Van Sant’s ‘Psycho’ a Waste of Celluloid

Given my nasty habit of liking practically every film that Kenneth Turan pans (which, come to think of it, is practically every film he reviews), I found myself flabbergasted when I agreed with his review of “Psycho” (“Unfortunately, All Wet,” Dec. 7).

Could it actually be that he finds this incredible waste of celluloid as reprehensible as I do? I never had any intention of seeing the film, and after reading Turan’s review, I have even less.

If director Gus Van Sant, who has made such original films as “To Die For,” felt the overwhelming need to remake a cinematic masterpiece like Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” why couldn’t he have remade it in his own unique style?

The recent remake of Hitchcock’s “Rear Window” was an excellent example of what can be done when the writer and director take the time and effort to do something right.

JOHN McELLIGOTT JR.

Fullerton