Shadow Of A Doubt (1943) [Recommend]

Starring: Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten, Hume Cronyn
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Certificate:


The story goes like this; everyone simply adores Uncle Charlie, None more so than his niece 'Young Charlie'. So when he comes to stay, no one could be happier. That is until Young Charlie realises that her, dear, uncle is probably a murderer. The film follows Charlie as she comes to discover her uncles nasty little secret, and how his and hers relationship changes when he finds out what she knows.
It really takes the sweet, safe little suburbia setting makes it look dark and dangerous.


This may not be Hitchcock’s best work, but it’s one of the best from the 40's. It's easy to see why he called it his favourite.

I could spend all day comparing it to his other films. Talking about how great they are, but I’m not. Instead I’m going to talk about the acting. It is superb, not a single bad cast within it. The high light of the show? Joseph Cotten’s Uncle Charlie. He just does it well. An actor we're used to seeing in bright roles plays the dark twisted part to perfection! The shadow cast over the family as they wait to see their uncle off of the train, depicts how the character brings darkness to them, and how well Cotten brings it to the role too.

Just watch it! It's recommend for a reason

5/5

Our Hospitality (1932)

Starring: Buster Keaton, Joe Roberts, Craig Ward
Director: John G Blystone, Buster Keaton
Certificate:

Until I sat and watched Our Hospitality, Sherlock Jr was my favourite Keaton film.

When talking about his films you have to mention the fact that Keaton really has a knack for keeping you laughing and excited. Whatever it is, if it’s, him sitting at a table saying grace, keeping one eye on all three of his would be murderers, a ride on a very primitive train, or swinging from a log above a waterfall. He keeps you entertained. Yes some of the scenes seem like they go on just to make the film a bit longer, but that doesn't mean you’re not giggling when they're running.

The setup is typical of his films, there’s a love interest, and he tries to deal some crazy, “How the hell did he get in to it let alone out of it' situation and a build up to a big chase scene (this time more hiding than chasing). But, let’s be honest, it’s a setup we know and love.

The story is driven by a family feud, and the attempted murder of Keaton's Willie MacKay. There’s not much to comment on here, it’s mostly there to set up jokes and the crazy situations MacKay finds himself in.

All in all this is a very smart, funny and entertaining piece of cinema history. Having just watched it, it has rekindled my love of Keaton films! I'm off now to relive some Sherlock, Jr. and Seven Chances. (Both notable Keaton films)

Enjoy!

4.5/5

500 days of Summer (2009)

Starring: Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Clark Gregg

Director: Marc Webb
Certificate:
The first thing I thought of when I saw clips of this film? It was another romantic comedy. Boy was I wrong! Not that I have anything against Rom-com's, but it's a genre of film that’s not always made well. Not that any of this matters because 500 days of summer isn't one.
It starts off, boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. (So far heard it all before) But this is where it all starts to go wrong. Actually that all happens at the end of the film, they break up at the start. That’s the most interesting thing about this picture, it’s got a start, middle and an ending but it’s not lined up that way. Now this may seem like it would make the story hard to follow but it doesn't. In fact a feature that, on a first look, is set only take away from the viewer, adds to the comic affect. As well as the emotion developed through out. It’s as if, somehow, knowing the outcome of the story, and characters therein, makes you care more about the rest of their story.
The main focus of the plot is on Tom, (a man who writes greeting cards for a living, even though he knows he can do much more) and his miserable attempt to 'get over' Summer.
At its core 500 days of Summer is a well written, funny, heartfelt and honest look at modern relationships. It hits hard but not fast, and the sound track is GREAT! See it for the music alone. Who wouldn't want to see drunken people sing The Smith's songs!

3.5/5