Tracks of a Killer

I saw this film a few years back... the odd thing is that I could have sworn it had a different title, and around the same time, I saw a film of this title which was more entertaining(but about as bad overall). So when I saw in the TV listings that a film of this title from 95 was airing, I assumed that it was the other one. Well, I guess we all know what happens when you assume, right? Exactly. So, I re-watched this film after all the years, vaguely remembering that I'd seen it before(movie deja vu, but I guess that's natural with formulaic films like this one), but I only realized that it was the same film at the very end. This movie made little to lasting impression on me(when I was easily impressed), and I'll most likely forget it even faster this time. My point is, there's nothing worth your time here... sure, if this is all that's on, and you've got an hour and a half to kill(no matter how slow a death they suffer), you can watch it. It's not the least entertaining of the genre. The plot doesn't hold water, not a single drop. Things happen for no logical reason. The pacing is decent, you're rarely bored, except for maybe during the last half hour or so... I nearly fell asleep as it ended(though that may actually say more about how much I need sleep rather than how dull the ending was). The characters are paper-thin and clichéd, and they suffer under being powerfully underdeveloped. The acting is decent at best. Larson makes a fair psycho. Kelly "Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful" LeBrock(don't worry, Kelly, if I hate you, it's because of your acting talent, or rather, lack thereof, or maybe because of your choices... Steven Seagal? What was that about? Do poor actors flock, is that it?), well, she can't act, and it's painfully evident when she has a lead role, like she does here. The dialog is poorly written. So is the script, but this is the guy who created both Jack Frost movies... which I haven't seen, but have heard more than enough negative things about to convince me that they wouldn't be worth it... so I guess that's to be expected. The direction is lazy. For this kind of thriller, it's surprisingly uncreative as far as torture and drama goes. My suggestion to any fan of thrillers: Make sure you've seen every other film in the genre before trying your luck with this one. Most of them are better. I recommend this only to huge fans of the actors involved and/or thrillers. 3/10

This 1995 made for TV movie brings Wolf Larson into a role that gives him plenty to do and he does it quite well. Plenty good looking, he manages to steal the film from the others. This film is twelve years old. I'm sure Larson has worked since then. It also stars James Brolin, pre-Streisand, and with dark hair and beard. Either he colors it or he got white fast. I think he looks better with how he looks today. Quite distinguished and handsome. Bravo, Barbra. However, his acting isn't to be praised. He still has a laid back style, not too much emotional force and makes you feel he's acting all the time. This was directed by Harvey Frost (any relation to Jack Frost?) and written by Michael Cooney, the son of the English comedy playwright, Ray Cooney, who knocks them out almost one a year. In fact I directed a play that was written by both the father and son called, CASH ON DELIVERY. This year I directed Ray's latest play, TOM DICK AND HARRY to hilarious results. But, I digress. I was surprised that Michael Cooney wrote this. Not his usual stuff. Both Larson and Brolin are the mates of a couple of gals, Kelly LeBrock and Courtney Taylor who go up to a desolate mountain top only to have much revealed about themselves in the midst of a snow storm. Kelly is not an actress and is mis-cast in this and Taylor isn't much better and fortunately is only in the first part of the film. This is Wolf's movie and he holds it together with his looks and acting talents.

Saw this again recently and repeat my admiration for Wolf Larson. And the others seem to be wash outs. Kelly LeBrock being the worst of the lot. This actress is not good. In fact I found myself rooting for Wolf to win the battle.

I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed this film. Wolf Larson is wonderfully creepy and makes a good psycho, and Kelly LeBrock plays a good victim, although she was best when her character had the upper hand. The torture scenes will probably make this unappealing to many people, but they really weren't very graphic, and were possibly the best moments in the whole movie. It takes a little while to get to all the action, and some of the scenes are perhaps dragged out too much, but those were my only problems with this unexpectedly solid film.

There is an error in this film. When we see the dead person's face in the sled, the eyes are open and the face looks rather calm. When we next see the person's face, the eyes are closed and there is a grimace on the face. As a once professional proofreader, I notice things like this.

The film was watchable, but no great shakes in my opinion. I thought James Brolin's acting was a bit forced and a bit unbelievable. The video portion of the show went in and out several times, due to some kind of technical problem with my cable company, so I did miss some key scenes.

Nutcase executive goes homicidal on a trip to a country estate with his boss and their spouses. All the usual exciting events occur and the film plays out precisely as one would expect. A good picture for sure, but don't go in looking for any unexplored terrain.