Psycho: Alfred Hitchcock & the Birth of the Slasher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTJQfFQ40lI Psycho. 1960. Dir.  Alfred Hitchcock. Written by Joseph Stefano; based on the novel by Robert Bloch. Starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam, and John McIntire. Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Rated PG. 109 minutes. Horror/Mystery/Thriller ★★★★★ (Film) ★★★★★ (Blu ray release) For my review of the sequel, Psycho II, click here. …

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William Friedkin’s THE HUNTED – A Retrospective Review

A look back at an underrated William Friedkin film.

Psycho III: Norman, Still Crazy After All These Years

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaY-q1P4QWE Psycho III.  1986. Dir. Anthony Perkins. Screenplay by Charles Edward Pogue; based on characters by Robert Bloch. Starring Anthony Perkins, Diana Scarwid, Jeff Fahey, Roberta Maxwell, Hugh Gillin, and Lee Garlington. Universal Pictures. Rated 18+. 93 minutes. Horror/Mystery/Thriller ★★★★ If you haven't yet - read my Blu ray review for Alfred Hitchcock's original 1960 …

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The Drop is a Moody Ride Through the Brooklyn Mob

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6nWJ5NDYMU The Drop. 2014. Dir. Michaël R. Roskam. Written by Dennis Lehane; based on his own short story "Animal Rescue". Starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini, Matthias Schoenaerts, and John Ortiz. 20th Century Fox. Rated 14A. 106 minutes. Crime/Drama/Thriller ★★★★ The Drop is Michaël R. Roskam's first American film. He's most recently come from directing the Oscar …

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Stretch Tries But Stretches Too Thin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StLOfuVjCQE Stretch. 2014.  Dir. Joe Carnahan. Screenplay by Carnahan from a story by himself, Jerry Corley & Rob Rose. Starring Patrick Wilson, Chris Pine, Brooklyn Decker, Ed Helms, Jessica Alba, and James Badge Dale. Universal Pictures. Rated R. 94 minutes. Action/Comedy/Thriller ★★★ When Stretch opens up, you see Patrick Wilson, playing the titular character Stretch (get it? …

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Feed the Gods Leaves Everyone Hungry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSalMwfHn_I Feed the Gods. 2014. Dir. Braden Croft. Starring Shawn Roberts, Emily Tennant, Britt Irvin, Tyler Johnston, and Aleks Paunovic. Compound B. Unrated. 84 minutes. Horror/Thriller ★1/2 There are times I'll admit I am fooled by an interesting title. When I first heard of Feed the Gods I've got to say, I was absolutely hooked. Just …

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Nightcrawler & the Vulture-like News Media

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1uP_8VJkDQ Nightcrawler. 2014. Directed & Written by Dan Gilroy. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, and Riz Ahmed. Elevation Pictures. Rated 14A. 117 minutes. Crime/Thriller ★★★★★ Dan Gilroy's Nightcrawler is a bit of an unusual film. First off, Gilroy has never directed a feature film, or anything else to my knowledge. His start came with screenwriting. …

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Claire Denis Proves They’re All Bastards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McGhcrmn86E Les Salauds (English title: Bastards). 2013. Dir. Claire Denis. Screenplay by Denis & Jean-Pol Fargeau. Starring Vincent Lindon and Chiara Mastroianni. Wild Bunch. Unrated. 100 minutes. Drama ★★★★1/2 Marco (Lindon) is a sailor. A well-known one at that. He's long cut off any ties with his family. After his brother-in-law commits suicide, Marco's sister …

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