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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Three Complete Novels (Psycho, Psycho II, and Psycho House) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
<b>Psycho</b>
How can I read and review the book Psycho without comparing it to its movie adaptation? Yeah, not possible. For starters, the biggest difference has to be Norman Bates' physical description, which is balding and dumpy in the book. A far cry from Anthony Perkins. For most of the book I admit to not being able to visualize Norman in a different light than Perkins, who I feel was genius casting. I mean, who in that day and age would ever see that next-door-boy-look as a threat? Other than that, I have to say that the movie is pretty darned true to the book; some minor things but nothing necessary was kept out. I enjoyed Bloch's writing, it's just smooth and easy to read, keeping to a nice clip. The next to last chapter has a bit of an infodump explaining Norman's behavior, but it's short and really didn't bother me. Probably one of the best handled infodumps I've come across. So, I'd definitely recommend reading the book if you enjoy the movie, it adds a little here and there to the film.
<i>4 stars</i>
<b>Psycho II</b>
How do I put this succinctly...? What a total piece of crap.
I thought it started out pretty well, for say about the first 25 or 30 pages, minus Norman's rape of a nun's corpse (which didn't seem in his character IMHO), but then it started going downhill and ended up in a deep, deep well. Bloch's characters and plot are cliche, boring, obnoxious, two-dimensional or a combination of all of the above. The denouement is ridiculous, although not totally unforseen, and it just seemed like Bloch wasn't even interested in writing a proper sequel with Norman Bates and was more interested in showing Hollywood as amoral and vapid. Whatever. I'm glad this is over. I have better things to do with my time, like clean the litter boxes.
<i>1.5 stars</i>
I will eventually get to <b>Psycho House</b> but I need a recovery period so this is going back to the library. I highly doubt that it'll be worse than P2.
How can I read and review the book Psycho without comparing it to its movie adaptation? Yeah, not possible. For starters, the biggest difference has to be Norman Bates' physical description, which is balding and dumpy in the book. A far cry from Anthony Perkins. For most of the book I admit to not being able to visualize Norman in a different light than Perkins, who I feel was genius casting. I mean, who in that day and age would ever see that next-door-boy-look as a threat? Other than that, I have to say that the movie is pretty darned true to the book; some minor things but nothing necessary was kept out. I enjoyed Bloch's writing, it's just smooth and easy to read, keeping to a nice clip. The next to last chapter has a bit of an infodump explaining Norman's behavior, but it's short and really didn't bother me. Probably one of the best handled infodumps I've come across. So, I'd definitely recommend reading the book if you enjoy the movie, it adds a little here and there to the film.
<i>4 stars</i>
<b>Psycho II</b>
How do I put this succinctly...? What a total piece of crap.
I thought it started out pretty well, for say about the first 25 or 30 pages, minus Norman's rape of a nun's corpse (which didn't seem in his character IMHO), but then it started going downhill and ended up in a deep, deep well. Bloch's characters and plot are cliche, boring, obnoxious, two-dimensional or a combination of all of the above. The denouement is ridiculous, although not totally unforseen, and it just seemed like Bloch wasn't even interested in writing a proper sequel with Norman Bates and was more interested in showing Hollywood as amoral and vapid. Whatever. I'm glad this is over. I have better things to do with my time, like clean the litter boxes.
<i>1.5 stars</i>
I will eventually get to <b>Psycho House</b> but I need a recovery period so this is going back to the library. I highly doubt that it'll be worse than P2.

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Psycho Goreman (2020) in Movies
May 21, 2021
I fully understand why Psycho Goreman may not be for everyone, but dammit if it wasn't right up my street.
This film is so ridiculous. From it's sudden bursts of hyper violence to kids playing ball games backed by the sounds of completely over the top guitar solos, to it's abundance of offbeat humour, PG is obviously trying to be exactly the kind of film that it is, but it stops short of feeling overly try-hard.
The young cast are pretty great, heck, all of the cast are pretty great. The commitment to practical effects is admirable, no matter how cheap it looks on occasion. The alien characters look like creatures out of Power Rangers, but it honestly just adds to the experience.
I'm not sure if anything written can truly explain what to expect from this. If you like these kind of 80s throwback B-movies like I do, then you'll surely get a kick out of Psycho Goreman. It's a blast from start to finish.
This film is so ridiculous. From it's sudden bursts of hyper violence to kids playing ball games backed by the sounds of completely over the top guitar solos, to it's abundance of offbeat humour, PG is obviously trying to be exactly the kind of film that it is, but it stops short of feeling overly try-hard.
The young cast are pretty great, heck, all of the cast are pretty great. The commitment to practical effects is admirable, no matter how cheap it looks on occasion. The alien characters look like creatures out of Power Rangers, but it honestly just adds to the experience.
I'm not sure if anything written can truly explain what to expect from this. If you like these kind of 80s throwback B-movies like I do, then you'll surely get a kick out of Psycho Goreman. It's a blast from start to finish.
SF
Street Fighter: The Novel: Where Strength Lies
Takashi Yano and Yusuke Murata
Book
The World Warrriors take center stage in the first ever Street Fighter novel! Featuring Ryu VS...

S'Laughter
Podcast
A UK true crime podcast with a comedy twist. 30 somethings Lucy and Emma tell each other true crime...

Kim Pook (101 KP) rated Bates Motel in TV
Aug 6, 2019
Acting (1 more)
Storylines
Hated psycho but enjoyed this
Contains spoilers, click to show
I never saw the original psycho but i did watch the 90s remake which i found very boring, so i went into this not expecting much at all. However, after the first episode i was hooked and bingewatched all 5 seasons in about 3 weeks.
Incase you have never seen or heard of psycho, it's about the teenage life of a boy called Norman Bates, who suffers with blackouts where he becomes violent. Norman helps run a motel with his mother Norma (yes, that's right - Norman and Norma haha!!) Who is very protective of her son. Seasons 1-3 we get to know about the bates and why they are unlike any normal family, there's a few murders but we wonder was it Norman or not? Season 4 and 5 is where it gets very good and Normans shy side of his personality starts to completely diminish and his 'mother' personality takes over more frequently.
Throughout the seasons there wasn't really any main character i disliked, each one had a gripping story attached to them and I even started to like chick - the strange trailer guy who had beef with Dylans dad (and normas brother). The only part of the show i wasn't interested in was Dylans job in the weed selling business but that didn't last long thankfully.
Funny enough I even felt sorry for Norman but at the same time i wanted to smack some sense into Norma for protecting him right up until he killed her.
The final episode was very sad but at the same time you feel happy because Norman got his wish and no longer had to fight 'Mother'. I know many people think a season 6 was needed but i think season 5 ended perfectly. I feel lost now I'm finished though.
Incase you have never seen or heard of psycho, it's about the teenage life of a boy called Norman Bates, who suffers with blackouts where he becomes violent. Norman helps run a motel with his mother Norma (yes, that's right - Norman and Norma haha!!) Who is very protective of her son. Seasons 1-3 we get to know about the bates and why they are unlike any normal family, there's a few murders but we wonder was it Norman or not? Season 4 and 5 is where it gets very good and Normans shy side of his personality starts to completely diminish and his 'mother' personality takes over more frequently.
Throughout the seasons there wasn't really any main character i disliked, each one had a gripping story attached to them and I even started to like chick - the strange trailer guy who had beef with Dylans dad (and normas brother). The only part of the show i wasn't interested in was Dylans job in the weed selling business but that didn't last long thankfully.
Funny enough I even felt sorry for Norman but at the same time i wanted to smack some sense into Norma for protecting him right up until he killed her.
The final episode was very sad but at the same time you feel happy because Norman got his wish and no longer had to fight 'Mother'. I know many people think a season 6 was needed but i think season 5 ended perfectly. I feel lost now I'm finished though.
Stephen King, when asked in an interview, claimed Carrie is the most terrifying story he has ever written and that he will never read it again.
While I don't think Carrie is THAT terrifying, I do feel that it had its moments. Everyone is familiar with the iconic image of a girl standing in the spotlights drenched in pig's blood--but what they don't know about is what comes next. A little bit gruesome and a little bit twisted, psycho nightmare, Carrie is one book that I will never be able to forget.
While I don't think Carrie is THAT terrifying, I do feel that it had its moments. Everyone is familiar with the iconic image of a girl standing in the spotlights drenched in pig's blood--but what they don't know about is what comes next. A little bit gruesome and a little bit twisted, psycho nightmare, Carrie is one book that I will never be able to forget.

Ducklady (1174 KP) rated Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer in TV
Feb 20, 2020
Very interesting watch. I bunged it on when I was bored and ended up binge watching all three episodes.
As human beings, we are monstrously intrigued by the monstrous and this documentary shows that.
It starts with a horrific video of animal abuse on 2 adorable kittens and escalated into psycho killer territory. Addictive and disturbing to watch and the whole time it makes me wonder about internet habits.
The ending takeaway from the "internet nerds" was super forced and strange XD no I am absolutely not complicit thank you very much hah
As human beings, we are monstrously intrigued by the monstrous and this documentary shows that.
It starts with a horrific video of animal abuse on 2 adorable kittens and escalated into psycho killer territory. Addictive and disturbing to watch and the whole time it makes me wonder about internet habits.
The ending takeaway from the "internet nerds" was super forced and strange XD no I am absolutely not complicit thank you very much hah

Where Monsters Walked: California Locations of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, 1925-1965
Book
This richly illustrated guide to dozens of California filming locations covers three decades of...
LM
Literally Me
Book
From Julie Houts, 'Instagram's favourite illustrator' (Vogue), comes a collection of brilliant and...