Le collectionneur

Pretty good thriller. Lots of twists and turns to keep your attention. Great performances from Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman. The story is Washington DC detective Dr. Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman) travels to North Carolina to investigate the apparent kidnapping of his niece (Gina Ravera). Aided by escaped kidnapee Kate McTiernan (Ashley Judd), Cross hunts down the kidnapper, who operates under the pseudonym "Cassanova". Pretty good watch, nice performance by casanova all up a good movie.

A devilish maniac is on the loose, kidnapping beautiful women left and right. Many of his unfortunate victims who do not comply to his sadistic demands end up being tortured...and killed. Dr. Jack Cross (Morgan Freeman) is an insightful psychologist working for the police department. He has been hired to investigate a peculiar pattern of apparently random abductions of young, nubile women. Cross fails to secure any leads until his battle with the infamous abductor turns personal. The detective's niece has recently became the latest victim to this psychotic's premeditated schemes...

Calling himself "Casanova," this misogynistic serial murderer is alluring, charming...and equally mentally destructive...

Cross's only assistant is a beautiful and intelligent doctor (Ashley Judd). Another police detective (Cary Elwes) is also chasing after the kidnapper. With no clue or leads for unmasking this elusive stalker, the police with the help from the doctor must find a clever way to unlocking his secrets. As time becomes of the essence and the night takes over, Cross and the doctor rush desperately to seek out the lost souls who are under duress into becoming the fiend's prisoners...

KISS THE GIRLS is a perversely provocative thriller with such stunning photography. The moody atmosphere truly enraptures the viewer into a dark nightmarish world. The lightning is sometimes incomprehensible for the picture, but this fault adds to the disturbing effect of the movie itself. KISS THE GIRLS is a great mystery, with the individual clues and seemingly isolated events carefully stitched together to create one whole puzzle that may just serve as the tip of the iceberg.

Thanks to a seductively morbid tone, the film keeps the viewer fascinated throughout the length of the flick. KISS THE GIRLS is a sophisticated horror show since the audience never knows who the real killer may be. Even so, there is always more to the background scenery then what the eyes are allowed to see. The viewer must always eavesdrop when the leads interact with each other on screen...

Deliciously diabolical! The performances from KISS THE GIRLS are first rate. Ashley Judd is riveting as a kick-boxing doctor whose strong willpower can make her an appropriate inspiration and role model for young females. Morgan Freeman establishes more integrity as a forensics psychologist, determined to track down his kidnapped niece. The main scoundrel, whoever his real name may be, is one of the most unique villains ever to embrace the screen. His characteristics were wisely shot in a series of bleak, unrelenting shots so that the moviegoer may get a glimpse of his cryptic face, yet, they can not spill the beans as to find out who he really is.

KISS THE GIRLS is a startling movie with an array of scares and plot twists to keep you interested plus a decent pace to keep the story-line moving.

RATING: **1/2 out of ****.

Kiss the Girls has its problems, but it isn't a bad film by all means. Actually it is decent, compelling viewing. Starting with its problems, the script does have a tendency to become mechanical, and while the film's story starts off very well and really intriguing, it loses steam at the end for two reasons. The film's logic and credibility does go out of the window as the film's conclusion looms nearer, and then the culprit I felt got revealed too early. On the other hand, the film is very atmospherically shot, the cinematography is really very good, and the music is suspenseful. Plus we have great performances from the ever reliable Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd, as well as from Cary Elwes and some skillful direction. Overall, it is a compelling and intriguing thriller that ran out of steam too early, but there is much to enjoy. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Kiss the Girls (1997)

Not a bad film, "entertaining" in the sense of sitting back and watching an episode of Bones or CSI. It has more development and higher production values, I guess, than television, but really it is a routine film hardly worth thinking too hard about.

Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman have been together for three movies, and they work together well. I'm not sure I see any special chemistry there, and for my money, it's a Morgan Freeman film. He plays a Forensic Psychologist and is all business, not swayed by stupidity. Judd plays a victim at first, and then in an unlikely twist, joins the investigation. The plot is frankly a little predictable, and you keep thinking there will be this giant twist, but there isn't. You simply don't know exactly who the perp is.

Ah, well, it propels itself all the same, a fun distraction.

Cary Elwes does an incredible job as Nick Ruskin. He acts with perfect emotion for every particular scene and brings a unique feel to the character portrayed in the book. Elwes does superb acting in this film, and really displays his range. After reading the novel, I was surprised by Freemans casting. He impressed me with his comittment to the character, however, during the film he seemed over-dramatic taking away from the realism of the story (what makes the film and novel so terrorizing). Ashley Judd played Kate McTieran well and portrayed Pattersons heroine with the courage and bravery expected. Where the movie falls short is in the script. The adaptation leaves out numerous key elements to the story. What makes the plot so riveting is the psychological trauma Cassanova and the Gentleman caller force onto their captives. With brief scenes portraying the womens captivity, they film takes away from the character development of the murderers and focuses too heavily on superfluous tidbits not necessary to the story. If you are seeking a true thriller, you may want to choose another movie. Although the film is entertaining and the acting decent, the novel is much better and the thriller genre is better utilized in other films.