Look Out! Behind You! (6)

Top 30 Greatest Movies of All-Time # 6

Title:  Rear Window

Actors/Director/Anything Worth Mentioning Right Away:  Alfred Hitchcock, Grace Kelly and Jimmy Stewart, oh yeah!

Introduction:  I don’t remember when I first saw this, but I’ve never stopped watching it.

Location:  It takes place primarily in one room, as Jimmy Stewart’s character stares across the way at another room.   There is a set, sure, but this does have certain simplicity to it.

Plot:  James Stewart’s character has broken legs and is wheelchair bound.  He uses this time to stare out the window and suspect his neighbor across the way of murdering his wife.   They remade this movie with Christopher Reeve.   They remade it again only they called it Disturbia.   And it was also the premise for an episode of “The Simpsons” when the family gets a pool.  This movie has influences you probably don’t even know about.  Really this movie is about voyeurism, but you have to admit that in some way or another—even if we don’t suspect our neighbors of crimes—we all kind of are curious as to what’s going on with those who live near us.

Acting:  James Stewart and Grace Kelly… What more do you need?

Production:  This was in theaters, yes, and it probably scared people then too.

Sex/Nudity:  No, not at all.

Special Effects:  There aren’t really a lot- except for the scenery- which is what makes this such a simple yet brilliant movie.

Overall Verdict:  There are probably entire books dedicated to this single movie.   While I love nearly all of the Hitchcock movies (especially Vertigo), this is hands down my favorite because of the suspense factor.   No matter how many times I watch this movie, without fail I *always* think that they’re going to get caught.  Every time.

The List Thus Far:

(6) Rear Window

(7) True Romance

(8)  Driftwood

(9) Rock ‘N’ Roll High School

(10) G.I. Joe: The Movie

(11) Billy Madison

(12) American Splendor

(13) Last Days

(14) Mallrats

(15) The Dark Knight

(16) Bottle Rocket

(17) Tank Girl

(18) The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl

(19) Big Trouble

(20)  The Devil’s Rejects

(21) Raiders of the Lost Ark

(22) Beetlejuice

(23) Escape From L.A.

(24)  Howard the Duck

(25) Cabin Fever

(26) Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

(27) Uncle Buck

(28) Donnie Darko

(29) Demolition Man

(30) Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory