On the Beach (1959)
Jul 27, 2001The Nuclear Holocaust
The first major film confronting nuclear war full on with the world's last survivors gathered in Australia. Slightly ponderous today but nevertheless full of potent imagery
Anthony Perkins
Psycho (1960)
Feb 6, 2001Psycho-Thriller
One of the defining classics of the genre, enormously influential, muchly imitated and parodied and possibly the most over-analysed film ever. Alfred Hitchcock expertly creates a creepy psycho-thriller in which he delights in lulling us and undermining expectation
The Trial (1962)
Nov 5, 2001Bureaucratic Nightmare World/Kafka Adaptation
Orson Welles's adaptation of the Frank Kafka novel about a man caught in a nightmare bureaucracy is one of the most visually stunning black-and-white films ever shot
The Black Hole (1979)
Jan 3, 2000Lost Spaceship/Mad Scientist/Journey into a Black Hole
Disney's attempt to join the post-Star Wars SF boom proved a flop that flounders in bad writing and ponderous pretensions. On the other hand, it is almost worth watching for the stunning design and effects
Psycho II (1983)
Jul 5, 2002Psycho Sequel
Psycho did not need a sequel but this does a scrupulous and exacting job, bringing back Anthony Perkins and paying a great deal of homage in many small details. The script comes with a considerable cleverness
Crimes of Passion (1984)
Feb 4, 2005Psycho-Sexual Thriller
Team-up between Ken Russell and Anthony Perkins with both in full-on lunacy mode. Kathleen Turner gives her best performance ever as a fashion designer moonlighting as a hooker who is stalked by Perkins as a psycho priest
Psycho III (1986)
Feb 8, 2002Psycho Sequel
Well worthwhile Psycho sequel directed by Anthony Perkins himself who makes an assured, even at times dazzling debut. The film has a playfulness and outrageousness that quite takes you aback
Edge of Sanity (1989)
Aug 8, 1999Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Adaptation
Probably the worst film adaptation of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, this opts for a trashy sordidness with a lunatically over-the-top Anthony Perkins in the centre of the show