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Family Plot, a review by Jon

Family Plot (1976)
4 out of 5



When a wealthy woman unwittingly hires a con man and a phony psychic to find her missing heir, the results are diabolically funny in Alfred Hitchcock's tongue-in-cheek mystery thriller. Bruce Dern and Barbara Harris star as a conniving couple plotting to bilk an old lady out of her fortune by pretending to find her long-lost nephew (William Devane). Meanwhile, Devane, a larcenous jeweler, and his beautiful girlfriend (Karen Black) have kidnapped a rich Greek shipping magnate for ransom. Together they're on a nonstop merry-go round of mystery, murder and mayhem that combines suspense and comedy for unforgettable entertainment.

And so we come to the final Alfred Hitchcock film. It would be easy to make excuses for it, coming at the end of such an illustrious career that encompassed some of the greatest and most important films ever made, but the truth is, we don't have to. It's a great little film that is unmistakeably Hitchcock throughout and shows he never rested on his laurels.

The key thing about a typical Hitchcock plot is the simple, delicious premise and a claustrophobic situation, entrapping the central character. Family PlotFreaky FridayMarnie and Torn Curtain had the stars, but they were awkward, detached, incapable or all three! Topaz had the characters, but not the stars to pull them off. As if realising a change of gear was needed, in Frenzy he worked with a lesser-known, but a more capable and balanced cast and the story was tailored to suit them. Family Plot is the same and works very well for it, although at some cost to the epic visual style his best work is known for. Still, he rarely handled comedy well for that very reason, so this is a treat. There is one set-piece that acts as a nod to North By NorthwestForeign CorrespondentFrenzy had given him a new direction. Tone down the visual and concentrate on a dependable, solid cast and a likeable premise. As such this is a fine swansong that while lacking the pure cinematic power of, say, Vertigo

(From Alfred Hitchcock Marathon on May 25th, 2010)

Seven Pounds, a review by Rich

Seven Pounds



From Gabriele Muccino, the Director of The Pursuit Of Happyness comes Seven Pounds. Will Smith stars as Ben, an IRS agent who is depressed and guilt-ridden about mistakes from his past. He sets out to make amends by helping seven strangers. When he meets Emily (Rosario Dawson), a beautiful woman with a heart condition, he falls in love with her, thereby complicating his plans. Woody Harrelson also appears as a blind pianist who befriends Ben.

Another over-hyped film, I kept waiting for the elements that apparently force you to tears - I never found them.
It is certainly sensitive and sombre, thought-provoking, and in Will Smith he demonstrates his maturing years are improving his acting abilities. It is a bit too broken up and disjointed for my taste, and at times difficult to follow with very little clues, so patience is vital to get full enjoyment.
A good film for dvd, I would have been disappointed if I'd seen this at the cinema, and i personally preferred Pursuit of Happyness.
 



(From Riches Random Reviews on March 31st, 2009)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Greg the Bunny: The Complete Series (2002/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (United States) Length: 299 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: English, Spanish

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Plot:Greg the Bunny
1.01 Welcome to Sweetknuckle Junction
Cast: Eugene Levy (Gil Bender), Seth Green (Jimmy Bender), Bob Gunton ("Junction" Jack Mars), Sarah Silverman (Alison Kaiser), Dina Waters (Dottie Sunshine), Drew Massey (Count Blah/Dr. Aben Mitchell/Gay Bear), Dan Milano (Greg the Bunny/Warren Demontague), David Spade (Himself), James Murray (Rochester Rabbit/Susan the Monster), Victor Yerrid (Tardy Turtle/Cranky), Carl Bridge (Additional Performer), Scott Johnson (Additional Performer), Donna Kimball (Additional Performer), Jeffrey Ross (Additional Performer)

I really like the premise about the puppets being "fabricated Americans". And it was I show which I enjoyed every episode. I followed it when it was originally aired and was disappointed when it was cancelled. It has some great cast like Eugene Levy, Seth Green and Sarah Silverman.
The pilot episode is really great and sets up the show brilliantly.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on June 27th, 2011)