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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)

Breach, a review by Eric

Breach



Overview: Review: This movie is based on the true story of Robert Hansenn who, as an FBI agent, betrayed his country for over 22 years by leaking information to the soviet union, including giving out the names of russian agents recruited by the FBI who were then called back to Moskow and shot. It's quite a good thriller keeping you wondering throughout the movie if Hanssen has spotted the agent they put on his tail as his new assistant.

Hanssen is depicted in the movie as extremely religious.........yet perverted in many ways including sexuality.  He is a bizarre character making people around him uncomfortable with his constant preaching, the movie conveys that feeling to the viewer and I found myself uncomfortable as well most of the time.  Breach is a good and effective suspense.



(From Eric's DVD watching. on December 22nd, 2009)

Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Every story has a beginning and the beginning of this story I will tell you now:


Synopsis: Xena is a fearsome warlord who raids defenceless villages. And as basically every warlord of that time she wants to slay the son of Zeus: Hercules. But first she has to break him. And what better way is there than to seduce his best friend Iolaus and let them turn against each other?

My Opinion: I have to admit, the only one who really convinced me here was Xena. Neither Hercules nor Iolaus behaved liked you would expect them to. They've travelled so much together, fought side by side and back to back. And suddenly Iolaus believes her more than he does believe him and even challenges him to the death? Unlikely.

Synopsis: Xena has raised a new army but unfortunately her soldiers don't follow her code of honour. In her absence they raid a village without warning and kill every man, woman and child in it (except for the one baby she can save). Her second-in-command, Darphus, sees this as a weakness and starts a mutiny. He puts her through the gauntlet, a ritual that nobody has ever survived - until now. Now she wants revenge and she gets help in the form of Hercules who wants to stop this army, too.

My Opinion: Here they started to build up the character for her own series and except for her sudden fondness for Hercules in the end there was nothing that contradicts with her former appearance. I liked how they changed her character because she's already much more like the Xena I know and love. But Salmoneus was also great. Both shows have a good number of supporting characters that act as comic relief and Salmoneus is one of them.

Synopsis: Ares, God of War, has resurrected Darphus and has given him his favourite "pet". Xena and Hercules decide to stop him once and for all, but they are not alone. Salmoneus is still with them, even if he's not the bravest of guys. And Iolaus is also joining them, despite his and Xena's history.

My Opinion: If you watch the show you have to admit that the effects have never been the best or even slightly realistic. But if you can look past this then it's really enjoyable. It makes it up with interesting characters, cool stories and a nice potpourri of Greek, Roman, Christian and whatnot mythology.

(From Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon on November 21st, 2009)