Whitech
It is not only a funny movie, but it allows a great amount of joy for anyone who watches it.
ActuallyGlimmer
The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
Benas Mcloughlin
Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.
Michael_Elliott
Psychic Killer (1975) ** (out of 4)Arnold Masters (Jim Hutton) is in jail serving time for killing the doctor who let his mother die. The truth of the matter is that he's actually innocent and is released once the real killer confesses. Before getting out another inmate gives him a special amulet, which gives him a psychic power to kill. Before long Arnold is killing off those he blames for his mothers death and it's up to a couple detectives to try and figure out what's going on.PSYCHIC KILLER isn't what I'd consider a good movie but at the same time it has some rather interesting things that make it worth watching. Obviously the film tries to copy that son-mother relationship of PSYCHO but it throws in some also fits in with the "psychic" horror films that were quite popular throughout the decade. The film benefits from having an all-star cast and they certainly help add to the entertainment value.For the most part I thought Hutton was good in the lead, although I'd argue that the screenplay does less for his character than any other. He's at least believable in the part of this mama's boy who wants revenge. The supporting players are all good in one way or another and this includes Julie Adams (CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON) as well as other familiar faces to the genre inclduing Whit Bissell, Rod Cameron, Aldo Ray and Neville Brand. If you're a fan of the horror genre then those faces are going to be very familiar.The one major issue I had with the film was that it was a tad bit too slow for its own good. I thought a little faster pace would have helped things and I'd also argue that the film had a rather flat look to it. The film is rather weird in regards to what it's going for as there are times it seems happy to be a PG-rated horror film but then, out of nowhere really, we get some rather graphic, if not all that creative, violence. There's a shower sequence that's certainly the highlight of the picture.
Scott LeBrun
"Psychic Killer" is quite amusing, and at the least can boast a twist on the usual sort of vengeance-themed murder spree. Some viewers might say that the ideas being explored deserve a much better cinematic treatment, but as schlock goes, this movie does show its audience a decent time. There's a fair bit of gore, and a little bit of imagination in terms of the death scenes. As guided by former actor turned director Ray Danton ("Deathmaster"), this has also got a hell of a cast of familiar faces to keep things watchable.Jim Hutton plays Arnold Masters, a Norman Bates type who was wrongly convicted of murder and sent to a mental institution. While incarcerated, he makes the brief acquaintance of fellow patient Emilio (character actor Stack Pierce, who has a strong presence). Emilio provides Arnold with the tools to orchestrate murders while not being physically present at the murder scenes. As a result, flustered police lieutenant Jeff Morgan (Paul Burke) has to try to solve killings that don't make any sense.The concepts of Kirlian photography (which can be seen behind the opening credits) and astral projection are good enough of a hook to reel viewers in. Hutton is good as the unbalanced protagonist. Making appearances are Julie Adams and Whit Bissell from "The Creature from the Black Lagoon", Nehemiah Persoff, Rod Cameron, Neville Brand (as a butcher whose only real "crime" is charging too much for his meat), Aldo Ray, and Della Reese. Mary Charlotte Wilcox supplies the T & A as a sexpot nurse who likes to tease her bedridden patient. In a supporting role is film director Greydon Clark ("Without Warning"), who co-wrote the picture with Danton and Mikel Angel.This movie is "good" fun, although it does lead to a pretty horrific finale.Seven out of 10.
kevnick
"Psychic Killer" is fun 1970's horror at its best. Peppered with a cast of B-vets such as Paul Burke, Aldo Ray, Nehemiah Persoff, Julie Adams, and Whit Bissell, and starring Jim Hutton (in a nicely scary performance), the movie goes at a nice pace and features some tense moments. There are even bits of gore tossed in for good measure.The film has Hutton as a man wrongly convicted in the death of his terminally ill mother's doctor. It seems the doctor refused to treat the lady once he found out she had no medical insurance. An argument between Hutton and the doc results in a brief scuffle where the doctor falls to his death. Hutton is arrested, found guilty, and sent to a mental institution. Once there, he encounters a fellow patient who has the power of astral projection with the aid of a medallion and several books. After this patient uses this power to kill one of his enemies, he dies and leaves the medallion and books to Hutton. Shortly after, Hutton is finally exonerated (the real killer confesses to the crime)and freed. He goes home and uses his newfound power of astral projection to begin a mission of revenge against the people who wronged him and his mom. Police Lieutenant Morgan (Burke) and his partner (Ray) are baffled at these seemingly unrelated "accidents". Hutton's psychiatrist (Adams)and a local expert on paranormal research (Persoff) try to help."Psychic Killer" benefits from tight direction by former actor-turned-director Ray Danton, good camera-work and location shooting to cover up a small budget, clever dialogue that mixes in bits of humor amongst the hokum, and solid turns by a top cast of veteran genre stars. Even Neville Brand and Rod Cameron show up in bit parts."Psychic Killer" is not the type of film that pretends to be anything other than what it is: sturdy, B-grade entertainment for genre fans.
ellery99
Although the plot to the movie is far fetched, I really enjoyed the diversity in actor Jim Hutton. I've never seen him like this before & I enjoyed what I saw. A must for all horror fans & Jim Hutton fans alike!
