SusiDee34
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Rating:
+5
Psycho is a classic that you must see if you haven’t gotten around to it yet. If the ending hasn’t been ruined for you by someone’s big mouth, it will be sure to blow your mind.
This film was absolutely nothing like I expected it to be. I expected Psycho to be mildly outdated and cheesy, but it wasn’t at all. I am the type of person that laughs at horror films to the point that they may as well be relabeled “comedy.” I have never been able to take them seriously because the characters are usually so obliviously typical and downright idiotic. Psycho is a completely different story, and left me with no material to laugh at. For the first time in my horror movie watching history, I was utterly absorbed.
Psycho is a film filled with darkness, confusion, suspense and some of the best cinematography the world has ever seen. This film was definitely ahead of it’s time. When you are watching it, you are likely to forget that it was made fifty years ago, because it is so engrossing. Alfred Hitchcock exhibits a mastery of light, shadow and sound in order to express and amplify what is going in within the plot. This film is also rich in layers of symbolism and foreshadowing that you can’t miss if you watch carefully.
And, I’m not gonna lie, I have a huge crush on Norman Bates, and would be willing to watch it a third time just to see that cutie again. But that is besides the point. The point is that Psycho is, hands down, a theatrical masterpiece and is undoubtedly deserving of it’s place in American pop culture!
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cin00Amon10
July 26, 2010
Absolutely... right on the mark. I could watch the Hitchcock's classics over and over again. This IS an absolute MUST SEE! Put it on your list!
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woopak_the_thrill
July 19, 2010
Your closing line got me smiling--'crush on Norman Bates" LOL! thanks for the fun write up!
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Scotman
July 19, 2010
Great write-up! Do you know about my classic films community, The Silver Screen? It's for any other oldies but goodies that you might like to comment or review, films from the 30s to the 60s. After that, well.... :P I'll send you an invitation separately. Thanks!!
Fithrildy
July 20, 2010
Ooh fun I can't wait to see if all my favorite musicals are on there. :D
Scotman
July 20, 2010
Uh oh -- looks like I'll have to start writing again! Do feel free to add your own topics as well. Thanks! (I got the site top heavy with tons of Bogart and Bacall, Hitchcock and film noir stuff).
Scotman
July 20, 2010
I got a link on your profile page, enjoy!
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TheJohn
July 19, 2010
It's good to know that this movie is still worth seeing, even though I know some of the details but never got around to see it. Now I will have to try and see it. Thank you for the good review.
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More Psycho reviews
**** out of **** Contained within "Psycho" are images that are haunting to this day, and also at the time, quite violent. Considered one of the "greats" for its genre, Alfred Hitchcock's horror/thriller "Psycho" is a film that I just had to see. I am passionate about this genre, and I thought that perhaps this film could inspire me, little-by-little, to create real, top-notch suspense. That is exactly what it did; and the film is brilliant. I'm not as familiar as I should … more
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When “Psycho” was first released in 1960, director Alfred Hitchcock took great pains to ensure the plot would remain unspoiled. He wouldn’t allow stars Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh to promote the film. Critics were not granted pre-release screenings. The trailer, at a lengthy six and a half minutes, featured not a single shot of the actual finished film, nor did it showcase its actors; it featured Hitchcock himself guiding us on a tour of the sets, all the while hinting – … more
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Compliments (48)
review by Stephanie_Smith19.
January 04, 2011
Nobody knows how to make horror films anymore, it truly is a lost art. Now I would hardly consider myself an expert on the subject, but gone are the days of monsters, Hitchcock, and classic serial killers like Myers, Freddy, and Jason. Now, there exists nothing but crappy sequels and movies that are more focused on blood and guts than actual psychological terror. But back in the days of Hitchcock, there existed this one film, which redefined the horror genre, despite the fact that I don't think … more
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To start off the review, let me quote from http://www.filmsite.org/psyc.html Alfred Hitchcock's powerful, complex psychological thriller, Psycho (1960) is the "mother" of all modern horror suspense films - it single-handedly ushered in an era of inferior screen 'slashers' with blood-letting and graphic, shocking killings (e.g., Homicidal (1961), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Halloween 1978, Motel Hell (1980), and DePalma's Dressed to … more
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Compliments (72)
Loved this movie-Norman Bates is truly an unforgettable character.
Comments (9)
Compliments (10)
One of the ultimate horror films, just thinking of Norman Bates gives me the chills. Even in 2010 this film packs a chillfest.
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Quick Tip by DonnaL1.
November 02, 2009
Psycho is a shocker and will remain so. Hitchcock took a chance when he killed off his leading lady at the beginning of the film!
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review by Candice923.
February 25, 2005
Pros: An American Movie Classic; frightening; interesting; great story Cons: Probably not interesting to those who don't like "old" films The Bottom Line: This movie is a classic. If you've never seen Psycho, you really should. Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot. Before taking my Hitchcock class at The University of Alaska - Anchorage, the only Hitchcock film I had seen was The Birds. To … more
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Even after more than 40 years, and even after having seen it so many times, I am still caught up in the tension which director Hitchcock develops so carefully. I am still shocked by the famous (infamous?) shower scene and by later moments in the Bates residence. It is thus a tribute to Hitchcock, his cast, and crew that this breakthrough retains its shock value after so many years. Hitchcock requires his audience to be especially alert to seemingly insignificant details as well as to playful insertions. … more
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Compliments (12)
review by SusiDee34.
May 18, 2000
Pros: combining these releases, hard to pick - but the story line remains great Cons: lost a little with the retelling of the tale :( THAT WAS THEN 1960 .... The blood curling scream, the knife, the sound of water swirling down the drain, a shot to the drain, water and blood combined .... always the gurgling of the water slowly, slowly leaving the tub. One beautiful eye, staring into nothingness. Hauntingly eerie in stark black and white ..... … more
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About the reviewer
Anna Satori (Fithrildy)
Member Since:
Jul 18, 2010
Last Login: Aug 9, 2010 04:42 AM UTC
Last Login: Aug 9, 2010 04:42 AM UTC
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About this movie
Psycho 
Theatrical release poster Directed by Alfred Hitchcock Produced by Alfred Hitchcock Written by Joseph Stefano Starring Anthony Perkins
Vera Miles
John Gavin
Janet Leigh Music by Bernard Herrmann Cinematography John L. Russell Editing by George Tomasini Studio Shamley Productions Distributed by 1960–1968:
Paramount Pictures
1968-present:
Universal Pictures Release date(s) June 16, 1960 Running time 108 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $806,947 Gross revenue $32 million Followed by Psycho II
...
Theatrical release poster Directed by Alfred Hitchcock Produced by Alfred Hitchcock Written by Joseph Stefano Starring Anthony Perkins
Vera Miles
John Gavin
Janet Leigh Music by Bernard Herrmann Cinematography John L. Russell Editing by George Tomasini Studio Shamley Productions Distributed by 1960–1968:
Paramount Pictures
1968-present:
Universal Pictures Release date(s) June 16, 1960 Running time 108 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $806,947 Gross revenue $32 million Followed by Psycho II
Psycho is a 1960 American suspense film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film is based on the screenplay by Joseph Stefano, who adapted it from the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch. The novel was based on the crimes of Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein.[1]
The film depicts the encounter between a secretary, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), who is in hiding at a motel after embezzling from her employer, and the motel's owner, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), and the aftermath of their encounter.[2]
Psycho initially received mixed reviews, but outstanding box office returns prompted a re-review which was overwhelmingly positive and led to four Academy Award nominations. Psycho is now considered one of Hitchcock's best films[3] and is highly praised as a work of cinematic art by international critics.[4] The film spawned two sequels, a prequel, a remake, and an unsuccessful television spin-off.
Cast:
Martin Balsam,
John Anderson,
Janet Leigh,
Lurene Tuttle,
Vaughan Taylor,
John McIntire,
Frank Albertson,
Alfred Hitchcock,
Simon Oakland,
John Gavin,
Anthony Perkins,
Patricia Hitchcock
Director:
Alfred Hitchcock
Genre:
Classics,
Crime,
Mystery,
Thriller
Release Date:
June 16, 1960
MPAA Rating:
R
Screen Writer:
Joseph Stefano,
Robert Bloch
Runtime:
2hrs 0min
Studio:
Paramount Pictures,
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
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