Sacha Gervasi

Read anything on Sacha Gervasi's new movie Hitchcock, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins as the legendary Hollywood director, and you'll probably come across the phrases "Oscars buzz" and "Oscar tipped." The movie has enjoyed decent reviews from critics, though the press seem to have it nailed on for a nomination. It may well not be that straight forward.

History suggests that Hitchcock is the type of the movie the Academy will reward and with Hopkins and Dame Helen Mirren in the lead roles, it certainly boasts an appealing cast. However, the concluding months of 2012 have thrown up several serious contenders for the golden statuettes and Hitchcock may well be the movie to make way. Hopkins - who won Best Actor for Silence of the Lambs - has already decided to stop playing "nauseating games" with the Academy in order to win an Oscar and told Entertainment Weekly that he was too busy making films to launch a serious awards' season campaign for Hitchcock. "People go out of their way to flatter the nominating body [the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences] and I think it's kind of disgusting. Having to be nice to people and to be charming and flirting with them. That's always been against my nature", he added.

So what do the bookmakers think of Hitchcock's chances?

Continue reading: Is Sacha Gervasi's 'Hitchcock' Really Generating Oscars Buzz?

It was always going to be a tough order to pull off an homage to the great Alfred Hitchcock, but Sacha Gervasi has largely gained kudos from the reviewers for having a going at it, though his biopic Hitchcock has by no means found unanimous approval from the grizzled hacks of the critical world.

Director Gervasi certainly can’t be faulted for the cast he assembled for the film; Sir Anthony Hopkins plays Hitchcock himself, with other characters played by the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Dame Helen Mirren, Jessica Biel and Toni Collette. Certainly the reviewers found the cast to be their usual excellent selves. “Hopkins catches the essence of Hitchcock as artist and con man. And Mirren is stellar as his wife and secret weapon. The pleasure of their company adds sparkle to this unexpectedly poignant look at a career and a marriage” wrote Rolling Stone. The Chicago Sun Times was a little more guarded but wrote “Anthony Hopkins, superb actor although he is, would not seem to be an obvious choice to play Hitchcock, but I accepted him. His makeup job is transformative.”

However, as to the film itself – which is far more of an interpretation than a factual account of the film director’s life – it found a mixed response, with Variety frustrated by its deviation: “Hitchcock offers almost zero insight into the peculiar workings of creative genius, or into the rich, taboo-shattering legacy of the film whose making it documents” it wrote. That said, if we’re to believe the New York Observer it’s “one of the best movies of 2012”, suggesting that the jury still remains somewhat out on this one.

Hitchcock's leading ladies [L-R]Toni ColletteDame Helen MirrenJessica Biel

Some of Hollywood's most established stars - not least the cast themselves - turned out for the premiere of Hitchcockyesterday (November 20) at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California. It's not surprising that such a dazzling array of talent should take to the red carpet, given that the film effectively honours one of the greatest directors of all time in Alfred Hitchcock. Taking center stage were leading ladies Toni Collete, Jessica Biel and, of course,Dame Helen Mirren- the latter extremely enamoured by Biel's gorgeous dress, struggling to keep her hands off it.

Continue reading: Pictures: No Hopkins Or Johansson, But 'Hitchcock' Premiere Still Shows Star Power

The much anticipated Alfred Hitchcock biopic finally hit preview screens this week, and having already been tipped for Oscar success, the performances and subsequent reviews seem to echo that gossip.

Sacha Gervasi has taken the helm of the film, re-writing the script and directing an impressive cast, including Anthony Hopkins as the man himself, Helen Mirren as his wife, plus Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel, James DArcy and Danny Huston. The story begins in the wake of the wildly successful North by Northwest, as Hitchcock finds himself at a bit of a dead end for projects. The plot itself mostly revolves around his interesting relationship with his wife, Alma, Hitchcock's love of his blonde leads, and around the creation of his most famous work, Psycho. The Guardian has praised all the performances, particularly Mirren, "she is the film's - hell, both films' - secret heroine. Forget all those blondes - count on the redhead." The Hollywood Reporter has nothing but good words to say for Gervasi, who "displays abundant energy and visual tact at the helm" and desribes the film as a whole as "undeniably lively and provocative"- much like Hitchcock's own work.

Almost any artist, whether a writer, musician, film maker or sculptor, if they make something great it often means their life is interesting. Hitchcock continues to prove this rule, as arguably one of the greatest film makers of all time, his character, relationships and thus his life, make for fascinating viewing, all made possible by an utterly brilliant ensemble to bring life to his life.

Alfred Hitchcock biopic ‘Hitchcock’ is set to be in line for an Oscar this year as Fox Searchlight reveals the 2012 release date.

Fox Searchlight Pictures are known for producing and distributing independent, mainly British films many of which have been successful Oscar winners or nominees including ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, ‘Black Swan’, ‘The Full Monty’, ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ and ‘Juno’. ‘Hitchcock’ could be set to be their latest jewel as the previously expected 2013 release date has been moved to November 23rd 2012 making it a serious contender for an Academy Award this year.

Unlike the actual Alfred Hitchcock movies, which were largely suspense-driven thrillers, the film is comedy drama based on the making of Alfred Hitchcock’s hit 1960 blockbuster ‘Psycho’ and the relationship the director had with his wife Alma Reville. It focuses on the major controversy surrounding the film’s sexual and violent content and Hitchcock’s battle with financing and censorship. It has been adapted by screenwriter John McLaughlin (‘Black Swan’) from Stephen Rebello’s biography ‘Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho’ with Sacha Gervasi (‘Anvil: The Story of Anvil’) in his feature film directorial debut. If this wasn’t enough to make a big impression at The Oscars, then the flick’s all-star cast is bound to be a winner. With Academy Award sensations Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren playing Hitchcock and Alma, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Biel playing ‘Psycho’ stars Janet Leigh and Vera Miles, the spectacular mix of both American and British actors is sure to appeal to most culturally singular film lovers.