Terreur dans la nuit

This movie is obviously low-budget & filmed in British Columbia,Canada. The obstacles that had to be overcome to make this movie convincing(set in California & late 60's-80's)were well conceived.I believe this is the best & most accurate version of the Zodiac killings that plagued the town of Vallejo & the Bay area from 1968-19? (he was never caught).Edward James Olmos(Det. Dave Toschi) & George Dzundza(Zodiac-at the time believed to be Arthur Leigh Allen, since cleared by DNA & fingerprints)play a game of cat & mouse re-visiting crime scenes together, each one trying to trigger the other into an emotional revelation.Olmos dying from some type of terminal disease & knowing Dzundza did it,still totally obsessed to the point of losing his family & becoming a full blown alcoholic along the way.Dzundza totally oblivious & self absorbed(like all serial killers) to the carnage left in his wake.The only disappointment was the"over the top" ending otherwise pretty accurate.If you tire of the typical Hollywood fluff or have an interest in the Zodiac case,check it out.

I usually steer clear of TV movies because of the many ways you know that it's TV movies five seconds into the picture. This one got my attention because of the unusual title and its gloomy, well-crafted mood that is established from the very start. While the ever present rain confirmed my suspicions of a misplaced story (even if claiming to be set in California the movie was largely shot around a stormy Vancouver, B.C.), the dark and oppressive outdoors beautifully complement Olmos' excellent acting.

THE LIMBIC REGION (TV Movie 1996)

BASIC PLOT: Jon Lucca (Edward James Olmos) is an ex-cop on the edge. His obsessions have robbed him of everything, his job, his family, and they will soon rob him of his life. He's been diagnosed with cancer, and he's got nothing left to lose. Lucca's been chasing a serial killer, called "The Scorekeeper," for years. Ages ago, the killer began shooting teenagers on lover's lanes, and sending letters to the cops. Lucca is sure it's a man named Lloyd Warden (George Dzundza). No one else believes this, and Lucca is forced into retirement. But after his cancer diagnosis, he doesn't care what anyone thinks anymore. He's determined to get Warden, one way or the other. Is he strong enough for the final confrontation, or will his demons consume him, once and for all?

WHAT WORKS: *QUALITY PERFORMANCES FROM THE TWO LEADS The performances of Edward James Olmos, and George Dzundza as Jon Lucca and Lloyd Warden, are first rate. They make the movie worth watching, and elevate it above the standard made-for-tv movie faire.

*IT MAKES A FUN DRINKING GAME The ancillary characters are mainly actors and actress that appeared on X-Files : Aux frontières du réel (1993). Since they only used quality talent on X-Files : Aux frontières du réel (1993), you get that same quality from the side characters here. It also makes for a fun drinking game, everytime you see an actor from X-Files : Aux frontières du réel (1993), take a drink! Roger Cross, Gwynyth Walsh, Tom McBeath, Brent Stait, Stephen E. Miller, Carly McKillip, Don MacKay, Campbell Lane, Mikal Dughi, Larry Musser, William B. Davis, Doug Abrahams, Andrew Airlie, Mitchell Kosterman, Jonathan Palis, Pat Bermel, Matt Hill, Alf Humphreys, Don Thompson, Jason Griffith, and Cameron K. Smith all appeared on X-Files : Aux frontières du réel (1993).

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: *THE ENDING SUCKS!

The last three minutes of this movie is terrible, and not very realistic. It should have ended at the bridge, not the police station. If it had ended on a lonely bridge, in the rain, that would have been a perfect noir ending. But it doesn't, and it taints the whole movie. The last three minutes cost it a whole star.

TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: *If you like fatalistic, dark, slow burns, you'll probably like this. Edward James Olmos and George Dzundza's performances make this worth a watch. Even if you're not a fan of any of those things, you've still got the X-Files : Aux frontières du réel (1993) drinking game.

CLOSING NOTES: *This is a made-for-tv movie, please keep that in mind before you watch\rate it. TV movies have a much lower budget, and so your expectations should be adjusted.

*I have no connection to the film, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews. Hope I helped you out.

Dark( and I mean dark) as in 0 lighting, but that only adds to the murky places of your mind this film will lead you. Superbly acted and totally believable, Olmos's voice carries you though his subconscious journey of self doubt and pain throughout this marvelous little one camara shoot. Using special effects no bigger then your old cam corder, the director does his job showing

what obsession can do a person who is just trying to do his job. George Dzunda is worth his weight in pure tonnange and acting ability. You will be mesmerized and totally shocked at the surprise ending. No, not a mainstream blockbuster, just a little film that will leave you shouting at the end.

this is a movie for people who watch a good amount of movies. it is a decent movie, but it may not be for people who are used to the more mainstream flick. it has okay acting, okay plot, okay cinematography, but nothing real outstanding. the unique thing may be the way the two main characters interact throughout the whole movie. it was kind of bizarre and i really liked it. however, i am afraid to say that the whole movie is very predictable. as it goes, the movie something new to an old recipe.