'Psycho' film series

[CampNewBlood]

Noone has made a thread for these movies so I thought I would.

A great series of movies and can't wait to finally get Psycho IV on DVD next month.

Also, I just read that Richard Franklin---the director of Psycho II---died on Friday, July 13th in Melbourne, Australia of prostate cancer. He was 58. Very sad news. Psycho II is one great sequel.

RIP

[Germaniac]

RIP Richard Franklin

Psycho 2 is , in my book, the best sequel of all time (in any genre) (yes, even better than Empire strikes back!) and better than the original Psycho.
I read Robert Bloch´s Psycho 2 a couple of days ago. This book has almost nothing to do with the movie (except the characters of Norman Bates, Lila and Sam Loomis). It was a very good book ... but I prefer the movie. I am currently reading Bloch´s third Psycho-book (Psycho-house).

[Lammert]

Nothing tops the original 1960 Psycho for me... it's acctualy one of my top 5 favorite movies. The suspence is perfect in this movie.

Psycho 2 was a very good sequel, but is no match for the original.
Psycho 3 and 4 are... well.... good to watch.

[Wheatjedi]

I'm so sad to read about Richard Franklin's passing away. I love Psycho II, and I think it's one of the best sequels I've ever seen. Nothing could measure up to the classic masterpiece, but Psycho II is a great film. Rest in peace, Mr. Franklin.

BTW... there is a nice interview with Richard Franklin over at www.thepsychomovies.com that's worth checking out.

[Toejam]

I love Psycho and Psycho II.
For a sequel set so long after the original, II feels like a very natural continuation.
Too bad about Richard Franklin, RIP

[Joshg]

I prefered Part III. I just love that sequel! But II is pretty good too, and I cant wait to see Part IV!

[Shoesalesman]

The original PSYCHO is my second favorite horror movie next to the original Night Of The Living Dead.

Anthony Perkins turned a great movie into an excellent one. He was worthy of all the praise he's received over the years; a fine actor who really brought out the creepiness in Norman Bates.

I also consider PSYCHO II to be the best sequel made, with the exception of Empire Strikes Back (sorry Germaniac :p ) and F13 part2.

[CampNewBlood]

Yea I am anxious to hear more about The Bates Motel. I'm sure you all have heard about it huh?

From Creature-Corner:

Norman Bates the next Reality TV Star?

The Hollywood Reporter revealed recently that production company Vertigo Entertainment (The Ring, The Grudge) has inked a deal with Lionsgate to produce TV shows for network and cable audiences.

Along with some other prospects like a "high-stakes gambling drama", the most interesting show they have in the works is The Bates Motel, which indeed will be a re-imagining of Hitchcock's classic Psycho.

There's no other info available at time, but that won't stop us from guessing at what happens. Perhaps this will be another Psycho IV: The Beginning, a prequel of sorts that brings us up to date on Norman's psychosis. One thing it won't be is similar to the Bates Motel TV movie that premiered in 1987. That film was about a fellow inmate and friend of Norman's who inherited the motel after Bates died in the asylum... and of course brought it back open for business.

In any case, it's way too early to tell what's going to happen with this, but we'll bring you more as we hear it. Let's just hope it hits cable.

Could be very interesting.

[girlychaos]

I love all Psycho movies. I recently watched the original and it always blows my mind...Anthony Perkins is just the perfect Norman Bates...

I'm going to watch all of them again cause it's been a while since I last did it.

[Wheatjedi]

I want to know what you think of Psycho II. That really is a fantastic sequel. I'm not nuts about III, but I do enjoy it. IV is just great. I love the whole concept and execution of IV.

[girlychaos]

I do remember all of them....but I want to watch them again so I'm sure I'm mentioning the right things and events....but yeah...I always loved Psycho II. What's wrong about III though? Will you please remind me?

[CampNewBlood]

I love the soundtracks to Psycho II and Psycho III. Psycho III kinda has a Gothic feel to it.

[sCabbOy]

Psycho II is one of the best sequels ever made IMO.

[Wheatjedi]

Girly....

Well.... there's nothing really wrong with it. It's certainly entertaining. It just wasn't up to the same level as 1, 2 and 4. That's just my opinion, of course. My faves go: 1, 2, 4, 3.
ADDED:
Psycho II is one of the best sequels ever made IMO.

I totally agree with you 110%.

[sCabbOy]

Speaking of Psycho II... I wonder why nobody really ever complains that Norman wasn't the killer in it?

[girlychaos]

Wheat: I got it...

And yes, I remember I loved Psycho II...I'm going to watch it again this week hopefully.

[Wheatjedi]

Speaking of Psycho II... I wonder why nobody really ever complains that Norman wasn't the killer in it?

I think it's because Norman is a sympathetic character. Even though he's done some awful things, he tries to do what's right in II. He might have been successful if it hadn't been for Lila Loomis. I liked that he wasn't the killer, but that final shot is definitely chilling.

[Germaniac]

What's wrong about III though? Will you please remind me?

Psycho III is not bad and there is nothing wrong with it ... it´s just not quite as awesome as P 1, P 2 or P 4. The other P movies had some original plot-twists or story-elements that made the movie special. P 3 was just a normal slasher were we knew who the "villain" was. IF they kept Duke (Jeff Fahey) as the killer until Norman killed him it might have been more special (because of the "oooh, I thought Norman did it" effect").

[Lammert]

Thats my problem with Psycho 3, they made Norman the killer again.. and then a few years later in Psycho 4 he's out on the streets again.

[Shoesalesman]

Thats my problem with Psycho 3, they made Norman the killer again.. and then a few years later in Psycho 4 he's out on the streets again.

I like part 4 in comparison to 3, only because there's a back story covering his childhood and the relationship he had with mother. I wasn't sure I'd like part 4 when I rented it, but I was surprised at how good it was.

[sCabbOy]

I think it's because Norman is a sympathetic character. Even though he's done some awful things, he tries to do what's right in II. He might have been successful if it hadn't been for Lila Loomis. I liked that he wasn't the killer, but that final shot is definitely chilling.

True.

And the best thing about Psyco was Norman wasn't even sure he was the killer. In Psycho II it was reverse- Norman thought he could have been the killer.

Psycho III wasn't as good, but it was a pretty good follow up.

[DRE]

I haven't seen a horror prequel yet that is as good as Psycho IV, which nicely presents the backstory that was told in the original. I just wish they would release it on DVD already.

And I agree, Psycho II is one of the best sequels ever!

[Joshg]

I already have Psycho II on DVD (and 3 on VHS), but I'll either sell it, or give it to a friend, sine I'll more than likely be getting the 3-Pack with all three sequels.

[sCabbOy]

I used to hate Part IV, but you are right it's a good sequel.

I have the Psycho Box set from Asia, it's a fold out with all 4 discs. It's really nice.

[Wheatjedi]

I haven't seen a horror prequel yet that is as good as Psycho IV, which nicely presents the backstory that was told in the original. I just wish they would release it on DVD already.

Psycho IV comes out on DVD in Region 1 on August 14 as part of a "Triple Feature" release with Psycho II and III.

[DRE]

Psycho IV comes out on DVD in Region 1 on August 14 as part of a "Triple Feature" release with Psycho II and III.

Now that's the best news ever! Thankfully I skipped getting 2 & 3.

[Shoesalesman]

Thanks for the info, Wheat. I was thinking of hitting the pawn shop to see if they had part 2 and 4 on VHS this weekend, but now I'll wait for this.

[Lammert]

I have a Psycho boxset... with includes all the sequels and the special edition of the original.

Anyway, how do you guys feel about the remake? I think its pretty good and Vince Vaughn did a good job as Norman.

[Toejam]

The remake was nearly pointless, they just seemed to make it as close to the original as possible. Why? We already have that movie.

[sCabbOy]

I liked the remake.
Any remake (and most all sequels) are pointless... but I liked the remake. i thought it was nicely directed and so nicely photographed.

[girlychaos]

I think the remake was true to the original, had nice photography and direction, as sCabbOy said, but it really didn't do it for me.

[CampNewBlood]

I liked the remake.
Any remake (and most all sequels) are pointless... but I liked the remake. i thought it was nicely directed and so nicely photographed.

My main gripe has always been the sets. They didn't use the original house....well, the front of it was covered up with a shell of another house....and the motel sign was changed and the roof of the motel had that ridiculous unecessary Bates Motel sign sitting on top.

I love the shower scene.

[girlychaos]

Well...I did watch Psycho II and III last night and I loved both of them. Actually, I really did love III...more than I remember....the only thing that could've been better was the soundtrack...IMO, that is.

And CampNewBlood: I agree with you there...plus the cast...you just can't beat Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh.

[sCabbOy]

I always thought that Vince Vaughn's Norman came across more sleazy, insane and conniving than Perkins. Perkins nailed the psychotic Norman, no doubt... but Vince added so much the character and that was arguably unnecessary, but since it was done I had to appreciate it.

[Joshg]

The problem with the remake is that it was pointless. Not because they changed so much, but because they hardly changed anything at all! The shower scene is near identical. Lines are repeated. If we wanted to see Psycho in color, then yeah, it was fine. But...if you're going to do a remake, at least change something. :D

[girlychaos]

I agree, Joshg...and Anne is okay....but let's face it....she's no Janet Leigh...if you know what I mean.

Anyway, I just watched Psycho IV and I remembered how great it is! I can honestly say I love all Psycho movies...the only problem I had with Psycho III is the soundtrack/scores...they just didn't work at all. Other than that, I gotta say Duke was a funny character and I didn't remember Juliette Cummins was in it ....so, it was great IMO.

[sCabbOy]

I wouldn't call it pointless... because there was a point. To give Generation X a Psycho movie they'd watch.

People complain when remakes change too much, they complain when they don't change enough, eh... yeah it was pointless if you boil it down. But so was Psycho 2-4 if you ask me.

[Mr. Undertaker]

Does anyone know about the house!? Is it still standing? Where was the original location anyway?

[girlychaos]

Does anyone know about the house!? Is it still standing? Where was the original location anyway?

Good point! I never quite got it....was it a real house or just a set? Was it really in California??

[sCabbOy]

The house was fake. Well it was built for the movie in the Universal Studios backlot.

http://www.thepsychomovies.com/psychohouse/about.html

[girlychaos]

I'm gonna go check it....thanks sCabbOy! ;)

[Wheatjedi]

I believe the house used in II and III is still standing at Universal Studios Hollywood. At least it was when I took the tour a few years back. The one used in IV (filmed in Florida) was definitely torn down though.

I love that Psycho site.

[CampNewBlood]

Yes, the original house in California used in the original Psycho, Psycho II and Psycho III is still there.

The one in Florida used in Psycho IV was taken down years ago.

Universal Studios in California better not be so f*ckin stupid as to ever take down the original set that Alfred Hitchcock had built. That would be the ultimate betrayal to Hitchcock and his memory IMO.

Not to mention his fans.

[Joshg]

I wouldn't call it pointless... because there was a point. To give Generation X a Psycho movie they'd watch.

People complain when remakes change too much, they complain when they don't change enough, eh... yeah it was pointless if you boil it down. But so was Psycho 2-4 if you ask me.

True.

See, I hate when they change too much. I like staying on the same length, and NOT adding more unscary storylines to beef it up. (Black Xmas anyone? :X) Although, if you are doing a remake, carbon copies just...Well...the thing about the sequels were that they weren't carbon copies. The added something new. With the remake...it was color! Yay!

Hey, was the original Psycho ever colored, via The Wizard of Oz? That'd be interesting to see, even if it works being black and white.

[Wheatjedi]

Hey, was the original Psycho ever colored, via The Wizard of Oz? That'd be interesting to see, even if it works being black and white.

I don't believe the original Psycho was ever colorized (as several b/w films were, mostly in the 80s). However... neither was 1939's The Wizard of Oz. The beginning and end of that film are in black and white, but the bulk of the film (the parts in Oz) have always been in color.

[Joshg]

Always been in color? Really? Wow, neva knew that.

[Wheatjedi]

Yeah. That was one of the draws of the film back in '39. The beginning and end were shot in black and white to reflect the "ordinary" world, while the Oz part of the film was in color to reflect the "magical/fantasy" world. They could have shot the whole thing in color (like 1939's Gone With the Wind), but the use of b/w to bookend the film was an artistic choice much like Hitchcock deciding to shoot all of Psycho in b/w.

[Joshg]

Yeah, I know. I just never thought it was always that way...cool. :)

I've got the witches theme song stuck in my head now. LOL,

[Wheatjedi]

Oh great. Now it's stuck in my head too..... :)

[Autobotsdie]

Not me. I have that Psycho shower scene theme running through my head.

[girlychaos]

Yeah. That was one of the draws of the film back in '39. The beginning and end were shot in black and white to reflect the "ordinary" world, while the Oz part of the film was in color to reflect the "magical/fantasy" world. They could have shot the whole thing in color (like 1939's Gone With the Wind), but the use of b/w to bookend the film was an artistic choice much like Hitchcock deciding to shoot all of Psycho in b/w.

I knew that...I've read it somewhere a while ago and I think it was the best way to "separate" the ordinary from the magical world. WOO is just awesome btw!

[CampNewBlood]

Bit of trivia:

Did you all know that Alfred Hitchcock used chocolate syrup for the blood in the shower scene?

And the stab sounds were Casaba melons being stabbed.

Spiffy, huh.

[JVY2K]

The Psycho series is amazing. My favorite horror movie series, right above the Fridays. Anthony Perkins is pure genius in his role as Norman Bates.

My favorite has to be Psycho III. Mainly for the reason that we actually get to see Norman interacting with the corpse. In the original, we just hear it (aside from when he carries the corpse down the stairs) but in 3, we get to see it. It brought the movies together nicely. The first, he's insane. By Part 2 he's trying to get his life back together and keep his sanity. By the end he's pushed back into insanity and that leads us to 3 where he's off his rocker again. The movie really plays with your mind. We know he's insane; he's interacting with a corpse. Yet at the same time he's still trying to be a good person, unaware that he's nuts and fully convinced that Mrs. Spool's body is his Mother, alive and well. Yet at the same time part of his mind knows she's just a corpse as he goes to all efforts to make sure nobody sees her. Perkins directed it also and he does an amazing job. The scene where he's walking along the Motel on his way to Duke's room to get his mother back is amazing. His facial expression truly shows just how gone he is in the mind. Again, the genius acting of Anthony Perkins.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the fourth film. It was very well done but for me, the enjoyment of the series was Anthony's performances. I was a little let down with the lack of him in 4 and I felt the choice for young Norman could have been better. Still an enjoyable movie and Anthony makes it worth the watch to just see the screen time he has. Especially the ending.

As for the TV show I read about in it, I'd personally be against it. Nobody will ever be able to live up to the portrayal of Norman Bates the way Anthony Perkins portrayed him. I wouldn’t get any enjoyment out of anyone but Anthony as Norman.

RIP to an amazing actor. I recommend anyone to check out his other movies and plays. Truly truly an amazing actor. Would have gone down in history as one of the best and as far as I'm concerned he IS one of the best. Definitely in my top five of favorite actors.

And don't even get me started on the remake. That was one of the biggest pieces of shit to ever grace the silver screen. Terrible choice for Norman, terrible choice for Mary, terrible choice of Arbogast, terrible choice for Lila band terrible choice for Sam. The Bates house looked ridiculous and so did the corpse of Mrs. Bates. Not to mention the shot of the goat/sheep whatever standing in the middle of the road during Arbogast’s death. I've only watched this movie once and will never watch it again. There is not one ounce of praise I can give this film other than the way they followed the original scene by scene. That was somewhat impression but lost in amongst the rest of the crapfest that this remake was.

I'd rank the Psycho films as so:

Psycho III
Psycho
Psycho II
Psycho IV: The Beginning

[DRE]

Henry Thomas did a great Perkins impersonation in Psycho IV, IMHO. I would picked him over Vince Vaughn for the remake.

[sCabbOy]

I think II was the best. I love that movie.

[Deathscythe]

The 2nd one is my favorite, it felt more like a thriller than a slasher through.

[JVY2K]

Henry Thomas was did a great Perkins impersonation in Psycho IV, IMHO. I would picked him over Vince Vaughn for the remake.

He was good but I felt they could have done even better. If I had been casting, I would have had people read the roles of Norman Bates from 1-3. And when I found someone that could pull of the best Anthony Perkins, then I'd have him read the lines from the films script.
ADDED:
The 2nd one is my favorite, it felt more like a thriller than a slasher through.

A thriller/murder mystery. That's what I like about Part II. It keeps you guessing. You wonder the entire film if it's Norman doing the killing having not changed a bit since leaving the asylum or if it's Lila Loomis doing it. You just don't know. Then when the mystery of Mary as Lila's daughter is brought in, then the heat really picks up. The phone calls are one of my favorite parts of the film. I also love how in the end, Norman turned out to be fully innocent of ANY murders. Until Mrs. Spool of course, when he proves he's still just as insane as before.

[girlychaos]

JVY2K: Funny you should say Psycho III is your favorite....cause I watched it last week and I loved it....but I was under the impression that it was everybody else's least favorite. The only think I'm not crazy about is the soundtrack/scores for it....other than that, it's great!

DRE: I couldn't agree more...he really did an awesome job!

Now...what are your thoughts on Bate's Motel?

[Joshg]

Mmm, Part III just....I love it the most. Can't really justify it. I just had a lot of fun with it.

[CampNewBlood]

I love the soundtrack to Psycho III.

Before And After The Shower
Mother
Bad Boys And Body Bags

Those are my favorite 3 tracks.

[JVY2K]

JVY2K: Funny you should say Psycho III is your favorite....cause I watched it last week and I loved it....but I was under the impression that it was everybody else's least favorite. The only think I'm not crazy about is the soundtrack/scores for it....other than that, it's great!

DRE: I couldn't agree more...he really did an awesome job!

Now...what are your thoughts on Bate's Motel?

Bates Motel was fun but nothing special.

And I loved the soundtrack to Psycho III. There's really nothing about the Psycho series I have to complain about, aside from the lack of Perkins in IV. I love the films!

[girlychaos]

I love all of them as well....but I didn't really like the soundtrack/scores to Psycho III as I already mentioned.

[Mr. Undertaker]

I love all of them as well....but I didn't really like the soundtrack/scores to Psycho III as I already mentioned.


I really agree with you, i think that the soundtrack of part 3 is kinda off .... but that's just my opinion

[CampNewBlood]

I want a 'Psycho V'

[Mr. Undertaker]

i don't know man..... of course that would be great, but psycho aint gory...... and i'm not really sure if they would be willing to produce a non-gory horror movie nowadays

[Wheatjedi]

How could they do a Psycho V? Tony Perkins died back in 1992.

[CampNewBlood]

How could they do a Psycho V? Tony Perkins died back in 1992.

I know that, but they had a remake without him. There is going to be a TV Movie 'The Bates Motel' coming up from Lionsgate and Universal, so there's no reason they couldn't.

I know, noone could ever replace Anthony Perkins, I love him as Norman, but I would like one none-the-less.

And they made the When A Stranger Calls remake without gore, the new Prom Night is goreless.....there you have it.

[Mr. Undertaker]

I was wondering....at the credits of psycho 3 there is a perkins that would have played the young Norman (wich i never saw on that movie), maybe being a part of the family he would resemble Tony.....

[CampNewBlood]

You mean Psycho II? His son Osgood Perkins was the one in Psycho II. He was the face that appeared in the door of Mother's room after he comes home from the institution.

[Mr. Undertaker]

TNX MAN!!!!!!!
is he old enough now to make a sequel or something?

[CampNewBlood]

Well that was back in 1983, so he is grown by now.

Not to sound corny, but I have always thought it would be an awesome idea to have one of Anthony Perkins' sons play the child he and Connie had at the end of 'Psycho IV'. I think it would be a fitting tribute to Anthony Perkins for one of his sons to be in a 'Psycho' sequel.

[Mr. Undertaker]

agreed, are they actors?

[CampNewBlood]

One is and one is a musician. Their names are Elvis and Osgood. Osgood is named after Anthony Perkins' father.

[Mr. Undertaker]

btw would you know what caused his death?I heard a rumor that he was HIV positive. Is that right?tnx for the kids info!...
and it would be great havin a sequel with a Perkins acting!

[CampNewBlood]

Complications from AIDS. He was 60 years old. I remember seeing it in the paper back in 1992...i was so upset. :(

[Mr. Undertaker]

so young.... thats really sad

[girlychaos]

Complications from AIDS. He was 60 years old. I remember seeing it in the paper back in 1992...i was so upset. :(

I remember being really sad when my brother told me about it back then too. I always loved the Psycho series and he was the perfect Norman IMO. Great actor.

[Shoesalesman]

Anthony Perkins RIP

I remember where I was when I heard he had died. In line at Roger's Video with Edge Of Sanity in my hands; in line with another Perkins classic, overhearing a conversation about his death in front of me. That was weird.

He was great in Edge Of Sanity and his eye for directing in PSYCHO III was focused well.

[Lammert]

To bad both he and Hitchcock died...

[The Tall Man]

This is all I have to say about Norman Bates...

If my mom were Olivia Hussey, I'd want to bang her too.

T.M.

[Wheatjedi]

This is all I have to say about Norman Bates...

If my mom were Olivia Hussey, I'd want to bang her too.

T.M.

I was like :eek: when I read that, but then I remembered thinking the same thing about Lea Thompson in Back to the Future. We need help.

[The Tall Man]

I don't need any help. Have you seen "Romeo & Juliet"?? :)

T.M.

[BlakeTyner]

She was delicious in R&J.

~Blake

[Mr. Undertaker]

I always crack laughing at part IV.... every time i hear motherkillars.... I always think they'll say the other word mothersomething....
KTM AM....Talk of the town.... (i guess that's it)

[Wheatjedi]

I don't need any help. Have you seen "Romeo & Juliet"?? :)

T.M.

Oh yeah.... I know exactly what you're talking about. I understand. I really do. :)

[girlychaos]

I always crack laughing at part IV.... every time i hear motherkillars.... I always think they'll say the other word mothersomething....
KTM AM....Talk of the town.... (i guess that's it)

:lol:

Yeah....that is really funny!
Great cast....Psycho IV.

[Ron]

she appears nude in Romeo & Juliet, correct?

[The Tall Man]

Peter, I don't care about that, but the balcony scene... yowza!

T.M.

[The 5th Golden Girl]

She does appear nude in "Romeo and Juliet," but keep in mind she was underage at the time. Have fun wacking it, ya pedophiles. :p

[Ron]

Oh great, now I'm gonna be looked at as 'the forum scumbag'. :p Catch me next week on 'To Catch a Predator'.

[Deathscythe]

Well I am underage, so its alright for me. *puts on Freddy sunglasses*:cool:

[NETRA]

If my mom were Olivia Hussey, I'd want to bang her too.

I don't need any help. Have you seen "Romeo & Juliet"??

She also played the Virgin Mary in "Jesus of Nazareth" :p

[The Dream Master]

Just a quick heads-up: The Psycho triple feature featuring Psychos II-IV is only $10 this week at Best Buy. I picked it up earlier today, and I'm looking forward to seeing 3 and 4 again, as it's been a long time since I've seen either.

[Deathscythe]

I love Psycho 2, I really liked the storyline. Probably my favorite in the series.

[Rich]

Psycho 2 had an awesome twist plot. Psycho 3 was basically a typical 1980s slasher and Psycho 4 was a very good prequelish story. Over all, I think they are all enjoyable. The original is the scariest to me though. Plus I think you can't beat the original shower scene and Anthony's original Norman performance.

[The Dream Master]

Psycho is one series where the original is clearly the best; none of the sequels can even sniff it, but they're good fun anyway.

[Deathscythe]

Alrhroguh Psycho 2 is my favorite, I can easily agree with the original being the best.

[Rich]

Psycho is one series where the original is clearly the best; none of the sequels can even sniff it, but they're good fun anyway.

I think every horror series is like that. I can not think of one horror movie series where I would say that a sequel is objectively better then the original.

Psycho is certainly no exception. That was just one of those movies that had a great story and really scary (even today) death scenes. It was really suspensful and the house was very sinister. The house itself was basically a character and an icon of horror.

[The Dream Master]

I can make a strong case for NOES 3 and Friday the 13th 2 being superior to the originals.

[Deathscythe]

I too like Nightmare 3 and Friday 2 over the originals.

[Rich]

I don't want to make this thread go to off topic but as far as Friday goes, no Fridy sequel is as suspensful and atmospheric as the original. None of them have as good of a plot as the original.

Nightmare 3 is good for a sequel but does not come anywhere close to the original that was a great horror movie.

Just me though.

[nottidelterrore]

I love this entire series. In fact, I like Psycho II better than the first Psycho. I thought it was a really well-done sequel full of suspense & mystery. The first is legendary & I love it very much. Psycho III was fun. And Psycho IV was pretty decent overall.

[Scarecrow]

Psycho II was a surprisingly good sequel, yeah.

Still, the second works as a good horror/thriller and is as worthy as a sequel could get. Psycho is a different leage all together, one of those films that just sits head and shoulders above as a masterpeice of film-making and suspense.


- Scarecrow

[Ron]

I've only, seen the original and I can honestly say that I'm very indifferent as far as this film is concerned. I don't particularly like it, but at the same time I can't say I hate it. I can watch it, but could live without ever seeing it again. Regardless, I still think Hitchcock was great and innovative as a director.

[Scarecrow]

It's the way he makes someone driving throuh rain for long peroids of time come across as atmospheric and laden with doom and forboding that shows just how masterful he is.


- Scarecrow

[Patrick]

Hitchcock was/is great and so are his films. Psycho is one of my all-time favrotie movies period.

[Patrick]

I was just browsing thru Psycho stuff on YouTube and came upon this Psycho II trailer. The DVD only has the teaser but this is the full trailer. Even though I've seen them 100 times, I thought I would share incase someone hasn't seen it yet. Really good trailer. I love the dude's voice in htis trailer....he is the same one that does all the Jaws trailers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxn5kKG6oZM

[Deathscythe]

You might wanna fix that.

[Patrick]

I might wanna fix what?

[nickmeece]

I may be stepping into forbidden territory here, but oh well...

What does everybody think of Gus Van Sant's Psycho? Yeah, it should have never been made, but I sort of like new people portraying classic characters.

[Deathscythe]

I saw it once and remember thinking it was the same as the original, a shot to shot remake. It was ok I guess.

[Patrick]

I didn't hate it...I actually have the DVD because of just what it is..a 'Psycho' remake. I actually went to see it 2 or 3 times when it was in it's theatrical run mainly just for the shower scene. I thought it was very cool having a color version of the shower scene. The main gripe I had.....and still do......was that they had to stick a different house set piece in front of the old original one. That pissed me off SO bad. I love that house and it would have been so awesome to see the Alfred Hitchcock 'Bates' house on the big screen again.

[nottidelterrore]

It's not as bad as people make it out to be but was just another unnecessary remake. I've only seen it once & that was around the time it came out.

[nickmeece]

The house! That is the only thing that really made me mad...they covered the house...and did we really need the masturbation scene? I guess that's where Van Sant says, "See! It's different!"

[Patrick]

I always loved the trailer. It is a very good trailer IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz1otXBUT_g

[nickmeece]

I whenever I put the DVD in I HAVE to watch the trailer first? I have question, though: is Rob Zombie in the trailer? In full Hellbilly Deluxe gear?

[Patrick]

Yea it looks like him. Living Dead Girl is on the soundtrack and playing in the background when Marion (Anne Heche) stops to trade her car in.

[Ron]

I whenever I put the DVD in I HAVE to watch the trailer first? I have question, though: is Rob Zombie in the trailer? In full Hellbilly Deluxe gear?

I am the same exact way, I have to watch the trailer to a film when I get the dvd. It just pumps me up for the whole experience.

[Patrick]

Me too. I always hope the trailer is on a DVD just as much as anything else.

[The 5th Golden Girl]

It pisses me off when trailers aren't on DVDs. It used to be, like, the only special feature on a DVD, and now it seems all the newer DVDs come without trailers.

Anyway, on topic, I saw the remake in theatres. I hated it. It's definitely the last one my list of "Psycho" movies. My list goes:

Psycho
The Bates Motel
Psycho II
Psycho III
Psycho IV
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The bottom of the barrel...
.
.
.
.
.
The dirt underneath the barrel...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Some deeply buried dinosaur fossils...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The remake

[Joshg]

I've never seen the remake in whole, but the parts that I did see were...well, basically the original, but in color. Yet, even the shot-for-shot sequences seemed a little under par. Like the redo of the guy getting slashed and falling down the stairs. LOL, that cracked me up.

[Patrick]

I'm looking forward to the Psycho Legacy documentary that is coming based on all of the films.

[Rich]

I did not like the new portrayal of Norman at all. I did not think that actor was nearly as good as Tony Perkins.

[Patrick]

Vince Vaughn? Noone can be as good as Anthony Perkins. Never will. But I thought he did a good job.

[Scarecrow]

I wonder if we'll ever get a decent box set of this. I think its hard for mainstream sells to link Psycho with the mroe conventional horror of its sequels, even though the second film is excellent.


- Scarecrow

[JVM]

Does anyone know Norman's body count? I don't mean just in the first Psycho, I mean in all four films.

[DRE]

I don't know the actual number, but in Psycho IV he said he's killed damn near a dozen people.

[The 5th Golden Girl]

Well, Norman first killed his mother and her lover (a common fact known throughout all four Psycho films). After that, he killed two women while still fairly young (Psycho IV), a girl close to his age and an older woman, both of whom wanted to have sex with him. I'm pretty sure these two women are not the missing "girls" we hear about in Psycho, so before Norman meets Marion, he kills two more young women who were probably patrons at the motel. He then kills Marion Crane. Next he kills Arbogast. So far, he has killed eight people.

In Psycho II, he is not the killer. However, at the end, he kills Emma Spool, his mother's sister, after she tells him (falsely) that she is his real mother. So, we're up to nine people.

Psycho III, I think, was trying to compete with the slasher genre, so the body count goes up. He kills Duke's one-night-stand in the phone booth, a homecoming party-goer, and Duke. I wouldn't blame Mary's death on Norman as it was more of an accident.

So, I'd say Norman's body count is 12, not to mention countless birds.

[Patrick]

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l174/P-Trick06/psychoser1artworkpic21.jpg

Two more Hitchcock titles:

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l174/P-Trick06/rearwindowser1artpic21.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l174/P-Trick06/vertigoser1artpic21.jpg


What I want to know is.....where are the friggin' Blu-ray's!!!

[DRE]

I'd buy Psycho again, but it has to have everything from the last disc, which was pretty packed.

[The Dream Master]

What I want to know is.....where are the friggin' Blu-ray's!!!

We'll know soon enough. The Bits has indicated that they've placed a call asking about them. If I'm not mistaken, Universal said that there would be some Hitchcock in high def this year, so I'd be surprised if there weren't BD releases too.

Psycho specs:

Psycho (anamorphic widescreen video) will include audio commentary with Stephen Rebello (author of Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho), newsreel footage: The Release of Psycho, The Shower Scene, The Shower Scene: Storyboards by Saul Bass, The Psycho Archives, posters and Psycho ads, lobby cards, behind-the-scenes photographs, production notes, the theatrical trailer and re-release trailers, The Making of Psycho documentary, In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy, Hitchcock/Truffaut interview excerpts and Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Lamb to the Slaughter.

[Patrick]

Oh cool. I didn't know that 'The Bits' had asked Universal about them.

[nottidelterrore]

I may double dip for the new Psycho DVD. Too bad we aren't getting packed special editions of Psycho 2-4. Haha. I do love the triple feature DVD, however. :)

[Scarecrow]

So want to get the box set and finally watch all the films. Psycho II has such a great ending, geniusly blackly comic and morbid.


- Scarecrow

[The 5th Golden Girl]

I bought the three sequels in one DVD case from Best Buy awhile back. It was supposed to be $10, but I missed the sell and ended up paying more than that, but still, it was pretty cheap for three movies. I still have Bates Motel on VHS from its first airing in 1987, and I have a bought VHS of the first film. I'll eventually get the first film on DVD; it's just not a priority at the moment.

[Patrick]

The original Psycho (and all of Hitchcock's films) need a Blu-ray release. Universal told The Digital Bits that these weren't coming to Blu-ray at the moment :eek: ......but that more catalog titles were coming. :cry:

[Cody]

Psycho on Blu-Ray This Fall (http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=15135)

That's right. Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is making its way to Blu-Ray on October 19 in a restored 50th Anniversary Edition.

Naturally, it will boast a new picture and audio transfer. Here's the breakdown on the special features:

• Feature-length audio commentary with Stephen Rebello (Author of Alfred Hitchcock and the making of Psycho)
• The Making of Psycho: A feature-length documentary on Hitchcock's most shocking film
• In the Master's Shadow – Hitchcock's Legacy: Some of Hollywood's top filmmakers discuss Hitchcock's influence and why his movies continue to thrill audiences.
• Hitchcock/Truffaut Interviews: Excerpts from a 1962 audio interview with Alfred Hitchcock.
• Newsreel Footage: The Release of Psycho: Vintage newsreel on the unique policy Alfred Hitchcock insisted upon for the release of the film.
• The Shower Scene: A look at the impact of music on the infamous "shower scene."
• The Shower Scene: Storyboards by Saul Bass: Original storyboard design.
• Production Notes: Read an essay on the making of the film.
• The Psycho Archives: See the gallery of on-set photo stills from the film's production.
• Posters and Psycho Ads: See a gallery of original posters and ads from the theatrical campaign.
• Lobby Cards: View a gallery of promotional lobby cards from the film's theatrical campaign.
• Behind-The-Scenes Photographs: View rare photos showing the cast and crew at work.
• Psycho Sound: A never-before-seen piece that looks at the re-mastering process required to create a 5.1 mix from the original mono elements using Audionamix technology.
• Theatrical Trailer: Watch the original promotional trailer from the film's theatrical campaign.
• Re-Release Trailers: Watch the promotional trailer created for the re-release of the film.

Robert Galluzzo's The Psycho Legacy is also due for release on DVD this fall.

[The Dream Master]

So I guess that's the title that won the contest Universal was having (where fans got to choose their next Blu title). It came down to Back to the Future and Psycho for me, and I went with the latter. I'll buy that one even though I've cut down on upgrading to Blu in the past year or so.

[Rich]

I am a huge fan of the Anthony Perkins Psycho 1-4 movies. I'm glad that Hitchcock's original is coming to Blu-Ray. Universal really needs to Blu-Ray their Monster Legacy Collections as well.

[Patrick]

Best news all year! I have loved Alfred Hitchcock's films and the 'Psycho' films for years. Will definately buy day ONE! WB's 'North By Northwest' transfer is amazing as well.

[Patrick]

Amazon has this artwork:

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l174/P-Trick06/PSYCHOBLURAY.jpg

And Blu-ray.com has this:

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l174/P-Trick06/PSYCHOREDBLURAY.jpg

[Rich]

I get the feeling that the Amazon one is the legit one. That was what they just used for their two disc DVD special edition.

[Dank-x17]

http://fangoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&%20%20id=1130%3Advd-news-psycho-legacy-more-gamera-stripperland-etc&cati%20d=1%3Alatest-news&Itemid=167
October 19 is shaping up to be a great day for Psycho fans. Shout! Factory is releasing The Psycho Legacy documentary that day as a two-disc special edition. Retail price is $19.93

[The 5th Golden Girl]

Well, Norman first killed his mother and her lover (a common fact known throughout all four Psycho films). After that, he killed two women while still fairly young (Psycho IV), a girl close to his age and an older woman, both of whom wanted to have sex with him. I'm pretty sure these two women are not the missing "girls" we hear about in Psycho, so before Norman meets Marion, he kills two more young women who were probably patrons at the motel. He then kills Marion Crane. Next he kills Arbogast. So far, he has killed eight people.

In Psycho II, he is not the killer. However, at the end, he kills Emma Spool, his mother's sister, after she tells him (falsely) that she is his real mother. So, we're up to nine people.

Psycho III, I think, was trying to compete with the slasher genre, so the body count goes up. He kills Duke's one-night-stand in the phone booth, a homecoming party-goer, and Duke. I wouldn't blame Mary's death on Norman as it was more of an accident.

So, I'd say Norman's body count is 12, not to mention countless birds.

Actually, I'd like to re-do this. Norman Bates killed his mother, her lover, his fake-mother-real-aunt Emma Spool, and Duke.

"Mother" killed the two girls from the prequel, two girls offscreen before Marion Crane, Marion Crane, Arbogast, Duke's one-night stand and a homecoming party-goer.

So, Norman's body count is four, and "Mother's" body count is eight. That's one tough bitch.

If you pay any attention to Bates Motel, you see that its rumored Mrs. Bates, while still alive, murdered Norman's two-timing father, but that ends up being false in both that movie and in the Perkins sequels. Also, it's of interest that in Pyscho IV, Norman, not his mother, was going to kill his wife and unborn child but couldn't do it.

[Patrick]

IMO, the 2 women in 'Psycho IV' are the 2 "young girls" mentioned in 'Psycho'. That's just me of course.

[Deathscythe]

I'm watching Psycho 4 for the first time, Does anyone know who the actress is that plays this character (http://hitchcock.dreamhosters.com/hitch/misc/Psycho4/cap003.jpg)? She looks familiar and its been irking me.

Edit: I was just browsing thru Psycho stuff on YouTube and came upon this Psycho II trailer. The DVD only has the teaser but this is the full trailer. Even though I've seen them 100 times, I thought I would share incase someone hasn't seen it yet. Really good trailer. I love the dude's voice in htis trailer....he is the same one that does all the Jaws trailers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxn5kKG6oZM

You might wanna fix that.

I might wanna fix what?

These above posts are from 01/01/2008 Looking back, I have no idea what I am saying myself. Sorry about this.

[Patrick]

Deathscythe....her name is Sharen Camille. She has a few other credits to her name, that's it.

You can find more information on Psycho IV at ThePsychoMovies.com

[Deathscythe]

I looked her up in IMDB, I haven't seen any of her other works. I thought I had seen her somewhere else, guess I was wrong.

[Jason_Legend]

The original is, of course, the original.

II is a solid and spooky movie. A bunch of twists, and feels tight. It's not as "important" as the original, but it's probably my favorite anyway.

III is fun, but it's not as entertaining as II. It doesn't feel as tight. This is the best looking sequel, though. I love the direction and cinematography.

The Beginning is an interesting idea, but the movie is pretty corny.

The nearly shot-fpr-shot remake is pointless, but still pretty good. If that makes any sense.

I'm looking forward to the Psycho Legacy documentary.

[Joshg]

III is my favorite sequel.
Was not impressed by IV at all.

[Patrick]

Can't wait until October 19th for the Blu-ray of the original to come out. The UK Blu-ray just came out and it's Region Free. Thought about getting it AND the Region A release. I dunno.

[The 5th Golden Girl]

I really wish (but seriously doubt) that the documentary not only covers the 1987 made-for-TV movie "Bates Motel" but also generates enough interest for a DVD release of that film. I have it on VHS and was able to find an okay torrent of it, but I'd love an actual DVD. Its a staple of my childhood and my horror movie fandom.

[Jason_Legend]

I gave IV another chance a couple months back. I think it's pretty good now. Not my ideal for a prequel, but I do like it better now.

[Rich]

I love the first four Psycho movies. To me they are all masterpieces. The remake was simply does not exist in my DVD collection.

[WesReviews]

They haven't been posted just yet, but I reviewed 2-4 for Oh The Horror, for the 50th anniversary of the original. I'd never seen 4 until my review, and I was pleasantly surprised by it. 3, I really didn't get into at all, but 2 and 4 are solid for sure.

[The 5th Golden Girl]

Has anyone seen the documentary yet? Is Bates Motel mentioned much?

[The Tall Man]

Fifth, try me again at the end of the month. I'm planning to pick it up if Hastings still has it by then.

T.M., Esq.

[HiCkMaN!]

just watched the original on Blu-Ray...looked sooo beautiful...was amazed

[Rich]

I been doing that a lot lately. I can't rebuy my entire library on Blu-Ray, but I have double dipped on a shit load of titles, including Friday the 13th, The Evil Dead, and the Alien Anthology set, plus more, and they do look amazing!

[nottidelterrore]

http://www.thighswideshut.org/twsdo/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/fahey_psycho_iii_lamps.jpg

[Callum Sanderson]

the first one is a Hitchcock classic.
the 2nd one was pretty amusing, seeing Norman return to sociaty and working in a diner..
3rd one had some hilarious stuff, remember when Norman beat up Duke? and don't forget his trusty shovel.
4th one I didn't like very much.. I don't like how Mrs Bates was young woman when she died. - and she kinda seemed like a whore and even wanting Norman to make love with her? I always pictured her as some creepy old hag.

[The Tall Man]

Again, it's the filmmakers' fault for you having a misconception about a character? There is nothing in any of the earlier films stating that Norma Bates was old when Norman killed her.

Olivia Hussey is the BEST thing about Psycho IV. If I were Norman, I'd want to fuck her too!

T.M., Esq.

[Rich]

Actually if you watch Psycho II, every time you hear "mother's" voice it is that of an old woman. Of course that is also because of the plot of the film with Mary and her mother, but I always took that as the way Norman remembered her before he killed her.

Also, in that scene where he hears, "Norman! What did you pit in my tea?" from behind the door and sees the door open and the hand fall on the floor, it is the voice and hand of an old woman. Once again you can just say well that is because it was Lila Crane (who WAS an old woman at that point) but I would think that is also because his mother was probably supposed to be older when he killed her.

Then Psycho IV comes along and rewrites it to be younger. I don't mind the change in the writing because like Tall said, I would have fucked Olivia Hussy too even if she was my mother. :X Also, with the rest of the plot of the film being her meeting a new man to help her run the motel, it just makes more sense the way it was.

P.S. If you ever read Psycho by Robert Bloch, the novel, Norman was a middle aged over weight guy with glasses and a bald spot. Then when the film came out it was Anthony Perkins, a young handsom guy. You see, sometimes changes in the writing are done for the better.

[Deathscythe]

Yeah, I didn't like the book either. Stick with the movie is my suggestion.

[Rich]

I did like the book myself. Actully I liked the first two books. However I do agree with the changes that were made from the book to the movie. I understand the business reasons why they would make the changes.

[Deathscythe]

I've never read Psycho 2, isn't it supposed to be a completely different from the film? I'll have to check it out.

[Rich]

Yes, the Psycho II novel is a completely different story then the film. Basically, the books and movies are two completely seperate universes. The third Psycho book, titled Psycho House was terrible, but Psycho II the novel was increible.

[The Tall Man]

Death, that's correct. The guy who wrote the first novel just wrote his own story and used the "Psycho II" title.

T.M., Esq.

[Rich]

It still was Psycho II. It stil had Norman and was a continuation of the original story. It was just an alternate universe type deal.

[i am SAW]

watch rare deleted scenes!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/51960/see-uncut-scenes-alfred-hitchcocks-psycho

Really interesting stuff has slipped online today pertaining to Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece of terror Psycho. Apparently longer, bloodier, and racier scenes exist in the German cut of the film, and we have every one of them for you right here.

An extended and unrated cut of the film has aired on German television that was home to a few scenes that were just too much for U.S. censors back in 1960. This longer cut has never been available on Blu-ray or DVD anywhere, and it's a real treat seeing these lost scenes in their full gory glory.

[WesReviews]

watch rare deleted scenes!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/51960/see-uncut-scenes-alfred-hitchcocks-psycho

Really interesting stuff has slipped online today pertaining to Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece of terror Psycho. Apparently longer, bloodier, and racier scenes exist in the German cut of the film, and we have every one of them for you right here.

An extended and unrated cut of the film has aired on German television that was home to a few scenes that were just too much for U.S. censors back in 1960. This longer cut has never been available on Blu-ray or DVD anywhere, and it's a real treat seeing these lost scenes in their full gory glory.

Very cool stuff!