Peeping Tom

REAR WINDOW (1954)
Directed by … Alfred Hitchcock
James Stewart ... L. B. Jefferies
Grace Kelly ... Lisa Carol Fremont
Wendell Corey ... Det. Lt. Thomas J. Doyle
Thelma Ritter ... Stella
Raymond Burr ... Lars Thorwald
After breaking his leg while on location shooting, professional photographer L.B. Jefferies (Jimmy Stewart) is forced into a cast and wheelchair for weeks on end. To take up this time of sitting around he spies on the neighbors to see what’s going on in their lives. In his care is Stella (Thelma Ritter) a home care nurse who washes him and feeds him until his cast is removed. Stella doesn’t who has grown fond of Jefferies doesn’t approve of his peeping habits on his neighbors but neither the less can do anything about it. During his isolated time Jefferies comes too relative too his neighbors and predicts their habits and nicknames them based on these attributes.
Lisa Carol Fremont (Grace Kelly) Jefferies long time girlfriend visits during the nights too feed Jefferies dinner. Being a couple for a long time Lisa finds it very hard not being able to marry him under Jefferies wishes. Leaving in a fit of rage Jefferies is fitted in front of the window once more like a television. Fading in and out of his days, but during one night he notices the couple he always sees fighting isn’t fighting anymore and the only one left in there apartment is Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr).
Jefferies puts this under very large suspicion and begins to pay even closer attention to this window. After these thoughts begin to become almost statements of a strange reality Jefferies presumes that Mr. Thorwald murdered his wife. After strong persuasion he is able to convince Stella of these awful ideas and even convinces his beloved Lisa.
Lisa then convinces Jefferies to call his friend at the police station Det. Lt. Thomas J. Doyle (Wendell Corey) to investigate. But Det. Doyle can’t find any leads or go any farther with only suspicion. Jefferies decides to drop the whole ordeal until a neighbors dog begins to dig in Thorwalds garden and ends up dead. Now the thought that her body is buried there he sends Stella to check the new fresh soil for anything at all. But there turns up nothing.
After extreme observation over Mr. Thorwald and his living area he notices that all of his wife’s jewelry is left there. He then is able to get Thorwald out of his apartment and sends Lisa to search herself. She doesn’t make it out in time and is arrested by the cops. Mr. Thorwald after finding his spy goes after Jefferies.
Jefferies unable to move from his window chair can only wait for whats coming too him. Mr. Thorwald opens the door and goes after Jefferies with the intention too murder. After a struggle cops come too Jefferies rescue and stop the now murderous Thorwald, but Jefferies falls out his window.
Mr. Thorwald now a murderer of his wife is sent to jail. And Jefferies has broken in a ironic tone both of his legs. A line that perfectly rounds off the film is said by Stella in the Beginning “we have become a nation of peeping toms.” This cashing on how we as neighbors are nosing in on other people’s business.

Rocky IV

Directed by… Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone ... Rocky Balboa
Talia Shire ... Adrian
Burt Young ... Paulie
Carl Weathers ... Apollo Creed
Brigitte Nielsen ... Ludmilla Vobet Drago
Tony Burton ... Duke
Michael Pataki ... Nicoli Koloff
Dolph Lundgren... Captain Ivan Drago

Rocky four in metaphoric terms describes the cold war fought on both sides and the competiveness that both of the strongest forces in the world at the time encouraged. This is shown very well in a mirror aspect between the two fighters and in the end states the ridiculousness of the battle instead of the ladder choice too show America being the strongest of the two.

In the fourth volume of the Rocky saga, Rocky Balboa world heavyweight boxing champion travels to Russia to compete against an amateur Soviet Union fighter Captain Ivan Drago. After coming out of retirement Apollo Creed (Rocky’s mentor in the third film) decides too butt fists with Captain Ivan Drago. After a pummeling fight Apollo falls too his death from too many and too strong of blows from the giant competitor. Maybe a metaphor for the struggle and contributed at the time. And perhaps Apollos cockiness shows the pride we have as Americans, but this pride turns to fear when he realizes that Drago could ultimately conquer, a fear shadowing that of the American citizens during the time of McCarthyism.

After the funeral of Apollo Creed Rocky decides to fight and take revenge on his death against Drago. An exhibition fight between Rocky and Drago is then set in the Drago’s homeland and on Christmas day to represent just how determined Rocky (America) is too beat Drago he would push his family aside for revenge.

Folowing vigorous training and determination Balboa is ready to compete with Drago. During a strong bout with each fighter it seems none will come out as the victor. But within a strong knockout round Balboa represents the U.S. as the champions. Rocky then gives a heart felt speech about his win to Russian and at home American audiences about how in the end fighting really means nothing and that war between the countries and fighters meant nothing in the end.

Generally in the film there are a lot of doppelganger similarities. Such as the fighters themselves, two representatives of the two strongest forces in the world. Or how in the beginning Drago is in a arena filled with American patriots too the end where Rocky is set in a different arena but the same position as Drago was. Even the training for both fighters is in the same vain but Rocky is natural as Drago’s is machine operated. All these similarities represent very well what war between America and Russia was about, who was the stronger power?

With the exception of the first film this is my favorite of the Rocky saga. I think this film actually goes down as an important film in American Cinema and helps capture the time it was made. And especially the fact it is a number four film; that magical number where so many film sagas have perished.

Rocky Four disguises itself as just another sequel but has a strong powerful meaning in the end. Personally I think the movie is great it seems it would fail in so many aspects such as the fact it is A) a sequel, B) a fourth film (Lethal Weapon 4, Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal Skull, Live free or die hard, just to name a few bad four numbered film) and C) it is an action film from the eighties. It’s made to seem like nothing but pure entertainment and a way to pull in money for a franchise.

But the story seems too powerful to be hidden like it should. It did well enough to pass over into two more films, where in most examples films never get past the fourth. To really break it down as a great film it still has some flaws here in there. The action sequences in sports films are the montages that Rocky one made so famous but we get a lot in this one. In fact we get three to count but that doesn’t leave too much time for a plot set up and film time to focus on the struggle being presented. But I am a fan for the montage and think all three collaborating with the soundtrack are great fun being had. Like really great music video to keep you awake and never leave you bored.

The worst thing that draws the audience away from the film and turns it from great to good is only shown on screen for a short while. The Robot that Rocky buys Paulie for his birthday no matter how hard it is to look past comes off as campy and unreal. But this could show the extent that Rocky drives from into royalty and away from his roots. A subject further discussed in the next film. Sometimes small things can ruin a film.

Ultimately the film sets out what it wants to do, its fun entertaining and with a meaning. I recommend the film for really anyone interested in sports or our fans of the Rocky saga. It is a great edition and very easy for a viewer to be lost in the attraction of the film.

Rocky IV

Directed by… Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone ... Rocky Balboa
Talia Shire ... Adrian
Burt Young ... Paulie
Carl Weathers ... Apollo Creed
Brigitte Nielsen ... Ludmilla Vobet Drago
Tony Burton ... Duke

Michael Pataki ... Nicoli Koloff
Dolph Lundgren... Captain Ivan Drago

In the fourth volume of the Rocky saga, Rocky Balboa world heavyweight boxing champion travels to Russia to compete against an amateur Soviet Union fighter Captain Ivan Drago. After coming out of retirement Apollo Creed (Rocky’s mentor in the third film) decides too butt fists with Captain Ivan Drago. After a pummeling fight Apollo falls too his death from too many and too strong of blows from the giant competitor.

After the funeral of Apollo Creed Rocky decides to fight and take revenge on his death against Drago. An exhibition fight between Rocky and Drago is then set in the Drago’s homeland and on Christmas day.

Folowing vigorous training and determination Balboa is ready to compete with Drago. During a strong bout with each fighter it seems none will come out as the victor. But within a strong knockout round Balboa represents the U.S. as the champions.

Generally in the film there are a lot of doppelganger similarities. Such as the fighters themselves, two representatives of the two strongest forces in the world. Or how in the beginning Drago is in a arena filled with American patriots too the end where Rocky is set in a different arena but the same position as Drago was. Even the training for both fighters is in the same vain but Rocky is natural as Drago’s is machine operated. All these similarities represent very well what war between America and Russia was about, who was the stronger power?

With the exception of the first film this is my favorite of the Rocky saga. I think this film actually goes down as an important film in American Cinema and helps capture the time it was made. And especially the fact it is a number four film; that magical number where so many film sagas have perished.

GODS AND MONSTERS

^{A review of the bride of Frankenstein (1935)}

^{Directed by: James Whale}

^{Starring: Boris Karloff……The monster}

^{Colin Clive……Dr. Frankenstein}

^{Elsa Lanchester……Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly/ the bride}

^{Ernest Thesiger……Doctor Pretorius}

^{Valerie Hobson……Elizabeth}

^{One night in the summer of 1816 Mary Shelly and love Percy Bysshe went to visit Lord Byron at his home near Lake Geneva in Switzerland. During their stay it was too rainy and drowsy to go and enjoy outside so the three sat around there fireplace discussing ghost stories till dawn. Lord Byron then suggested that all three of them write horror stories to tell to one another. This is where Mary Shelly came up with the idea of Frankenstein. A story about a mad doctor who creates an animated body out of dead human parts in the themes of Prometheus. This is also where the film begins. Although it creates a good narrative thread it dulls down the story in to saying its all fiction. In my opinion when I watch a film as a viewer I have the sense the story is somehow real. This helps to get involved with the characters and plot. So saying that in the beginning it’s all unreal then you give the impression that there is no matter to really care about the players because they are all fiction.}

^{The film picks up where the original stopped; at the scene of Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive) unconscious and the monster ( Boris Karloff) burning inside the windmill surrounded by angry villagers. But of course like all additional sequels he had never truly perished. The creation then stumbles away and roams free throughout the villa. Victor Frankenstein alive and well now receives a visit from Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger) who in conversation intrigues Frankenstein to further his experimentations.}

^{Meanwhile the monster is captured in an attempt to save a woman from drowning. This mirroring the scene in the first film where a little girl drowns to death. She lives but is too scared of the sight of the monster to be thankful. He escapes and friends a blind man. A twist of irony do to the horrible image of the monster and the blind man’s urge to have a friend. The blind man then feeds and teaches his new friend how to speak; creating a more human image. But as welcoming is the thought of the monster being happy is, it is interrupted by two hunting men in search for the obvious.}

^{The monster flees and ends up hiding in the only real place he understands, the graveyard; truly his origin and point of creation. He there finds what he really wants, a companion, a woman, a bride. He meets Doctor Pretorius where he shares a meal similar to the one he had earlier with his friend the blind man (the good to the Doctors evil).}

^{Victor Frankenstein then changes his mind about creating another specimen but his mind changes when he realizes that Doctor Pretorius kidnaps his beloved wife Elizabeth (Valerie Hobson). Dr. Frankenstein is forced then to work with Doctor Pretorius in creating a bride for his monster the same way his original creation came to be.}

^{The two work vigorously and hard to create another reanimation. They work long into the night but finally out of tiredness and stress finish their creation a companion and bride (Elsa Lanchester) for the monster. The bride though rejects her suitor and sends the monster to do what he should have done in the first place. The monster gives permission for his creator and wife to leave but keeps the new experiment and Doctor Pretorius to die. The monster pulls a switch that explodes the entire castle and its inhabitants.}

^{When i first saw this as a child i had reacted the same as i am now...unaffected by what i saw. I was into the other Universal Studios monsters such as the Wolf man and Dracula. Frankenstein always struck me as a good plot but was never used in the way i wanted to see it. This marks the only time i would like to be more entertained by the horror than the morality aspects. Nothing but a dry sense is left after my viewing again twelve years later.}

^{Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935) act as the continuation of the tales of men who tried to play gods. The creation like a baby learns a conscience and how to speak , but in the end learns right from wrong and what should exist in this world. But the story of Frankenstein can be put into terms now more than ever. The question it leaves is how far will man go with science before he has gone too far? J. Robert Oppenheimer (the father of the atomic bomb) said “I have become death, the destroyer of worlds.”}

^{“Gods and Monsters”}

^{A review of the bride of Frankenstein (1935)}

^{Directed by: James Whale}

^{Starring: Boris Karloff……The monster}

^{Colin Clive……Dr. Frankenstein}

^{Elsa Lanchester……Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly/ the bride}

^{Ernest Thesiger……Doctor Pretorius}

^{Valerie Hobson……Elizabeth}

^{One night in the summer of 1816 Mary Shelly and love Percy Bysshe went to visit Lord Byron at his home near Lake Geneva in Switzerland. During their stay it was too rainy and drowsy to go and enjoy outside so the three sat around there fireplace discussing ghost stories till dawn. Lord Byron then suggested that all three of them write horror stories to tell to one another. This is where Mary Shelly came up with the idea of Frankenstein. A story about a mad doctor who creates an animated body out of dead human parts in the themes of Prometheus. This is also where the film begins. Although it creates a good narrative thread it dulls down the story in to saying its all fiction. In my opinion when I watch a film as a viewer I have the sense the story is somehow real. This helps to get involved with the characters and plot. So saying that in the beginning it’s all unreal then you give the impression that there is no matter to really care about the players because they are all fiction.}

^{The film picks up where the original stopped; at the scene of Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive) unconscious and the monster ( Boris Karloff) burning inside the windmill surrounded by angry villagers. But of course like all additional sequels he had never truly perished. The creation then stumbles away and roams free throughout the villa. Victor Frankenstein alive and well now receives a visit from Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger) who in conversation intrigues Frankenstein to further his experimentations.}

^{Meanwhile the monster is captured in an attempt to save a woman from drowning. This mirroring the scene in the first film where a little girl drowns to death. She lives but is too scared of the sight of the monster to be thankful. He escapes and friends a blind man. A twist of irony do to the horrible image of the monster and the blind man’s urge to have a friend. The blind man then feeds and teaches his new friend how to speak; creating a more human image. But as welcoming is the thought of the monster being happy is, it is interrupted by two hunting men in search for the obvious.}

^{The monster flees and ends up hiding in the only real place he understands, the graveyard; truly his origin and point of creation. He there finds what he really wants, a companion, a woman, a bride. He meets Doctor Pretorius where he shares a meal similar to the one he had earlier with his friend the blind man (the good to the Doctors evil).}

^{Victor Frankenstein then changes his mind about creating another specimen but his mind changes when he realizes that Doctor Pretorius kidnaps his beloved wife Elizabeth (Valerie Hobson). Dr. Frankenstein is forced then to work with Doctor Pretorius in creating a bride for his monster the same way his original creation came to be.}

^{The two work vigorously and hard to create another reanimation. They work long into the night but finally out of tiredness and stress finish their creation a companion and bride (Elsa Lanchester) for the monster. The bride though rejects her suitor and sends the monster to do what he should have done in the first place. The monster gives permission for his creator and wife to leave but keeps the new experiment and Doctor Pretorius to die. The monster pulls a switch that explodes the entire castle and its inhabitants.}

^{Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935) act as the continuation of the tales of men who tried to play gods. The creation like a baby learns a conscience and how to speak , but in the end learns right from wrong and what should exist in this world. But the story of Frankenstein can be put into terms now more than ever. The question it leaves is how far will man go with science before he has gone too far? J. Robert Oppenheimer (the father of the atomic bomb) said “I have become death, the destroyer of worlds.”}