Alfred Hitchcock

I have resurfaced! It wasn't that I was intensely busy, it was more like I was…unmotivated. Maybe when my fiction writing is going well, I neglect my poor little blog? Whatever the case, I've decided to get back in the swing of things by writing about one of the most signature directors ever: Sir Alfred Hitchcock. With the movie Hitchcock, which is about his relationship with his wife Alma Reville during the making of Psycho, coming out in November, I hope this post will foster a little excitement in whoever reads it.

Farewell, Summer

I was happy that this summer I managed to somewhat complete my goal that I was too lazy to do last year (I'm glaring at you, younger self); watch two movies a day. While I couldn't squeeze them in every day, I was on that basic track, and thus had the most cinema-filled season of my life up to this point. Here's the list of the films I watched, and I'll *asterisk my new favorites.

Favorite Scenes

I feel like it's about time I do something of this sort, so here are a few of my favorite cinematic scenes, in no particular order.

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

I've always wondered if geniuses are more apt to be mentally unsound, or if genius is a product of madness. Of course, it is really not all-too surprising that so many intellectuals are often plagued with mental disorders; they spend so much time in their head. This idea fuels the basic concept of one of my favorite films, A Beautiful Mind, made in 2001 by Ron Howard. It transcends the confines of a biopic, in this case relaying the story of noted schizophrenic mathematician John Forbes Nash, and becomes a gripping drama, a love story, and a moving portrait of psychological ailments.

Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki has been dubbed the "Walt Disney of Japan," the title due in no small part to the distribution of his films in America by the company. However, I do not agree with this statement. Simply because the two geniuses both made their name in the art form of animation does not make them cinematic siblings. The only thing comparable between them is their expansive imaginations. Miyazaki's films are all completely original, though they draw inspiration from universal folklore. Not only that, but he tends to dwell on deeper, more complex themes such as preservation of the environment, pacifism, and disorientation in unfamiliar surroundings. His films range from the lighthearted to the positively brutal. I love all of his films (the only one I've yet to see is Kiki's Delivery Service [1989]), and they always refuel my own imagination and remind me why I love film and animation. One only has to glance at a snippet of a Miyazaki movie to grasp the breathless sense of wonder he has created and drawn beautifully.

A Patch of Blue (1965)

The notion that love is blind persists in many stories through the ages, notably with the Greek god of love, Eros, who was portrayed as blindfolded in one incarnation. It is the point tenderly made in A Patch of Blue, set against the backdrop of racial tension. Still, it is not a racially-charged story, but a story of love and accepting the sadness of life, and it was one of the most beautiful movies I have seen.

Movies for a Summer Day

This year, I got released for break a bit earlier than some of my friends from other schools, and their updates about the beginning of the sweltering season got me thinking, Which movies feel summery? By that I mean, which movies make you feel the sun and heat and outdoors without ever stepping foot out of your air-conditioned home? Now, if you're like me and don't go out, these movies may be of interest to you.