zackmulcahy

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The 39 Steps

Hitchcock 101
By zackmulcahy in zackmulcahy Blog
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"Though the director had experienced some success with "The Lodger" and "Blackmail," "The 39 Steps" is the first real Hitchcock thriller and establishes the auteur's undeniable film presence, starting his prolific British work. All of the Hitchcock trademarks are established in this early “wrong man” narrative—the witty juxtaposition of visuals and sound (a woman's frightened face cut to a screaming train), the quick editing, and the early revelation to discredit surprise and heighten suspense. The film is wholly entertaining, upbeat, and maintains an impossible insouciance in the face of danger. The beauty of Hitchcock, the story line is both playful and profound; the characters light yet real; the imagery both beautiful and functional. “39 Steps” walks the line between artful film making and carefree entertainment. Unlike his characters who learn that identity is often fleeting, Hitchcock (with the exception of ... " [More]

The Dead Girl

The lifeless "Dead"
By zackmulcahy in zackmulcahy Blog
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"Well acted, but underdeveloped, the story lines start out strong but become faded with time. "The Dead Girl" is an utterly disappointing follow-up to the director's debut (and brilliant) "Blue Car," and continues the long line of 2006's cliche arthouse films. The screenplay is Sundance-gone-bad, filled with empty dialogue that falls flat even in the midst of brilliant performances by Toni Collette and Mary Beth Hurt. Franco and Harden pull their weight, but Murphy and Ribisi are wholly unbelievable. All in all, the film is caught between the world of the art film and the Hollywood thriller and never fully satisfies the qualifications of either, leaving audiences in both circles wanting more. " [More]