Hitchcock’s ‘North by Northwest’ withstands test of time

NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

After the personal, dark romanticism of “Vertigo” and just before the stark horrifying vision of “Psycho,” Alfred Hitchcock helmed one of his finest films – one that stands as fresh today as it was when it played theaters in the summer of 1959.

“North by Norwest” is unlike any other film from Hitchcock.

It boasts a lavish budget, spectacular on-location photography and several suspenseful set pieces that remain among the finest put to film. The original screenplay by Ernest Lehman is airtight and full of great dialog. The musical score by Hitchcock regular Bernard Hermann is a classic.

And, of course, “North by Northwest” features an incredible cast headlined by Cary Grant as his most charming, Eva Marie Saint and James Mason. How could a film like that go wrong? Well, the answer is simple: It doesn’t. “North by Northwest” is perfect.

Oscar-winning short offers powerful Holocaust story

SPIELZEUGLAND (TOYLAND)

By TERRY R. CASSREINO 

First, I apologize for the sparse updates on my Web site. My other work teaching and doing political consulting have been consuming my time. Nevertheless, I plan to do a better job updating this site and offering you more viewing tips, in-depth analysis and film commentary.

Meanwhile, I am giving you a treat.

American cinema has seen many landmark dramas concerning the Holocaust. Certainly Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece “Schindler’s List” is the finest, a bold, sweeping, emotionally draining epic that illustrates exactly whast life was like for Jews in Europe during World War II. Spielberg came close to topping it with his D-Day follow-up “Saving Private Ryan.” But notice I say he came close. “Schindler’s List” remains today a remarkable achievement.

That said, below you will find an embedded video window where you can watch the Oscar-winning German short “Spielzeugland” (“Toyland”), a powerful, 13-minute film about the Holocaust. While certainly not another “Schindler’s List,” “Spielzeugland” is an amazing feat in itself. I will not spoil the film for you; watch it below yourself.

I first saw 2007’s “Spielzeugland” (“Toyland”) a couple of years ago on the Sundance Channel. I was blown away. I hope you find it as powerful and emotional as I did. Please drop me a line or comment below. Despite some problems with the English subtitles, I hope you enjoy the film.






Spielzeugland by Toan-01

Bad movies I love: ‘Airport ’77’ is insipid, idiotic entertainment

AIRPORT ’77

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

Shortly after Jack Lemmon’s character is knocked out, his co-pilot takes control of the private Boeing 747 and crashes it in the Atlantic Ocean in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle.

So begins “Airport ’77,” the second sequel to the 1970 film “Airport” – the original blockbuster disaster potboiler about a day at an airport and the flight threatened by a man with a bomb.

But “Airport ’77” is cheesier, more unbelievable and incredibly more melodramatic than “Airport” and its first awful sequel “Airport 1975.”

As the 747 sinks in the Atlantic and lands perilously on the edge of an abyss, the film becomes a sloppy, unintentionally funny riff on the disaster classic “The Poseidon Adventure.”

Sneak Prevue Mailbag: We’re back after a brief absence

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

After a brief respite, Sneak Prevue returns today.

And one of the first things we’ll do is dig deep into our mailbag to answer several burning questions. You have questions – we have answers. You don’t have to agree with them, but we have answers.

So, let’s get down to business.

Mr. Cassreino: Where have you been? I’ve checked and checked and checked Sneak Prevue for a new critique, but haven’t seen one in a while. Did you shutter your blog? – Emily in Dallas


Dear Emily: No. I haven’t shuttered the blog. Sneak Prevue is still around. I’ve had a lot going on the past month, starting a new job and taking care of two beautiful children. I needed the time to settle into my new position before I could set aside the time I need to maintain the blog.

Hot movie trailer alert: ‘A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas’

I don’t like 3-D – I’ve made that point explicitly clear in several posts on the Sneak Prevue blog. I hate the effects. I don’t think it’s necessary. And I absolutely despise the extra surcharge theaters add to admission prices for the privilege to see a movie in 3-D.

That said, here is the trailer for “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas.” This actually looks quite funny. And it looks like the makers exploit 3-D effects in a fun way. I might actually have to see this film at theaters. We’ll wait and see.

– TERRY R. CASSREINO

Sneak Prevue Mailbag: ‘Mary Poppins’ is practically perfect

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

Good, live-action family films that appeal to children and adults are few and far between.

So, it should be no surprise that my pick for the best family film ever made is a movie the legendary Walt Disney produced in 1964. “Mary Poppins” is a classic, original screen musical.

In this week’s edition of the Sneak Prevue Mailbag, I answer questions about family films, movie lengths and other topics related to motion pictures. Every Friday I dig deep into the Sneak Prevue Mailbag to answer reader questions. If you have a burning question you need answered, write me at editor@sneakprevue.info.

Mr. Cassreino: What is the best family film ever made? – Ralph in Colorado Springs

Michael Crichton’s ‘Westworld’ fun, suspenseful entertainment

WESTWORLD (1973)

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

Twenty years before author Michael Crichton wrote “Jurassic Park,” he wrote and directed a small, low-budget film that shared a similar main plot: A high-tech amusement park goes madly out of control.

“Westworld” stars James Brolin and Richard Benjamin as two friends escaping for the week to Delos, a futuristic resort where vacationers interact with robots in Western, medieval Europe and Ancient Rome settings.

Shortly after Brolin and Benjamin arrive at Westworld, the computerized, life-like robots that populate a detailed reproduction of a Western town begin to act strange. Instead of shooting blanks, they fire real bullets.

Brolin and Benjamin suddenly find themselves stalked by The Gunslinger, a robot killer who looks exactly like Yul Brynner – a nod to the role he played in the classic Western “The Magnificent Seven.”