Up Against Amanda

Up Against Amanda is your typical "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" movie. Amanda (Justine Priestley) was an abused child by her sexually deviant step-father. Eventually, she ended up institutionalized, where she ended up being abused by a sexually deviant doctor. The doctor, named Dr. Arnold (John Alan Richards), arranged to have Amanda released in exchange for a few "favors", which would continue forever. Amanda is forced to get the evil doctor out of the way in order to have an ordinary life. She falls for her neighbor, Richard (David DeWitt), who is having problems due to his wife touring on the road with no end in site.

Amanda continues to work on seducing Richard, knowing he is having problems and preys on his weaknesses. After getting him drunk, she turns it up a notch in the hot tub and finally gets Richard to give in, which was not a good move on his part. He finds that this was not a normal one-night-stand, as Amanda was willing to exploit it and him to get what she wanted, which was to take him away from his wife, Laurie (Karen Grosso).

Justine Priestley reminds me of Jaime Pressley in a way. She was beautiful, stunning at times, but her acting was a little off when she had to do the crazy bit. She had a hint of humor during her first few murders but lacked something overall. She was not all that bad, just not great. I would not hesitate to watch something she stars in again.

David DeWitt played Richard Pierce all right, but he seemed like a bit of a wimp. I did not buy the fact that he was this semi-macho guy and he runs like a girl from Amanda, especially without really knowing what she was truly capable of.

This movie was pretty much in the middle of the road. Definitely something for a rainy day or when you are bored out of your mind. Don't expect anything new and hopefully, you will not figure out where the movie is going to end up after the first 5 minutes or so. 5/10

So another crazed stalker movie arrives. Well, this one gives some background explanation at least for the demented behavior of its titled villain, AMANDA, played convincingly by Justine Priestley. If fact, despite the low budget and Roger Corman as distributor (apparently he picked this up after it was chosen by some lesser known festivals) the credits on this are actually pretty good. Acting is pretty good and behind the scenes directing, music, etc., much more nuanced than your average slap it together Corman pic. Not for everyone. Budget limitations obvious, but makes the most of its limited scope in fairness.

Hope to see more of Priestley, rest of cast and curious to see what filmmakers do next.

This really is quite a tacky movie but it can be forgiven its foibles thanks to a few redeeming features. Justine Priestley is beautiful so all the boys will love seeing her strut around in next to nothing. And hey girls, need hairstyle ideas for your prom? Look no further. The hairstylist on this movie had a field day; Amanda sports an elaborate new hair-do in practically every scene. Amanda is also quite an ingenious little thing. She gives MacGyver a run for his money with a bit of break & enter followed by the installation of fibre optics in a roof. She has gadgets galore (scanner, model dressed like her attached to a light timer, TV hooked up to David's house watching his every move) and a great line she shoots at Buzz when he complains about second-hand smoke: "It's not the smoke that kills you, it's the smoker". Ah Buzz, second-hand smoke is the LEAST of your worries! This was never gonna be an Oscar winner. It's a cheap little "thriller" with a few (unintentional) laughs and Justine is fantastic as the evil bitch posing as the All-American girl-next-door. What guy could say "No" to this babe? David certainly couldn't and ... well, you can guess the rest. 2/5 stars (for effort).

This movie was released by Roger Corman, so you know that the filmmakers didn't have much money to work with.

Although, some viewers may miss the subtleties in this movie because of the very typical "obsessed killer" type marketing approach, there are unique differences about this movie.

AMANDA, as played by the obviously talented Justine Priestley, is a complex character. Some people like these movies precisely because the violence can seem random, but here the ramifications of past abuse (dealt with in a realistic but tasteful manner) are what shape the psychosis of AMANDA. Surprisingly, Amanda redeems herself at the end with an act of love, where most of these movies turn into the typical, all out fight to the death and the evil character dies just as evil in the end as to begin with.

Some rough edges in this picture, but I have to give it 7 out of 10 stars based on its thoughtfulness and yes, originality as compared to the usual -- especially on a budget.

I saw this movie when it first came out. It was an official selection for the Temecula Valley International Film Festival and I voted for it for best picture.

Justine Priestley is hot as the psychotic, but complex Amanda. This is not your ordinary psycho movie. Lots of interesting and original slants on the genre. Sort of a "Fatal Attraction" for the younger set with some great blues music mixed in as the object of Amanda's affection is married to an up and coming blues singer who has less time for her husband as her career takes off.