Out of the Darkness

The movie presents a horrific time in New York in a very positive way. Giving facts. Also letting us in on what it is like to be a policeman with a family. Very good movie.

The above average ratings of this made-for-TV movie seem way too high. I expected an in-depth look at the search for the "Son of Sam," and instead found a mushy look at the familial life of the lead investigator, played by Sheen. In fact, the Son of Sam character was not developed at all. The only reason I stuck through the film was my prior interest to find out how the police captured Sam. It is very difficult to believe that this is the same Sheen who made Apocalypse Now just six years before this.

Pretty good for a made for T.V. Voted a 9 because of all the small parts played by actors not yet famous. Pretty neat to spot them all! Look for Eriq La Salle and Charlie Sheen to name a few. Fun to watch and a good story telling!

more than make up for the story line in this film, supposedly dealing with Son of Sam/David Berkowitz, but also depicting Detective Ed Zigo's private life, and work on the case.

Martin Sheen seems to consistently transcend poorly written material; even in the film "The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane" also starring Jodi Foster, he is the standout.

This film may not accurately address all the "Son of Sam" crimes, but we are probably due for a remake (now that they are producing a film about Mark David Chapman/John Lennon's assassin).

Robert Trebor is very good as Berkowitz, certainly resembles him physically. Elizondo, as the local priest, has a few lines which are indelible. When they are in the NY aquarium, observing oddities of nature, he reminds Sheen: ..."" that there are people still alive, walking around, who are more dead inside""... A brilliant insight which may have been more developed.

All in all, if you like Sheen or Elizondo, you will appreciate their performances. 8/10.

"Out of the Darkness" isn't worth the trouble. Martin Sheen is a lot better than the material. The supporting cast is fine but they can't save the movie. The script is weak and unfocused. The dialogue is pretty bad too. That said, Sheen makes the movie almost watchable.