Popdose - Latest Comments in Blu-ray Review: “North by Northwest” (50th Anniversary Edition)

Re: Blu-ray Review: “North by Northwest” (50th Anniversary Edition)

BobCashill — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:20:21 -0000

While this is a nice package, it looks as if WB and Universal are counting on DVD-R initiatives to rope in the buffs eager to see films that have never seen the light of DVD release. I can imagine the other studios following their lead as the catalog market disappears on standard DVD and Blu-ray. I've bought these particular films enough times, in packages once touted and reviewed as "best quality ever," to resist the sales pitch--though I repeat it does look appealing, and NORTH BY NORTHWEST is great fun in any format.

Re: Blu-ray Review: “North by Northwest” (50th Anniversary Edition)

DwDunphy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:45:05 -0000

Right there. North By Northwest is much less cerebral than Vertigo, which was digging way down into psychology and obsession. North By Northwest is, however, the grand-daddy of almost every Hollywood chase film afterward.

Re: Blu-ray Review: “North by Northwest” (50th Anniversary Edition)

kshane — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:09:19 -0000

Of the two, I'd have to chose Vertigo as the more accomplished film. It's certainly a more serious film. And talk about a Hermann score! I definitely agree that NXNW is more accessible though.

Re: Blu-ray Review: “North by Northwest” (50th Anniversary Edition)

kshane — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:06:37 -0000

In the original Manchurian Candidate, Angela Lansbury brilliantly played the Laurence Harvey character's mother. She was only three years older than him.

Re: Blu-ray Review: “North by Northwest” (50th Anniversary Edition)

jefito — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:55:37 -0000

From what I've read, Landis was only SIX years older than Grant. Gotta love Hollywood!

Re: Blu-ray Review: “North by Northwest” (50th Anniversary Edition)

Malchus — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:51:44 -0000

No doubt about it that this is one of the greatest movies of all time. I know critics adore "Vertigo", and I do love that movie, but "North by Northwest" is more accessible. This is my favorite Hitchcock film. Whenever TCM is airing the movie I get sucked in. From the directing to the tightly written to script, the Hermann's score, this one has it all. And what cast. Not only are Grant and Saint fantastic on screen ,overs, but James Mason is pitch perfect (there would be no Hans Gruber if it wasn't for Mason in this movie), Martin Landau is very creepy, and Jessie Royce Landis is hilarious comic relief as Grant's mother (and she was only 8 years older than the actor!)

Great review, Jeff. Makes me want to buy a Blu-Ray.

Re: Blu-ray Review: “North by Northwest” (50th Anniversary Edition)

jefito — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:29:33 -0000

Prepare to be pleasantly shocked. I watched this side-by-side with the "Heat" Blu-ray -- more on that soon -- and I actually think "North by Northwest" has the better transfer. The bonus materials are worth buying on their own, too.

Re: Blu-ray Review: “North by Northwest” (50th Anniversary Edition)

kshane — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:27:13 -0000

Vertigo (1958), North By Northwest (1959), and Psycho (1960). Has any director ever had a better three year run? If so, I'm not aware of it. In many ways, North By Northwest is the most conventional of the three, certainly in psychological terms. It's probably also the most entertaining. Throw in about a dozen other classics, and you have perhaps the greatest film career a director has ever had.

I've seen North By Northwest countless times, but I'm always ready to see it again. This one goes on my list. Great review Jeff.

Re: Blu-ray Review: “North by Northwest” (50th Anniversary Edition)

DwDunphy — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:37:09 -0000

This is one of those movies that, if you've ever been interested in the world of filmmaking, you have to own. Hitchcock fills the movie up with so much that you have to rewatch it several times to get all the hints being dropped. While we, with out CG jaded eyes, might see the seams of the special effects, they're not easy to dismiss either and if you were an audience member of the time, I'd suspect the movie blew your tiny little mind with that Rushmore sequence.

And Hitchcock was a notorious appreciator of glamorous women, and Eva Saint James finds herself next to Grace Kelly, Janet Leigh and Kim Novak in that group.