What would a list about classic horror movies be without one of the most influential slasher movies of all time? Alfred Hitchcock's terrifying tale about the macabre happenings at the Bates Motel shocked audiences in 1960, and over 50 years later, it's still an incredibly watchable, ludicrously entertaining film, especially if you (somehow) haven't had the big plot twist ruined for you. Best Moment: Protagonist Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) is unexpectedly bumped off at the end of the film's first act in what has become probably the horror genre's most iconic scene. With Bernard Hermann's terrifying score, Hitchcock's intense direction and Leigh's performance, it makes for a scene that still holds plenty of visceral weight today. Sequels: Following Hitchcock's death in 1980, two moderately successful sequels were released, before a third went straight to TV and was mostly negatively received. Impressively, all of them starred Anthony Perkins, reprising his role as Norman Bates. A contemporary-set prequel TV series, Bates Motel, starring Vera Farmiga as Mrs. Bates and Freddie Highmore as Norman, has enjoyed critical acclaim to date, with its third season planned for airing next year.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
