Psycho

Yeah, I’m mean, it’s ‘Psycho,’ isn’t it? Virtually everything thing in it, from about the 15-minute mark in, is 100% iconic; the hotel room scene at the beginning—along with the shrink’s diagnosis at the end—are less so, but the former is needed for story and the later was probably needed at the time as a release valve, though the psychology reads as a bit wonky today. The shower scene has been talked about everywhere, but the two overhead shots (esp the second one) are really where it’s at. Leigh, Perkins, and Balsam are fabulous, Bass’ credits (as usual) rule, Hermann’s score—it’s all great. Also worth noting is that the trailer is pretty brilliant.