If you don't believe Alfred Hitchcock was capable of changing the history of cinema, you will certainly change your mind after watching 'Rope'. This classic suspense was one of the first attempts of a movie in a single take and even though it was made in 1948, the result is great. Of course, actually there were 10 shots that together give the illusion of a single take. The production also marks the first time the filmmaker worked with Technicolor, a process that colored films. Hitchcock may not have been satisfied with 'Rope', but his fans were. Based on a 1929 play written by English novelist Patrick Hamilton, the story immediately shows two friends killing a classmate and hiding the body in a trunk, in the middle of the room. One of them, the most sadistic, decides to throw a party while the corpse will be hidden throughout the event. Their idea was to make the perfect crime, and the plot develops around that. Perhaps this is one of Alfred Hitchcock's most psychological films. It presents deep and extremely well-built dialogues and there is a subtext that the two protagonists are gay - which would be a scandal for those who noticed it at the time. Simply a brilliant movie and one of the most interesting of Hitchcock.
Anyone who loves gastronomy and cinema has already found a movie to watch! Starring Stephen Graham (from Peaky Blinders and for creating and starring in the Netflix hit show Adolescence), Boiling Point is a British production told in one continuous shot, that brings the "adventures" of a chef during a tumultuous night shift - in which he must deal with health inspections, critics, and even a customer having a severe allergic reaction. In this way, in just a few hours, a little of the reality of kitchens is condensed - which, despite being tough, is rewarding for its professionals. Chefs will identify themselves, while the general public will get to know this reality beyond reality shows like Master Chef.
The backstage of success is not as beautiful as you might imagine. Actors can't seem to shake certain stereotypes or successful roles, interviews are tiresome, there are conflicts and ego clashes, and so on. What 'Birdman' does is take advantage of the recent explosion of superhero films to explore all this complexity. This is not a movie to laugh at but to understand a little bit more those who make us laugh or cry on the big screen.
Director Sam Mendes (of 'American Beauty' and '007: Skyfall') was inspired by the stories told by his grandfather, Alfred Mendes, to delve deep into the journey of two British soldiers who must go through the German front in the midst of World War I, with the mission of delivering an important message to an Allied general. All this done in long takes of about eight minutes, giving the viewer the impression of a great sequence shot (almost) without interruptions - just like Alfred Hitchcock did in 'Frenzy'. Although it does not take place exactly in real time, the feature film brings an extreme feeling of reality while involving us with a bitter and impactful story. After all, wars only cause the death of the innocent and the brave who go into battle, while those who pull the strings are far from the blood and heat of the bombs. The movie is seasoned with beautiful photography (mainly in the night scene) and a team of first-class British actors, with names such as Andrew Scott, Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth and Mark Strong, among others. But who calls the most attention is the duo of protagonists: Dean-Charles Chapman ('Game of Thrones') and George MacKay ('Captain Fantastic'). This is a great cinematic experience that needs to be watched in an immersive way, without pauses or interruptions. At the Golden Globe, Sam Mendes won the award for best director and the film also won in the best drama category. In addition, Thomas Newman was nominated for best original soundtrack.