Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990)
Director: Mick Garris
Stars: Anthony Perkins, Henry Thomas, Olivia Hussey
Last weekend marked the release of Darren Aronofsky's new horror art flick MOTHER!, which has garnered some very divided reactions among critics and audiences, so now Awfully Good Movies pays tribute to the most famous horror movie ever made about a mother…by making fun of one of its sequels, with 1990's PSYCHO IV: THE BEGINNING! Yes, many have argued about whether we needed any sequels to Alfred Hitchcock's landmark thriller, let alone three of them. But for the final installment, once again starring Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, they actually got the screenwriter of the first PSYCHO to come back and write the script, with future Stephen King collaborator Mick Garris in the director's chair. Okay, sure, maybe you'll feel skeptical after hearing this one was made for TV–but then again, so was BATES MOTEL, which has just wrapped up five successful seasons on A&E. And if you liked that show's contemporary spin on the origin story of Norman Bates and his manipulative mother, then perhaps you'll be intrigued to hear that this fourth PSYCHO has Norman relaying the story of his youth to a radio show host, with Henry Thomas (Elliot from E.T.) and Olivia Hussey respectively playing Norman and Norma Bates in flashback sequences. Also, John Landis is in it! So perhaps you'll find this sequel/prequel to be more on the "Good" side than the "Awfully" side…or at least more endurable to watch than that Gus Van Sant remake. Seriously, Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates? Next, you're gonna tell me that Danny McBride's teaming back up with the director of PINEAPPLE EXPRESS on a new HALLOWEEN movie. PFFT! Give me a break…
And if you want to check into the Awfully Good Movies Motel, then take your pick from our wide selection of YouTube links…