Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990)

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by mar3o

I've always enjoyed this one. It's another chance to see Anthony Perkins in his most famous role, which is a good thing, and the acting is great throughout by everyone involved. I thought it was very interesting to peer into his mind and see his past, and I thought the radio show was a good way to bring all that out. Glad to see this getting a release. It does seem to conflict with some of what we have learned previously about his past, which can be an issue, but overall I like what they did with this.

I've only watched Psycho IV once and that was years ago. But I like the whole Talk Radio show thing. I love Oliver Stone's "Talk Radio" for instance.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

I've only watched Psycho IV once and that was years ago. But I like the whole Talk Radio show thing. I love Oliver Stone's "Talk Radio" for instance.

Yeah, it seemed like a very plausible way for Norman to start digging into his past again. There he is just having a normal day and then suddenly this talk show comes on the radio and stirs up memories he's been trying to bury. It worked very well for the story I feel.

For those who like the actress that played the radio host, CCH Pounder (I think she's a great actress), she was in a little-known made-for-cable film called Lifepod back in 1993. She plays a pretty big role in that and it's a great little sci-fi thriller. Sadly it's only been released on DVD, in 4:3, and it's long out of print. Still well worth checking out.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

Ironic because people forget II is basically a made for cable movie also. It was conceived as, and started filming as, a cable TV movie, then was "bumped up" to feature status during production because Universal realized there was a fan demand for it. That said, its slim budget is very apparent watching it on Blu particularly...to me, II has always felt like a TV movie for that reason. It even has a credit for the TV production company!

For a film that was intended originally for cable, I think part II looks outstanding. The use of disorienting camera angles throughout is wonderful and really helps lend the feel of how the world must look to Norman.

[Gardenofstone10]

I just bought the 3 pack on Amazon, despite owning the first 3 on blu ray, just so I can own this movie (like a few months ago). I'm happily going to double dip here! SF does a great job with these movies and keeping the original artwork, as cool as the new ones are, is a great throwback to how it was back in VHS days!

[Walts Ghost]

Finally!

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Yeah, it seemed like a very plausible way for Norman to start digging into his past again. There he is just having a normal day and then suddenly this talk show comes on the radio and stirs up memories he's been trying to bury. It worked very well for the story I feel.

For those who like the actress that played the radio host, CCH Pounder (I think she's a great actress), she was in a little-known made-for-cable film called Lifepod back in 1993. She plays a pretty big role in that and it's a great little sci-fi thriller. Sadly it's only been released on DVD, in 4:3, and it's long out of print. Still well worth checking out.

WOW! I remember watching Lifepod when it originally aired! Great TV movie.

CCH Pounder is a great actress. The best thing I have ever seen her in was the TV show The Shield.

[Blu-ray Neo]

I liked it.

I'm very glad that SF has decided to release it afterall.

Day 1 purchase here.

[GeoffOliver]

This isn't the best Psycho film, but it's watchable and even interesting at times. If you enjoy Bates Motel on A&E, that TV show is basically a reimagining of this very film, only it has Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga instead of Henry Thomas and Olivia Hussey, and doesn't take place in the 50s. Glad to see it finally out on Blu-ray. Hussey shouldn't be too hard to get for an interview, and it would be cool to see Thomas too.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

This isn't the best Psycho film, but it's watchable and even interesting at times. If you enjoy Bates Motel on A&E, that TV show is basically a reimagining of this very film, only it has Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga instead of Henry Thomas and Olivia Hussey, and doesn't take place in the 50s. Glad to see it finally out on Blu-ray. Hussey shouldn't be too hard to get for an interview, and it would be cool to see Thomas too.

I've only seen this once (back when it aired on cable) but I'm looking forward to seeing it again.

I love Anthony Perkins in this role (and others like it) and I've very much enjoyed the first 2 seasons (so far) of BATES MOTEL

[TripleHBK]

All the excitement/talk of Psycho 4 was finally enough to get me to sit down and watch Psycho 1-3 this weekend. I had never sat and watched any of the psycho films from start to finish until now. I'm fairly certain I'd seen bits and pieces of all 3 over the years, but never had the desire to watch them all until the Blu Ray format rolled along. Removing nostalgia from the equation since none have any sort of memories for me, I found that I enjoyed Psycho 3 the most, followed by II just barely over the original. I loved the sound design of the original and easily hold it above all others, however having grown up with 80's horror and being so deeply fond of the wackiness of the 80's, I found that I enjoyed the later entries over the original. All enjoyable films, and I'll happily pick up part IV this summer now as a result.

It isn't the first time that it's happened, but I love coming into threads like these and seeing the enthusiasm from long time fans as it get's me excited to see what the fuss is all about as well.

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

I've only seen this once (back when it aired on cable) but I'm looking forward to seeing it again.

I love Anthony Perkins in this role (and others like it) and I've very much enjoyed the first 2 seasons (so far) of BATES MOTEL

Honestly, I haven't seen Perkins in that many other films. He did pop up on a low budget western my dad was watching yesterday. To my surprise. You could tell that he really didn't fit those kind of movies though.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

Honestly, I haven't seen Perkins in that many other films. He did pop up on a low budget western my dad was watching yesterday. To my surprise. You could tell that he really didn't fit those kind of movies though.

you should check out his truly demented performances in EDGE OF SANITY and CRIMES OF PASSION. Both films are not for children to say the least, but Perkins is flat out awesome in both!

[mar3o]

I thought he was excellent in Disney's The Black Hole too. Yeah, he was truly demented in Crimes of Passion.

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

you should check out his truly demented performances in EDGE OF SANITY and CRIMES OF PASSION. Both films are not for children to say the least, but Perkins is flat out awesome in both!

I had not hear of Edge of Sanity before, but you can tell he puts on a good performance just from the trailer. It's amazing that you can watch him work and see how he is head and shoulders above most of the actors we have now.

[#Darren]

I'm surprised no one is asking about the aspect ratio that will be used.

The Aus release is a widescreen re-framing with top and bottom chopping. This was framed for 4x3.

I guess shout is just using the same transfer as the Aus edition..

[Scoot79]

Originally Posted by #Darren

I'm surprised no one is asking about the aspect ratio that will be used.

The Aus release is a widescreen re-framing with top and bottom chopping. This was framed for 4x3.

I guess shout is just using the same transfer as the Aus edition..

It's got a 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced/anamorphic) transfer on the Universal Triple Feature DVD from 2007. I would guess Scream's will probably be 1.78:1 1080p. I heard a rumor several years ago (and it's probably not true) that Psycho IV: The Beginning played in a very small/limited number of theaters in 1990. If so, that would explain the 1.78:1 ratio, but I haven't seen any concrete evidence of it playing in theaters and I seriously doubt Showtime aired it with a 1.78:1 ratio, not in 1990. Who knows? At least it will be the uncensored cut that originally aired on Showtime with the blood and the brief topless nudity from Sharen Camille and Olivia Hussey and not the censored/cut version that airs on channels like AMC, TBS, etc.

[BlurayForumUser]

Originally Posted by mar3o

I thought he was excellent in Disney's The Black Hole too. Yeah, he was truly demented in Crimes of Passion.

I rewatched The Black Hole recently, great film, but he was just Norman Bates in space.

[balthazar_bee]

If we're talking about our favourite non-Norman Perkins roles, with a dash of "why isn't this on blu-ray yet", I'd like to add his Chaplain Tappman in Mike Nichols flawed-but-fascinating Catch 22. I particularly love his patient exasperation when trying to explain why you can't see Major Major when he's in his office. Also this gem:

"I thought I saw something, sir."

<looks over>

"Naked man in a tree?"

"Yes! That's it!"

Incidentally, I remember being so fond of the Psycho films (and Perkins) that his death hit me a lot harder than one might've expected. I think I was only about twelve at the time. Not to overstate it -- not like I wore black for a month -- but it's really the only famous death that I can vividly recall being sad about during my youth.

[themadbutcher]

Hey guys, here's a look at my work-in-progress cover for you who would like to put every movie and the documentary in the same case. Of course the bonus features on IV aren't final. Let me know what you think!

[Michael24]

Admittedly, I've hardly seen any of his non-Norman roles but I did like ffolkes, where he starred as a terrorist mastermind opposite Roger Moore (who was also playing a little against type). I thought he did a good job, too.