Movie Review - Deadly Attraction

Deadly Attraction

2017

The Cast

Everything about this film screams averageness.  From the story:  A woman abused by her first husband vows never to be a target again for any man.  After fighting back and killing her abuser Ruby Asher (Hartley) finds herself on the road of greed.  Lying to herself that she's doing this not just for herself but for her daughter, Amanda (Deveaux), as well, she starts to drain all the men in her life of their money.  Though as time goes on, she finds she has to go further to get what she's owed by these undeserving men... so she results to taking their lives as well as their money.  However, her latest victim leaves most of his fortune to his daughter, Teresa (Wilson), so now she will have to pay for taking the Black Widows hard-earned dues.  The hardest thing to swallow is that Amanda doesn't know the truth about her mother... though the new Step-Daughter cottons on about one second after hearing her daddy's dead.

This is your basic Black Widow tale with a slight twist.  Though, it's not a big enough twist to take the story or film out of its mediocrity.

To the acting: which on the whole, isn't anything special.  I like Gary Chalk, who briefly appears in this film... and it's so quick that his skills have little effect on the proceedings.  I first saw Sebastian Spence in Ceder Cove and thought he was brilliant with his character in that.  Even in other films and series, he's been a decent actor and I have enjoyed his performance.  Here he starts off well and even has a little in common with his Ceder Cove character...  however when he changes character, I found him a little flat in emotion and personality.  Even Hartley fluctuates in her portrayal of Ruby.  Though I have to say, when she's in tough and devious mode she's at her best.  She doesn't appear concerning enough when she's playing at doting wife and mother.  So it's unbelievable that neither her husbands and daughter don't know her plans... or at least question her noticeable mood swings.  The two that stood out to me was Jim Shield as rancher husband, Daniel Nash, and step-daughter Teresa Landon played well by Brittany Wilson.

Once again, as is the case with many a TV Movie the direction is pretty basic and standard for a thriller.  More tension and atmosphere would be welcome, as would a change of pace, and a few nice camera shots.  Come on guy's, let's show some artistic film-making temperament once in a while.  When the story is average at least try to keep the audience interested with the directing.

This is a one watch movie... preferable when all other entertainment is exhausted and it's bad weather outside or you're laid up ill.

I give this Black Widow Tale an average bite of 5 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - A Murderer Upstairs

A Murderer Upstairs

AKA:  My Stepdaughter's Secret

2017

The Cast

Family secrets and turmoil are always good plot points for a thriller as is the case with this story and film.  After being left on her own by her mother, Rachel Kent (Skovbye), is taken in by her father, Greg (Bancroft), and his wife,  Cindy (Davis).  She quickly ingratiates herself into the family and everything is good.  However, when the store she is working is broken into and her friend is murdered, while she is left tied to a table, the police don't believe that the crime is as black and white as it appears.

It's the titles of the movie which are the drawback as they reveal a major plot twist.  This is a shame as the writer does try to keep a mystery, at least for a little while, as to who the criminal is.  Though there should be a spoiler alert on the titles it only deters from the integrity of the film a tad.  Where it's strength comes from is the story and the characterisations.  There are some really dark moments, though because of it being a TV movie these are depicted in a lighter shade.  I really liked the moment that Cindy Kent tracks down Rachel's mother.  This is when she learns of her past and along with the portrayal of Rachel's mom this scene left me chilly.

The director, Garrard, does a good job of keeping the pace of the story trotting along while building tension and atmosphere at all the right places.  Though the rest of the directing techniques are basic, some differing camera angles and such wouldn't have gone amiss. While the actors and actresses, for the most part, do more than an agreeable job with their portrayals.  However, sometimes, Tiera Skovbye, slips in and out of the maple, oak and sycamore style of acting.  Unfortunately, most of these moments come in key scenes so they're more noticeable.

These are only minor issues so I would gladly recommend this to all armchair detectives, mystery lovers, and thriller fans, as I found this to be an enjoyable and entertaining film.  Not a bad way to pass a snowy afternoon.

I give this stepdaughter a secret 6 out of 10.

The Trailer