Psycho II (1983) I can understand why it's taken so long for this film to get the proper respect. A sequel to Psycho is an unthinkable idea and will surely be compared negatively up and down from the lesser quality to anything that "just isn't Psycho." Even if it was filmed in Black & White and used the original score as inspiration, there are still moments where the film is falling in line with 80s slashers. However, the continuity from the first film is very strong - I love how they got Vera Miles to return, and how her character has changed over time - while it's a more modern film it's a much classier production than other horror films from the same era, and most of all, Anthony Perkins demonstrates he still has a lot in the tank with the return of Norman Bates. The performance here may not be as iconic, but there's a lot more layering as the Norman fights to keep his sanity.
While my month with Mrs. 1SO has been largely successful, she had thought I was playing it too safe with fun thrills like Happy Death Day and Rollercoaster. Even Halloween, which certainly has its moments didn't get under her skin as much as it excited her to finally understand what the legend was all about. With Psycho II, the month finally got dangerous, and she thinks had it been released in Black & White, it would make as fitting a companion to the first film as Incredibles 1 & 2.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ - Good Mrs. 1SO: ★ ★ ★ ˝ - Scary
Island of Lost Souls (1932) I really got this one wrong
the first time. While the film is dated, there's a dangerous quality to it unusual for films of this time. The elaborate makeup, twisted sets and a plot that's like an unholy abomination are unsettling and the film rarely takes a break for something less horrific. Meanwhile, Charles Laughton just lords over everything ignorant of the dark side of his scientific surgeries. I got it this time, one of the best horror films of the early 1930s.
The wife... not so much. She liked the cast and found the premise fascinating, but there was a spookiness missing and for all its disturbing ideas, the film itself never really got nasty or mean.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ - Good Mrs. 1SO: ★ ★ - Some of the imagery and ideas are disturbing