Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven!
11.4.2025
Editor – Mykal - Content – Technical - Layout
Research & Editor – Mike - Content
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Forward
Mike and Mykal are a father & son duo who have a production company with unique and smart stories. They are working on the next phase of their production company and look forward to being involved in feature film making. The Sprinkler is fun, informative and value add! They remind their audience that they leave politics at the door. Their energy is positive and wellness based. Share gratitude and be cool to one another!
We bring old school and contemporary ideas to the table.
Mykal & I operate with the credo; be cool to one another. We want to connect with people, and be present while we enjoy this journey. We have embarked on something that is moving in a direction that affords us to display our creativity and love for film & music! The year has been full of challenges, yet we move forward and appreciate what we have done and what we have!
Welcome Psychos one and all!
The Sprinkler: Note
We are reviewing our newsletter, The Sprinkler. We are thinking about evolving into a blog, called simply A Psycho’s Blog. We are maintaining current format at least through this Fall. Our newsletter is always available on our website, which includes back issues as well.
Film - Some TV - Music – Some Wellness -Commentary - Grave Thoughts - Peculiar Headlines
Rock N Roll Image of the Month (RRIM)
Interesting Individual of the Month (IIM)
Let’s start with a film related quote we dig:
“Making movies is traumatic!”
Ti West
The Psycho Scale:
We use our Psycho Scale for film and TV series rating scores. Our Psycho Scale is 1-Psycho, with Psycho being the highest; 10. Mykal and I watch all scored films and TV series; drawing from decades of real viewing experience.
Film
The month of October went by way too fast! I watched a ton of horror movies, at least one per day! What can I say? I love movies! We consumed lots of movies, and enjoyed sharing some of our so-called favorite’s lists and scoring the films we watched. Writing treatments and scripts seems to come easy for us. We are moving to the next chapter, which will include making a short horror film. We are sending pitch emails and making pitch calls! We continue to add to our treatment library as well! For the love of film! Psycho Studios will be successful!
Psycho Studio’s Spotlight
The Top Ten Cinematographers in Hollywood
In film and television, writers craft the story, directors shape it, but cinematographers paint it into being. The right Director of Photography (DP) doesn’t just light a set, they define tone, scale, and emotion with every shot. Here’s a look at ten of the most influential cinematographers working in (and beyond) Hollywood today, artists whose work continues to redefine what cinematic storytelling looks like.
1. Roger Deakins
The gold standard. Deakins’ lensing is synonymous with precision and poetry. From Blade Runner 2049 and 1917 to his decades-long collaboration with the Coen Brothers, his visual style is both restrained and profound. Known for his mastery of natural light and perfect composition, Deakins creates frames that feel inevitable, as if no other version of the image could ever have existed.
Signature: Naturalism, subtle lighting, immersive realism.
Notable collaborations: Sam Mendes, Denis Villeneuve, the Coen Brothers.
2. Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki
Few cinematographers have redefined camera movement like Lubezki. His work on Gravity, Birdman, and The Revenant pushed the boundaries of continuous takes and natural light. Lubezki doesn’t just film reality, he lets the audience inhabit it.
Signature: Long, fluid takes; use of natural light; a visceral, first-person camera style.
Notable collaborations: Alejandro González Iñárritu, Terrence Malick, Alfonso Cuarón.
3. Robert Richardson
A three-time Oscar winner, Richardson’s imagery is bold, operatic, and instantly recognizable. His high-contrast lighting and blown highlights lend his films an almost mythic texture. From JFK to The Aviator and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, his work has defined the visual identity of multiple auteurs.
Signature: High contrast, expressive lighting, fearless visual choices.
Notable collaborations: Oliver Stone, Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese.
4. Janusz Kamiński
Steven Spielberg’s long-time collaborator, Kamiński has helped define the look of modern American cinema. His gritty, desaturated palette in Saving Private Ryan and luminous textures in Lincoln demonstrate a painterly control of light and shadow that marries spectacle with emotion.
Signature: High-contrast lighting, emotional realism, stylized grit.
Notable collaborations: Steven Spielberg.
5. Hoyte van Hoytema
The Dutch-Swedish cinematographer has become Christopher Nolan’s go-to DP, bringing a naturalistic yet monumental sensibility to films like Interstellar, Tenet, and Oppenheimer. His mastery of IMAX and large-format film has redefined visual immersion for audiences.
Signature: Large-format cinematography, realism blended with spectacle.
Notable collaborations: Christopher Nolan, Jordan Peele, Sam Mendes.
6. Robert Elswit
An understated craftsman, Elswit’s work balances classical composition with raw energy. There Will Be Blood and Nightcrawler showcase his range, from sweeping period grandeur to noir urban intimacy. He’s a DP who disappears behind his story, yet every frame feels meticulously crafted.
Signature: Textural realism, restrained color, atmospheric storytelling.
Notable collaborations: Paul Thomas Anderson, Dan Gilroy.
7. Vittorio Storaro
Though Italian by origin, Storaro’s influence permeates Hollywood. His work on Apocalypse Now, The Last Emperor, and Reds remains essential viewing for anyone interested in the language of color. Storaro treats light as narrative, not decoration, using hue and shadow to express psychology as much as plot.
Signature: Symbolic color, chiaroscuro lighting, painterly composition.
Notable collaborations: Francis Ford Coppola, Bernardo Bertolucci, Warren Beatty.
8. Gordon Willis
Nicknamed The Prince of Darkness, Willis revolutionized how light and absence of it, could tell a story. His work on The Godfather trilogy and All the President’s Men shaped the modern era of visual storytelling. Though from an earlier generation, his influence remains embedded in contemporary visual grammar.
Signature: Minimal lighting, deep shadows, visual restraint.
Notable collaborations: Francis Ford Coppola, Alan J. Pakula, Woody Allen.
9. Greig Fraser
A leading voice of the modern era, Fraser has already built an iconic résumé with Dune, Rogue One, and The Batman. His images are tactile and sculptural, often blending analog and digital tools to create worlds that feel both epic and intimate.
Signature: Controlled texture, natural yet stylized contrast, large-scale elegance.
Notable collaborations: Denis Villeneuve, Matt Reeves, Gareth Edwards.
10. Bill Pope
The kinetic force behind The Matrix trilogy, Spider-Man 2, and Baby Driver, Pope combines technical innovation with visual rhythm. His camera moves like choreography, serving both emotion and motion in equal measure.
Signature: Dynamic composition, vivid lighting, energetic movement.
Notable collaborations: The Wachowskis, Sam Raimi, Edgar Wright.
Why Cinematographers Matter
In the current landscape, where digital cameras, LED volumes, and virtual production are transforming the craft, a great cinematographer remains the soul of the image. They don’t just capture what’s in front of the lens; they capture how it feels.
For producers and writers, understanding a DP’s style is as crucial as understanding a director. Cinematographers bring the script to life through visual language, shaping tone long before post-production.
Final Frame
The cinematographers on this list are more than technicians; they’re storytellers with light. Whether working in the glow of dusk, the glare of neon, or the endless desert of Dune, they remind us that image and emotion are inseparable.
The next time you watch a film that moves you, ask yourself not what happened, but how it looked. Chances are, one of these ten masters helped you see it that way.
Here is a list of films we watched in October:
Films:
Bring her back 2025 – 2 – convoluted and boring.
Isolated 2015 – 2 – terrible acting and story.
Strangeland 1998 – 6 – twisted and retro written and directed by Twisted Sister’s Dee Snyder.
Hulk 2003 – 6 – rewatch alert, one of the better films in Hulk Universe.
Great White Waters 2025 – 2 – poor story and acting and CGI.
The Venture Brothers movie 2023 – 5 – retro rewatch that does not capture the brilliance of the TV Series.
The People Under the Stairs 1991 – 3 – Wes Craven’s odd S and M film not worth a watch.
The Toxic Avenger 2023/2025 – 2 – This film is not so bad its good like the original it’s just bad!
Silence of the Lambs 1991 – 8 – a classic that has grown on me, great rewatch.
Four Flies on Grey Velvet 1971 - 6 – Dario Argento’s classic gore fest.
Him 2025 – 4 – no payoff in the end and not a football cool film!
Psycho - 1960 – 9 – Hitchcock’s amazing classic that can be watched all the time.
Superman 2025 – 4 – Did not like this story or acting.
The Black Phone 2021 – 7 – great retro vibe, acting and story.
Halloween 1978 – 8 – the original is incredible for its time and worth a rewatch.
Blood Feast 1963 – 5 – classically bad early 60s Hershel Gordon Lewis.
I Know What You Did Last Summer 1997 – 5 – Solid but silly.
Hands of The Ripper 1971 Hammer – 3 – terrible film, Jack the Ripper’s daughter gets his hands at times and kills. Really.
Entourage (the movie) 2015 – 5 – does not capture the cool nature of the TV Series
Astronaut 2025 - 3 - confusing. Stupid. Bad.
Return of the Living Dead Rave to the Grave 2005 - horrible – 2 – 2 is being generous.
The Strangers Part 2 2025 - really bad 2. Dropped the score to a 2 – for terrible.
Butchers Book 3 2025 – 4 – oddly bad and entertaining.
Scream 2 1997 – 7 – a solid sequel for its time.
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle 2025 remake - Maika Monroe. Strange remake - acting is shallow. 4, and that’s being kind.
Terrifier 1, 2, 3 Was my Halloween movie marathon. 2016-2024. The average score for these uniquely creative and gory films is a. 8!
Black Phone 2 2025 - 3. Lousy. See more below.
Bigfoot blood on the Farm 2025 – 1 - Unwatchable. Weird.
Evil spawn 19 87–4 - Quirky. Oddly entertaining.
Mountainhead 2025 overrated – 5.
The Jolly Monkey 2025–2 - A terrible rip off of The Monkey.
There's a Zombie Outside 2024–2. Unwatchable. Zombie should have died!
Vicious 2025–2. A piece of crap. Really.
Helloween 2025 – 1 - Australian horror. Unwatchable. Michael Pare.
Night of the Werewolves 2025 - 1 horrible! Poopy!
Jester 2 2025 - 2 - Almost unwatchable. Terrible.
Delivery Run 2025 – 5 – oddly engaging and a rip off of Spielberg’s Duel.
Halloween III Season of the Witch 1982 – 6 – for its time it was decent, no Michael?!
Halloween 2007 – Rob Zombie’s reimagined classic is one of my favorite remakes off all time!
Halloween II 2009 – 3 - Rob Zombie’s sequel which is confusing and supposedly only made because he was contracted to do so.
We did see Del Toro’s Frankenstein and Black Phone 2 in October. To me, they both were sucky!
Frankenstein 2025 – Mykal saw this at the theater and simply did not know why it was made as it was. Weak use of an amazing story. The creature and the doctor were off putting. I will be watching it soon. It is sad for such a classic. Mykal didn’t have a score, from his feedback I think he gives it a 3!
Black Phone 2 2025 – Saw this at the theater, that was the great part. I give it a 3, and that’s being generous! Mykal really liked it, which is cool. I didn’t understand the direction the sequel took, and all the cool stuff from the first Black Phone were lost. The older child actors lost their luster and acted poorly. The story was weak, and the pace and continuity were lackluster. Not my cup of tea!
Some TV
Here are some TV series we have recently watched and scored. We did not consume many TV series, which is more of the norm. Mykal takes in more TV than I. He’s an Apple TV+ guy! For October I watched way less TV Series than I did films. More the norm indeed. Let’s take a look.
TV - NEW
The Lowdown 2025 – 4. Drama Ethan Hawke. We are big Hawke fans. Watched this new show with much anticipation. Very uneven. Odd story and subject matter to see Ethan in. Time will tell how the series goes. Weird.
The Paper 2025 – 3. Comedy. I watched this as an experiment and did watch the entire first season. The episodes are about 22 minutes long. Seems like they are literally taking The Office and simply plugging and playing the original cast and premise with a lighter hand. Not really funny, or engaging. The experiment failed for this guy.
TV
NEW
Monster the Ed Gein Story
8 episodes - 2025 – on average, a 6.
TV
NEW
The Lowdown 2025
Episodes 1-4 - 4
TV
Vintage
Entourage 2004 - seasons 1-3 – Overall, a 5
Seasons 4-8 - Overall, a 5
TV
NEW
It: Welcome to Derry 2025
Episodes 1-3 - 8
Here’s the low-down on the latest terror-fest from horror’s equivalent of Mardi Gras: IT: Welcome to Derry. If you’ve been following (or avoiding) the era of killer clowns, curse-towns, and cyclical evil, then buckle in, this one is rolling out the red balloon again, and it’s got plenty of new twists.
What is Welcome to Derry?
This new series is a prequel to the films It (2017) & It Chapter Two (2019), themselves adaptations of the It novel by Stephen King. The show is developed by the same folks behind the film’s directors Andy Muschietti & Barbara Muschietti plus writer/show‐runner Jason Fuchs.
Set in 1962, in the haunted town of Derry, Maine, the series explores one of the earlier cycles of terror for the shape-shifting evil entity known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown (played again by Bill Skarsgård).
Final Thoughts & Takeaway
IT: Welcome to Derry is more than just “another horror show.” It’s a strategic expansion of a known IP, offering new era-specific storytelling, rising stakes, and genre ambitions. For us at Psycho Studios, it signals that audiences still hunger for smart horror, myth-driven serial storytelling, and rich world-building.
If this first season nails the tone, characters, and scares — which early indicators (trailers + premieres) suggest they’re at least hitting the beat — it could become a benchmark for high-end horror series. If you’re inclined, we could even plan a watch-party and draft a “what works / what to borrow” memo for our team.
And yes — if you’re a horror fan, I’d say: get ready to watch Derry. To me, this is the best out of the IT Universe, both TV and Film!
Coming Soon: Pluribus (We can’t wait for this one!)
From Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul creator Vince Gilligan, Pluribus is a genre-bending sci-fi series premiering November 7, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Starring Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul), the story follows a woman tasked with saving the world from a mysterious happiness outbreak. Expect a surreal, unsettling tone with Gilligan’s signature mix of dark humor and human drama.
Already renewed for Season 2, Pluribus is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about shows of the year! We are really excited for some smart TV from one of our favorites, Gilligan! We loved Seehorn in Better Call Saul; she’s going to rock this role! E pluribus unum is Latin for Out of many, one. Will this translate to the new show? Time will tell.
Music
October was really a strange month for me music-wise. There was some new music I dabbled in, but I stuck to my tried-and-true playlists. I was much heavier on film and TV than I was music once again. Mykal shared some really good tracks throughout the month. His shares are timely and relevant! Mykal continues to enjoy being the Spotify family plan manager! I’m hopeful November and December will be my return to music. For me, being an old sentimental bastard, I find it hard to listen to my music at times as it paints a story of my life. Mykal would tell me to not to be such a pussy!
I’m reposting the set list from one of the nest concerts we’ve ever seen:
Nine Inch Nails Setlist - September 16, 2025 Confirmed by Mykal
B Stage
· Right Where It Belongs (Trent solo; with Somewhat Damaged outro)
· Ruiner
· Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)
Main Stage
· Wish
· March of the Pigs
· Reptile
· Heresy
· Copy of A
· Gave Up
B Stage (with Boys Noize)
· Vessel (remix)
· As Alive as You Need Me to Be (live debut)
· Sin (remix)
· Came Back Haunted (remix)
Main Stage
· Somewhat Damaged
· Less Than
· Closer (with The Only Time breakdown)
· The Perfect Drug
· The Hand That Feeds
· Head Like a Hole
· Hurt
· Laura Palmer's Theme (recording)
Let’s take a look-see at October’s music:
Music
NEW
Cheap Trick Single 2025 The Riff Won't Quit. 2:47 runtime. 6, just ok.
Twelve Gates Single 2025 3:58 runtime. 4 Too soft for my liking.
From upcoming album All Washed Up 11.25 drops.
NEW
From the First Sting Scorpions 2025 - 3 31 tracks 2hrs 35 minutes. This album is not for me and gets labeled YUCK.
NEW
Seagull 2025 - Bad Company tribute - Def Leppard - 4:55 Runtime - 2
Burnin' Sky 2025 - Bad Co tribute - Black Stone Cherry - 4:05 Runtime – 8. The first and only hit band that was signed on Led Zeppelin’s label Swan Song Records, Bad Company was always a group I dug but didn’t love. The tribute album is not for everyone, but it is a cool way to update their classic rock songs.
Vintage
Mac Miller – Mac Miller (feat Lil B) Time Flies. Single. 2:52 runtime. 2015. Mykal shared this one, and it is so fitting. Score 7. RIP MAC
Vintage
Alice in Chains – Sludge Factory. Single. 7:11 runtime. 1995. Mykal shared this one as well! A beautiful song by one of my favorite bands! Quoting Mykal – Every time I hear this song it
makes me sad. It’s the not the lyrics. It’s the music, the sound and Layne’s haunting voice! Score 9. RIP LAYNE
Vintage
Van Halen – Push Comes to Shove. Single. 3:48 runtime. 1981. Score 8. Such a classic group that Mykal and I both love. RIP EDDIE
Vintage Snacks: (Revisited)
Cars – This group was on fire in the 1980s with their eclectic sound. I like to escape with this group when I need something retro and different. I’m living in stereo!
Rush – This three-man group from Canada rocked the late 70’s and early 80’s for me. They are part of the soundtrack of my life.
Retro Talk: Hard for me to believe that these bands are considered old, or vintage but indeed they are. Let’s explore two bands that we visit many times in a given month. Nivana and Alice in Chains. Mykal and I both dig these groups and the so-called grunge era. I lived it live, and was drawn to the Seattle Sound. Nirvana. Alice. Soundgarden. Stone Temple Pilots. Pearl Jam. I was seeking a new sound as heavy metal was taking its last breath of the 1980s. When Smells Like Teen Spirit broke, I was hooked. The lyrics were deep; the music was different yet hard charging. There was a seriousness to the songs that was not present in the metal era. Let’s take a deeper dive into Nirvana and Alice.
Psycho Studios Spotlight - Two Shades of Grunge: Nirvana and Alice in Chains
The early ‘90s gave birth to a sound that redefined rebellion, grunge. Out of the fog of Seattle’s underground scene emerged two bands that captured the decade’s restless spirit in radically different ways: Nirvana and Alice in Chains. They stood shoulder to shoulder in the same movement, yet they spoke to pain, alienation, and authenticity from opposite ends of the emotional spectrum.
Nirvana was the spark that lit the explosion. Kurt Cobain’s songwriting fused punk urgency with pop melody, creating songs that felt both feral and fragile. Smells Like Teen Spirit wasn’t just an anthem, it was a detonation, blasting open the mainstream for a generation tired of gloss and glamour. Nirvana’s music was the sound of frustration turned into release: short, jagged, and brutally self-aware. Cobain’s voice cracked under the weight of its own honesty, embodying the chaos of a generation that couldn’t find meaning in the noise.
Alice in Chains, on the other hand, was the echo that lingered after the explosion, the dark, heavy undertow beneath grunge’s surface. Where Nirvana’s rage burned hot, Alice in Chains brooded in shadow. Jerry Cantrell’s sludgy guitar riffs and Layne Staley’s haunting harmonies carved a space where pain wasn’t shouted but swallowed whole. Albums like Dirt and Jar of Flies dove into addiction, decay, and existential exhaustion with a kind of slow-motion beauty. Their songs didn’t explode, they corroded, like rust on metal, quietly devastating.
If Nirvana was the voice of disaffected youth, Alice in Chains was the echo of adulthood, the stage where angst calcifies into despair. Both bands, though, shared one vital thread: authenticity. They stripped rock music of artifice, showing emotion in its rawest, most unvarnished form. That’s why both endure, not because of fashion or fame, but because they told the truth.
Cobain and Staley were twin tragedies of the same storm, artists too sensitive for the machinery their success built around them. Their deaths left not just silence but an emotional crater in rock history. And yet, decades later, their music still breathes. It still finds the lost, the lonely, and the misunderstood, whispering: you’re not the only one who feels this way.
Nirvana gave grunge its roar. Alice in Chains gave it its soul. Together, they mapped the anatomy of pain, one scream at a time, one harmony at a time and changed music forever. Where is my Heart Shaped Box?!
Rock N Roll baby! Mykal and I use Spotify Premium!
Rock and Roll Image of the Month! (RRIM)
Krist Novoselic is an American musician and activist, best known as a founding member and bassist for Nirvana. The photo is from 1993, with Kurt and Krist jamming on MTV.
Some Wellness
With the holidays around the corner, let’s reduce the stress that may be imminent.
Finding Calm in the Chaos: Simple Ways to Reduce Everyday Stress
In a world that rarely slows down, stress has become an almost constant companion. Between work deadlines, social obligations, and the ever-present hum of digital life, our minds and bodies often operate in overdrive. But the truth is, stress doesn’t have to be the default setting. Small, consistent habits can help you reset your nervous system and reclaim a sense of calm, even on the busiest days.
1. Breathe with intention.
It sounds simple, but mindful breathing is one of the quickest ways to interrupt the body’s stress response. Try the 4-7-8 method: inhale for four seconds, hold for seven, exhale for eight. Repeat these three or four times, and you’ll likely feel your shoulders drop and your mind begin to clear.
2. Move your body, gently.
Exercise doesn’t have to mean an hour-long gym session. A ten-minute walk, a few stretches between meetings, or a quick dance break can increase endorphins and lower cortisol levels. Movement reminds your body that it’s safe, helping to release the physical tension stress often traps inside us.
3. Protect your boundaries.
Learning to say no is one of the most powerful stress-management tools. Whether it’s declining an extra project or taking a night off social plans, creating space for rest is essential, not indulgent. Boundaries protect your energy and help you show up more fully when you do say yes.
4. Unplug to recharge.
We’re constantly absorbing information—from emails to news alerts to social media scrolls. Designate at least one screen-free window each day. Maybe it’s during your morning coffee, your lunch break, or right before bed. Those moments of disconnection allow your brain to reset and your nervous system to unwind.
5. Focus on what nourishes you.
Stress reduction isn’t just about removing pressure; it’s about adding joy. Prioritize the things that make you feel grounded: a favorite hobby, time in nature, laughter with friends, or simply a quiet moment alone. These aren’t luxuries; they’re vital parts of emotional resilience.
The truth is, stress will always be part of life, but how we respond to it is within our control. By integrating small, mindful practices into your day, you can create more balance, calmer, and a stronger foundation for whatever comes next.
So, take a deep breath. You don’t have to fix everything at once, just begin with one gentle step toward peace today.
We can do this!
Commentary
Being kind to one another, is our salvation.
The Quiet Power of Kindness
In a world that often celebrates hustle, ambition, and achievement, kindness can feel like a soft skill, something nice, but not essential. Yet, when you pause to really think about it, kindness might be one of the most powerful forces we have.
Kindness doesn’t always look like grand gestures. It’s the small, quiet moments that matter most: holding a door, offering a genuine compliment, checking in on a friend, or giving someone the benefit of the doubt. These simple acts don’t cost us much, but they can completely change someone’s day. Sometimes, they even change lives.
The truth is, we never really know what others are carrying. The person who seems distant might be overwhelmed. The coworker who snapped at you might be struggling in silence. A stranger’s frown might not be directed at you at all, it might just be exhaustion, grief, or worry. When we meet others with kindness instead of judgment, we create space for understanding.
Kindness also has a ripple effect. When you choose to be gentle, patient, or compassionate, it encourages others to do the same. It spreads quietly, often invisibly, but it always reaches further than you think.
So maybe today, we slow down just a little. We listen more closely. We soften our tone. We look for moments to be kind, not because it’s expected, but because it’s what the world needs more of.
In the end, kindness isn’t weakness. It’s courage. It’s choosing connection over ego, empathy over anger, and humanity over hurry. And if more of us made that choice even just once a day, the world would already be a gentler place.
I’m staying positive, and wish the best for all my fellow citizens. Times are surreal, and if I was to get into any of those details it would wash us with politics. We can’t go there at this time.
Let’s be cool to one another!
Grave Thoughts
This will be stories of the morbid and macabre! This section will be gross and gory to go along with the theme of our favorite kind of movies; horror! There will be shares of old and new stories to include mysteries, murders and serial killers. What makes so-called humans’ prey on one another? People are fascinated by these topics, similar to the way many people slow down to observe a gruesome car accident.
Psycho Studio’s Serial Killer Spotlight
Grave Thoughts: The Butcher of Plainfield; The Real Horror of Ed Gein
In the quiet farming town of Plainfield, Wisconsin, the 1950s were supposed to be a picture of postwar American simplicity, white fences, small churches, and cornfields stretching toward the horizon. But beneath that tranquil surface, one man’s isolated life would spawn some of the most enduring nightmares in American culture. His name was Ed Gein, and his crimes would forever blur the line between rural normalcy and unspeakable horror.
When police entered Gein’s farmhouse on November 16, 1957, what they discovered defied comprehension. The missing-person case of hardware store owner Bernice Worden led them to Gein’s door, but what lay inside was something out of the darkest imagination. The home was a labyrinth of decay: human remains repurposed into household objects, furniture crafted from skin and bone, and fragments of bodies unearthed from local graveyards.
Gein was not the prolific killer of urban legends; he confessed to only two murders, Worden and tavern owner Mary Hogan. But his grave-robbing, body-snatching obsession revealed a psyche fractured by loneliness, grief, and a suffocating upbringing under his domineering mother, Augusta. After her death, Gein’s isolation deepened into madness, driven by a twisted desire to recreate his mother’s presence. He began exhuming recently buried women who reminded him of her, fashioning trophies and masks in grotesque imitation of life.
What makes Gein’s story so disturbing isn’t just the brutality of his acts, it’s the psychology behind them. He wasn’t a bloodthirsty sadist but a profoundly broken man, consumed by guilt, repression, and delusion. In a perverse way, Gein became a mirror for postwar America’s fascination with the hidden darkness lurking beneath polite society. His crimes exposed how the banal can coexist with the monstrous.
Gein’s legacy seeped far beyond Wisconsin. He became the inspiration for some of the most iconic horror figures in cinema: Norman Bates in Psycho, Leatherface in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs. Each character reflects a facet of Gein’s pathology, his obsession with identity, his macabre artistry, and his fractured relationship with the female form.
Yet, despite his mythic status, the real Ed Gein was less a monster and more a chilling cautionary tale about isolation, repression, and the human mind’s capacity for distortion when untethered from compassion and reality. He died in 1984 at a mental institution, still insisting he never meant harm, only to bring someone, anyone, back to life.
The farmhouse where it all happened burned down decades ago, the land now empty save for whispers of its history. But Gein’s shadow lingers, not just in horror films or true-crime books, but in the uneasy realization that the most terrifying monsters sometimes emerge not from distant nightmares, but from the house next door.
Ironically, I was born and raised in Wisconsin. I grew up in a small suburb named Oak Creek. The place of Gein’s house of horrors was about 170 miles north of my quiet burg. I would hear my mom talk about Ed Gein, and other serial killers as a child. Mind you there was no internet, cell phones or computers when I was a young-in. I’m sure Sigmund Freud would have a field day with this!
We will continue tales of past and present in our future Sprinklers, in this Grave Thoughts area. Stay safe everyone and lock your doors and leave a light on!
Peculiar Headlines
Let’s get to some weird and wild stuff!
1.This one could go under our Grave Thoughts category! Search underway as over 300 piles of human remains found in desert! Hundreds of piles of human remains have now been recovered after being found littered across the desert just outside of Las Vegas. Authorities state the investigation is active three months after a man stumbled across the scene close to the remote town of Searchlight, Nevada. Macabre mounds of bone and burnt flesh were found near a dirt track. This one, well there are no words
2. Area 51 locked down after mysterious object crashed by ultra-secret base! A top-secret military aircraft crashed close to the iconic Area 51, with the government accused of covering up any details. The mystery object went down in September of this year, just outside the boundaries of the Nevada military base. Oddly it happened near what is known as E.T. Highway! Phone home!
3. Mind-blowing theory claims we’re actually living in year 1726 changing the timeline of human history! This was first proposed in 1991, by German historian Heribert Illig. The theory claims that the events recorded between 614 – 911 AD were made up in order to get closer to the millennium! Maybe we could do that from 2025 – 2028?
4.There is an interesting article from BuzzFeed in October; First responders are revealing the fatal safety mistakes you should never ever make. I’m only listing two, and honestly most are common sense. Pull to the right when an emergency vehicle is coming. (In the U.S.) And when calling 911, know your location. I’m sorry, but as the Talking Heads sang; Stop Making Sense!
5.U.S. officials parachuted 76 beavers into the Idaho wilderness, then something crazy happened! It was called Operation Beaver Drop! You can’t make this shit up! They did this to relocate the furry creatures to remove them from the havoc they were causing! Beavers Rule!
6.This from the DailyMail; A couple’s X-rated act caught on camera shortly before they broke into restaurant. A couple was caught in a sex act at an Arizona restaurant before stealing hundreds of dollars and lots of liquor! The couple is still on the run, and it appears they also took 100s of condoms!
7. What was the unconventional meat Americans ate before chicken became affordable? Weirdly, chicken was uncommon due to cost well through the 1960s and into the early 1970s. The meal item was called Mock Chicken. Veal and pork were used, cut into cubes and skewered. These were slow cooked and then finished in a breading – coating and browned in hot oil. My mom used a pressure cooker for getting her mock chicken meat tender, and used those two cuts of meat as they were affordable at the time. The meal was tasty, served with mashed potatoes and green beans. So odd the things this old man remembers! Now everything is expensive, so Mock this!
8. A 2,000-year-old sarcophagus was just unsealed, and the mummy inside is mind-blowing! The remarkable preservation reveals intricate details about ancient burial customs! The mummy was well preserved and scientists believe that the person was wealthy and well cared for after death. No shit Sherlock! They always say this about mummies! Antipasto! The mummy knows!
9. John Lennon’s killer finally admits real reason he shot Beatles legend! Mark David Chapman shot Lennon in a selfish act in front of John’s apartment building known as the Dakota. The cold-blooded killer stated he killed a defenseless Lennon to be famous, to be something he wasn’t. How fucking tragic! As Lennon would sing Imagine all the people…
10. Fifty years after it sank, science might finally solve the mystery of the Edmund Fitzgerald! In November of 1975, the massive ship sank in a storm on Lake Superior, north of Wisconsin. All 29 crew members were lost. The ship broke apart and sank to the bottom of the very deep lake. Recently, it was determined that the ineffective hatch closures caused the cargo hold to flood and sink the ship. That is simply insane! RIP to those men.
11. Lastly, in another water related story; Polish anglers set a world record by catching a monster catfish! It took the fishermen over one and a half hours to wrangle the giant fish which came in at over nine and a half feet! That would make quite the Wisconsin fish fry! Pass the tartar sauce!
Interesting individual of the month [IIM]
This month’s interesting individual is Frankenstein’s Monster
Sprinkler Spotlight: Frankenstein’s Monster
The Enduring Legacy of Frankenstein’s Monster
Few literary creations have captured the public imagination like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein’s monster. Born from Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, the creature has evolved from a figure of horror into a symbol of human ambition, isolation, and the moral complexities of scientific discovery.
Unlike many literary monsters, Shelley’s creation is not inherently evil. In the novel, he is intelligent, articulate, and capable of deep emotion, yet he is rejected and feared by society for his grotesque appearance. This rejection drives the creature toward violence, highlighting the profound consequences of neglect and social alienation. In many ways, the monster embodies humanity’s darker impulses—but also our capacity for empathy and understanding, depending on how we choose to treat the “other.”
Frankenstein’s monster has transcended literature to become a cultural icon. From Boris Karloff’s 1931 film portrayal, which solidified the visual image of the flat-headed, bolt-necked monster, to modern reinterpretations in theater, film, and television, the creature continues to evolve alongside societal fears and fascinations. Today, he often represents more than just horror: he is a cautionary tale about unchecked scientific ambition, the ethics of creation, and the loneliness of being fundamentally misunderstood.
Interestingly, many readers and viewers mistakenly refer to the monster as Frankenstein, when in fact that name belongs to his creator, Victor Frankenstein. This linguistic shift reflects how deeply the monster has embedded himself in popular culture, so much so that he has become a character in his own right, independent of his origin story.
As we confront modern ethical questions in genetics, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology, Frankenstein’s monster remains eerily relevant. He reminds us that the act of creation carries responsibility, and that neglecting the consequences of our innovations can have profound and sometimes tragic, effects.
In the end, the monster endures because he is a mirror, reflecting our hopes, our fears, and the complex humanity we often overlook in others. Whether you see him as terrifying or tragic, Frankenstein’s monster continues to haunt and inspire, more than two centuries after he first came to life on the page.
One of our favorite Doctor Victor Frankenstein quotes:
“In seeking life, I created death!”
1931 Colin Clive as Dr. Victor Frankenstein
Closing
We have thoroughly enjoyed writing this newsletter each month for the last 26 months. I firmly believe there is an audience out there for this unique take on a newsletter. We need to lean into our marketing more; we are considering moving to a blog format. We want to continue our unique voice in a sea of sameness and will do so through the Fall - Winter of ’25.
Thank you for taking the time to read Chapter Twenty-Seven of Psycho Studios; The Sprinkler. We always look forward to sharing our thoughts, ideas and more!
Mykal and I wish everyone a magnificent November! Be safe and stay psycho! We would love to hear from our audience. Comments, feedback & suggestions are welcome!
Email us at - psychostudios66@gmail.com
Reach us at our website - psycho-studio.com.
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The Sprinkler is dropped on the first of each month. Podcasts are dropped as content is available.
Mike & Mykal - Psycho Studios Phoenix - 11.4.2025 - www.psycho-studio.com
Thank you, Psychos, one and all! Chapter 27