Stab for Stab: Psycho (1998) Review [Scream Factory]

Director: Gus Van Sant

Notable Cast: Vince Vaughn, Anne Heche, Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, Viggo Mortensen, Robert Forster

 

I originally saw the 1998 Psycho remake with my family when we rented it as a new release on VHS. I was a mere 15 years old at that time and had seen/owned the first 3 Psycho films on VHS. Upon viewing it, my family found it completely pointless and I remember disliking it myself. Being a teenager, sometimes your opinion can be influenced by the views of your family so when I picked up the original Psycho Tetralogy on Blu-ray (with the snazzy Scream Factory issues), I decided to pull the trigger and purchase the lambasted Gus Van Sant remake to see if my opinion was still the same 25 years later. Perhaps I could see the film in a new light through the filter of time and perhaps see some artistic integrity I initially missed. Welp, I can honestly say 25 years later, I still find it a completely pointless film.

Arkansas (2020)

Directed by: Clark Duke

Notable cast: Liam Hemsworth, Clark Duke, Vince Vaughn, John Malkovich, Vicica A. Fox

Arkansas is the kind of movie that doesn’t come along especially often, something compelling and intense, while being extremely quiet and meditative. Existing like a Michael Mann script filmed by Vincent Gallo, this film is (typically comedic) character actor Clark Duke’s feature writing and directorial debut. And as far as that fact alone goes? I feel very badly for Duke that this film came out at the point in history, it did because this film should be making huge waves right now, and will likely at this point be lost amongst our world’s current real crises. Which is a shame, because this story of crime, vengeance, and miscommunication feels especially relevant to its release year of 2020. Though in the interest of keeping this review apolitical  and timeless, it’s worth noting that rumination on doing what it takes to survive, whether it’s with honor, hook and crook, or lies, both direct and of omission, and the fallout from all of those choices does feel like a message that could stand-in any decade.