FilmJerk Favorites

A group of unique directors and the essential works that you've got to see.

||| Alfred Hitchcock |||
Alfred Hitchcock

This is perhaps an obvious choice, however, most people tend to overlook the Master of Suspense’s early work as well as the relevancy of his last film as a key element in the continuing transition and development of the genre he defined.

One of Hitchcock's early triumphs, this predecessor to the mistaken identity man on the run scenario Hitchcock turned to time and again, stars Robert Donat as the innocent wrongly accused of murder and pursued by both the police and enemy spies. This is the first example of Hitchcock’s mastery over the suspense tale, giving us a glimpse of the greatness to come.

Considered to be one of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest works, this story of two men who meet by chance on a train and frivolously discuss swapping murders is a prime example of a common Hitchcock theme of the man who suddenly finds himself within a nightmare world over which he has no control. You can easily see how this film lays the ground work for the more popular “North by Northwest”.

Alfred Hitchcock's final film is a light-hearted thriller involving phony psychics, kidnappers and organized religion, all of which cross paths in the search for a missing heir and a fortune in jewels. Here, Hitchcock has brilliantly developed his signature form to include the now common, and often overused, device of plot twist, after plot twist, after plot twist. Widescreen!

Recommended by CarrieSpecht

Advertisement

Oscar Handicap 2007: Foreign Language Film

By EdwardHavens

February 7th, 2007

We continue our annual Oscar Handicap with the Best Foreign Language Film category.

Oscar Handicap 2007: Foreign Language Film

(For explanations as to how our scoring system works, make sure to read our first article in the series, Best Picture of the Year, linked at the bottom of this article.) With the continued globalization of cinema and a rediscovery of foreign language films by American audiences, some have argued the need for this category, especially this year, when four of the five eventual nominees were released into theatres during the regular calendar year (most often in years past, only one or two nominees would ever find their way into theatres, and usually not until after the nominations or awards were announced).


The Breakdowns
1) Films released in the United States prior to the start of final balloting have won 22 of the past 28 times (78.57%). Advantage: Days of Glory, The Lives of Others, Pan's Labyrinth, Water
2) Films submitted from a country in Western Europe have won 20 of 28 times (71.43%). Advantage: After the Wedding, The Lives of Others
3) As long as your film does not have the longest running time, you've won 20 of 28 times (71.43%). Advantage: After the Wedding, Days of Glory, Pan's Labyrinth, Water
4) Stories set in the past have won 16 of 28 times (59.26%). Advantage: Days of Glory, The Lives of Others, Pan's Labyrinth
5) The winner of the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar has won at least one award at the Cannes, Toronto or Venice Film Festival 15 or 28 times (53.57%). Advantage: Days of Glory

By The Numbers
The fourth film to be nominated from Algeria is the slight statistical favorite to win, which would make it the second winner submitted from the North African country, after Costa-Gavras's Z
After the Wedding (Denmark): -1, +2, +3, -4, -5 (71 of 140, 50.71%)
Days of Glory (Algeria): +1, -2, +3, +4, +5 (81 of 140, 57.86%)
The Lives of Others (Germany): +1, +2, -3, +4, -5 (79 of 140, 56.43%)
Pan's Labyrinth (Mexico): +1, -2, +3, +4, -5 (79 of 140, 56.43%)
Water (Canada): +1, -2, +3, -4, -5 (75 of 140, 53.57%)


Find out who wins this year's Oscars, when the Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2006 are presented on Sunday, February 25, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, televised live on ABC beginning at 5 PM PST/8 PM EST. A one-hour red carpet arrivals show will precede the telecast at 4 PM PST/7 PM EST.


Addition articles in this series:
Best Picture of the Year
Best Director
Best Actor and Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Score, Best Editing and Best Art Direction
Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Animated Feature