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!

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.

I usually do not sit down and watch thrillers because I can figure out the who done it of the whodunit. I did lean toward a certain suspect and turned out I was right, but the ride to see if I was correct was rather enjoyable. There was a good plot with a lot of good twists and turns which would leave a person guessing right up to the end. Best roller coaster ride I have had in, well, forever. It was very intelligently done. Kudos to the writers.

The cast was put together well and seemed to work together well. I admittedly am a fan of Ben Browder and have to say he did not disappoint in this movie. I hope to see this group work together again in the future. It seemed as though they really enjoyed what they were doing and to me that makes a difference in watching average and watching above average.

I have to say I enjoyed this little independent movie more than most big box office hits and top TV shows I have seen.

Thanks guys for the good ride.

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.

Some people who are voting must work for the studio because this film is not as exemplary as everyone is giving it credit for. People who have previously commented have heralded this as the next great mystery, a "thriller," and a complex script with an inspired cast. This film is none of that, it is mindless droll, it is the type of movie you view on the Lifetime Network, and it is not worth anybody's time. I understand some of you out there are desperate to see the resurrection of C. Thomas Howell's career (for the brief period he had one), but that is never going to happen. I'm sorry. I apologize and you have my deepest sympathies, because the only way Mr. Howell can get back in sight of an audience is if he stars on some SciFi Network original program. Then he can go to conventions and your delusions of him being talented and famous will come true, because you will see him signing autographs for an overweight 42 year old men wearing elf ears standing next to their mothers. This script is so horrible my friend and I picked out plot holes from the plot summary! The flashback sequences are cliché, taking absolutely no unique route for presenting them, and don't get me started on the photography! I mean come on, they shot it like it was going straight to TV! There is one plus side though...Sean Young somehow manages to still look good at her age. Aside from that, the film is horrendous. To those who have already seen this film, I apologize. To those who haven't, you will never forgive yourself for wasting your time and money. I saw it for free and was still upset! Please spare yourself, and your children if you can.