Psycho (1998)

If there was ever a film that was never needed to be made, then the 1998 remake of "Pyscho" is the ultimate example of that. It is almost an exact frame by frame remake of the classic Alfred Hitchcock film which merely uses a different cast and appears in color. Even the music from the original movie is reused. The new cast, with Vince Vaughn in the role of Norman Bates, just doesn't deliver or exceed the performances from the first movie. If anything, both Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche fall vastly short from the stellar performances of Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh. The script doesn't sound real and comes across as hokey in this day and age, especially during the last scene where they psychologist is explaining Norman's mental state. The film was both a commercial and critical bomb. Just watch the original!

The Prophecy (1995)

For me, “The Prophecy” is a film of highs and lows and the inability to find a consistent rhythm. I felt teased at how little screen time Eric Stoltz had and what he did during those few moments. His role started out strong but faltered. After he died and Christopher Walken became the focal point, the movie felt ok but had an annoying lack of definition; my main complaint is how did Simon (Eric Stoltz) know that Arnold Hawthorne was the soul that Gabriel (Christopher Walken) needed? But then all of a sudden Lucifer appears (Viggo Mortensen) and gives one of the best “I’m the Devil and this is what I want” speeches that I’ve ever seen. His slow, refined delivery and his complete presence were perfect for that character and moment. In the next scene we see Gaberiel with his new minion Rachel, a scene that seems more comical (although very dark) than trying to keep the suspenseful vibe that just took place. Overall, it’s a fun movie filled with big name stars (or people still coming up), half of which went “Pulp Fiction” to this film.

Ok, is it just me or did Elias Koteas come across as Bill Paxton’s doppelganger in this film? I swear you could have replaced one with the other and no one would have noticed.

“The Prophecy” is all about the angels in Heaven having a second war amongst each other over the idea that God loves humans more than angels because humans have souls. The war is not about over throwing God so I’m not sure what would happen if the angels who feel that they were second place would do if they won; I guess that is covered in one of the many sequels that followed. Anyway, Gaberil wants to find the darkest soul on Earth and recruit it to join his army of unloved angels. Simon, an angel who’s ok being second best, comes to earth and finds the soul and eats it. Simon goes to the town where the evil soul lived and hides it in a young girl. The girl’s teacher and a cop who almost became a priest are left trying to fend off Gabriel and his brought-back-from-the-dead minions.