Two decades after the original murders at the bates. In american psycho, bret easton ellis imaginatively explores the incomprehensible depths of madness and captures the insanity of violence in our time or any other. But it could also refer to the state in which you cant tell one from the other. It is the first sequel to alfred hitchcocks psycho and the second film in the psycho franchise. I had to put it down to dine on quail sashimi with peach ravioli and baby softshell crabs with grape jelly, and after dinner i noted that the vintage contemporary cover was a far from ideal surface to snort cocaine off. Altogether, he wrote over 220 stories collected in over two dozen collections, two dozen novels, screenplays for a dozen movies, and three star trek episodes. Unfortunately i was left feeling disappointed after finishing this book which in itself i found a chore to read. Aug 01, 2016 a short video essay on alfred hitchcocks psycho, based on my paper psychos moebius strip or. Patrick bateman moves among the young and trendy in 1980s manhattan. Is psycho ii the most misunderstood sequel ever made. It is great filmmaking as done by one of cinemas top masters in full command of his art. Sanitarium written by chet williamson, was released in 2016.
It was inspired by the actions of the demented wisconsin killer. The novel opens with an image of fortyyearold norman bates reading in his office. Buy a cheap copy of american psycho book by bret easton ellis. A novel and a movie always differ, theyre very different media. Psycho pass 2 didnt have to be exactly like the first season but it still could have been memorable in its own way. There are a several tweaks in the plot that dont make much difference and the movie does make me miss being privy to the internal thoughts of the characters, but there are two major differences. The novel is considered as being blochs most enduring work and one of the most influential horror books of the 20th century. Jun 16, 2017 on june 16, 1960, alfred hitchcock premiered his iconic mystery thriller psycho in new york, with secrecy as the theme when it came to the plot. The book is set between the events of the original novel and psycho ii, recounting the events which took place in a state hospital for the criminally insane where bates is a patient. Jul 15, 2017 norman bates anthony perkins is having dinner when emma spool claudia bryar comes by and tells him the truth about her. The shocking true story of the original psycho, a book about ed gein at. What sounds like a bizarre theory actually seems to have a lot of foundation, and explains some very. If youve seen psycho a dozen times and can recite the shots in the shower scene by. Screen prism has put together this really cool and very concise exploration of the ending of american psycho and its implications for either side of the argument surrounding the reality of.
In 1959, the year psycho was published, bloch won the hugo award for a short story and began to write. You can buy alfred hitchcock and the making of psycho at. Universal suggested that bloch abandon his novel, which he declined and released anyway to good sales. Ive been known to be both a picky reader and a finicky film critic, and even i think the movie version of bret easton ellis novel, published in 1991, is faithful to the text its based on. The story is set in new york amongst the 1980s wall street boom. Hitchcock would later buy up as many copies of the novel before the film came out so people would know as little as possible about the storyline.
American psycho is 2000 quote psychological thriller comedy. A friend of mine sent me an interesting article about american psycho that makes the case that patrick is a closeted gay man running around giving aids to everyone, the book being either a metaphorical story or just an unreliably told one. Directed by mary harron and starring christian bale in a breakout performance, both american psycho and its main villain patrick. A book usually doesnt fit into a movie, for example. Psycho 2 by robert bloch is every bit as murderous and bloody as his first novel. Psycho is the horror story of norman bates, his strange relationship with his mother, and the motel he runs on the side of a deserted highway. The book does provide a good, but not great, foundation for the movie to build from, but it is largely defined by how it is different from the movie. The two get into a vicious fight as mother lambastes. Seriously, go watch the film, get surprised by the surprises, then come back. The film adaptation of the bret easton ellis novel american psycho was released in 2000, and has been confusing viewers ever since. The first thing is to put alfred hitchcocks original psycho 1960 right out of your mind.
The film was generally wellreceived in the usa, but i didnt understand why the film was critically so acclaimed. The ending will not shock or blow your mind, but its very fitting for the direction of psychopass 2 and sets it up nicely for the upcoming movie. Sep 02, 2017 much like the book its based on, american psycho isnt really about patrick bateman. Bookfan53 i had to buy psycho 2 as a secondhand paperback online. This book deals with events that began in the 1959 novel psycho. The modern classic, the basis of a broadway musical, and major motion picture from lions gate films starring christian bale, chloe sevigny, jared leto, and reese witherspoon, and directed by mary harron. The novel tells the story of norman bates, caretaker at an isolated motel who struggles under his domineering mother and becomes embroiled in a series of murders. The film also has miscast roles including william shatner as the professor and mila kunis. Bret easton ellis appears to be pondering a sequel to his most famous novel, american psycho, in which his antihero patrick bateman might stalk gavin rossdale, murder david beckham and. Checkout the new house of horrors tshirt for sale now. A short video essay on alfred hitchcocks psycho, based on my paper psychos moebius strip or. May 25, 2010 robert bloch19171994 is the author of the classic horror novel, psycho, which served as the basis for alfred hitchcocks thrilling film of the same name.
In 1991, bret easton ellis controversial novel american psycho took the world by storm women accused it of being misogynist, sexist filth and others were understandably shaken by its brutal and graphic depictions of unprovoked violence and torture. Psycho is one of the most twisty, sneaky film plots ever snuck and twisted onto a movie screen. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Matt molgaard alfred hitchcocks classic picture, psycho still. Dec 01, 2012 this is psycho, a film weve all seen and most of us, i assume, love. Because nestled in the lame framework is a pretty great little black comedy with a. A sequel to one of the most popular horror films of all time, this psychological thriller received a pleasantly surprised, positive critical reception. Psycho is a great read, made even greater by the fact that the book is 40 years old. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of psycho directed by alfred hitchcock. American psycho is often regarded as the first truly exceptional horror movie of the 21 st century.
The monster in psycho isnt a monster with big teeth and a distinct identity. Ending spoiler for psycho ii 1983, plus mistakes, quotes, trivia and more. Psycho ii the psycho trilogy, book 2 robert bloch, paul michael garcia. And if you like american psycho, try tom wolfes bonfire of the vanities also a pretty bad movie, but the two books together kind of plumb the depths of the 80s. Lovecraft, bloch began writing short fiction in the 1930s. A different story was created for the film and bloch was not invited to any screenings. Psycho house was even more difficult,but huntedmore i had to buy psycho 2 as a secondhand paperback online.
And just because its hyperbole, doesnt mean its not also accurate. Psycho, then, doesnt refer to one person or the other. As film adaptations of books go, the movie american psycho released in 2000 is fairly spoton. I ask you to book 88 minutes of your life to perhaps give it another look. Set 22 years after the first film, it follows norman bates after he is released from the mental institution and returns to the house. Its not your hollywood movie version, which is great. Dec 19, 2014 personally, i think the anime does a fine job at keeping the plot linear after the halfway point and the key is not to think too much into it because the explanations are coming. American psycho 2 contains all the traditional elements of a straight to dvd title. On june 16, 1960, alfred hitchcock premiered his iconic mystery thriller psycho in new york, with secrecy as the theme when it came to the plot. Alfred hitchcocks psycho is one of the handful of most important films ever made. The movie, american psycho, is taken from the book of the same name that is written by bret easton ellis. Now a major motion picture from lions gate films starring christian bale metroland, chloe sevigny the last days of disco, jared leto my so called life, and. Nov 02, 2016 screen prism has put together this really cool and very concise exploration of the ending of american psycho and its implications for either side of the argument surrounding the reality of bateman. We see her first during an afternoon in a shabby hotel room with her divorced lover, sam loomis john gavin.
Great sequel i read psycho having not seen the movie or knowing what happens. In 1982, robert bloch published a sequel to his 1959 novel psycho. American psycho the average filmmaker would turn american psycho into an exploitative slasher flick, but mary harron and guinevere turner have adapted the controversial novel by bret easton ellis into something unique and intriguing, a brilliant, thoughtprovoking social commentary thriller. Psycho house was even more difficult,but hunted online and found someone. To have the american psycho explained, one must know the plot first. While my logical mind tells me they are in his head because of many other circumstances where outlandish, obviously fantastical events happen see. Norman bates anthony perkins is having dinner when emma spool claudia bryar comes by and tells him the truth about her. Without giving any spoilers, i did find the ending interesting in a way, however it still does not sit quite right as a big fan of both the psycho films and the first book, i had high hopes for psycho ii. Sep 04, 2017 american psycho is often regarded as the first truly exceptional horror movie of the 21st century. Norman bates returns in prequel to robert blochs psycho 2. I could see the suprise twist ending coming somewhere around the middle of the book. Or maybe just the weird, out of place background info about the character. If youve seen psycho a dozen times and can recite the shots in the shower scene by heart, psycho ii is just not going to do it for you. A wealthy new york city investment banking executive, patrick bateman, hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his coworkers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies.
I would hold off on the movie until youve read the book the movie isnt completely horrendous, but its focus is solely on the psycho part. I relaxed on my ethan allen couch to read bret easton elliss late1980s manhattan of yuppieexcess thriller, american psycho. With anthony perkins, vera miles, meg tilly, robert loggia. The setup involves a theme that hitchcock used again and again. May 25, 2016 that being said, i will say that watching psycho is generally a more enjoyable experience than reading the book because of the work stef and hitch did on both marion and norman, making them far more likable and empatheticspecifically with marion, whose motives are far more nuanced and rooted in love rather than tradition, and with norman. Psycho ii is a 1982 novel by american writer robert bloch, a sequel to his 1959 novel psycho. If you dont know what the twist in psycho was then i dont have a clue why youre even reading this list. Psycho ii is a 1983 american slasher film directed by richard franklin, written by tom holland, and starring anthony perkins, vera miles, robert loggia, and meg tilly. Bret easton ellis contemplates american psycho sequel. With christian bale, justin theroux, josh lucas, bill sage. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of psycho by robert bloch. Its as good a visual signifier as any that there are two sides to norman. The ending was good, but imo it was marred by a completely unnecessary character.
Although it might now be more familiar as a 1960 film by alfred hitchcock. Extremely groundbreaking in the use of a pathology for the killer, it seems that norman bates is as much a household name in american culture as ronald mcdonald. I wouldnt say its bad but i wouldnt admit its good either. A glimpse of a thursday afternoon, when patrick knocks over a stand of fruits by accident, the korean owner clutches his lapels and bursts into a song, and then patrick proceeds to eats five. Rather, the film aims to portray the selfindulgent and hedonistic wall street elite. There will never be another movie like it, and no sequel could possibly capture its unique charms. This great sequel is as fun to read with many more twists and turns. Robert bloch 19171994 was a horror, suspense, and science fiction writer and screenwriter, best known for the novel psycho. According to bloch, universal studios loathed the novel, which was intended to critique hollywood splatter films. His many awards include the nebula, hugo, and world fantasy awards including lifetime achievement, and five.
The guilt of the ordinary person trapped in a criminal situation. Fresh out of jail and starting his job at the diner, warren brings back his psycho past just as mother starts sending threatening messages. His mother approaches and chides him for reading filthy material. A big difference in my opinion is that a book lends itself. The novel was completed before the screenplay was written for the unrelated 1983 film psycho ii. His first novel, the scarf, was published in 1947 and he became a. After twentytwo years of psychiatric care, norman bates attempts to return to a life of solitude, but the specters of his crimes and his mother continue to haunt him. Another example is that a novel describes and a film shows things. Much like the book its based on, american psycho isnt really about patrick bateman. While initially appearing straightforward, the film. Psycho is a 1959 horror novel by american writer robert bloch. It focuses on normans revenge, although norman calls this justice, on the people who put him away.
The content of the movie created a good deal of controversy because of the explicit sex and violence scenes. Psycho ii starts great, with norman returning to his old self and trying to end what was started 22. Robert bloch19171994 is the author of the classic horror novel, psycho, which served as the basis for alfred hitchcocks thrilling film of the same name. Paul michael garcia does a great job narrating this thrilling book. Rather, the film aims to portray the selfindulgent and hedonistic wall street elite of 1980s new york in a. Bret easton ellis contemplates american psycho sequel books. Lila, as you remember was marys the girl in the shower sister. Mar, 2012 bret easton ellis appears to be pondering a sequel to his most famous novel, american psycho, in which his antihero patrick bateman might stalk gavin rossdale, murder david beckham and slit chris. How does the movie american psycho differ from the book. Great movie by the way i particularly like the business card scene and the huey louis and the news monolog. Like its confused protagonist, the psycho franchise is essentially a product of the relatively genteel postwar period that had been put away for decades and then released, dazed and blinking, into the very different age and ethos of the 80s, affording us a glimpse into how times and values had since changed. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. As a whole, psycho has rightfully earned recognition as one of the greatest films ever shot.