Rating: 
Summary: All-Time Classic!
Review: This movie ranks as one of my alltime Alfred Hitchcock movies that I have ever seen.Anthony Perkins plays the role of Norman Bates. He turns out to be the central character in this movie.
A woman has stolen money from a company and escaped to the countryside.She is killed after she stays at the motel ran by Norman Bates and his mother.The fright factor is racheted up several notches after the killing of the girl.In typical Alfred Hitchcock style the ending to a frightening conclusion. the ending of this movie is an all time stopper that you will not forget.I still consider this movie to be an alltime classic.
Watch this movie and you will never forget it.I love Alfred Hitchcock.
Rating:
Summary: Room Service, Please
Review: Alfred Hitchcock guarded the plot of PSYCHO against publicity, and in 1960 audiences came to the film without being able to anticipate the unexpected twists and turns of the plot. More than forty years later, the movie's fame is such that even those who have not seen it are often able to sketch the basic outline of the story in a few words. This demonstrates the film's fame; what demonstrates it quality, however, is the fact that even those who know the plot before seeing it are seldom disappointed.Very loosely based on Robert Bloch's pulp novel, which was itself very loosely based on killer Ed Gein, PSYCHO presents us with the tale of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh)--who, in a moment of madness, steals forty-thousand dollars. Running scared, Marion checks into the out-of-the-way Bates Motel. And there, as the DVD production notes gracefully state, she becomes the most grossly inconvenienced hotel guest in cinema history. The late 1950s and early 1960s saw a deluge of low budget and badly made films that commanded box office business via tawdry subject matter, and according to lore director Alfred Hitchcock was curious to see what might happen if he himself made such a film--but made it well. Working with a remarkable script and gifted cast and crew, the result was a masterpiece. Although it is often described as a horror film, PSYCHO is less horror than it is a study in paranoia and suspense, and certainly a lesson in the fact that one need not bother with graphic gore or big budgets to impress audiences. Much of the film's success is in its detail. Joseph Stephano's script is memorable for its repetition of verbal motifs and its extremely disquieting tone; Bernard Herrman's famous all-strings score builds tremendously upon it. The simple yet meticulous sets communicate building unease, and the strangely flat, semi-documentary black and white cinematography has a voyeuristic edge that is extremely disturbing. There are elements that can be justly criticized--moments at which the script sounds a false note or characterizations seem a bit artificial--but these small points fade against the overall power of Hitchcock's vision, a vision that here makes viewers squirm even when there seems nothing tangible on screen to squirm about. But in the end, this is the film for which Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, and John Gavin will forever be remembered... and one of the several films that will forever be associated with one of the twentieth century's most masterful directors. This DVD largely restores PSYCHO to its original form. Although the first few minutes of the print show wear and tear, for the most part it is remarkably pristine and (after years of pan and scan television broadcasts) is returned to its original ratio. While there is no audio commentary track, the DVD package includes the original trailer with Alfred Hitchcock, extensive production notes, and an extremely impressive documentary that includes numerous interviews, newsreel footage, production photographs, storyboards, and the like. Even if you have the film on VHS, you'll likely want to purchase the DVD. Strongly recommended. GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Rating:
Summary: Psychoedipus Rex
Review: Girls, don't go showering in desolate motels. And, mothers, don't loves your sons too much.
Rating:
Summary: This Is the "MOTHER" Of All Horror Movies!
Review: By now, there are few people who don't alrady relate director Alfred Hitchcock with some of the most spine-tingling films of all time. Having brought such features as "Vertigo" and "The Birds" to the big screen forever more concreted his name in the annals of film history as one of the true visionaries of the genre. But perhaps his masterpiece, the most memorable film of his career, is the one that introduced audiences for the first time to the genre of the serial killer. "Psycho", starring Janet Leigh, would forever change the face of horror. Marion Crane (Leigh) is a struggling secretary working for a real-estate salesman. Having returned from a rendevous with her somewhat estranged boyfriend, Sam Loomis (John Gavin), she realizes that the two of them can only be together in a "legitimate" sense, if he can first settle a divorce between he and his wife. What's more, his debts are large, and she knows that he will never fully be part of her life until his debts are paid. As fate would have it, her boss had just closed a deal with a wealthy client, who insisted on paying for the house with cash. Entrusted with the money, Marion leaves work early, having suddenly come down with a headache. She heads home instead and begins to frantically pack her things so that she can drive out to meet her boyfriend who lives in Fairvale, California, which is several hundred miles from her own residence. Without pause she sets out with the money in hand to meet him, convinced that she can solve their problems by using the money afforded her by the boisterous man she met earlier that day. As she drives across country, she has a run-in with a police officer, and immediately, she begins to feel the paranoia that anyone guilty of a crime would feel. As she continues her ventures west, her mind races with the scenarios that could unfold for her in the near future. Weary of the road, and a bit down-trodden by her guilt, she pulls off the main hightway when a heavy rain unexpectedly begins to fall. The road she travels brings her to the neon sign of a local motel "The Bates Motel."
She pulls in and goes into the front office where she is met by Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). Checking in under a false name, Bates invites her to dinner at his home, a large, run-down house on a hill behind the motel. She accepts his invitation, asking first if she can freshen up. Bates agrees and heads up to the house after showing her the room she will be staying in. While freshening up, she hears an argument from the house between Norman and a woman, whom Bates identifies as his "mother". Bates returns a short time later with a tray of food in hand, and apologizes, stating this mother is "ill" (mentally, not physically.) They eat in his parlor instead, and during the course of their conversation, Marion realizes that she must return home, for she has made a mistake. She retires to her room where she prepares to shower. She never finishes the shower. A woman, silhouetted in the darkness, attacks her unexpectedly, stabbing her repeatedly until she collapses into the basin of the tub, dead. The silhouette figure flees the scene and before long, Norman returns, discovering the gruesome scene that has unfolded, knowing that the killer is none other than his mother. And so the story truly begins. What's interesting about "Psycho", originally a novel written by Robert Bloch, is that the exposition of the story reminds us that "we all go a little mad sometimes." This simple premise is the underscoring of this story, for each of the characters, from Marion Crane through Norman Bates have a series of actions that are very cause and effect, suggesting that madness is relative to the situation and the events that impact each individual life. Filmed entirely in black and white (despite the fact that films were commonly shot in color by this time), the movie uses light and shadow to incredible effect. Where movies of today, especially in the horror genre, rely so heavily on special effects, this movie has virtually none, relying instead on situation, dialogue and character development to portray the slightly off-kilter world that only grows more distorted as the movie continues to its shocking, and (at the time it was filmed) very disturbing conclusion. For anyone who has never seen this film, it is important to understand that, though timid by today's standards, this movie was so shocking at it's time that many viewers left the theater, unable to watch the movie, for its intensity was so great that it affected many audiences all over the country. In viewing it, make sure that you watch the original Hitchcock edition. There was a remake of the film in the 90's starring Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates and Anne Heche as Marion Crane. Though a decent enough remake, it attempted, and in this reviewers humble opinion, failed to re-capture the essence of Hitchcock's genious. The movie, whose cast also included Vera Miles as Lila Crane (Marion's sister), Martin Balsam (Detective Milton Arbogast), and Patricia Hitchcock (Alfred's daughter), is considered a film classic, and one of the AFI top 100 movies of all time. It truly is a classic that has set the standard for the horror genre for all time to come. Though many efforts have been made to recapture the essence of this film, there have been few entries in the annals of horror films that have even come close, save for maybe the original "Halloween" by John Carpenter. (INTERESTING SIDE NOTE: Jamie Lee Curtis, who made her debut as "scream-queen" in Carpenter's Halloween is Janet Leigh's daughter.) -Scott Kolecki
Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece theater eat your heart out!
Review: Psycho, Hitchcock, Leigh, Perkins...Just a few names you might be familiar with. Names that changed the Horror gengre. Names that helped make this movie heavy influences on such movies as the Classic HALLOWEEN, or the more modern Hip SCREAM. Its more than a Horror movie, more than a Pschological Thriller, its a movie, directed by the one of the greatest directors ever, that delves in the minds of people! Rent it, Buy it, WATCH IT! this movie is a must for any MOVIE fan. EXCELLENT!
Rating: 
Summary: The most overrated film of all time!
Review: I am a big fan of horror, and believe me, I've watched a lot of them. Indeed, I don't feel like I'm affiliated to any sub-genre in particular. I can enjoy slasher films, as well as those dealing with extreme gore, psychological horror, dramatic horror and suspense, and the atmospheric ones too (my favorites). The problem with this film is not it's age, it's not that is made on B&W, it's simply that is too long and quite frankly, too boring! The vast majority of the times I visit Amazon and read the reviews, people almost always hit it right on describing the movie and those with very mixed opinions result to be either average or slightly good when I watch them. This time, I must admit that I'm apalled by the huge amount of praise and good reviews this film gets. Almost every respectable horror fan and website, as well as film critics qualify this one as a topnotch horror film. Honestly, I don't see why. The movie is very boring, and the only thing that keeps you awake is the remarkably good and vivid score of Bernard Hermann. The shower scene is undeniably well-made....for that era...but it looks pretty ridiculous for todays' standards if you ask me. I mean, volumes have been written about the masterful editing and handling of this particular scene, and I truly was not impressed by it. Perhaps I need to watch Psycho again on a better print, or watch it on a good home theater on DVD, but my first experience with it was incredibly dissapointing.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT SLASHER!!!!
Review: WOW, this was quite possibly the BEST B&W slasher flick from the early sixties I've ever seen! Alfred Hitchcocks BEST film ever made is "Psycho", story about poor Janet Leigh who meets her fate at the Bates Motel after running from the law with a loot of stolen money. All this leads to the terrifying "shower scene" that we are all familiar with! (that part was the scariest in the whole film!) After she dies, her sister and friends decide to investigate considering that she's been gone for days. Their trail leads them back to the Bates Motel where the true terror lies from within... And that's where I'll stop because I don't want to give any more away in case those of you haven't seen this masterpiece done in cinema! Do yourself a favor & see this movie. It could be the very first slasher that started it all! I also recommend "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" in addition. (Both films are actually based on the real-life murders of the serial killer, Ed Gein) And whatever you do, IGNORE the 1998 remake of "Psycho" at ALL COSTS! It butchers the original. Trust me! OVERALL: An excellent horror/slasher piece!
Rating:
Summary: Hitchcock Classic
Review: "Psycho" is one of the best Alfred Hitchcock directed movies filmed. An NBC special placed this movie as the #1 in the Top 100 Most Thrilling Movies. This movie rightfully received four Oscar nominations including Best Director and Best Supporting Actress (Janet Leigh) for 1960. Its original score won. The music still holds as classic horror movie music to this day. Many other features are well-remembered classics. The "shower scene" holds as one of the most remembered scenes in horror movie history. Many movies after "Psycho" have tried copying that, but nothing has compared to Janet Leigh's screaming in pain. Anthony Perkins plays Norman Bates wonderfully. His efforts through his character alone give this movie the added terror. The screenplay was wonderfully written, giving the terror the unique touch that audiences will remember for many years to come. Bates's costume and personality symbolizes the uniqueness. Those looking for a great horror movie should watch "Psycho". Everyone will be entertained. Its conclusion will leave everyone shocked and breathless.
Rating:
Summary: Disturbing.
Review: A disturbing look into the mind of a boy who's not "all there". Still holds up today. Very highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Norman took a wife?
Review: Classic horror and suspense stiched together just as solid as Norman's birds. This film still holds unforgetable terror even today. I was 11 years old when I first saw this masterpiece by the great director, Alfred Hitchcock. With a great cast and script, this film set the standard for all other horror films to follow. My aunt warned me not to watch it alone, but I did anyway. There are many fantastic camera angles and surprises in the movie, but the scene that actually frightened me the most was at the sherriff's home when Marion's sister tells him she saw an old woman up in the window. The sherriff says " You say you saw an old woman sitting upstairs by the window...If that woman is mrs. Bates, then who is that woman buried out in the cemetery?" That scene and the staircase scene with the detective falling backwards will always stay etched in my mind. As far as the cellar scene near the end, I read where Hitchcock , as a boy growing up in England, was actually detained in his own cellar as punishment by his parents for three full days. All great directors have some sort of dark side. This classic will forever remain as my all time favorite.
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