Here I present two films Psycho and Homicidal. Both films very shocking at the time of their release. Psycho, a definite masterpiece, that has lasted through the ages. Homicidal, though not a commercial success. The film is just as well written and important in Horror/Suspense cinema as Psycho is. Homicidal never received the accolades
and critical praise, like Psycho received.
Time magazine did give Homicidal a positive review. But other reviewers were not so kind. So.....my question is, how many fans of both films? Or, how many dislike Homicidal? William Castle was the master of shock cinema.
But I feel, Homicidal surpasses his other films. Homicidal is definitely shocking, and graphic. Still, the film has a good narrative and can hold-up against Psycho, any day.
Homicidal Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igjsEOfZ5p8#ws)
I've only seen Psycho but will research Homicidal and get back to you.
They are both masterpieces in their own right.
I saw HOMICIDAL first, at about 10 or 12, on TV, at midnight, uncut, with my Mom. It scared the crap out of me, more so than anything else up to that point, and I didn't sleep right for a week. I still clearly remember the stabbing scene and Helga's 'shadow and head'.
I saw PSYCHO for the first time a couple of years later, and while I loved it, it didn't scare me as much as H did the first time. BTW, I did, and do still, love tall blondes. For awhile, HOMICIDAL kind of skewed my view of that.
Big fan of both.
Homicidal, is a good film. IMHO Psycho is the better film, however, I give Castle credit for making a film intended to cash in on the success of Psycho with a film that was good in it's own right. To say Homicidal is as important in Horror/Suspense cinema as Psycho is would be overstating the films place in cinematic history. Many films have actually lifted things right from Psycho (The theme from Halloween for example) but I would be hard pressed to see where Homicidal inspired film makers to the degree of Psycho, and what lasting impact it had. But as far as which film one prefers, I guess it really boils down to personal preferance.
No doubt PSYCHO is the superior film technically, but HOMICIDAL has much deeper scares, for me. They are still around!
Love 'em both, but Psycho is a gourmet dinner while Homicidal is tasty junk food.
Quote from: Mord on September 19, 2013, 05:53:59 PM
Love 'em both, but Psycho is a gourmet dinner while Homicidal is tasty junk food.
Hmmmmm. :-\
Quote from: Mord on September 19, 2013, 05:53:59 PM
Love 'em both, but Psycho is a gourmet dinner while Homicidal is tasty junk food.
Pretty much this.
I love Homicidal, but it's pretty shallow. Though very well made, it's pretty much a copy of Psycho without the subtext.
Something to think about: In Hitchcock's movies, despite the MacGuffin , the characters are trying to find some deeper goal; in Castlle's movies, it's usually about money.
Homicidal is, imo, a very underrated film.
Psycho has the benefit of having one of the greatest film scores in the history of the cinema. So it's always going to have that over Homicidal.
Quote from: Robert W on September 20, 2013, 05:51:19 PM
Homicidal is, imo, a very underrated film.
Psycho has the benefit of having one of the greatest film scores in the history of the cinema. So it's always going to have that over Homicidal.
Most definitely.
Quote from: Robert W on September 20, 2013, 05:51:19 PM
Homicidal is, imo, a very underrated film.
Psycho has the benefit of having one of the greatest film scores in the history of the cinema. So it's always going to have that over Homicidal.
Well, not to mention, one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) directors to ever make movies.
Quote from: Mord on September 20, 2013, 09:05:03 PM
Well, not to mention, one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) directors to ever make movies.
Yes, Alfred Hitchcock was an outstanding director. Unfortunately, William Castle was a good director, but never taken seriously. Because of the films He produced. Homicidal as a film, does stand alone, and doesn't mimic Psycho completely. Homicidal is less derivative than what critics claim.
Although Psycho is a film that goes beyond perfection. There are some cheese-ball moments in the film. >:D
Actually, I didn't see HOMICIDAL till just a few years ago. Exactly the kind of movie that would creep me out for years and years. Saw PSYCHO when I was around 13-14 and it definitely stayed with me for quite some time. I need to check out HOMICIDAL again. So, for now, I have to say, PSYCHO. The movies that have forever disturbed me are along the same lines, even dreaming about them every so often. Besides PSYCHO & HOMICIDAL, they include HUSH HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE (sorry charp13), WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE, LADY IN A CAGE, THE BAD SEED, STRAIGHT-JACKET, etc.
Quote from: Unknown Primate on September 21, 2013, 01:50:51 AM
Actually, I didn't see HOMICIDAL till just a few years ago. Exactly the kind of movie that would creep me out for years and years. Saw PSYCHO when I was around 13-14 and it definitely stayed with me for quite some time. I need to check out HOMICIDAL again. So, for now, I have to say, PSYCHO. The movies that have forever disturbed me are along the same lines, even dreaming about them every so often. Besides PSYCHO & HOMICIDAL, they include HUSH HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE (sorry charp13), WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE, LADY IN A CAGE, THE BAD SEED, STRAIGHT-JACKET, etc.
Straitjacket. I watched that film a while ago. Pretty cool film. Totally E.C. comics.
Joan Crawford was at her best in SJ and it's worth seeing just for her (and George Kennedy). She also did a bang up job in BERSERK!, where she owned a very accident-prone circus (her somewhat dykey/bitchey ringmaster character is great).
Quote from: Monster Bob on September 21, 2013, 12:58:14 PM
Joan Crawford was at her best in SJ and it's worth seeing just for her (and George Kennedy). She also did a bang up job in BERSERK!, where she owned an accident-prone circus owner (her somewhat dykey/bitchey ringmaster character is great).
;D
I remember Homicidal as being an interesting watch. It's not something I've ever wanted to watch again, though. I think the brilliance of Psycho is how underplayed and understated nearly everything is... Well, everything except the murders. And yes, the Arbogast murder was cheesy, but it really stuck with me when I was young.
Though I haven't seen it in a long time, I remember "Dementia 13" leaving an impact on the young version of me.
Quote from: Robert W on September 20, 2013, 05:51:19 PM
Homicidal is, imo, a very underrated film.
Psycho has the benefit of having one of the greatest film scores in the history of the cinema. So it's always going to have that over Homicidal.
Not to mention one of the greatest characters of all time, in the case of Norman Bates as played by Anthony Perkins.
Not to mention one of the greatest directors of all time, in the case of Sir Alfred Hitchcock.
Not to mention one of the greatest screenplays of all time by Joseph Stefano
Not to mention how great the rest of the cast was (including Janet Leigh, in a superb performance as Marion Crane)
Other than that, the films are preety much equal.
Quote from: Mord on September 21, 2013, 02:32:05 PM
Though I haven't seen it in a long time, I remember "Dementia 13" leaving an impact on the young version of me.
Another Great underrated film. Directed by the talented, Francis Ford Coppola.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on September 21, 2013, 02:33:44 PM
Not to mention one of the greatest characters of all time, in the case of Norman Bates as played by Anthony Perkins.
Not to mention one of the greatest directors of all time, in the case of Sir Alfred Hitchcock.
Not to mention one of the greatest screenplays of all time by Joseph Stefano
Not to mention how great the rest of the cast was (including Janet Leigh, in a superb performance as Marion Crane)
Other than that, the films are preety much equal.
The only problem I have with Psycho is that is sort of runs out of steam after Leigh's shower scene when the story shifts from her to that of her boyfriend's and sister's. I think Hitch sort of felt that way too. Still, Psycho does have one of the greatest pay-offs in screen history.
Quote from: Robert W on September 22, 2013, 07:57:51 AM
The only problem I have with Psycho is that is sort of runs out of steam after Leigh's shower scene when the story shifts from her to that of her boyfriend's and sister's. I think Hitch sort of felt that way too. Still, Psycho does have one of the greatest pay-offs in screen history.
When you sit with an audience that knows about the movie, but doesn't know the story, the impression is totally opposite. I didn't appreciate the genius of how positioned the Fright Break in Homicidal until I felt the audience reaction as Vera Miles wal s up the steps to the mansion.
Quote from: Robert W on September 22, 2013, 07:57:51 AM
The only problem I have with Psycho is that is sort of runs out of steam after Leigh's shower scene when the story shifts from her to that of her boyfriend's and sister's. I think Hitch sort of felt that way too. Still, Psycho does have one of the greatest pay-offs in screen history.
I may be alone in this, but I think the film builds up beautifully, even after the casts dances the time warp-sorry, wrong movie. The scene where Norman carries his mother protesting down the stairs, the scene where we explore the house, and a lot of clues about what's going on with Norman (Beethove's "Erotica" record on the turntable), the reveal of Norman's dead mother in the cellar. For me, and I may be alone in this, the film is riveting from beginning to end.
There are some favorite scenes I enjoy from Psycho. But, the one that stands -out is, when, Dec. Arbogast is asking/interrogating Norman. The camera closes in on Norman's( Anthony Perkins) Adam's apple. That particular scene makes me uncomfortable. On the edge of my seat. The way Hitchcock directed that scene, was genius.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on September 22, 2013, 03:24:25 PM
I may be alone in this, but I think the film builds up beautifully, even after the casts dances the time warp-sorry, wrong movie. The scene where Norman carries his mother protesting down the stairs, the scene where we explore the house, and a lot of clues about what's going on with Norman (Beethove's "Erotica" record on the turntable), the reveal of Norman's dead mother in the cellar. For me, and I may be alone in this, the film is riveting from beginning to end.
Seriously? I think most people would agree with your view than those who try to debunk it. Face it, there are some people who feel some joy in trying to tear down a classic. They automatically take the contrary point of view like the character in Monty Python's classic "Argument Clinic" skit. Psycho is an absolute, undeniable classic from beginning to end. I have never heard that Hitchcock felt that the ending was a letdown (and I have read many exhaustive volumes on the subject).