The absolute pinnacle of Hitchcock's genius!!!

Rating: 10/10 (15 December 2011)

My appreciation for this film has really gone through the roof! From the first time I saw it (maybe 8 years back) I knew it was my favorite Hitchcock. But after rewatching and totally being thrilled by NORTH BY NORTHWEST a few months ago I started to wonder if NBNW isn't almost as good as PSYCHO. Well, it's not. This most recent rewatch confirmed it. As great as NBNW is (oh believe me - it's great!!) PSYCHO is that much better. Far and away the best Hitch!! And almost everything that disturbed me about HALLOWEEN and made me look away from it I was drawn into and totally mesmerized by in PSYCHO. Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates is one of the most brilliant creations in film history! His conversation with Janet Leigh in the parlor is sooooo engaging that you're literally sitting there with your mouth agape. And need anyone say anything about the infamous shower scene?? Plus the B&W cinematography combined with Bernard Herrmann's amazing score really sets the creepy/paranoid mood of the film - sends shivers down your spine. Brilliant stuff!!