Hype Movie Club

[squeekness]

The Birds. So this was okay. I found it kinda slow and vaguely unsatisfying in that there is never a reason for why the birds attacked. It's like there was a good idea to start with, but the author didn't know how to end it.

 

[flickchick85]

The Birds. So this was okay. I found it kinda slow and vaguely unsatisfying in that there is never a reason for why the birds attacked. It's like there was a good idea to start with, but the author didn't know how to end it.

I have always found The Birds to be Hitchcock’s most overrated movie. I ranked it #18 on my Hitchcock rankings and the only reason it made it that high is because it has a few iconic scenes and it does have an entertainment factor when things get crazy. But it’s actually the top example of why I prefer his early Hollywood period (like 1940 to the mid-50’s) over his “prime” Hollywood era (with this, Psycho, Vertigo, etc - the ones he’s best known for), because by the time he was a household name to audiences, I really got the feeling he’d lost a lot of the love of storytelling and was kinda just phoning it in and pandering to audience/studio expectations. But while his other most famous movies at least have something interesting performance-wise or psychologically-speaking to latch onto, this one’s mainly just a big ol’ nothing burger imo.

 

[squeekness]

This was first time I watched the Birds as far as I can recall. I might have seen clips from it, but not the whole thing through.

 

[Babillygunn]

I hadn’t watched The Birds since I was a kid. I remember loving it and finding it oddly unsettling. It is still unsettling. But so much of it doesn’t make sense, especially the simple question of “why not just drive out of the town?” Which makes the ending fairly ironic and anticlimactic.
Still, little things like no soundtrack and nothing to really signify that the film is over (no “The End” and no credits) does help to leave you somewhat unnerved.
Rod Taylor acted his guts out in this movie. I read somewhere that Cary Grant and Sean Connery were both considered. But I would be concerned that a bigger name would’ve phoned the performance in, and Taylor gave it his all.

 

[squeekness]

Oh, I had no idea the Lodger is a silent film. I'll keep watching but it'll be strange for me.....

 

[squeekness]

I finished The Lodger. It was okay. I think silent films just aren't for me. If I get a chance I'll try to squeeze in Psycho or Vertigo in. I'll like those better I think.

 

[Luigi]

For the last two summers, a family of seagulls has nested outside my apartment. Summer 2023, it was common that one seagull would appear out of nowhere and start swooping over my head every time I'd go outside. Last summer there were two, tag-teaming attacks on any unsuspecting promenader. Generally, they're just trying to scare people away from the vicinity of their baby chicks, they're not trying to do any harm. Still, it's a visceral feeling to have an animal (or two) directing such aggression towards you. This is a long-winded way to say that I watched The Birds a few days ago and that I enjoyed it. It's not one of Hitchcock's best, but it's entirely watchable and beautifully shot. The special effects are rather fascinating, even if their power and believability vary. Tippi Hedren, Grandmadame Web herself, is excellent in the lead role, even though the way the character is written is rather clunky. The love story does not spark joy. Out of all of Hitchcock's films, this one might translate the best as a modern remake, there's so much more that could be done with modern technology.

Could be worse, you could have Canadian geese outside your apartment.

 

[flickchick85]

Out of all of Hitchcock's films, this one might translate the best as a modern remake, there's so much more that could be done with modern technology.

We already have Birdemic!

 

[flickchick85]

Apologies for the delay in November's category. Found myself traveling at the end of the month yet again! Anyway, bringing back a more recent decade for November:

The 2000's

That's any movie released from 2000-2009. Reminder that the last time we did this decade, our picks were Children of Men, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Prestige, so those are now ineligible. Everybody gets up to 5 votes, voting will be open through Saturday. Happy End of Spooky Season, folks!​

 

[flickchick85]

My 2000's picks:

Collateral
Miami Vice
Zodiac
The Jason Bourne series
The Devil Wears Prada

 

[Kane52630]

Into the Wild
Inside Man
Road to Perdition
Spirited Away
Mulholland Drive

 

[Black Narcissus]

We do need more foreign picks. Some damn flavor. Sweet baby Jesus.

A Prophet
The Piano Teacher
Thirst- PARK Chan-wook directs a religious vampire movie!
Memories of Murder
City of God

@flickchick85

You have to at least make it a foreign go around next time. Tis’ be like the academy not letting in the stunts for Oscars.

 

[Luigi]

Since we're transitioning from the spooky season to the jolly season

A Tale of Two Sisters (Never seen)
Black Christmas
Dead End
The Gift (Never seen)
Thirst (Never seen)

 

[flickchick85]

@flickchick85

You have to at least make it a foreign go around next time. Tis’ be like the academy not letting in the stunts for Oscars.

The categories are directors and decades thus far. But each decade is totally open to foreign nominees (and we've had a few)!

 

[Pennywise]

The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Pan’s Labyrinth
Road to Perdition
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Casino Royale

 

[Black Narcissus]

The categories are directors and decades thus far. But each decade is totally open to foreign nominees (and we've had a few)!

I get it. Still! Every now and then it be nice to have specific genres only etc. Like I’m sure there is a musical that is my cup of tea out there, but won’t really know, eh.

It could also be the very often true cliche of Americans not really reaching for foreign flicks, tis almost like niche. To quote the philosopher JLO; .. If you know, you know.

 

[flickchick85]

I get it. Still! Every now and then it be nice to have specific genres only etc. Like I’m sure there is a musical that is my cup of tea out there, but won’t really know, eh.

I will continue expanding the types of categories. Introducing a new one next month, in fact! It's not that one, but we'll get there.

EDIT: Actually, I may swap around the expansions because I just had a timely thought... Tune in next month to find out!

 

[flickchick85]

I also have a foreign director teed up to be next in the Directors pipeline as well, FYI!

 

[Black Narcissus]

I will continue expanding the types of categories. Introducing a new one next month, in fact! It's not that one, but we'll get there.

EDIT: Actually, I may swap around the expansions because I just had a timely thought... Tune in next month to find out!

I quite enjoy a good romantic comedy. Need more of them. I’m just being a film grouch, your thread is the best.

 

[blueharvest]

A History of Violence
Shaun of the Dead
Road To Perdition
In Bruges
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

 

[emielaen]

Millennium Actress (2001)
Caché (2009)
Mother (2009)
Nobody Knows (2004)
Yi Yi (2000)

All bangers.

 

[Black Narcissus]

(500) Days of Summer
Dead End
Miami Vice
The Piano Teacher
Polytechnique

I'm particularly interested in Miami Vice because of a recent ridiculous Twitter drama about it It's about time to get acquainted with it. Not to mention, I did say I wanted to watch more Michael Mann.

I dare ask what was the drama with Miami vice? I’ve only seen it once, but remember it was subpar Mann.

Also! Tips fedora hat for another Piano Teacher nom. One of them films that stays with you long after.

 

[flickchick85]

Another month for highly scattered votes. Our top winner only got 3 votes! And that is...


Road to Perdition (2002)

Directed By: Sam Mendes
Written By: Max Alan Collins, Richard Piers Rayner & David Self
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Paul Newman, Jude Law & Daniel Craig
What's It About? A mob enforcer's son in 1930s Illinois witnesses a murder, forcing him and his father to take to the road, and his father down a path of redemption and revenge.

And our runners-up, with 2 votes each...

Dead End (2003)

Directed By: Jean-Baptiste Andrea & Fabrice Canepra
Written By: Jean-Baptiste Andrea & Fabrice Canepra
Starring: Ray Wise, Lin Shaye & Mick Cain
What's It About? Christmas Eve. On his way to his in-laws with his family, Frank Harrington decides to try a shortcut, for the first time in 20 years. It turns out to be the biggest mistake of his life.


Miami Vice (2006)

Directed By: Michael Mann
Written By: Michael Mann & Anthony Yerkovich
Starring: Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Gong Li, Naomie Harris, Ciaran Hinds, Justin Theroux
What's It About? Based on the 1980s TV action/drama, this update focuses on vice detectives Crockett and Tubbs as their respective personal and professional lives become dangerously intertwined.


The Piano Teacher (2001)

Directed By: Michael Haneke
Written By: Michael Haneke & Elfriede Jelinek
Starring: Isabelle Hupert, Annie Girardat & Benoit Magimel
What's It About? A young man romantically pursues his masochistic piano teacher.


Thirst (2009)

Directed By: Park Chan-wook
Written By: Emile Zola, Park Chan-wook, Chung Seo-kyung
Starring: Song Kang-ho, Kim Ok-bin, Choi Hee-jin
What's It About? Through a failed medical experiment, a priest is stricken with vampirism and is forced to abandon his ascetic ways.

DEFINITELY an eclectic batch this month! I haven't watched Road to Perdition since seeing Tyler as Superman so that'll be a trip. Never even heard of Dead End (which I think might be a first for me and our club selections), so looking forward to seeing what's up with that. Thanks for voting everyone!!​

 

[squeekness]

Watched Road to Perdition not long ago. Strange but very good. I'm a big fan of Max Allen Collins who wrote the book and they did a great job with it.

 

[Black Narcissus]

The piano teacher and Thirst!!!

I must say what a weird and great mix of flicks. I’m now looking forward to giving Miami Vice a rewatch, only seen it once. I remember liking Road To Perdition, I’m curious if it holds up. Never even heard of ‘Dead End.’’ Great stuff all around and most of all kinda challenging. Nice.