Hitchcock

Joblo.com

In limited release is the new Anthony Hopkins flick, Hitchcock.    It as it would be, this is a story about film making great Alfred Hitchcock at the time he was making his classic, Psycho in 1959 and 1960.

This film deals with Hitchcock's absolute obsession with making what would become the groundbreaking horror flick.  Psycho of course, was a different kind of movie for the era, basically becoming the first "slasher" flick.  Although it is incredibly tame by today's standards, it was huge at the time and scared people to death.  But the classic shower scene still holds up well as far as begin scary is concerned.  Psycho changed movies forever in numerous ways, and Hitchcock was the one bold enough to know that this was to become more than just a movie.

Hopkins is great as Hitchcock in about every way.  He looks like the icon, and sounds like him too.  In this picture he is in conflict with his wife Alma (Helen Mirren).   They have been married for decades, and she of course is a screenwriter in Hollywood too.  There are years of resentment, and jealousy coming to a head as Alfred becomes incredibly obsessed with this picture and it's young and beautiful star, Janet Leigh (Scarlett Johansson).

Even though they let us in on some of the nuances behind the making of  Psycho, this movie is generally about how making this movie affected his personal life with Alma.  This is not a "trivia" movie. Yes, they address some of the roadblocks and secrets associated with Psycho.  One slight bombshell for some may be that the book Psycho was actually based in part, on a true story from Wisconsin.  But Psycho was not  completely true, but based on real a real guy arrested by terrible crimes named Ed Gein.

This is a very nice picture that hopefully will find some success.  It boasts a great cast that also has Jessica Biel as Vera Miles (also in Psycho)  and Toni Collette as Hitchcock's trusted assistant, Peggy.  Collette is terrific in her small role, as are Johansson and Biel.   Through the magic of makeup and costuming, these women are transported back in time and look stunningly authentic as 1960 ish Hollywood beauties.  They each own small roles that they really took charge of.  All very good.   Johansson and Biel both look amazingly like Leigh and Miles.  

I can't think of a movie that Helen Mirren has made lately that she hasn't been great in.  She and Hopkins give command performances here and develop a wonderful chemistry that is palpable.  Both are outstanding.  This move also sports a respectable supporting cast, and really terrific sets and costuming.   I always think it's fun to be sent back to the golden Hollywood age in movies when done well, and this is.  This movie is quick and tidy at 95 minutes and very well conceived and edited.  Just like a real Hitchcock movie from his era.

Hitchcock. There is nothing not to love about this movie

Grown ups 2

Bubblews.com

This could quite possibly be the shortest movie review of all time, the new Adam Sandler sequel comedy, Grown Ups 2.

This again is star studded with all the original suspects back from first film, and a ton of cameo "performances"  from many pop culture scenes.   It's the same basic premise, these four guy friends from childhood all now live back in their small home town and are reliving  their youth all over again.  Plot?  There really is none, this is simply a block of SNL type skits, welded together in a 100 minute movie. 

This is complete with humor that will make a 10 year old laugh uncontrollably.   Plenty of poop jokes, and sight gags you would rather not see.  Lots of puke too, and scads of face near the rear end shots too, just for giggles.   Lots of 5th grade stuff that gets old very quickly.   I get it, I was 10 once and of course that was hilarious then.  But a whole lot of this is targeted at those 40 plus, as our characters are about that age, and the soundtrack is clearly out of the 1980's.   The music soundtrack is actually pretty good here, would be a good one for your collection.

Honest observation here.  The 10-12 year olds that packed the theater last night were laughing a ton during this movie. The even clapped when it was over.   So, all the poop jokes and gags worked.   But a little bit of this goes a long way.   Oh, there are some funny moments here and some clever dialogue from time to time, but  not enough to save the day.  There is nothing really different from the first movie, and I did ask a few patrons when we were leaving and all of them said the original was funnier, and better. 

In the end, this actually may end up on many year end lists as one of the worst movies of the year.  It certainly is near the top so far. 

Grown Ups 2.   Nothing new here.   Same stuff.