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Top 50 Greatest Things: #4

 My top 50 greatest things.


Number 4: Alfred Hitchcock


Alfred Hitchcock was a filmmaker and directed over 50 feature films. Whether or not someone has seen a Hitchcock, they may already have a grasp on the thematic elements used in most of his movies as they've been a direct influence or parodied in an infinitude of things. He was the "Master of Suspense" as he knew exactly when and how to deliver information to the audience. And most importantly that info was delivered visually in order to make the audience feel like they were uncovering secrets with the characters, and in some cases a step ahead of the characters. There's so much to be said about Hitchcock, but I would recommend reading Hitchcock/Truffaut which contains things about his life and work in his own words. 

I was introduced to Hitchcock as a child through his anthology series "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", which usually featured the man himself in an introduction and outro for each episode making some sort of macabre joke or comment. Seeing this large British man be so playful with such dark material (see his cure for insomnia) was so delightful and haunting, I naturally had to find out more about him. Fortunately he had made some of the most famous thriller and horror movies, so it was easy to research. I think seeing North by Northwest cemented my love for his work, as I was already a huge James Bond enthusiast and couldn't believe that the best Bond movie I had seen wasn't actually a Bond movie. 

It's tough to really pin down a favorite, but among my favorites are North by Northwest, Rear Window, and Notorious. I have the Notorious one sheet in my room. Rear Window was probably the greatest theater experience I ever had. The set is already so striking that it looks great on any screen, but it truly does transform a dark theater into a village in Manhattan. The moment Raymond Burr realizes he's being watched and turns to the camera hit me like a goddamn train while I was in there. The audience is trapped in that room, sitting in a position almost identical to James Stewart's character. I don't know, to me that's more effective than gory effects and jump scares. Hitchcock!




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