Sunday Morning Movie: The 39 Steps (1935)

The 39 Steps (1935)
Dir. Alfred Hitchcock

I love me some Hitchcock espionage; he does some of his best work when people are on the run, criss crossing each other, and doing other spy-like things. The 39 Steps is no exception and it’s definitely near the top of my favorite Hitchcock films. Hell, if it’s any indication how much I like this film, my online handle is thethirtyninesteps whenever sprouticus is taken. But to be fair, that can also be chalked up to pretension.

Pretentiousness aside, The 39 Steps is a truly enjoyable thriller. It’s smart and suspenseful with just enough comedy thrown in for good measure. Robert Donat is great as Richard Hannay, the unsuspecting hero that is suddenly thrown into the world of espionage after a woman claiming to be a spy is murdered. Hannay’s search for the mysterious “thirty-nine steps” takes him to the Scottish countryside and into the life of Pamela (Madeleine Carroll) where things really get interesting. Hannay really gets to let the charm fly when they spend the night in a cabin together. I think the scene where she takes off her wet stockings while they’re handcuffed together is just about as ris`que´ as it was 75 years ago. In addition to being witty and sexy, it really does keep you guessing right up until the end.

If you’re a Hitchcock fan this is a must see.

Grade: A-

Sunday Morning Movie: Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)
Dir. Alfred Hitchcock

Thankfully this delightful little film has nothing to do with the Brangelina vehicle that came out a few years ago. Instead, this Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a silly romp about a husband and wife that find out their marriage is not valid and the antics that ensue when it turns into a battle of wits. This was the only screwball comedy from Mr. Hitchcock and boy is it a funny (and underrated) one. Of course, I can’t help myself when it comes to these ‘battle of the sexes’ type films, they’re just so fun!

Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery are just about perfect together as Ann and David, but I can’t help but wonder what the film would have been like had Cary Grant been able to do it. Regardless, the chemistry is there and it’s a joy to watch these two go at each other. I’ve been a fan of Lombard since I first watched My Man Godfrey and each time I see her she proves herself as the “Screwball Queen of the Screen”; she’s bright, intelligent, and she rattles off dialogue with such ease. I don’t know that she necessarily steals the show in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but she certainly makes Robert Montgomery’s job a lot easier.

The only real problem I have with this film is the awkward, abrupt ending. It feels like no one knew what the heck to do, so they just ended it. Although, the rest of the film is enjoyable enough to make up for the weak ending. If you like classic comedies, this is definitely worth a watch, just don’t go in expecting a typical Hitchcock film because that is most definitely not the case.

Grade: B+

November is Hitchcock month!

Alfred Hitchcock has long been one of my favorite filmmakers, so I’m super excited that we’ll be dedicating our Sunday Morning Movies for the month of November to the “Master of Suspense”. I have no idea what we’ll be watching yet, we usually leave that as a Sunday morning decision (keeps things exciting). What’s nice about Hitch is that whatever the selections may be, they’re guaranteed to be good ones. He’s a filmmaker I love to explore time and time again, but then I usually end up with the problem of not being able to stop. His films are almost infectious, his techniques carry over and evolve from film to film making it incredibly fun to go through his filmography. Hope my husband is ready for the cinematic geekery I’m about to put him through.

Sunday Morning Movie: Working Girl (1988)

Working Girl (1988)
Directed by Mike Nichols

For breakfast: Blueberry Muffins

Working Girl is one of those films I can watch time and time again. It’s a classic underdog story as only the ’80s can tell it — with big hair, bigger eyeshadow, and Carly Simon rockin’ one of the best movie themes of the decade with “Let the River Run”. You know that song is awesome, admit it.

Made during Hollywood’s obsession with Wall Street and corporate culture the film sets itself apart from the rest because of its female perspective and its lovely sense of humor. This may be my favorite non-Alien performance from Sigourney Weaver. She is deliciously bitchy and has some of the best lines in the film. Harrison Ford is hot as ever and Melanie Griffith, well, just kind of does her thing. Oh sure, it might be just a tad candy-coated, but it’s got heart. It’s one of those feel-good films that just puts a smile on my face start to finish, and that’s why I keep coming back to it.

Grade: A

Sunday Morning Movie: 28 Weeks Later (2007)

28 Weeks Later (2007)
Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo

For breakfast: Blueberry Pancakes

I like to think of 28 Weeks Later as the Aliens to 28 Days Later’s Alien. It’s the brutal, no-holds-barred, balls to the wall, action sequel that is almost the exact opposite of the atmospheric suspense of the original. It may not be the better film, but it’s definitely more intense and I think it does a better job of portraying the ‘rage’ virus, which makes the infected much scarier. Of course, it might just be the fucked up situation these people create for themselves. It goes from bad to worse to just plain depressing, and really if a zombie film isn’t going to be funny it sure as hell better be depressing.

As much as I like the first film, I’ve always found the ending a little too upbeat. Well the sequel more than makes up for that. There is no glimmer of hope, no light at the end of the tunnel — instead we’re left with the haunting images of zombies storming the Eiffel Tower. Despite it’s faults, it’s an unrelenting film and I appreciate its tenacity. Plus the helicopter mow-down is hands down one of the coolest zombie killing scenes ever. Pure. Awesome.

Grade: B+