John Carpenter’s 1978 horror film “Halloween” was famously inspired by 1960s serial killer films like Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” and Powell/Pressburger’s “Peeping Tom,” only filtered through a low-budget, ’70s grindhouse lens. Initially, “Halloween” was dismissed by audiences, but legend has it that Roger Ebert’s overwhelmingly positive 1979 review saved it from obscurity. This may seem like […]
Continue readingEven if you don’t know his name, you’ve seen his work: the hypnotic, dizzying poster for Vertigo (and its iconic opening credit sequence), the vaguely horrifying original poster for The Shining, and a pretty sizable selection of household logos, from Lawry’s to the goddamn Girl Scouts. On top of that, legendary graphic designer Saul Bass […]
Continue readingGuillermo del Toro doesn’t hold back about his love for his favorite movies. If you’ve spent any time on his Twitter feed over the years, you’ve likely seen him praise Stanley Donen’s use of the color red throughout the late director’s body of work, and hail everything from William Wellman’s 1931 film “Other Men’s Women” […]
Continue readingEver since The Great Depression, movies have been a means of escape for audiences who for a brief moment, are transported to another place away from everyday life through the magic of the cinema. While many will argue that they can still have the movie experience in the comfort of their home, the theater is […]
Continue readingVoyeurism and suspense: those with even a passing knowledge of Alfred Hitchcock likely associate his body of work with those descriptors. Rear Window, a dazzling jewel in his directorial crown, was influential in crystallizing both predilections years before Hitchcock turned his mind toward the nefarious violence hidden within the Bates Motel walls. Routinely cited as […]
Continue readingWhen you think of the godfather of horror anthology TV shows, your mind probably goes to Rod Serling for his work on The Twilight Zone, but what most people don’t know is Alfred Hitchcock played the game first with Alfred Hitchcock Presents, a series that is perfect for fans of the Master of Suspense. Each […]
Continue readingCrafting a sequel to one of the most beloved films of all time is always a challenge. As good as films like 2010: The Year We Made Contact or Blade Runner 2049 are, they are always going to be compared to the original classics that inspired them. Initially, it seemed like making a sequel to […]
Continue readingDon’t be fooled by some of the images you may have seen of the recently dropped second season of AMC psychological drama Dark Winds, which is now available to stream on Max as well. It’s set in what could easily pass as a traditional Western atmosphere, but it’s a show you can enjoy even if […]
Continue readingMost filmmakers can only dream of winning an Oscar, whilst other talented industry greats have notably won more than once. One American film producer and screenwriter in particular is remembered for the spectacular achievement of winning Best Picture at the Oscars for two consecutive years. David O. Selznick is remembered for producing both Victor Fleming’s […]
Continue readingSeminal director Alfred Hitchcock made Psycho, widely considered one of the best films of all time, at 60 years old and on a shoestring budget. After a career already responsible for films that are the bread and butter of both scholars and students — Dial M for Murder, Rear Window, Vertigo, and North by Northwest […]
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