Psycho

The granddaddy of all modern slasher films and psycho-thrillers, Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" will never have the same impact as it did when it took America completely by surprise in 1960. But the gloriously seedy thriller remains a masterpiece of mood and pacing, directed with the impeccable craft of a master who used the perverse material and sordid atmosphere of the black-and-white B-movie aesthetic to shock the sensibilities and shake up the expectations of an audience used to the sexy thrillers and Technicolor confections. Anthony Perkins' fidgety, increasingly disturbing performance became so identified with his image that it practically destroyed his career as a romantic man. The new release is one of three two-disc Hitchcock special editions this week. "Psycho" features new commentary by Hitchcock scholar Stephen Rebello and the new documentary featurette "In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy."

Also new this week is "Rear Window" (1954), a brilliant film about voyeurism, shot in a beautifully designed courtyard set through a window the same shape as a movie screen, and a masterpiece of suspense experienced from the wheelchair of Hitch's most physically helpless hero. Also included is "Vertigo" (1958), one of the greatest films ever made. Both star Jimmy Stewart and feature new commentary tracks and new featurettes. Each disc also features an excellent documentary by DVD doc specialist Laurent Bouzereau (created for previous DVD release), audio excerpts from François Truffaut's 1962 interview with Hitchcock, galleries of archival material, and a full episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents."