Torn Curtain (1966)

Note to reader: this blog may seem dull because my thoughts on the film are a tad unfavourable.

Torn Curtain is one of those Hitchcock films that is not outstanding. There is something about this kind of film by Hitchcock that does not strike a chord. Torn Curtain is about a spy who goes into East Berlin during the times of the Iron Curtain, the title depicting a hole in this system.
What makes the film weak is that is spends too much time depicting the historical events that the story takes place in. True, Hitchcock does stay accurate in his account of the time, however, the general film suffers because it does not carry the psychological intrigue that he is more famous for. Other films he directed: Topaz, depicting the time of the Cuban missile Crisis, and, Under Capricorn, presenting characters living in colonial Australia are two other examples where Hitchcock gets too wrapped up in setting the stage, that the character depth is missing.
Films dealing with internal struggle: Marnie, Rebecca, Spellbound, and Shadow of a Doubt are all exceptional films and stand out on their own also. I think what sets the historical films apart from Hitchcock's internationally recognized films is that they feel more limited since they can appeal more to an audience who is interested in that particular issue in history. Nevertheless, it is unfair to say that these films have no character development, it is only that the flow of his film conventions are constantly being interrupted by needing to update the event unfolding, rather than the characters psychology.
This is also a shame because the two leading actors are indeed famous: Paul Newman, and Julie Andrews. For me personally Newman is mostly just a pretty boy, and Andrews will never get over her Disney-like persona, so I wasn't expecting much from this film. The fact that this film is also not as recognized as Hitchcock's other works, shows that this film does not have legs. The fact that I referenced half a dozen other Hitchcock films in this review also illustrates how this film has no legs (of course not that I'm obsessed with legs).
As an after thought, this film is worth watching if you really want to see the range of films that Hitchcock created during his career. Out of the three historical films I mentioned, I'd say Under Capricorn is the best (because there are some good plots twists going on).

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

This movie staring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, directed by Howard Hawks was a cute film and very enjoyable to watch. The chemistry between Cary and Katharine is great. Cary plays a bumbling awkward chap and Katharine plays the always-in-your-face dear who doesn't know better, one would say it's fate?
The whole film revolves around Katharine getting in the way of Cary, ruining his established life as a zoologist and his soon to be marriage. The film goes from hijink, to misadventure, to zanky, wacky fun. This is probably one of Hawks best films!
Personally, I don't know how audiences back then could take this constant intake of wild affairs; these screwball comedies really have a knack for overwhelming their audiences, I'd say they're the equivalent of channel-surfing and trying to catch all the content of each channel. This style does make for good fun if you can stomach it; another way to put it, it's like a verbal rollercoaster ride in low-fi black and white, gotta love the vintage look.
This film does Cary Grant a lot of justice, he's so charming and handsome, I'm not surprised that Katharine didn't keep her mitts off him . He never holds a grudge against Katharine also, even though there are many trying times throughout the film. Katharine, from the very beginning, rubbed me the wrong way. She's the hyperbole of irritating girls everywhere (I know i fit in this category sometimes, geez, this is a lesson of how not to develop your personality).
I wasn't convinced at the end when Cary finally told Katherine he loved her. It was right after she ignorantly ruined the dinosaur display that he was working on for 4 odd years or so. He must have been thinking she'll finally shut up if I just go along with what she wants (after all it didn't look like his life was going anywhere after she entered it).
Anyway, I definitely recommend this film for anyone looking for a slick screwball comedy. On my personal reflection I have to say that it is better than past films of this genre that I have seen.

Shopgirl (2005)

Unfortunately I was disappointed with Shopgirl for a few reasons. This movie was mostly just creepy to watch. The chemistry between an older man and I younger woman sometimes works, but in this case there is nothing there, but maybe that was what they were going for.
The one thing I loved about this film (and it was worth watching it just for it) was that Jason Schwartzman played one of the leading men. He did not get as much screen time as I would have liked. But good ol Schwartzman was up to his lovable buffoonery that it was hard not to finish watching the movie to see what crazy hijinks he'd get himself into (special mention goes out to the scene he is caught jerking off unknowingly).
Overall, however, this movie does not add up. It tries to play with the always edge-of-your-seat love triangle, but since Schwartzman's character is oblivious to Steve Martin there's not much of a competition between them for Claire Danes' affection.
The cinematography during most of the intimate scenes were just down-right narsty. The romantic lighting and deep orchestral music made the relationship seem perverted. Neither Claire or Steve seem to be enjoying it, ich. Just talking about it makes me cringe; I'll just leave it there.
It ended off too cleaning and left a lot of questions unanswered. The premise of the film overall seemed like an interesting idea, but the execution was like a blindfolded man shooting a gun at a target. For one Steve Martin should not have been cast as the leading man. He's good at comedy, but creepy old man just makes me pity him. Clare Danes was alright in her role, but she mostly seemed uncomfortable with her environment. And of course I have no qualms with Jason Schwartzman, he's wonderful in this film (I would not have seen it without him!)

Awesome female actors!

Women I aspire to be like: Catherine Keener, Gilda Radner, and Catherine O’Hara
All these women have something in common, they’re cool, strong bold women in the entertainment industry. They are also some of the few women that I respect as comedians/actors because they have an element of realism in their performances.
Gilda Radner unfortunately passed away from cancer in the 80s and was unable to expand her career much further after SNL. Gilda was the silly girl on SNL, who at the same time could hold the attention of any man in the room.
Keener is a classy dame who I hold adoration toward because she’s so real on camera.
You may be thinking: “Wow Julia, you really want to be a woman who trips up guys with her female sexuality”, but no, I have to contest, it’s not just that. I have to admit my opinion is partially influenced from years of reading Johanna Schneller Globe & Mail columns (she can really write with spunk). I really think there’s more than that bold attitude these women have that makes me want to be with them…I have to say, they’re women with balls, they know what they want, and they know how to use their femininity to get it. They have a good sense of fashion, but they can also play with the big boys as the coined phrase goes. They are able to play their roles smartly and they also have diverse range when it comes to their parts.
Catherine Keener has gone from bureaucratic dominatrix in Being John Malcovich to keepin’ it real mummy in 40 Year Old Virgin, to a humble Harper Lee in Capote.
Gilda Radner, while on SNL, could play bumbling naïve high school girl, to suave socialite, to girl next door in a single episode.
Catherine O’Hara is probably the more underrated of the three women. Most of her roles are in comedy, but she plays everything with heart, and always gets it right.
These ladies have raw energy, which the feed their performances from. What I like about them is that they don’t play up the slutty factor like those femme fatales Angelina Jolie, Sharon Stone, Halle Berry. I have nothing against these women; I just don’t aspire to be like them.
Young women to look out for who fit this classy category: Scarlett Johansson, Maggie Gyllenhaal (note: Scarlett was probably shit-faced when she hosted SNL months ago, but just made it part of the fun, haha).