Ticking Clock

(2011) Ticking Clock SCIENCE FICTION THRILLER/ HORROR

Another straight-to-rental Cuba Gooding JR vehicle and I must say by using a 'fast- forward' button on some boring parts while playing, this "Outer Limits- like" flick is not half as bad as some people portray it to be since it's supposed to be a film and not a 45 minute TV episode. Anyways, Cuba Gooding JR plays a reporter, Lewis Hicks who happens to come and visit a close friend, only to find that she's been dismantled by a serial killer who has the ability to go back in time by using a time traveling instrument. Of course, the police do not believe him as some assume he might be the one whose doing it. They're plenty of plot holes with a very incompetent police force, but sometimes the few "memorable" debate exchanges about other evil people such as Hitler and Charles Manson can overshadow the shoddy handling of the rest of the film. This movie also reminisces 2004 "The Butterfly Effect", "The Cell" and "Shocker"

Lewis Hicks (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is a boozing reporter who took for granted his ex spouse as well as his son who he misses weekend visits with because he's always onto the next biggest scoop. If his personal relationships could hit rock bottom any further, his current girlfriend ends up dead at the hands of a serial killer. Hicks shows up at her place after the fact but chases down the culprit and gets knocked out in an alleyway. He finds a diary with names and dates for more killings to come. The lead detective investigating the case has something against him from a slate in a past story and won't listen to what he's telling him now. Now Hicks feels it's his obligation to take on the investigation himself for redemption in his own life. The victims all have in common a troubled little boy at an orphanage who had more things happen to him at an early age than most can call claim to. Hicks starts to get too close and as a result the evidence starts to point to him instead of the real killer who always slips in and out without anyone else seeing. From then on out it turns into a cat and mouse game of good vs evil before more victims' lives are claimed.

The "big" twist in "Ticking Clock" is more related to science fiction than an action or thriller, and causes you to suspend your disbelief and except the facts at face value. This direct-to-video feature comes across like a scraped episode for "Millennium," with a similar, strange tone of drama and horror, where everything is baked in shadows, panned to get atmosphere, time stamped and generates tragic piano pieces to build mood. Though a share of the dialogue doesn't feel practiced, the suspense feels like false theatrics and the "acting" feels done on the first or second take, not to mention it has sentiment slipped in and can feel melodramatic without chemistry of the cast to back that up. This also attempts to be snide and sarcastic but the interaction between the actors can feel just as forced at times. The most important aspects this picture asks are: Is someone really able to get a second chance out of life? Is it possible to correct mistakes in the past? Is one able to put right what went wrong? Though, correcting one thing can cause another to have to be adjusted and so on until things are a mess all over again. Though answering those questions can be done without having to jump through hoops to get there by watching a film that feels quickly put together. Here's another question: If the filmmakers don't have both their feet in this, then how can they expect the viewer to? (Also submitted on http://fromblacktoredfilmreviews.blogspot.com/)

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-

(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

I so wanted this to be an enjoyable movie with Cuba Gooding Jr.

Not the case.

Although occasionally believable, on a whole the acting was way beyond par. The storyline, although showing some potential, was far from well executed.

I'm sure this made for a good movie if you'd just skimmed through the script. And with a lot more effort, I'm sure this could have been an excellent movie. But as it stands, disappointing performances across the board.

Don't waste your time, this movie deserves it straight-to-DVD status.