Ticking Clock

(Credit IMDb) Lewis Hicks (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is a reporter and journalist specializing in writing about the crime of murder. Instead of writing his next story, Lewis becomes the story when his new girlfriend is sadistically murdered, and he is the only suspect. Lewis investigates the murder himself and finds the killer's journal with his past victims and a death list of his future prey. Lewis believes that he is the only person who can stop the killer before time runs out for his next victim.

Ticking Clock is certainly one of the better DTV films starring Cuba. Wouldn't exactly call the premise original, but it does manage to avoid a lot of clichés and add its own spin on things. Neil McDonough provides a good antagonist to Cuba, and I loved the end showdown they had. Cuba actually looks motivated. When he is not motivated his DTV films usually suffer because of it. I'm not saying this is anything groundbreaking but for a DTV film it's very decent, and considering the depths Cuba has fallen? That is a big compliment. Cuba Gooding Jr. His performance is astute, and amiably well done. He makes for a formidable protagonist for McDonough, and doesn't succumb to moments of over-acting like he does at times in a lot of his DTV efforts. Neil McDonough plays a very good villain. Suitably twisted, and interesting to watch, he certainly did what was required pretty well.

Bottom line. Not perfect but it has some neat ideas and most of them were executed nicely. Good performances, intriguing story. What is not to like? Worth a watch

6 ½ 10

Wow!!! What a Great story...too bad it is all I can say on it's behalf...very poor casting...lacking in color...intriguing; brings you to the end...not a movie I would keep in my library...I wonder if a Nicholas Cage or a Bruce Willis could of punched out the film...I believe so...Sorry Cuba...Not great...But an Excellent Story...

Neil stole the lead role here and even there it was poor...I feel as though I was watching a B movie and was constantly waiting for a moment where I would of been surprised...did not happened...the surprise for me was not in the actual movie...but in the story...which is too bad because it is a great story...and had potential to be a great movie...

I just want to be entertained and i'm easy to please. I don't even see most of the flaws in a movie reviewers will typically mention. But only a few minutes into this and I was asking - can I stand to watch a movie where the main character is so unbelievably stupid? Can anyone act against their own self0interest so consistently? For that matter can the police really be as stupid and sloppy as this about what he tells them? Fortunately this settles down some after a bit, but it's actually the number one problem I have here. Otherwise I liked it. Could have done without the excessive clues to the "twist" ending though. It's not not the sort of twist one expects in a crime film so it could have been played for a major, "whaaaaa?" effect, but they tossed that chance away.

Well I saw this movie about 3 months ago and as I am a big fan of Neal NcDonough, looked forward to it a lot. I must say first of all that I thoroughly enjoyed the film, although Cuba Gooding Jnr was not the best actor for the main role, the story was great and the twist was enjoyable. I think the last film i saw Cuba in was hardwired and I wasn't very impressed by his role but once again i did enjoy the story.

I do believe that a big name actor in the main role would have made this a lot better along with some other recasting, but all in all very watchable, not B-grade by any means and definitely an enjoyable watch. Im surprised this went straight to DVD as I think it would of done well with some good marketing at the cinemas, but none the less I hope lot's of people go out and hire or buy this one and hopefully enjoy it as much as I did. Maybe if it had received a bigger budget it would have rated higher among most viewers, I give it a 7, which whilst fairly high, is fair I believe. it definitely had potential but even though it never reached it, it was still a very noble attempt with a great storyline.

An investigative reporter (Gooding) comes home to find his girlfriend brutally murdered and chases the killer (McDonough). After finding a diary with names and dates of future murders he tries to stop them. Most of the time B movies like this one are boring and drag on and on to a lame conclusion. This one is a rare exception. This movie had me riveted and second guessing myself all over the place. A very original movie that has a huge twist in it that could have ruined it, but was done so well that it actually helped make the movie better then I was expecting. Very tense in some parts and will keep you hooked until the final frame. A MUST SEE, even for non horror fans. A very original, surprising and enjoyable experience.I give it an A-