Rating: Summary: Hitchcock's Finest Film Review: Its amazing how still to this day, a movie made 40 years ago can continue to still scare you every time you view it. But thats exactly what Psycho does. The film never has a dull moment, and all its infamous scenes are just as startling as they were back in 1960. The story revolves around Marion Crane, searching to leave the big city, and live the american dream, she steals 40,000 dollars and travels to the outskirts of California. Along the way, she starts going a little paranoid after her boss sees her leaving the city, and she is chased by a local police officer. Overwhelmed by these feelings and the weather, she stops at the Bates Motel. The hotel, run by young Norman (Anthony Perkins in his finest role) has 12 open rooms. From here, the story starts to pick up. If you have never seen any scenes from Psycho, than the suprise you have will be amazing. There are plenty of plot twists and edge-of-your-seat moments. Hitchcocks directing is a high note. Just look at the scene between Marion and Norman in his parlor. The dialoug is great, directing is great and the acting is great. A all around great movie, and Hitchcocks best.
Rating: Summary: My all time favorite movie Review: When I was a little kid, Psycho scared the living daylights out of me. It didn't make me afraid of showers so much but afraid of lonely roadside motels. Psycho is the forerunner of the modern horror movie. If not for this movie, we wouldn't have all the other movies such as Halloween and Scream. I just watched this with my girlfriend the other day. She was totally blown away. She gasped and covered her eyes and had her mouth hanging open when she discovered Norman's secret. I noticed a few people put some bad reviews of Psycho on here. Now they have a right to their opinion but come on! Psycho has terrible acting? Give me a break! If this isn't good acting then what is? Besides there are only a few bad reviews of this classic movie. As much as these unenlightened people want to denounce Psycho they cant erase the fact that it has stood for 40 years now as a classic thriller. Now the majority isnt always right but when it comes to movies they usually are. And if Psycho is a bad movie with terrible acting, then how come EVERY single professional critic I look up gave Psycho their highest rating? Even Leonard Maltin did who is a very picky critic. Sorry, Negative Nancys but they didnt get to be professionals by giving good reviews to bad movies. Psycho lives on. And if you dont like it go watch I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Rating: Summary: Listen to your mother, buy this. Review: Seamless and classic suspense from the master of said field, Alfred Hitchcock. Although he would go on to make a couple of better films, Psycho remains his defining movie for many reasons, all of which are good. Mind you, you should be warned ahead of time that if you are not the type of person who has a good attentive skills and is easily distracted then you are better off watching some big budget summer flick, because Psycho is not for those who enjoy brainless modern Hollywood movies that are packed with senseless gore or violence. Instead Psycho builds a steady and nail-biting suspense that results in the ultimate discovery of the true nature of one man. What most have failed to understand about this film is that it is more than edge of your seat suspense, but also a study in human nature and that is perhaps where the true horror derives from. Although famous for its shower scene, don't expect a modern guts and gorefest. By no means is any gore truly elaborated upon, instead Hitchcock structures his classic on the creepy tale of Norman Bates. We are slowly and effectively keyed into Bates' madness and that is when things are terrifying when we notice that this is a human and not a monster that lurks in the darkness. The story quickly goes from urban to rural when Janet Leigh's character steals a weighty amount of money from her employer and heads out "on the run". Along her trek she grows weary and drops off in a lonesome hotel where she uncovers a childish and shy man named Norman Bates. Slowly the viewer is presented to the sickening truth behind the events that lead to Mrs. Leigh's character's death, along with that of others. There is nothing creepier than seeing Norman give out his lines or stand vigilante over his handiwork. This movie remains a gem throughout the years, intelligent, eerie and brilliantly directed and shot. The black and white, which most modern viewers find a turn off, is actually a large contribution to the mood of the film, making it a piece of "dark-underbelly Americana". Truly classic and a must for your dvd/vhs collection. The dvd edition provides further insight into the movie and an excellent presentation of the film, supreme and worthwhile purchase.
Rating: Summary: arguably the greatest horror film ever made Review: Don't let the viewer from New Zealand fool you. PSYCHO is a great horror classic that can never be surpassed and has influenced thousands of movies, many of them awful. HALLOWEEN has been one of the best to come out of these imitations. And by the way, to New Zealand, the trouble with America today is that we have been desensitized by the slasher movie industry, so that when we see a truly frightening horror film, it usually doesn't impact us. I know that nowadays PSYCHO seems outdated, but it should be appreciated for what it did 40 years ago to moviegoers worldwide.
Rating: Summary: Great story, superb actors, chilling score, Master Director! Review: I first saw Psycho on TV as a child. Many years, and as many viewings later I am still fascinated by this masterpiece of a movie! -- A young woman embessles money from her employer, leaves town and checks into The Bates Motel. The proprietor likes her, but his 'mother' becomes furious with jealousy. I'm sure no one reading this is a 'Psycho Virgin', so I'll dispense with the TV guide approach. -- My favorite scene(s) is when Janet Leigh makes her getaway and imagines people talking to her as she drives. The accompanying music score is delicious! -- This film delivers 100% of what a film buff wants to see. Enjoy the widescreen version if you have a choice. DVD effects add to the treat!
Rating: Summary: NOT the scariest movie ever made. Review: I had expected a really good movie from Psycho because I had heard so much good things about it. I didn't ghet what I wanted, because this film is just terrible. The way the camera was shot was stupid cupid, the director could of done soo much better, the acting was terrible, the music gave me a headache and the screenplay and special effects were silly and made the film boring to look at.Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), criminal on the run has just been stabbed and killed by a mysterious person at the Bates Motel. Now all her friends and family are looking for her, if only they didn't, they have got a terrible case of 'mother' on their hands. I do not recommend this film at all, it is no true classic, and NOT the scariest movie ever made. Also, the shower scene is absolute rubbish. And that is definitely NOT the most well-known and best scene in movie history.
Rating: Summary: Afraid Review: I must admit that I was first afraid to watch this movie because I hate gross, violent, horror movies. But I am very happy that I finally did see it, despite all my nightmares (j/k). Psycho is not gross, overly violent and is not really a horror movie, as the likes of Holloween, Aliens, or Poltergeist. It does, however, have edge of your seat suspense, and a few jumping out of your seat "oh my God!" How is this possible? Alfred Hitchcock - must I say more?
Rating: Summary: A great masterpiece directed by Hitchcock Review: Psycho is one of the greatest suspense/horror movies of all-time. Directed by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, this psychological thriller has all the elements of a great film. First off, the casting and acting were very well done. Janet Leigh was good in the role of Marion Crane, but I believe a lot of credit goes to Anthony Perkins in his role as the infamous Norman Bates. The sound/music, the lighting, and the setting of the movie all contributed to an eerie atmosphere that was captivating. Even though Psycho was released in 1960 in black & white, it ranks as one of my favorite movies from that era. This movie sort of combines two stories in one: the troubles of Marion Crane with her employer and the troubles of Norman Bates with his mother. Both are nicely connected together into a brilliant screenplay that was aptly directed by Hitchcock. Psycho leads the viewer through a bizarre series of events, culminating in an unexpected revelation at the end, which truly makes the movie worthwhile and explains why the movie is called "Psycho". You'll have to watch it to see what I mean. The only other suspense/horror movie of the same era which is comparable to Psycho -- in my opinion -- is The Birds, another Hitchcock classic. If you have not seen this movie yet, go to your local video store and rent it. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. If you are tired of watching pitiful modern-day horror movies like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, watch Psycho for some quality cinema entertainment. And don't bother with the 1998 remake starring Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche -- it comes nowhere near the originality and suspensefulness of the 1960 classic. A must-see for any movie-watcher.
Rating: Summary: We all go a little mad sometimes Review: I can't write a review of Psycho without including some SPOILERS - so if you don't know the plot, don't read this review! 'Psycho' is great cinema, from the word 'Go'. Hitchcock constructs a standard scenario (bored female employee succumbs to temptation and steals a large sum of money from her boss, then flees town to start a new life elsewhere), and then knocks the audience for six by having the female star (Janet Leigh as Marion Crane) stabbed to death in the shower. When Marion is murdered, the initial plotline is revealed as a red herring and the real story begins - the investigation into who's doing the killing at the Bates Motel. There are so many moments of greatness in this film: the notorious shower scene, many scenes of suspense in the house on the hill (incidentally based on the Edward Hopper painting 'House by the Railroad') and - scariest of all - the swinging-lightbulb scene where Norman's mother is finally revealed in her desiccated glory. Wonderful cinema - better than any sequel or remake. [DVD comment: the packaging for this title isn't great, but you shouldn't judge a DVD by its cover!]
Rating: Summary: Perfect Movie, Pefect DVD. Review: This is one of the best movies of all time. It's just perfect. There isn't a second in the movie that doesn't count, and move the story forward. Everyone knows how good the movie itself is though, it is an essential addition to any movie collection. The DVD edition is just a great deal. Universal gave this the treatment it deserves, with all sorts of extras, including a great 1 hour documentary where major players recall the making of the movie. The only thing it is lacking is a commentary track, but this came out before those were really popular. Anyway, the DVD is definately worth the money. If you're thinking of upgrading from a VHS tape, this DVD is worth it.
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