A Killer Within

I was looking forward to an above average film when I sat down to watch this. Sean Young and perhaps C. Thomas Howell was to assure that. So I'm writing this to warn off anyone which will think the same as me - thinking this is worthwhile to watch.

But I could immediately see that the good idea in this film, and what could have been a good plot, was ruined by bad directing and bad acting.

This could have made an interesting film in the hands of a better director. The script is far from flawless, but still I think it could have been saved. But all the actors show that they don't believe in the project. Even the little kid is really bad. There's not a single actor acting worth watching here. Sean Young is theatrical, C. Thomas Howell is stoic, and the police looks like they have been taken in from the streets. Unbelievably enough, even the extras here are bad. Like the woman in the neighboring table at the restaurant! I haven't seen anything like it!

It's a shame money has been spent on this, but I give it a 2 out of 10 for the idea. Such a pity good ideas can be spent this way!

If this is American independent film-making, let me see any film any day before this!

A tight plot and solid performances set this film above the standard fare. As a lover of mystery I've become extremely adept at finding the killer quickly. Well not the case here. I was guessing right up until the end. Enough red herrings to stock a fish market, and I loved every minute of it. Taking Lives tries to bring the mystery that A Killer Within delivers. So if you want a good mystery check it out.

Addison (C. Thomas Howell, whom if he's one of the main stars in ANY post 1986 movie is going to suck) who after finding out that his wife has been murdered and being the prime suspect, attempts to catch the real killer. Vargas (Giancarlo Esposito) is an ex-cop who was disgraced by Addison, who comes along to help him reluctantly. This is a typical run of the miller thriller, no more, no less. The ending is a silly. The acting is pretty bad by Howell and even more so from a wasted Ben "Farscape" Browder.All in all, very VERY forgettable. Or maybe that's just me being hopeful again.

My Grade: D+

Eye Candy: Sean young gives a quick full frontal

I got the pre-screener of this DVD, being a huge Ben Browder fan, and let me just say that he was my favorite part of this film.

For obviously such a small budgeted film, I think the producers did well getting the cast that they got.

It looks pretty good, and at least you can tell this was shot on film. The plot reminds me of something you might have wacthed in the 80's.

It's not gonna win any awards, but the acting is above standard, and there are some nice touches, such as crane shots and fight sequences that play well.

If you like any of these actors(C Thomas Howell, Sean Young, Dedee Pfieffer), it's worth the rental. The underused Giancarlo Esposito is the "stand out". I wish we would see more of him these days.

Typical thriller with a twist at the end.

A 6 out of 10.

I wouldn't call this the next great mystery thriller, nor would I call it total garbage. It falls somewhere in between, but at the lower end of the 10-star system. It had its moments, and, yes, Sean Young is still hot! (And an under-rated actress), but the plot and its "multiple endings" were not the best. A better script might have helped. I'm not going to diss folks who tried to make an independent film outside of Hollywood. At least they didn't do a remake of the Beverly Hillbillies, Welcome Back Kotter, or Bewitched. They tried to be original. (Note to self: Original does not always translate to good.) Give the film a chance and watch it for yourself.