Film Review: 78/52

Alexandre O. Philippe’s 78/52 is a most entertaining documentary. The film is at its best when focusing on contributors’ reactions to the famous scene.

Writer-director Alexander O. Philippe looks as the iconic shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 classic Psycho. The filmmaker speaks to filmmakers, actors, writers, and those more closely involved in the making of the sequence…

 

78/52, the title of Philippe’s documentary, refers to the number of set-ups (78) and cuts (52) in one of the most famous scenes in cinematic history. The scene is certainly worthy of a feature-length discussion. For the most part, the documentary does its subject matter justice.

The film starts off by positioning the scene in its socio-historical context. The wider discussion of Alfred Hitchcock does not add much to proceedings. This is particularly the case given many viewers will be fans of the filmmaker. However, Philippe has a point to make in locating the scene in terms of censorship rules and the Hayes Code. Naturally, this facet plays an important role in the way in which the scene was shot.

Philippe talks to a variety of parties in the 78/52. It is interesting to hear the views of various actors and directors. Nevertheless, more insightful are the opinions of editors and composers, given how important these aspects of filmmaking are to the sequence. Also, interviews with Hitchcock’s granddaughter Tere Carrubba, body double Marli Benfro and Jamie Lee Curtis shed invaluable detail. SpectreVision’s Elijah Wood, Daniel Noah, and Josh C. Waller inject fun with their observations, whilst a little less Marco Calavita would have been welcome.

The real meat of the film is the analysis of the actual sequence. Philippe gets most of the participants to watch it and react on screen to various elements. 78/52 focuses on one of the most important examples of editing in film history. And the importance of editing is also key to the documentary. The filmmaker shifts from differing viewpoints in an enthusiastic manner.

Philippe gets the balance right overall in covering the various aspects related to the scene. 78/52 is a great watch for any viewers who have seen Psycho. Die-hard fans may want the film to go into microscopic detail.

78/52 was screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2017, and will be released in UK cinemas on 3rd November 2017.

Previews: Alien: Covenant Clip, Atomic Blonde, More!

Lots of big films in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including an Alien: Covenant clip, Atomic Blonde, Beauty and the Beast, and more…

Alien: Covenant Clip

This Alien: Covenant clip gives viewers an insight into the crew and personalities in Ridley Scott’s latest film. Michael Fassbender returns in the sequel to Prometheus, and is joined by Danny McBride, Katherine Waterston, and James Franco. Alien: Covenant is set for release in May 2017.

Atomic Blonde Poster

Charlize Theron is striking in this poster for Atomic Blonde. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the film is about an assassin who is sent to retrieve a priceless dossier. The film also stars James McAvoy and John Goodman. Atomic Blonde hits UK screens on 11th August 2017.

Beauty and the Beast Clip

Emma Watson shows of her singing ability in this clip from the upcoming Beauty and the Beast. From this brief look, it seems as if a lot will be replicated from the original film, but it won’t be a shot-by-shot remake à la 1998’s Psycho. Dan Stevens and Luke Evans join Watson in heading up a enviable cast. Beauty and the Beast is out in UK cinemas on 17th March 2017.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Trailer

After success with Sherlock Holmes and its sequel, director Guy Ritchie turns his attention to another British fable. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword tells the familiar story of Arthur’s rise to power, albeit in an action-packed way. Starring Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword launches on to UK screens on 12th May 2017.

Ghost in the Shell Poster

The artwork for Ghost in the Shell certainly is striking. Scarlett Johansson stars as Major, a cyber-enhanced human who is tasked with stopping the world’s most dangerous criminals. Based on the Japanese manga of the same name, Ghost in the Shell hits UK screens on 31st March 2017.

Their Finest Trailer

Lone Scherfig’s latest film is about a female screenwriter tasked with writing a film to lift spirits during World War 2. Their Finest stars Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy. Based on Lissa Evans’ novel, Their Finest will be released in UK cinemas on 21st April 2017.

Film Review: Hitchcock

With The Girl being screened on television last year and now Hitchcock, legendary director Alfred Hitchcock is getting a bad rap on screen. Although Hitchcock looks great and is never dull, ultimately it feels unsatisfying.

In 1959 Alfred Hitchcock is a very successful director, skillfully abetted by his wife Alma. Looking for his next project, Hitchcock decides to adapt the horror novel Psycho. Self-financing the production, Hitchcock’s behaviour causes Alma to seek solace in another project…

Set during the making of Psycho, Sacha Gervasi’s film mixes events around the production of the film with Alfred and Alma’s marriage and the mindset of the director. Whilst the first and arguably second aspects are sound, the film is let down by this third strand.

The Ed Gein element of the film does not work well. Although the connection between the notorious killer and the film Psycho are clear, it seems a strange tact to focus on this character. The film’s depiction of Hitchock’s preoccupation with Gein is odd. Playing on the mental stability of a real person, especially one in living memory will rarely sit well. Hitchcock is very much the Gervasi and screenwriter John J. McLaughlin’s interpretation of events.

Although Alfred Hitchcock’s career has been widely praised, much has been made of his treatment of his leading ladies. Hitchcock goes a step beyond this to insinuate more serious problems. This is unlikely to sit comfortably with most viewers.

The script is littered with humorous lines and the pacing of the film is fine. Costumes are great, and the film has a glossy look to it, with everything appearing immaculate. Anthony Hopkins sounds the part of Hitchcock, and looks the part thanks to some prosthetics. Helen Mirren is good as Alma, while James D’Arcy makes a convincing Anthony Perkins.

As a fictional interpretation, Hitchcock is fine. Given that it is based on real people however, the film does become problematic.

Stuff To Look At

A bumper edition this week, with plenty of releases for 2013…

Man of Steel

I have always been more of a Batman child than a Superman one, but I did love the Christopher Reeve movies (maybe not the last one). After 2006’s underwhelming Superman Returns, this new version looks more appealing. Henry Cavil stars as the title character in the first full trailer for Man of Steel, due for release in June 2013.

Oblivion

Ageless Tom Cruise has been getting action-heavy recently, with Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Jack Reacher and now Oblivion. This futuristic thriller sees Cruise’s character Jack Harper battle to save mankind. Also starring Andrea Riseborough, Oblivion will be released in UK cinemas on 12 April 2013.

The Wolverine

The follow-up to X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Wolverine is due for release in July 2013. The film sees Hugh Jackman reprise his role from the X-Men franchise. This adventure is set in Japan, as the above poster suggests. I’m sure a trailer for The Wolverine will be released shortly.

The Lone Ranger

Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter together again, but not in a Tim Burton film? The emphasis in the above trailer is on the fact that it is the same team behind Pirates of the Caribbean. If executed correctly, The Lone Ranger should be a lot of fun, like the first film of that earlier franchise. The Lone Ranger is due for release next year.

The Croods

The latest animation from DreamWorks is The Croods, a prehistoric adventure film. The Croods features the voices of Nicholas Cage, Ryan Reynolds and Emma Stone. From the above trailer, I am liking the monkey. The Croods will be released in UK cinemas on 22nd March 2013.

Broken City

Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones star in Broken City, a crime thriller set in New York. My first thought on viewing this was ‘Russell Crowe’s weave!’. That aside, this tale of corruption could be quite good. Broken City is out on 1st March 2013.

The Last Stand

What is The Last Stand, you ask? Well it is Arnold Schwarzengger’s return to lead roles on the big screen. Schwarzenegger plays the sheriff of a small town where a notorious drug baron is trying to make his escape. The Last Stand, which also stars Forest Whitaker and Rodrigo Santoro, is out on 24th January 2012.

Hitchcock

Everyone loves a bit of Alfred Hitchcock, don’t they? The eagerly anticipated Hitchcock tells the story behind the making of Psycho. Anthony Hopkins stars as Alfred Hitchcock in the film which also features Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson. Hitchcock is released in UK cinemas on 8th February 2013.

Film Review: The Resident

The Resident should leave you questioning the safety of your home and who has access to it. Instead, it is more likely to leave you questioning why you spent ninety minutes watching this tripe.

ER doctor Juliet is looking for a new apartment after her husband cheats on her. Finding a spacious but very affordable place in Brooklyn, Juliet can’t believe her luck. Her good fortune is short lived however, as someone is watching her from within her apartment…

The Resident has numerous factors conspiring against it. Most important of these is the fact that the film is not actually frightening at all. There is certainly an air of creepiness to proceedings, but the film fails to generate any genuine scares. Scenes that should cause apprehension fall flat thanks to lacklustre direction from Antti Jokinen. Instead, the film is voyeuristic but lacks a sense of trepidation.

The Resident owes a great debt to Psycho with its plot. The narrative is a lot less credible than Hitchcock’s film, however. There are some standard horror movie set-ups; the phone without reception, for example. The violence is kept to a minimum until the climax. The voyeurism is at best unsettling, though it never crosses over to become genuinely troubling.

The Resident is not exactly what would be expected from Hammer Film Productions. It has the guise of a horror film, but in reality it is a more straightforward thriller (albeit without the thrills). The film stars Christopher Lee in a small role, adding to this horror pedigree. Nonetheless, while Lee seems to bring a certain gravitas to all his films (from Horror Hotel to The Lord of the Rings), even he cannot save The Resident. Moreover, Lee is underused in a role that is pretty pointless except for the exposition that the character supplies.

One of the few positives of The Resident is the cinematography. Guillermo Navarro creates an atmospheric tone for the film with a considered visual style. Most of the film’s creepiness can be attributed to Navarro’s cinematic prowess. The score meanwhile is overused at times, attempting to force anxiety where there is none.

Hilary Swank is as competent as ever in The Resident. The actress is also an executive producer of the film, which may explain her involvement with a picture far from her usual fare. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is decent as landlord Max.

With its extended climax, The Resident ultimately feels a lot longer than ninety minutes. There is an awful long wait for scares that never materialise.

Film Review: Touch of Evil

Orson Welles’ film noir classic is still affecting over fifty years since its original release. Whilst the themes Touch of Evil focuses on are nothing new, it is the combination of said themes with the direction, cinematography and art design that generates a pervading atmosphere.

Charlton Heston plays Mexican cop Vargas, who along with his new American bride Susan (played by Janet Leigh), witnesses a murder at the American-Mexican border. What follows is a police investigation that proves more complex and iniquitous than the hero could have imagined.

Touch of Evil juxtaposes Vargas with Quinlan, an overweight, former alcoholic, veteran American detective, played by Welles. The film firmly sets up the two as distinct opposites. Vargas is the idealistic, clean officer, well-respected and rising in his career. Quinlan, on the other hand, who is tired, racist and corrupt, is clearly nearing the end of his career.

Through these two characters, themes of corruption, the abuse of power, and prejudice are played out. The lengths that Quinlan goes to protect himself – as far as endangering Susan, and then some, are pivotal in depicting such a malevolent character. The atmosphere is kept tainted and at times claustrophobic by the use of lighting, the stylised cinematography, and the art direction of Robert Clatworthy, who went on to do a magnificent job in Psycho two years later.

It is also the direction by Welles that creates a cantankerous mood. The close-up shots of the sweaty Quinlan, the cat and mouse finale, and the fortune teller’s abode work together to generate a film noir as beguiling as any of the earlier quintessential noir pictures. Furthermore, the opening shot following the car as it weaves throughout the streets is classic Welles – adding a touch of class to Touch of Evil.

Touch of Evil was shown at the British Film Institute, as part of the Psycho: A Classic in Context season.