(1990)
Dir - Tobe Hooper
Overall: MEH
Perhaps short-changed a bit by a lousy title as well as being a made-for-television film for the USA Network who generally dealt in censored, softcore sleaze, Tobe Hooper's I'm Dangerous Tonight still ends up being mildly acceptable for what it is. After making the best TV horror miniseries of all time with Salem's Lot and then a couple of episodes of Amazing Stories, The Equalizer, and Freddy's Nightmares, this was Hooper's first feature-length work in the small screen medium and he treats the relatively lackluster material more respectfully than one would assume. An adaptation of Cornell Woolrich's short story of the same name, it focuses around an evil, red, Aztecan cloak that brings out the most malevolent aspects of its wearer's id. It is a fine premise, but the script runs out of steam pretty quick and then kind of stumbles through its final act in a desperate attempt to keep things engaging. The cast is full of familiar faces though, with brief appearances by Anthony Perkins, Dee Wallace, and R. Lee Ermey joining a pre-Twin Peaks Mädchen Amick in the scream queen lead.
(1995)
Dir - Jon Amiel
Overall: GOOD
Another somewhat gimmicky 90s thriller that pits a deranged serial killer with a cockamamie scheme against the law enforcement that he is persistently twelve steps ahead of, Copycat perhaps unironically is not bound to win many acolytes for ingenuity, but it is gripping and well-crafted where it counts. The script by Ann Biderman and David Madsen puts a lot on its plate, focusing on the misogynistic, male-dominated power play stereotypes of murders with Sigourney Weaver's criminal profiler turned traumatized agoraphobic and Holly Hunter's persistent, level-headed police detective fending off Harry Connick Jr. and William McNamara's brutal advances. It is an interesting choice to remove the mystery almost completely from the proceedings, which allows for plenty of character development in its stead. Both Hunter and Weaver deliver very relatable, likeable, and top-notch performances though Connock and McNamara's movie star good looks do not jive ideally with being two loner, women-hating sociopaths. From the director's chair, English filmmaker Jon Amiel pulls-off a few surprises, but none of the tense set pieces are given much room to breath and are a bit more relentlessly paced than something that adheres to strict Hitchcock worship may have been. Such forward momentum certainly keeps things from becoming a bore though and with an above average cast and solid production values, there is plenty to recommend.
(1997)
Dir - Martin Kunert/David Semel/Matt Cooper
Overall: MEH
Neither remarkable nor terrible, Campfire Tales, (the debut film from directors Martin Kunert, David Semel, and Matt Cooper), is a humble, independently made anthology horror outing with a couple of early screen appearances from up and coming, quasi-known actors that would soon make more of a name for themselves. Ron Livingston, Amy Smart, Christine Taylor, Glen Quinn, James Marsden, and Real World London's Jacinda Barrett are sprinkled throughout three different "tales" of the title as well as a framing narrative where four, young attractive people crash their car and pass the time mildly arguing with each other and spinning yarns. Three of the stories are rather interchangeable and involve either a monster or a crazy guy stalking and then attacking people, while the closing "The Locket" breaks things up with a supernatural slant. One or two acceptable twists notwithstanding, it is largely a cliche fest, yet at least more in an innocently mediocre fashion than an insulting one. Livingston also has a pretty damn good singing voice. Who knew?
No comments:
Post a Comment