsgard as Bootstrap Bill
Tom Hollander as Cutler Beckett
Naomie Harris as Tia Dalma

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

"You best start believing in ghost stories Miss Turner. You're in one."

2003: a year that turned two Disney rides into feature films with popular leading men: the highly unsuccessful "Haunted Mansion" with Eddie Murphy, and this film "The Pirates of the Caribbean" with Johnny Depp. The ride tells the story of a band of pirates who drink and pillage...and chase attractive women. If you are familiar with the ride, look for little touches throughout the film that mimic characters from the ride.
Elizabeth Swann (Knightley) the governors daughter is kidnapped by pirates. But these aren't ordinary pirates...Captain Barbossa and his men are cursed. They cannot die and when they step into the moonlight they look like skeleton's with rotting flesh (See the picture above).

Meanwhile two different parties seek to rescue her. The first is Will Turner (Bloom), the handsome blacksmith who is in love with her, and Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp), a pirate. Jack is the original captain of the Black Pearl, but Barbossa and the rest of the crew mutinied and took the ship from him, and Jack wants his ship back! Together Will and Jack assemble a rag-tag crew of pirates, in a ship they stole...I mean commandeered (Nautical term) from the British Navy. The second group is led by Commodore Norrington (Davenport), who is also interested in Elizabeth (although she has no interest in him), and her father Governor Swann (Pryce).


Overall this is a fun film to watch, and the actors are obviously having a good time as well. There are many little quotes, plus you get to watch Johnny Depp's Sparrow steal every scene he is in...although Geoffrey Rush's Barbossa is also a strong character. This is the best of the POTC films. It is visually stunning...the sword fights are excellent...and it's the Caribbean, what is there to not love?

Dude, it's quotable: It is incredibly quotable...just looking at the things Jack says it is amazing, but the other characters have good quotes as well.
Rent it multiple times: It is always a crowd pleaser!!

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) 143 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for action/adventure violence.
Director: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow
Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa
Orlando Bloom as Will Turner
Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann
Jack Davenport as Norrington
Jonathan Pryce as Governor Swann

My 10 Top Christmas Movies

Every year Christmas movies (and music) gets overplayed and we all get sick of them, but these are the Christmas films that I could see over and over again and not be bothered...

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
It's Christmas and Charlie Brown is depressed.  He wants to know what the meaning of Christmas is, but everyone else is wrapped up in the commercialism.  His dog Snoopy has every decoration available to decorate his dog house, his little sister Sally asks Santa for some money "All I want is what I...I have coming to me.  All I want is my fair share." Their Christmas program can't seem to get it together because the musicians keep breaking into an upbeat version of "Linus & Lucy" (amazing song) and the actors start dancing. So it's up to Charlie Brown and Linus to find a tree and save Christmas.

We always watch this Christmas classic in my family!  It's not Christmas until we've sang along with "Christmastime is Here", danced out hearts out to "Linus & Lucy" and ended the film with "Hark the Herald Angels Sing".   In a time when we are consumed with buying the newest gadgets and getting best deals..."a time when people want to call this holiday "Santa Day" instead of Christmas...this film is a definite must.  Nobody does Christmas better than the Peanuts, "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!"

2. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
It's the old Dickens classic as only the Muppets can do it. Michael Caine is Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter old man with no friends who saves all his money and treats people badly.  Everyone knows the story, but the Muppets make it fresh: with brand new songs that touch the heart.  The story is narrated by Gonzo "I am here to tell the story" and Rizzo "And I am here for the food." and that pretty much illustrates the whole story...it's "The Christmas Carol" but with characters saying what you wish they would say..

Scrooge: Bob Cratchit, I've had my fill of this.

Miss Piggy: And I have had my fill of you, Mr. Scrooge.

Scrooge: And therefore, Bob Cratchit...

Miss Piggy: And therefore, you can leave this house at once.

Scrooge: And therefore, I'm about to raise your salary!

Miss Piggy: Ooh, and I am about to raise you right off the pavement...

This film does not appear on television as often as the others, but it is still a Christmas must!  There have been other versions of the Christmas Carol...more traditional, and my favorite of those is probably the Disney version with Mickey as Bob Crachit (but it's still scary for kids).  And while I am traditionally a purist when it comes to literature, the Muppets can't be beat.   So watch out for the wrath of Miss Piggy (and Lew's flying Boomerang Fish) and as Gonzo says, it's suited for the kiddies...

Rizzo:This is scary stuff! Shouldn't we be worried about the kids in the audience?

Gonzo: Oh, no, this is culture!

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

Dr. Seuss's beloved Christmas story about a different type of Scrooge...a nasty, green Grinch who is so bitter about Christmas he steals Christmas (hence the title).

A cartoon, using the original book as a template...and songs by Seuss, it is hard to pass this one up.  The narrator, and the Grinch are voiced by Boris Karloff (Frankenstein) who truly brings the story to life.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

In 2000 Ron Howard made a live-action version of the the Grinch with Jim Carey in the title role.  This is also a good Christmas film...it keeps the spirit of the original, with some added backstory.  Like WHY does the Grinch hate Christmas? WHO is Cindy Lou? Ect.   The actors are funny and Carey is fabulous as the Grinch.

I think I prefer the cartoon version, but I do own the newer Grinch film.  Both are classics and include the Grinch song.  So remember, don't miss with the Grinch because

"If you utter so much as one syllable, I'LL HUNT YOU DOWN AND GUT YOU LIKE A FISH!"

and watch out for the side effects from both films "Oh no. I'M SPEAKING IN RHYME!"

Classic.

4. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1983)
Based on the book by the same name, this made-for-tv movie is a blast.  The Herdman's (Imogene, Ralph, Leroy, Ollie, Gladys, and Claude) are a wild family, each kid worse then the previous one...they always pass even if they don't do their work because one Herdman per class is one too many!  The boys beat up a kid named Charlie (the narrators brother) who tells them about church... he will let them take his dessert because he always gets dessert at church.  Needless to say the Herdman's show up and want to be in the Christmas play, with all the main parts.

Ralph: What did she says the play is called?

Leroy: 'Christmas Pageant.'

Ollie: That's no name. That's what it is.

Gladys: I know a name. I'd called it 'Revenge at Bethlehem.'

I haven't seen this film in a long time, but it still sticks with me.  I remember how Imogene gets to be Mary (and how scary that story was) and many other parts of the film.  If you can find it (or the book) check it out. It may not be the flashy Christmas movies we have now...but it has a certain zing that the others miss....

5. A Christmas Story (1983)
Yes, it is overplayed (24 hours a day, the day before Christmas) but come on...you know you love it! All Ralphie wants for Christmas is an "Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle! ", but this film is about more than just wanting a BB gun for Christmas...it's about family, bullies, school, and all that. And who can forget Ralphie's little brother bundled up so much that when he falls to the ground he can't get up. Or the results of a triple-dog dare (yes, it is that movie). And the different type of men "Some men are Baptists, others Catholics; my father was an Oldsmobile man." You could write a book with all the quotes from that movie!

I saw the whole film for the first time last Christmas, during it's 24 hour run on cable and all these years later it is still relevant. This is one of the few Christmas films my father tolerates (the other one comes later in the list), so it holds a special place in my heart. But watch what you ask for this Christmas, or you might get the classic "You'll shoot your eye out".

6. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Its the story of Santa's most famous reindeer, Rudolph.  Using the song as a template, we follow the young life of Rudolph the outcast. Rudolph meets up with Hermey the elf who wants to become a dentist (not make toys) and Yukon Corneilus who is searching Silver & Gold & Peppermint mines.  And then there are all the misfit toys, the Charlie in a box, the bird who swims, the cowboy who rides an ostrich...and many more!

The first of the Bass-Rankin Christmas films, this is one of my favorites.  The misfit toy song is my favorite song, but the whole film is a fun adventure.  So watch out for Bumbles and get ready to strike it rich with Corneilus. But remember to watch those dog commands "Whoa. Whoa. Unmush, will ya?"

7. Frosty the Snowman (1969)
The kids at school are bored.  There is a stupid magician (and he isn't very good), but there's snow outside, so they build a snowman and use the magician's hat as the final touch.  Well that hat brings old Frosty to life and he has some fun with the kids, and stays away from the evil magician (if Frosty loses the hat, he goes back to being a normal snowman).

"Happy birthday! Hey, I said my first words. But... But snowmen can't talk. Ha ha ha, come on now, what's the joke? Could I really be alive?"

I love this cartoon. It's fun and one that can never be overplayed. Jimmy Durante is the narrator and the rest of the voices are fun too! I hate snow...but watching this film makes me love it...and want to build a snowman, yay!

8. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970) / The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
Santa Claus is Coming to Town - The best of the Rankin Bass films.  An exceptional cast (Fred Astaire, Mickey Rooney, and Keenan Wynn) make the story of Santa Claus an adventure.  Little Kris was raised by the Kringle family, a family of toymaker elves, who taught him the joy of making toys.  And during this time he makes the decision to brave the wild forest (and the snow wizard) to deliver toys to the kiddies.  But that's just the beginning of the story.

The Year without a Santa Claus - Santa decides he needs a holiday because kids don't care about Christmas anymore.   Two of his elves set off to find some kids that do care.  Along the way the run into Mother Nature and her sons Heat Miser and Snow Miser.  The Misers are the best part of this film...and their songs are so catchy!  Once again Mickey Rooney is Santa Claus.

Both are fun Christmas films.  The Santa story is good and explains all the myths about Santa. And the Year without a Santa is also good, especially the Miser brothers.  Yes, these two are also overplayed, but its all in good fun!

9. Elf (2003)
A young man raised by elves learns that he is human, not an elf, so he sets out to find his real father.   But is the world ready for Buddy, a grown-up who acts like a small child (especially about Santa) 

"SANTA! OH MY GOD! SANTA'S COMING! I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM!"

Will Ferrell is great!  He makes Buddy into a sweet loveable character, which by any other actor could have been a creepy, creepy part.  You can't help but smile along with Buddy, because "smiling's my favorite"

10. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
It's a story that resonates today, 60 years later.  It is the story of George Bailey, a good man with a good life.  We are witness to the major moments in his life, such as when he meets his wife.  Years later, George hits rock bottom; he owes a large amount of money to the bank, but the money gets lost on the way there.  With no other alternative, he considers suicide.  But his attempt is thwarted by an angel named Clarence.  Clarence shows George what life would be like if he was never born.  And we all know what happens next.

"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"

Yes, it is severely overplayed.  And the rip-offs have been many, and vary in quality.  But this film will never die.  We all have moments when we lose sight of ourselves and our visions and have hit rock bottom.  And George is there to remind us what COULD happen.

One Night with the King

"You were chosen for a time such as this..."

When I first heard about this film I was very excited! I love the story of Esther and the fact that they were making a movie..not just a Focus on the Family film that could only be found at a Christian Bookstore, but a film that I could actually see in a normal theater. With a semi-impressive cast (people I had actually heard of...who were in Hollywood films, whoa!)...and the trailer even looked promising. Ha! Famous last words.
The film opens with some backstory...to explain the bitterness of Haman (Callis). Basically all his relatives were slaughtered by King Saul at the urging of his prophet Samuel (O'Toole, totally underused).

I shouldn't have to explain the plot, but basically the King (Goss) is gets some bad advice and divorces Queen Vashti (Jyoti Dogra), so he looks for a new one. The available/attractive women are rounded up so he can pick the next queen. One of his options is Hadassah (Dupont), a young attractive Jewish girl. Her uncle Mordecai (Rhys-Davies) suggests that she change her name to Esther so she won't stand out from the rest of the girls. She ends up befriending the head Eunuch, Hegai (Lister) who helps her attain the position of queen.


The costumes are beautiful, they may be the best part of the film. The film is sappy. Esther has two love interests: the first is Jesse (Jonah Lotan) who is her childhood sweetheart and the second is the King. Jesse is an unnecessary character. The King, just doesn't work. He has a decent body, but in general he isn't the dreamboat they act like he is.

They had good objectives and I admire that they tried, but what were they thinking? They added cheesy love stories to appeal to mass audiences, but in general it just makes the film more like a teenage girls dream. And they strayed way too much from the story. In general it was just a bunch of bad decisions...yes, it works in some cases, but in general it becomes a tween chick-flick. Ugh!

--: it's a clean movie, no sex and violence, so it's the kind of movie you can take your teenage daughter, sister, cousin, whatever to and not worry about content
--: the costumes and locales are extravagant and worthwhile, but they don't outweigh the rest of the film


One Night with the King (2006) 123 min
Rating: PG for violence, some sensuality and thematic elements.
Director: Michael O. Sajbel
Starring: Tiffany Dupont as Hadassah/Esther
Luke Goss as King Xerxes
John Noble as Prince Admantha
Omar Sharif as Prince Memucan
John Rhys-Davies as Mordecai
Tommy Lister as Hegai
James Callis as Haman the Agagite
Peter O'Toole as Samuel the Prophet

Ghost Rider

"The story goes he made a deal to save someone he loved. He'd be normal during the day, but at night, in the presence of evil, the Rider takes over."

1. I am not a fan of Nicolas Cage
2. Superhero films...don't always work (like Daredevil and Elektra)...give me a good Batman film anyday (Christian Bale...oooo)
3. Why?

With those thoughts in mind, here is my review of Ghost Rider.
Johnny Blaze (Matt Long) is a motorcycle stunt rider, following in the path of his father, Barton Blaze (Brett Cullen)...but his dad is dying of cancer, so he makes a deal with Mephistopheles (Fonda) i.e. the Devil. Johnny gives the devil his soul in exchange for his father.

Years later, Johnny (Cage) has gained a following for his death-defying stunts. After several close encounters with death, Mephistopheles comes to collect...and makes Johnny his Ghost Rider. You know, collecting souls and all that jazz. With the Caretaker (Elliott) to guide him, Ghost Rider must stop the evil plans of Mephistopheles son Blackheart (Bentley). I couldn't really explain what Blackheart is up to...but the dude is creepy. Attempting to keep Johnny sane/human are Roxanne (Mendes) the love of his life, and Mack (Logue) his friend and the man in charge of his stunts.

It was interesting...I'll give it that...but come on. What possessed Mark Stephen Johnson to make this film? And what is up with the complex...pointless storyline. I feel like I wasted two hours of my life.

Don't waste your time: total waste of time!
--: ugh!

Ghost Rider (2007) 114 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for horror violence and disturbing images.
Director: Mark Stephen Johnson
Starring: Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider
Eva Mendes as Roxanne Simpson
Peter Fonda as Mephistopheles
Donal Logue as Mack
Wes Bentley as Blackheart
Sam Elliott as Caretaker

Vertigo

"Anyone could become obsessed with the past with a background like that!"

As a writer (and perfectionist) I can understand the intricacies involved in obsession...planning down to the smallest detail. It's a powerful feeling...and that is how this film works...it's an obsession.

Detective Scottie Ferguson (Stewart) is a retired cop who meets up with an old acquaintance, Gavin Elster (Helmore) who has a job for him. Elster wants Scottie to follow his wife Madeleine (Novak). In general it's a complicated story...but she's messed up. Scottie follows her and becomes obsessed. She commits suicide and Scottie is left alone with his obsession. And then he meets a woman who looks like Madeleine. Her name is Judy (also Novak), but she is nothing like Madeleine. So like any man with an obsession...well, I can't give away too much information. But it is creepy and obsessive.


Anyway, as a film student I can understand/appreciate the intricate details Hitchcock uses to illustrate Scottie's obsession. But as a viewer its hard to watch. It moves slow, and the plot is incredibly complicated. The first time you watch it, how are you supposed to keep up? And honestly, after the first time...why would you want to watch it again? Yeah, it's incredible...but hard to watch.

--: I don't know what to say about it...it's supposed to be great, and it is...but if you want to enjoy film this isn't necessarily the film for you.
--: However, watch it for the sheer beauty of film...it's impressive

Vertigo (1958) 128 minutes
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: James Stewart as Det. Scottie Ferguson
Kim Novak as Madeleine Elster/Judy Barton
Barbara Bel Geddes as Midge Wood
Tom Helmore as Gavin Elster

The Birds

"I have never known birds of different species to flock together. The very concept is unimaginable. Why, if that happened, we wouldn't stand a chance! How could we possibly hope to fight them?"

Honestly, I don't know what to say about this film...I admit, in general I was curious about it...and having seen it, there are no words to adequately describe it.

Beginning in a store filled with birds in cages, and ending with a town overrun with emancipated birds, "The Birds" certainly covers a lot of ground. The film opens with wealthy, carefree Melanie Daniels (Hedren) trying to buy some birds. She ends up wanting the attention of Mitch Brenner (Taylor), who plays a prank on her. Deciding to surprise him, and get even, she buys a pair of lovebirds (which he wants) and delivers them to the small town he lives in. Shortly after arriving in Bodega Bay, his town, Melanie is attacked by birds...which leads to the town being plagued by various kinds of birds. After the initial attack Melanie meets Mitch's family: his uptight, overprotective mother Lydia (Tandy, aren't all Hitchcock mothers overbearing!), and his innocent, adorable sister Cathy (Cartwright), and stays with his ex Annie (Pleshette).

I read a review that called "The Birds" Hitchcock's monster movie...and I can see that. But I prefer his other films. It's campy, poorly acted, and what is up with the ending? I wasn't impressed...but lets face it, compared with other Hitchcock films this one royally sucks! (even though there are worse ones...and worse films by other directors).

Rent it once: if nothing else, you can laugh at the sheer camp...it is entertaining, although it moves a tad slower than previous Hitch films
Watch it while doing homework: if you don't watch tooo closely, it could be incredibly entertaining...or if you could watch it during the wee hours of the morning when everything is more interesting due to lack of sleep.

The Birds (1963) 119 minutes
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Rod Taylor as Mitch Brenner
Jessica Tandy as Lydia Brenner
Suzanne Pleshette as Annie Hayworth
Tippi Hedren as Melanie Daniels
Veronica Cartwright as Cathy Brenner

Psycho

"A boy's best friend is his mother."

Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho": the movie that made people afraid to take a shower and started a new trend in horror films. Still considered the scariest film (at least according to AFI a few years ago), it keeps the edge and shock value even though its secrets have been revealed. My first encounter was intense (and I knew the ending!)

Marion Crane (Leigh) dreams of a different life and when an opportunity arises for her dreams to come true (and to help her boyfriend out fiancially) she takes the chance and steals a sizable amount of money. On the run from the law she finds seclusion at the Bates Motel with the owner Norman (Perkins). Everyone knows the rest of her story...but the film does not end there (it has barely even started).

The remainder of the film is about Marion's sister Lila (Miles). Lila is worried about her sister and hires a private detective, Arbogast (Balsam) to help her locate Marion. They go to the one person would could know, Sam (Gavin) Marion's boyfriend. Will they find Marion? Will they survive the trip? What's the deal with Norman's mom?


Wow. I've heard the Psycho theme (eee...eee...eee) and seen portions of the famous shower scene, but it packs a punch. This film is unlike any other Hitchcock...more blood and more shocking (how many films kill off it's supposed protagonist within the first 30 minutes?) This is one film that will stand the test of time...and trends of horror films. Well done Hitch!

Rent it: if you haven't seen it...what are you waiting for (then again my mother refuses to watch it...hmmm)
--: I don't know if I'd call it quotable, but it's definitely memorable

Psycho (1960) 109 minutes
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates
Janet Leigh as Marion Crane
Vera Miles as Lila Cran
John Gavin as Sam Loomis
Martin Balsam as Detective Arbogast