The Ring (1928)

 

The Ring (1928)

This Hitchcock silent is actually a boxing story mixed with a love triangle. It was a bit slow to start, but I found it pretty enjoyable as it carried on. As in the previous Hitchcock silents I've seen there are some experimental camera tricks and visual effects here that are usually effective and interesting to watch. The boxing scenes are intense and more brutal than I expected. I can't say the story itself is very original or interesting, but the way it was done made it worthwhile. Unfortunately, this was also the first silent Hitchcock I've seen that's contained some openly racist elements including stereotypical acting and use of the "n word" in a title card.

***/****

Downhill (1927)

 

Downhill (1927)

Alfred Hitchcock's fourth movie. Stars the same guy from the Lodger, though unlike the Lodger, this isn't in the suspense/thriller genre at all. It's about a young man, star of his school's rugby team and on his way to a good scholarship, who is expelled for something he didn't do (getting a girl pregnant) and has his life begin a downward spiral (or go "downhill"). There isn't much story here, seeing as I essentially summed the whole movie up. What makes it worth watching is decent acting by the lead and Hitchcock's atmospheric visuals and directorial flourishes, such as some interesting point of view shots and a cool dream sequence. Other than that, it's a bit dull.

**/****

The Lodger (A Story of the London Fog) (1927)

 

The Lodger (A Story of the London Fog) (1927)

Hitchcock's third feature (the second is lost) and the second of his early British silents that I've seen. An enjoyable and fairly suspenseful story, but my enjoyment was affected pretty seriously by the version I watched having no sound whatsoever. I could have watched an inferior archive print that has a soundtrack, but it would be at the cost of the extra 20 minutes running time that was restored in the better quality but mute print that I viewed. Other than that, a good movie with plenty of atmosphere. Hitchcock had to change the ending so the lead character was innocent (as opposed to being the killer) because having a big star play a villain/killer was against some sort of rule at the time. Has been remade a few times.

***/****

Hostel (2005)

Hostel (2005) 

Based on what I'd heard of how it was received, and the little I'd heard of the plot, I went into Hostel expecting a lukewarm, by-the-numbers modern horror with little to no creativity, one that I'd forget five minutes after it ended. I'm glad to say that wasn't the case: it was surprisingly well made and performed, and I found myself enjoying it quite a bit. It's violent, of course, and the much-touted torture scenes can be cringe-worthy, but less of the movie is focused on that than I thought, and it contains what many newer horror movies lack: some actual suspense. 

The movie, in a fashion similar to some of my favourite horror movies from the 70s and 80s, also contains an element of humour, which took me pleasantly by surprise and had me smiling at a couple points. Without spoiling anything, the ending was satisfying but also left me wanting to know more about the secret organization. I'll be sure to watch the second Hostel. There is an alternate ending, but the original works best. 

***/****