Movie Review - Killer Assistant

Killer Assistant

2016

The Cast

Love is eternal.

Suzanna Austin (Zucker) is a successful magazine editor.  Used to working by herself, her boss, Janet McAlper (Baron) assigns her an assistant, David (Eaton), after noticing how stressed she's been getting.  David appears too good to be true and as time progresses Suzanne begins to believe he's got an ulterior motive...

I really liked this story for its characterisations.  Tilson and Wakefield have created a well structured and ingenious tome.  Suzanne is a strong career-minded woman, who can be relied upon to get the magazine out... but not to be a great mother or wife, as she spends most of her time at work.  Then when David's character enters the story we get to see how the stress of her work and family life help her to become suspicious and paranoid.  This starts off small but builds up fast, to the point she's worrying about her own sanity.  Add the element of her family getting to know David and actually trusting him, into the mix, and this keeps the story interesting... at times, actually engrossing.

The good thing is, both the lead actor and actress are great in their performances and bring their characters to life; giving the film and story strength.

Though Boyle does add a couple of nice shots the filming is pretty standard, which is okay when you have a good cast and an even better storyline.  However, it would have only strengthened the movie to make it more engaging for the audience.  Thank God, he's better at manipulating the pace.  Boyle is good at building the tension and atmosphere from a simmer to a full boil.  This starts right at the beginning with the "Years Earlier" scene up to the climax.  He also throws in a couple of peaks along the way, giving the audience a rollercoaster ride.

I'd recommend this to all Mystery Lovers and Armchair Detectives worldwide.

I give this mysterious soul-mate a 6 out of 10.

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Movie Review - Midnight Fear

Midnight Fear

1991

The Cast

I really enjoyed this dark and brooding psychological whodunnit.  A woman is murdered in a most unpleasant way.  She has her foot severed at the ankle.  She is then skinned alive.  When she is finally dead the killer decides now would be the best time for some sex...  Yuck!  On the scene of the crime is Detective Hanley (Carradine) who, having seen more than his fair share of depravity, chooses alcohol as his work partner of choice.  Meanwhile, across on the other side of the town, a couple of men have turned up at a farm looking for a telephone as their car has broken down.  At the stables, they find Jenny, who is house and horse sitting for her friend while she and her brother go on spring break.  There's something not quite right about these brothers, Paul (Wasson) and John (Fletcher)...

It's at this point that the story starts to get good and twisty.  The trouble is that the writers and director go a little heavy-handedly about dropping hints as to the twists in the story.  I have to admit this was the only off-putting thing in the film for me.  Apart from these little bits, the story is strong and well structured.  But the best thing about it is the ending, which is brilliant, and probably one of the truest endings on film - as well as the most ironic.

The acting is above average and I found all the characters to be realistic and believable... except for one scene towards the climax of the film.  This had John and Jenny playing out a scene.  It's Jenny's behaviour, at this point that really angered me.  The character that we've seen, up to this point, wouldn't do, act, or say the things she does in this scene.   I know that's vague but I don't want to spoil the film for anyone.  And besides, this is only a slight annoyance and shouldn't stop anyone from watching this film.  But when you get to this scene and you'll know and be ready for it.  I think this flick also shows how underrated David Carradine was as an actor.  He really does get the alcoholic detective fighting the monkey on his back down pat.  It's not Oscar material, but it is good.

And I have to give respect to Bill Crain who was great at using light to create atmosphere and tension... some of it is pretty striking while others are quite subtle.  Take the climax around the pool, very artistic.  I also loved how he ceased all sound when you were looking out of John's eyes as he was a deaf-mute.  This added a different perspective, even if it was just a few seconds at a time.  There are some really nice camera shots too.  The climax in the bedroom is especially beautiful and sad, as well as being beautifully lit.

Though this isn't the greatest film ever made it does have a lot going for it.  It's one film that I wouldn't mind watching again... maybe, even a few times.  I would say to all psychological thriller lovers, murder mystery fans, armchair detectives, and whodunnit pundits give this one a go - it's worth it.

I give this a skinned and bloody 6.75 out of 10.

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Movie Review - Hands Of The Ripper

Hands Of The Ripper

1971

The Cast

This film has got me wanting to read the story that spurned it.  I've always liked the psychological idea of hereditary madness and this is a pretty good example of that... but with a possible twist.

Jack the Ripper is being chased down so he runs to the safety of his mistress' house.  Still caught up in the killing fugue, he attacks and kills his mistress in front of their young child.  Years later the child has become a young woman, Anna (Rees) and is helping an old woman to run a medium scam, pretending to be the dead family members and friends of the clients she entertains with her seances.  It's at one of these meetings that her path crosses with Dysart (Godfrey)... a pervert who buys her virginity from Mrs Golding (Bryan).  However, things take a nasty turn when he tries to force himself on her and Mrs Golding comes to her rescue.  Mrs Golding is killed, but who is the murderer?

The thing I liked most about this story is its darkness.  Not only do you have a psychotic killer, but a doctor who is willing to overlook the murders so he can view and record the killer's moods.  He's even willing to team up with a miscreant to get his results.

There's nothing bad about this movie at all.  It could have been stronger had the director opted to add a darkness to the atmosphere.  For me, it was a little light, especially when considering all the bleaker subject matters.  Though there are some really good shots in the film.  The ending in the whispering gallery at Saint Paul's is very well done.  As is the "Oh My God!!!  That's gonna leave a mark," moment when Dr Pritchard (Porter) pulls the sword from his side.  The moment when the bloody sword hangs from the doorknob, swaying and banging, will stay with me for a while.  Very iconic and well thought out.

Another thing that may have strengthened the film is the hinted at possession of Anna by her father Jack The Ripper.  If this had become a story arc on its own then it would have opened up a few more possibilities for twists and turns.  It would have turned it into a full horror film by doing so.

However, this is a good psychological thriller based on The Ripper mythos.  I would recommend this to everyone.

I give this a Ripperriffic 6.5 out of 10.

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Movie Review - Presumed Dead

Presumed Dead

2006 

 The Cast

After the death of her police officer husband Detective Mary Ann Cooper - "Coop" - (Fenn) is reluctant to take leave and throws herself into her work, much to the distress of her young daughter.  On the night of her husband's death, he was called out to a domestic disturbance at a local writer's home.  Sharing his thoughts about the man and the situation with Coop, she is left with the impression that the writer is not to be trusted.  So when she hears about a possible murder at the house she rushes to the crime scene and inserts herself into the case.  This is where the twists and turns begin.

This is a very clever mystery tale.  However, there are times when it feels as though the writer, Lindsay James (Keith Shaw) struggles with some of the plot twists and their culmination.  Which is a shame as it adds a sloppiness to the project.  Though the courtroom scene is very well structured as you get to see how a writers mind can rework the facts to meet a different scenario.  Loved this section of the story.  Then you get the ending which feels rushed and spoils the mood and aura of the film.

The director, George Mendeluk, is adept at creating atmosphere, though a little more tension at times wouldn't have gone amiss.  Also, a change of pace would have been good.  There are a couple of scenes that would have improved from a different approach, especially the two in the woods.

I liked Fenn as the cop on a mission, she did well in portraying her.  Fenn has had a lot of hits and misses in her career, this one is a hit.  The rest of the cast also do a good job with their characterisations.  Though, I wouldn't have chosen Regehr to play the writer, Seth Harmon.  This character calls for a cool and cocky air to him, Regehr gets nowhere near to these traits.  Then when he starts to break, Regehr struggles with pulling off this psychological side.  Though, this could be what the director envisioned and asked for.  However, I cannot help but think how much better the film would have been with a stronger bad guy.

This is a movie I'd recommend all mystery and thriller fans and whodunnit pundits to watch, at least once.  Once the plot twists have been exposed then the power of the film has been expunged.

I give this a writer's block of 5.75 out of 10.

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Movie Review - The Wrong Nanny

The Wrong Nanny

2017

The Cast

This is a clever little tale which has a pretty good twist to the main plot, though even a couch-potato will be able to work it out quite early on.  It's just a shame everything else about the movie isn't up to that standard.

Please be aware that you will need to watch an awful opening sequence.  This is both badly acted and scripted.  However, it's not shot too badly.  But once you're past this and into the story proper then things do lift... a little.

The main bother I had with the story was the whole "Fund Raising" arc.  No matter how much I didn't try to think it out, I still couldn't relate to the fact that, mother of two, Stella (Hartley) would even consider hanging around with the self-gratifying Meredith (Williamson) and her kowtowing minions.  Let alone, try to impress her.  This entire scenario was filled with such stereotypical fodder that it muddled the main storyline; this should have been a better arc.

Secondly, the acting was all over the place.  This could be due to the out of sequence shooting of the scenes, because Freya Tingley (Blake), would be dire in one scene and then pretty decent in the next.  It really does disjoint the film to have this kind of acting difference.  The rest of the cast was pretty average, though Brody Hutzler (Tanner) and Bree Williamson (Meredith) do add a bit of solidness with their portrayal of their characters.    Though, I think the trouble with Lindsay Hartley's character is due to the writing and direction, rather than her acting.  There were quite a few things that weren't completely believable with Stella.

Though the story is strong in its synopsis, it does let itself down on some of the narration and stereotypical characters.  There's also the obvious antagonising scenes where we get to see Blake's real character and motivation.  The number of times that their friend's daughter, Julianna (Green) told Stella that she was like a mother to her was near vomit inducing.  Some of these scenes appeared forced and there were too many.

This film would have been so much better with these issues sorted out.  But even though there were a few annoyances it still is a good film, not great.

For the most part, the direction and pace are standard and steady, not adding anything new to the film.  The acting levels out at average.  And the story is better and stronger for the character of Blake and her background.

If there's a rainstorm or blizzard blazing outside then spending an afternoon with this flick wouldn't be too bad.

I give this bad nanny an average 5.5 out of 10.

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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.

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Movie Review - The Wrong Mother

The Wrong Mother

AKA:  Deadly Devotion

2017

The Cast

Parents, Kaylene (Marcil) and Drew (Snedden) were having problems conceiving so they went down the in-vitro fertilization path and were lucky enough to have twins, Zoey (Richardson) and Toby (Dodson).  Years later, Kaylene is out biking when she's hit by a car.  While in Hospital she meets Vanessa who has been assigned as her nurse.    When it comes time to return home, Vanessa informs Kaylene and Drew that it may be hard for them to find a career.  But if they want then she can come and care for Kaylene at home as her contract at the hospital is nearly over.  Since the two women get along well Vanessa is employed to look after her.  However, it soon becomes evident that Vanessa may have a different agenda.

This is a pretty standard thriller that is let down by a few niggling things, which should have been ironed out before filming.

Firstly, there's Kaylene's sister, Samantha (Bond).  There are times when this character feels as though she's only there to drive the plot.  For example, right from the start, she's very confrontational with Vanessa.  This, in itself, isn't a bad idea, and needed to be handled better for it to work.  Though Samantha actually challenges the nurse on what her sister is being medicated with, with no expertise on the subject.  Samantha reckons washing Kaylene's hair is the best thing you can do to aid her recovery... which really isn't the case if the patient is dealing with a concussion.  Then she just happens to have a friend who agrees with her, that she is being overmedicated and that he wouldn't prescribe these drugs.  The trouble is, we're not even told if he's a doctor or just a knowledgeable nurse:  For all we know, he may have gotten his doctorate as IWannaBADoctor.com (This is TV Movieland anyway!).  Besides, what one Doctor prescribes another wouldn't as there are so many drugs to choose from now.  Another thing, did Samantha give this person Kaylene's medical history so he could make a professional diagnosis?  DAMN! - I really thought about this too much.

Secondly, there's the jump of believability that Kaylene has.  She goes from accepting Vanessa is doing right by her and her care to suddenly distrusting her totally.  But the trouble with this is that they don't fire Vanessa.  Surely, if there was a shadow of a doubt that something wasn't quite right about her you'd fire her arse.

Then there are the kids.  I'm sorry, but if you're a close and loving family then the kids will want to see their mother at the earliest opportunity.  However, Toby and Zoey, are only all too happy to not bother her.  If it had been me, I would have been sneaking in to see her.  You don't even see them at the hospital with her.  If the writer and director had added a couple of extra scenes with the kids it would have made the story a little more believable and relatable.

What this story really needed was time.  Somebody should have taken the time to take a breath and address the errors or inconsistencies of this story being filmed.  Both the story and the directing of this movie needed to be tightened up.  The acting, on the other hand, is above average, except for Elizabeth Bond who is a little wooden at times, and not totally credible.  

I'd recommend this to the thriller fans, though people who like mystery and whodunnit's need not watch as there's no mystery in who the bad guy... or gal... is.  This is one of those afternoon movies to watch while you're off work sick.

I give this an in-vitro-average of 5.25 out of 10.

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