Time Lapse

I didn't notice the use of footage from Renny Harlin's movie, but I did notice the use of footage from "Narrow Margin", specifically the shootout at the cabin in the woods. The guy in the helicopter is wearing a beige suit and cowboy boots. I could swear that I have also seen another movie that used this footage as well. The movie is extremely low budget and shows it. The acting and directing are all fairly unremarkable which is strange considering the talented cast. Perhaps this just points up the importance of a good script. No matter how talented the actor or the director is the story and dialog are uninteresting, so is the movie.

Well, yes there were a lot of bangs, blasts, and flashbacks. But since it was up against the State of the Union address, it gets plus points for being more in touch with reality.

Scheider appeared infrequently in the film, telegraphing in his performance from wherever he was mentally. He has done some really incredible films in the past... its sad to see him waste his time on this one. The female lead was easy on the eyes, and probably gave the most from her reserves of acting juice. The hunk/hero had less emotion than the beer bottle I was looking at him through.

I watched it because it was the least objectionable thing on TV for that time slot, and thats not saying much.

This was very bad. Vry bad. Very bad.

The only worthwhile actor in this was Dina Meyer - and luckily for her, hopefully she got paid.

The script was stupid with too many unbelieveabilities and incompetent moves.

Very bad continuity and story structure.

It also featured a lead actor - William McNamara who looked like he was going to bust out in tears at any moment.

When your lead character looks like they are about to cry all the time, maybe it's time to get another actor who won't shed tears after they read the script.

But then, anybody reading this script would probably want to cry - it's that bad.

Dina, no doubt had bills to pay - so sadly she took it, but it is so far beneath her.

This gets two stars - just for having Dina Meyer in the film - anything aside of that is not worth the second star.

Riddle: how do you make a good movie on a shoestring budget, with a worthless story line, an even worse screenplay adaptation, second class actors prompted to give third class performances, on surplus celluloid with no resolution or ability to render better than a gritty soundtrack of totally uninspired so-called music, with direction that totally misses what's going on, gets the sound wrong, the acting so totally inadequate and unbelievable - and which can still star Roy Scheider? Well Roy's the easy part: here's a talented actor who keeps getting these 'aces' and for all we know it's these turkeys he's got known for by now so he can't get any better.

But seriously: you know the feeling of fingernails on a blackboard? You've heard that one? Can you imagine what it feels like? The almost embarrassing discomfort of this Thanksgiving feast is far worse. You feel so sad for everyone and above all feel sorry for the total ineptitude of whoever the talentless people were who put this together.

Avoid this one at all costs and if your video outlet carries it - boycott them. No one should be subjected to this tripe.

Poor Roy. Poor everyone.

The story line might be interesting. But the acting is pretty awful. Not worth the renting money. It's surprising to see Roy Sheider in such an average movie. He's probably the only reason people would rent this movie. This movie is below average, I rated it 4 out of 10.