10 To Midnight (1983)

3 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline: Back in town... with a vengeance!
Directed by: J. Lee Thompson
Written by: J. Lee Thompson, William Roberts
Actors include: Charles Bronson, Lisa Eilbacher, Andrew Stevens
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Horror, Crime
Length: 101 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This was cheese supreme, and although I thought the idea of combining a Charles Bronson flick with a serial killer concept was a good one. Everyone seems like they were phoning it in, even Bronson didn't seem like he could care less that he was in the movie. The serial killer at large is kind of amusing because he's a nudie, and watching him run around and kill people who are making out while naked is unusual. Bronson is the cop that is determined to catch the guy, even if it means toying with evidence that could get him deeper into trouble. It's just not exciting and although the killing part is okay the rest of the Police procedural stuff was pretty dull, and there wasn't enough violence to make this a good slasher either. The element of Bronson having a daughter was a bit interesting as of course the killer will want to target her etc. At least the last little bit is somewhat exciting but it definitely needed more punch.

Availability:  On DVD

The Reincarnation Of Peter Proud (1975)

3.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: NOW AN ELECTRIFYING MOTION PICTURE
Directed by: J. Lee Thompson
Written by: Max Ehrlich
Actors include: Michael Sarrazin, Jennifer O'Neil, Margot Kidder
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Length: 105 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although this pulled of an entertaining finale it dragged through most of the rest of the film unfortunately because this could have been so much better. Peter Proud is a college professor who keeps having nightmares and flashbacks from a previous life. The more he investigates and digs into the situation he finds that it really was true, he was reincarnation but he was once Proud. Not only that but there is a lot of pressure on him because he is one of the only people on earth who could prove a past life. Things get messy because some of the memories of the past life involve being killed by Margot Kidder. Will he be able to prove or figure out why he died before, or will he get too close? It's actually sort of an interesting mystery, particularly when he starts being romantically involved with his daughter from a previous life and I must say it does go where one might think it wouldn't. It's not a lost classic or anything but those who like '70s horror should probably give this a try.

Availability:  Not on DVD

Eye Of The Devil (1966)

3.5 / 5
Tagline: we've got your number!
Directed by: J. Lee Thompson
Written by: Robin Estridge, Dennis Murphy
Actors include: Deborah Kerr, David Niven, Donald Pleasence
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 96 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a rather elegant picture with beautiful black and white photography really quite well made. Sharon Tate actually makes her first appearance here even though I think they dubbed over her voice oddly enough. What it has also working in it's favor is that it's actually rather creepy...some of the imagery is impressive and eerie. It's sort of a precursor for The Wicker Man in some ways, it's about Philippe de Montfaucon who is summonzed back to his hometown castle leaving his wife and children behind. Of course they get lonely and show up at the castle, but something isn't quite right. Especially when his wife walks in on some sort of black magic rite with everyone in hoods. It's better than I had expected yet the lead character is so square that it's kind of annoying in some ways unfortunately. Still a stellar story and really they did do a good job making it unsettling which I liked. Recommended but maybe not something to rush out and try to see.

Availability:  Not currently on DVD
Eye of the Devil