Hunt for the I-5 Killer

Beth Williams (Sara Canning) is a nighttime cleaner at an office building with her co-worker. One night an armed mask man breaks in. After he violates them, he shoots them but Beth survives the ordeal. Police detective Dave Kominek (John Corbett) is investigating the crime, and soon he figures out that it's related to a whole series of murders by the same serial killer around the I-5.

I see there are many complaint about accuracy. I'm not going to dwell on any of that. After all, it's a Lifetime TV movie not an in-depth documentary. John Corbett is a compelling leading man. His character's struggle especially his home life is well done. Sara Canning makes for a good victim without overplaying it. The story moves along well. It's a good TV movie.

Based on a factual case, it is about the hunt for a serial killer along the I5 highway. There is none of the histrionics and corniness found in tele movies of the same ilk. It is not a mystery but an investigation of the killings.

This was a better than average TV movie (Lifetime) about the hunt for the I-5 serial killer. Its based on a true story (and book) and centers on a detective from Salem, Oregon who connected the numerous murders and sexual assaults (44 victims) along interstate 5 which runs through California, Washington and Oregon.

John Corbett plays detective Dave Kominek and does a decent enough job. I've always liked him ever since I first saw him back in Northern Exposure and then in Sex & The City.

The manhunt takes over a year, and for the first half of the movie the viewer doesn't know who the killer is. You are given a couple of suspects but just see a guy in a hoodie with a bandage over his nose going about his business of raping and shooting random women. Its violent but not graphic. Towards the end we get to see his face and then follow him as he tries to evade police. He is one sick bastard.

One of the first victims shown in the movie manages to survive her horrific ordeal with two gunshot wounds to her head. Her character plays a large role and the story focuses heavily on her relationship with the detective. She (Sara Canning) does a great job as 'Beth' and I appreciated how they took the time to show the physiological damage she faced afterwards. Ultimately Beth is instrumental in the capture of the killer.

Randomly John's real-life lady love Bo Derek is listed in the credits and given top billing but I guess I blinked and missed her. 1/6/15

HUNT FOR THE I-5 KILLER (TV movie 2011) 2.5 out of 10 stars Time to Read: 2:03 min

BASIC PLOT: Based on Ann Rule's book, this is the story of the hunt for a serial killer who preyed on women up and down America's highways. The movie focuses on Detective Dave Kominek (John Corbett), who's put in charge of the I-5 Killer task force, intrusted with the gruesome job of catching this depraved, and monstrous killer. It also focuses on one of the victims who survived, Beth Williams (Sara Canning), and the challenges she faced after her brutal assault.

WHAT WORKS: *NOTHING WORKS AS A COHESIVE PROJECT There's some ok acting from John Corbett, Mike Dopud & Tygh Runyan, but it's not enough to carry this haphazard melange of bad filmmaking decisions.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: *BAD FILMAKING As humans, we get up to 65% of communication from body language. We empathize, we fear, we relax, based on body language. This movie robs the actors of their basic communication tools, by shooting W-A-A-A-Y too close, and never letting them connect with the viewer. I know I'm supposed to like, and feel confident in Detective Kominek, but because I never see his body, or only the back of his head, or side of his ear as he's talking, I never connect with him. The same is true of Randy Woodfield & Clay Mackie. I know they're supposed to make me uncomfortable, but they're never shot in a way where I connect with them in a good or bad way. This style robs the actors of their needed tools, it's distracting, and makes for a boring movie.

There are also lots of shots of middle aged people that are very unflattering, and uncalled for. It's like they are trying to make their actor's look their worst. Unacceptable filmmaking choices from Allan Kroeker (director) & C. Kim Miles (cinematographer).

*BETH WILLIAMS IS NOT A SYMPATHETIC VICTIM Beth is played by Sara Canning, and she doesn't evoke any sympathy in the viewer. I don't even know if I can blame the actress, the script is bad & the shooting style atrocious.

*THERE'S CONTINUITY PROBLEMS There's a scene at the bar where Randy & Clay are having drinks. They show an outside shot of the bar, and there's cops with their lights on. But the crime hasn't happened yet, so why are cops outside? Then later, when the crime has been discovered, the same outside shot is used (except this time it makes sense as to why there are cops outside - there's been a murder). These are unacceptable mistakes from the continuity editor.

TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: *I can't recommend this movie, even though I'm a fan of Mike Dopud, Tygh Runyan & Garry Chalk (who's talents are underused and wasted here). The filmmaking styles used makes this a boring waste of an hour and a half. It feels like you're reading a bad script, instead of being entertained by quality actors. If you're looking for an engaging, and disturbing TV movie, based on serial killers, try An Officer and a Murderer (2012), starring Gary Cole, Laura Harris & Rossif Sutherland. Another good one is Happy Face Killer (2014) starring David Arquette & Gloria Reuben. Trust me, those are skillfully made films, that will leave you with an unsettled and ominous feeling. This film will not; it's just exploitative, and boring, with more wasted moments than I can count.

CLOSING NOTES: *THIS IS A MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE, please keep that in mind before you watch/rate it. TV movies have a much lower budget, and so your expectations should be adjusted.

*I HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE FILM, or production in ANY way. This review was NOT written in full, or in part, by a bot. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews (less trolls and fanboys), and better entertainment. Hope I helped you out.

This is an engrossing tale about a serial killer.

"The true story of the year-long manhunt for the killer who raped and murdered his way up and down the I-5 corridor through California, Washington, and Oregon for over a year in 1981, leaving 44 victims in his wake. "

I am very impressed with this movie as it keeps the viewer engaged about the hunt for and activities of a monster.

But can they catch this mad man, whoever he is?

All the players especially the leads give first rate performances and this movie deserves at least;

7/10.