Alfred Hitchcock

TOP 5: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, MAGIC MIKE, Anthony Hopkins in HITCHCOCK, Set Photo/Video Recap, What Superhero Films Could Learn from BATMAN: THE MOVIE

by Jason Barr    Posted: April 21st, 2012 at 12:57 pm

If you’re a regular around these parts on the weekends you may have noticed that Collider was “Top 5-less” last Saturday. For the first time since our inaugural installment last May, the weekly feature failed to grace the site. The reason? My bachelor party. That’s right, instead of spending my Saturday morning/afternoon putting together a highlight reel of coverage from the preceding week, I gallivanted through the streets of Chicago partaking in debauchery in its most primal form (i.e. arcade games and karaoke). All this in mind, a big thank you to Steve and the rest of the Collider team and to you, the reader, for the excused absence is in order. It’s good to be back.

In this week’s edition you’ll find new posters and new footage from The Amazing-Spider Man courtesy of the film’s latest international trailer, the first trailer and poster for Steven Soderbergh‘s male-stripper inspired Magic Mike, the first look at Anthony Hopkins as The Master of Suspense in Hitchcock, a set photo/video recap featuring, among other things, Star Trek 2 and Les Miserables, and Matt’s superhero film editorial which begs the question, “Why So Serious?” (see what I did there?). As always, a brief recap and link to each can be found after the jump.

REBECCA, SPELLBOUND and NOTORIOUS Blu-ray Reviews

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: April 21st, 2012 at 6:00 am

There are many ups and downs in Alfred Hitchcock’s long and varied career. From the British filmmaker who was learning his craft to the skilled thriller filmmaker we know today, there were many periods of uncertainy and compromise in his filmography. After proving his mastery with such films as The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes in England, Hitch was invited to America to work for David O. Selznick. It led to Rebecca, Spellbound and Notorious, which Fox has now put out on Blu-ray, and through the three you can see Hitchhcock learning how to work in America while retaining and refining his voice. Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, and Cary Grant star in the movies, and our review of the three follow after the jump.

First Look at Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock in HITCHCOCK

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 18th, 2012 at 2:09 pm

Production is underway on director Sacha Gervasi‘s Hitchcock (formerly titled Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho), and we now have our first look at Anthony Hopkins completely transformed as the legendary director.  The resemblance is quite startling, and Hopkins looks to be under a good deal of (very well-done) makeup.  It’s certainly a different look than Toby Jones is going for on the competing Hitchcock film The Girl, which focuses on the director’s obsessive relationship with his The Birds star Tippi Hedren.  Hitchcock, meanwhile, is described as a love story between Hitchcock and his wife and partner Alma Reville (Helen Mirren) which takes place during the troublesome production of the horror classic Psycho.

Hit the jump to get a look at Hopkins as Hitchcock.  The stellar cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel, Toni Collette, Danny Huston, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Kurtwood Smith.

ALFRED HITCHCOCK AND THE MAKING OF PSYCHO Gets New Title and Begins Principal Photography

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 12th, 2012 at 8:14 am

Sacha Gervasi‘s Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho has picked up a new title, and begun principal photography.  The film will now simply be entitled “Hitchock“, which is probably better since the previous title sounds more fitting for a documentary.  Hitchcock is being billed as a love story between the legendary director (played by Anthony Hopkings) and his wife and partner Alma Reville (Helen Mirren).  The movie also stars Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel, Toni Collette, Danny Huston, Michael Stuhlbarg, Kurtwood Smith, Wallace Langham, Richard Portnow, and Michael Wincott.

Hit the jump for the press release.

Watch an Amazing Single-Shot Edit of Hitchcock’s REAR WINDOW

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 3rd, 2012 at 7:26 am

Alfred Hitchcock’s filmography boasts a bounty of treasures, but one of his most impressive works is undoubtedly Rear Window.  If you’ve never seen it, I must implore you to move the film to the top of your Netflix queue right this moment.  Besides the excellent story construction and acting, the thriller is a technical marvel.  The majority of the film is seen through the Peeping Tom eyes of Jimmy Stewart, and Hitchcock constructed an enormous exterior building set in order to put the audience right in Stewart’s shoes.  What results is a film experience unlike any other, much more akin to watching an extremely well choreographed play (Noises Off, anyone?) than a movie.

A glorious piece of art has been put together using Hitchcock’s classic, as Installation artist Jeff Desom put his Adobe After Effects knowledge to good use in order to create a single-shot edit of the film.  It’s a gorgeously stunning piece of work that gives us a fascinating alternate view of Rear Window, and it makes me want to revisit the film as soon as possible.  Hit the jump to check it out.

Toni Collette, Danny Huston, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Michael Wincott Up for ALFRED HITCHCOCK AND THE MAKING OF PSYCHO

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 21st, 2012 at 1:27 pm

Earlier today we learned that Jessica Biel will be playing Vera Miles in the star-studded real life pic Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho, and now four more thesps are lined up to join the project. Anthony Hopkins is set as the famous director, Scarlett Johansson is playing Psycho scream queen Janet Leigh, Helen Mirren is set as Hitch’s wife, and James D’Arcy is up for the role of the uber creepy Anthony Perkins. Now Variety reports that Toni Collette, Danny Huston (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man) and Michael Wincott (The Crow) are in negotiations to take on supporting roles. Hit the jump for more.

Jessica Biel to Play Vera Miles in ALFRED HITCHCOCK AND THE MAKING OF PSYCHO

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 21st, 2012 at 7:39 am

Jessica Biel is set to join Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, and possibly James D’Arcy in Sacha Gervasi‘s Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho.  According to Deadline, Biel is set to play Vera Miles who played Lila Crane, the sister of unfortunate Bates Motel guest, Marion Crane.  Johansson is set to play Janet Leigh (who played Marion), Hopkins will play Hitchock, and Mirren will play Hitchcock’s wife, Alma Reville, and if D’Arcy signs on, he’ll play Anthony Perkins (who played Norman Bates).

Hit the jump for more.

First Image of Toby Jones as Alfred Hitchcock and Sienna Miller as Tippi Hedren in THE GIRL

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 20th, 2012 at 11:06 am

Late last year we learned that Toby Jones had been tapped to play Alfred Hitchcock in a BBC2 film focusing on the director’s “obsessive relationship” with The Birds actress Tippi Hedren, and today the first image of Jones and Sienna Miller as Hedren has gone online. Julian Jarrold (Becoming Jane) is directing The Girl with Hitchcok biographer Donald Spoto onboard to ensure the film’s accuracy. Hedren has also been in contact with Jarrold and the production, though she recently expressed some concern:

“If I have one reservation about the film it is that I worry they will not portray me as as strong a character as I was – and still am. I had to be extremely strong to fight off Mr. Hitchcock.”

Jones and Miller look fairly excellent as Hitchcock and Hedren, and I’m eager to see the two in action. This isn’t the only film about Hitchcock in the works, as Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho is headed towards production with Anthony Hopkins taking on Hitch. Hit the jump to check out the image of Jones and Miller.

Scarlett Johansson and James D’Arcy Join ALFRED HITCHCOCK AND THE MAKING OF PSYCHO

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: March 1st, 2012 at 9:24 pm

The long gestating adaptation of Stephen Rebello’s book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho looks like it’s finally coming to fruition. Not only has Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs) signed on to play the famous director, but Helen Mirren (The Queen) has joined the cast as Alma Reville, Hitchcock’s wife. With the behind-the-camera casting set, it’s now being reported that Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation) will step into the shoes of Psycho star, Janet Leigh. James D’Arcy (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World) will co-star beside Johansson as Anthony Perkins/Norman Bates. Hit the jump for more.

Toby Jones to Play Alfred Hitchcock Opposite Sienna Miller as Tippi Hedren in BBC2 Drama THE GIRL

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: December 6th, 2011 at 11:00 am

Toby Jones should’ve received more praise for his turn as Truman Capote in the film Infamous, but Philip Seymour Hoffman and the superior film Capote just got more traction and attention when awards season came around. However, now Jones will get a chance to shine for BBC2 as the UK network has announced the actor will play iconic filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock in a TV film called The Girl. Rather than being a standard biopic, the film will focus on the director’s “obsessive relationship” with his The Birds star Tippi Hedren, who will be played by Sienna Miller (The Factory Girl). Julian Jarrold (Becoming Jane) will direct the film from writer Gwyneth Hughes which also features the acting talents of Imelda Staunton (Another Year) and Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey) with Hitchcock biographer Donald Spoto also working on the film for authenticity and accuracy. More after the jump.

ALFRED HITCHCOCK: THE ESSENTIALS COLLECTION DVD Review

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 27th, 2011 at 6:00 am

The first Alfred Hitchcock film I ever saw was Psycho. Teenage me scoffed at the notion that a black and white movie that was made during the Eisenhower era could be as scream-inducing as “real scary movies” like A Nightmare on Elm Street or Leprechaun (that little green guy scared the hell out of me). Of course, I quickly realized that my initial impression of the film was 100% wrong. Not only was Psycho genuinely frightening, it’s also an exquisite piece of filmmaking. Even a layman like me knew I wasn’t just seeing a bunch of scenes that were randomly cut together; it was the first time I realized that there’s a true art to good filmmaking.

Hitchcock had a knack for telling incredibly rich and layered stories that appealed to both the wide masses and the deeper-thinking cinephiles. Now, arguably five of his best films have been remastered and boxed together in one glorious package that includes Psycho, North by Northwest, Rear Window, Vertigo, and The Birds. Hit the jump for our review of Alfred Hitchcock: The Essentials Collection on DVD.

DVD Deal: ALFRED HITCHCOCK – THE MASTERPIECE COLLECTION

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: October 23rd, 2011 at 7:30 am

Amazon’s Gold Box Deal of the Day is Alfred Hitchcock – The Masterpiece Collection.  Included in the box set are 14 classic Hitchock films for $52.49 (almost 60% off). Included are:

Saboteur (1942), Shadow of a Doubt (1943), Rope (1948), Rear Window (1954), The Trouble With Harry (1955), The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), Vertigo (1958), Psycho (1960), The Birds (1963), Marnie (1964), Torn Curtain (1966), Topaz (1969), Frenzy (1972), Family Plot (1976)

While I always recommend Blu-ray over DVD, if you’ve never seen any of these classic films, this box set is an awesome way to start. Hit the jump for more details.  Amazon’s Gold Box Deal’s are only for one day and you get free shipping when you spend over $25 dollars.

Thirty Minutes of Alfred Hitchcock’s Earliest Surviving Film, THE WHITE SHADOW, Discovered

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 3rd, 2011 at 8:38 am

Thirty minutes (the first three reels of six) from Alfred Hitchcock’s The White Shadow have been discovered in a New Zealand vault.  The silent feature is the earliest surviving film of the legendary director and is described as an “atmospheric melodrama starring Betty Compson in a dual role as twin sisters, one angelic and the other being ‘without a soul.’”  Hitchock served as assistant director on the film to Graham Cutts and he also served as the art director, editor, and writer.  The White Shadow was previously thought to be lost due to nitrate degeneration.

The film was one of 75 uncovered last year remote storage vault held by the New Zealand Film Archive and saved by Kiwi projectionist and film enthusiast Jack Murtagh who passed away in 1989.  You may recall that one of the movies previously uncovered was the John Ford silent film Upstream (1927), another picture previously considered lost.  Variety reports that a restored print of The White Shadow reels will also be presented to the British Film Institute for its Hitchcock rescue project.  It’s wonderful that these early films have survived, are being restored, and I’m excited to hear what other gems they’ll uncover.

Anthony Hopkins in Talks to Play Alfred Hitchcock

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 21st, 2011 at 5:50 pm

Sir Anthony Hopkins may soon make a turn as the Master of Suspense, Sir Alfred Hitchcock.  The Oscar-winner is currently in negotiations with Ivan Reitman’s Montecito Pictures to star in the film adaptation of Stephen Rebello’s book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho.  Momentum on the film is certainly gaining as, only two days ago, we reported that Anvil! The Story of Anvil director Sacha Gervasi was in talks to direct the pic and rewrite John McLaughlin’s (Black Swan) script.

This is not Hopkins’ first time courting the role, as Heat Vision points out, that the actor was attached to a previous iteration of the project with Ryan Murphy directing and Helen Mirren starring opposite Hopkins.  To learn more about the potential project, hit the jump for an overview of Rebello’s book/the film’s source material.

ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL Director Sacha Gervasi in Talks to Write/Direct Alfred Hitchcock Biopic

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 19th, 2011 at 9:37 pm

The man responsible for the excellent documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil may soon be directing his attention to the “Master of Suspense.”  According to 24 Frames, writer/director/producer Sacha Gervasi is currently in negotiations with Ivan Reitman’s Montecito Pictures to pen/direct an Alfred Hitchcock biopic.  Per the report, the film will be based on Stephen Rebello’s 1990 book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho which documents in acute detail the production of (spoiler alert) Hitchcock’s 1960 classic, Psycho.

While Gervasi’s is the newest name at the table, the perpetual “in development” Hitchcock biopic has seen earlier drafts penned by both Rebello and Black Swan co-scribe John McLaughlin.  For more on the project, hit the jump to check out a brief overview of Rebello’s book.

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