Movie Review - My Daughter Is Innocent

My Daughter Is Innocent

2017

The Cast

When two high school friends realise they're going out with the same guy it puts a strain on their relationship.  One of the girls, Amber (Sarah Fisher) is happy to walk away from Alex.  While Kelly (Hannah Vandenbygaart) decides he's preferable to her best friend.  Upset and wanting to understand why he'd do such a thing, Amber sneaks out of the house for a meeting.  The next morning Alex is found injured at their meeting place.  With his future looking bleak the girls are questioned by Detective Grayson (John Koensgen).  Unfortunately, when he dies, Amber is charged with his murder and her mother, Lisa (Victoria Pratt), takes it upon herself to solve the murder.  With the help of her friend and Kelly's mother, Heather (Christina Cox), they start to delve into the man's sordid life.

This is a nice little film that probes into the relationships between mothers and daughters, between best friends, and their lovers.  This adds quite a few contrasts and gives more depths to the story, which in turn, keeps it interesting.  

Then you have the characters themselves.  For the most part, the characterisations are perfect and everybody has their own traits and their way of doing things and coping with stressful situations.  Though I do feel a little sad for Vandenbygaart.  Kelly should be one of the major characters though she gets overlooked too much.  Had their been more between her and her mother it could have only strengthened the story and film.

You could also use this movie to warn girls about the perverts that troll the internet.  Both Amber and Kelly meet Alex online first, though he's using aliases (another twist that could have been utilised more).  The thing that made me uneasy was the age of the boyfriend.  This guy was no boy.  He even worked at a bar and picked up whomsoever was around.  With the number of victories he could get from the bar alone why does he need schoolgirls?  Pervert.  I can understand somebody wanting to knock him off.  The list should be endless.

The actresses and actors are good in their portrayals and Max McGuire directs well.  Even though the twist in the tale is quite obvious it shouldn't detract from the enjoyment of the film.  I'd recommend this tale of murder and mystery to all Armchair Detectives everywhere.

I give this one night stand gigolo a 6.25 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - The Perfect Stalker

The Perfect Stalker

2016

The Cast

  

In this film, we have the story of a woman supposedly suffering from HPD - Histrionic Personality Disorder.  And the opening sequence, except for the psychiatrist scene, sets the rest of the film up brilliantly.  The trouble with the psychiatrist scene is that it all feels too staged.  It's quickly edited and after only one session the shrink knows what's going to happen - she appears more a fortune teller than a doctor.  It's the way this is delivered and shot that made me cringe inside.  It all feels like it's only been added to the film to make everything black and white for the viewer.  Give your audience credit, they probably could have figured out the storyline without this horrid scene.

However, that said the rest of the film bears no resemblance to this scene.  The director, Curtis Crawford is pretty adept at using lighting, camera work, and location to set the scenes with atmosphere and tension.  Though a couple of scenes could have been a little longer to build the tension a little more.  It's a shame that he lets the pace slow down a little near the climax when it should be climbing to its zenith.

The acting is above average and I have to say that there is a brilliant scene where Grace (Savre) cuddles up with her man, Robert (Brown), and the look on her face is just so creepy and chilling - awesome scene, nice and powerful.  This is one of those movies where the actors really do believe that there are no small parts, for they all give their best, which adds to the power and believability of the story.

As for the story, it's been done before and though there's nothing really new it's still a strong tale.  Yes, it might have been nice to see a little more about Grace's background.  Not that she may have been through some trauma which has lead her down this path, but of her relationship with her husband as it's evident at the start of the movie he really loves her.  A little bit more background leading up to her condition and his death would have made the story stronger.  If the writers could have added a few lesser used scenarios and twists this again could have made it stronger.

However, this is a watchable and enjoyable thriller which I would recommend to lovers of this genre and to those who haven't watched this style of film before.  If there also happens to be little on to watch when it's raining or snowing outside, this isn't a bad one for a duvet day.

I give this an enjoyable average 5.5 out of 10.

The Trailer