I watched three Hitchcock films last night:
1. Rear Window (1956)
2. Rebecca (1940)
3. Notorious (1946)
Rear Window was probably the movie that Phone Booth got its inspiration from; except Rear Window is much better in my opinion. There was, also, an entire Simpsons episode based on the film. It's a dark comedy, with suspense elements, starring James Stewart a photographer With a broken leg. He is confined to his room during the heat of summer forcing everyone in the New York condo neighbourhood to have their windows wide open. He becomes a peeping Tom, involving himself in knowing everything that goes on in everyone's lives. Unlike Phone Booth, Rear Window is always entertaining: throughout the movie, there is always drinking going on, and people are always having fun; along with a lot of little plot threads taking place in each of the condos, that weave together in a very satisfying manner.
James Stewart's character is engaged to the Lisa, played by Grace Kelly - the same role done by Lisa Simpson on the Simpsons version. Then there is Stella, who is the nurse to James Stewart's character; played by Thelma Ritter, who does a fantastic job as the subtly comical character. Like the Simpsons version, there is frustration between James Stewart (Bart's character on the Simpsons) and Lisa, only instead of brother/sister, they are engaged. They develop a closer relationship over the course of the movie as they speculate about the disappearance of the wife of one of the residents in the condo across the street; and like the Simpsons, it is the upstanding gentleman who is not engaging in any of the crazy social antics of the neighbourhood. Like the Simpsons version, you're led to wonder whether the main character is on to something, or if he is going insane; due to the confinement while everyone is having fun, or the constant drinking.
The film is excellently acted, as actors are great at both expressiveness and dialogue delivery; making the characters very interesting. There's lots of subtle dark comedy mixed in with WTF moments. This movie is really a timeless classic, and has aged very well.
Rebecca, has me starting to notice a large trend in Hitchcock films. Hot blondes as the starring role. This one Joan Fontaine, hte actress being the younger sister of Olivia De Haviland (Marion). Thst family obviously had good genetics, because Joan Fontaine just died a year ago at the age of 96, and Olivia De Haviland is still alive at the age of 99 come July 1st. The films secondary star is Maxim, played by Laurence Olivier, who does a great job, and easily the basis for Ralph Fiennes's character in Grand Budapest Hotel in terms of appearance and mannerisms.
This film is fairly fast paced in regards to the events that occur; as it keeps jumping ahead in time. Storywise, I felt this one was the best of the three I watched. Of the three films, it also had the biggest WTF moment
When Maxim describes the honeymoon he is planning for Joan Fontaine's character, he says "We should be on a beach at sunset, a violin playing in the background, while we violently make love behind a palm tree." Keep in mind, this was 1940!
The movie does a great job at sucking the viewers into the situation of the main character post-marriage, who is very isolated in her new world among the wealthy. Jealous people plotting to humiliate her. Her husband Maxim, is also very cold now, and often absent; and Hitchcock always seems to shoot Olivier with shadows on him - it seems no one is happy. Everyone is always talking about how wonderful Maxim's last wife Rebecca was. And... unfortunately I can't really go any further, because this is when the plot really starts to get great, and I think you all should see it without having the last half spoiled in any way.
The movie is an early example of a plot twisty thriller, where character motivations and behaviour are not at all what the viewer is led to believe through the first half of the movie.
we saved until last because of its reputation as being one of the greatest movies ever made; and also starring Ingrid Bergman who was an incredible actress; already one of my favourites for Casablanca alone. Although, Notorious doesn't hold up in my opinion. It is an easy film to watch due to the excellent direction and acting; but the story is the basic framework for almost every Bond film ever made; and all sorts of similar style action films - and Notorious is completely lacking in the way of action, it's purely a suspense/spy movie, not even a punch thrown. I found I was unable to appreciate all of the implied scenes that occurred; where a film like Bond leaves much less to the imagination.
I don't really want to deprive everyone of an enjoyable movie just because it wasn't my cup of tea. If you're a big film geek, this film will be like candy for you. It might even be your second favourite next to Citizen Kane; another highly regarded film that wasn't my thing. If I were to describe the movie in detail, the camera work, the acting, the story; it would sound fantastic, but I still didn't enjoy it.
To watch the moviem knowing a bit about WW2, particularly the events around the end of it, will be a great benefit. This film takes place right then, Ingrid Bergman's father is charged with treason, and she gets honey-potted by Cary Grant to become an American Agent to uncover a Nazi plot in South America. Since the film came out in 1946, everyone in the world is familiar with what happened in Germany and Japan. In addition, knowing what was ahead in the Cold War makes this movie a bit prophetic; Hitchcock only got the nationalities wrong, considering the film came out just before the anticipation of the Cold War began.
I'll watch this one again, and re-evaluate.
SUNDAY
Just one movie this evening:
Vertigo - Without spoiling too much, it's a bit of a Phoenix Wright style plot. It again stars James Stewart as the main character. He is investigating a woman name Madeleine, who is the wife of Stewart's former Police Chief boss. Madeleine is believed to have been possessed by the spirit of a woman who died 100 years earlier. Eventually, Stewart catches up to her, and begins falling in love with her. He investigates the woman who died 100 years earlier in order to find more details. Here I will stop, as I really don't want to spoil the plot for anyone who hasn't seen it.
Thematically, the movie really draws the viewer in to the obsessions of its characters, and pulls them through a very scenic set of locations. Hitchcock does some really great work with lighting here, giving the film a very atmospheric feeling. The second half of the movie picks up quite a bit from the earlier half, and is probably some of the best film I have ever seen.
“I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." 
