The Terror of a Cold-Blooded Murderer
Added 11/27/2009
This is not something I would normally watch these days, but I saw it in 1984 and remembered that it was one scary movie! (OMG! 25 years ago!!!--seems like yesterday!) My son left it next to the computer, so I picked it up and watched it again. Left my stomach a bit unsettled, but for those who like this kind of flick, I must admit it is a good one, with a fine performance by Rutger Hauer as one bad-axx, cold-blooded murderer. If you want to impress on your teenager not to pick up strangers, this movie should do it. But, please, do not show it to young children. It is 98 minutes of gut-gripping terror!
It begins with some creepy music, while you wonder if you should really select "play" or not. More creepy music continues as a young C. Thomas Howell/Jim Halsey, maybe age 18/20, lights his ciggie as he is driving a car through the long desert road at dusk. He is starting to get a little sleepy as darkness approaches and he drowns himself in caffeine from his large thermos. Fast forward to 4:30 a.m. , daybreak approaches in the darkness as lightening flashes and thunder crashes behind the background mountains. We learn that Howell is driving a Caddie to San Diego for some guy.
Here comes the heavy rain. OMG! No! Don't fall asleep! Honk! Whew! That was close. Shake it off. The rain is pouring, and there's a hitch-hiker--out in the middle of nowhere. Young Mr. Howell stops! Geeze! Don't you know any better? The Hitcher (Rutger Hauer/John Rider) opens the door and gets in the car. Here comes the opening line of a nightmare that goes on and on and on. You will probably remember this line for the rest of your life when Howell says to Hauer, "My mother told me never to do this."
It only took a few minutes for Hauer to get creepy. Howell tries stopping the car and telling him to get out, but it don't work. They pass a car on the side and Hauer starts telling Howell how he cut up the guy in that car and that Howell is next. This begins the road to hell as Hauer threatens Howell and causes intense fear all along the way. One minute Howell gets rid of Hauer and the next minute he is back again. This kid does the dumbest things, but then that's what makes the movie. You find yourself screaming on the inside, "Nooooo! Don't do that!" Out in the middle of nowhere, there is no help to be had and, unfortunately, there was no wireless network in 1984. (I know--hard to believe, but true. No cellular service, no email, and no laptops! I don't know how we made it to 2009.) Hauer plays Howell like a fine violin throughout the movie.
The good thing is that you don't see much blood, except in one scene about mid-way through, but you have NO DOUBT what Hauer did to these people.
This is one scary-axx movie, and not for the children!!!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Not for the faint of heart, but not very graphic.
Added 8/26/2009
I saw this movie years ago, about the time it was released, while I was still in high school, and it has stuck with me these years later.
My only real complaints are that the picture quality is only a little better than VHS, and the case actually has a glaring spoiler printed clearly right on the back!
What is wrong with these idiot DVD publishers that they would do THAT?!
My advice, for anyone thinking about buying this or watching it for the first time, is do NOT read the case back, unless you like to know how your movies are going to end before you even watch them.
Sheesh!
Also, Amazon was consistent by getting it to me within a week, and that was via the slower Parcel Post.
Okay, with that said, this really is a terrific scary movie (hard to call it either horror or thriller), and you will probably be sitting in stunned silence after you see it for the first time.
Yes, Roger Ebert panned this when it first came out in 1986, but I have to disagree with his sentiments.
This is hardly in the league of those idiotic and sadistic "Saw" movies, which do little more than give the viewers prurient pleasure by watching what at least looks to me like celebrating the violence depicted therein.
This movie does not provide any real answers, for those of you out there searching for a meaning all nicely wrapped up with a bow at the end.
Also, while the movie has an "R" rating, the violence occurs largely off screen, which to me makes it far scarier than the graphic "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" type of footage.
The supporting actors, C. Thomas Howell (Jim Halsey), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Nash), and Jeffrey DeMunn (Captain Estridge), all turn in decent performances, especially DeMunn, but make no mistake, Rutger Hauer (John Ryder, the Hitcher) dominates the screen.
Each twitch of his face will make you jump, and his sardonic stare will make your blood run cold.
He really gives a glimpse at what it would be like to see a psychopath in real life, yet he does it with an almost gentle quality, which makes it all the more disturbing.
Think about how disturbingly calm, polite, and coldly intelligent Anthony Hopkins was as Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs," and you will get a pretty close idea.
It was also interesting to watch Howell as Jim Halsey, steadily change from a terrified boy unable to even run, into someone who is willing to do what it takes to survive.
Jennifer Jason Leigh does a good performance as a Texan local girl who helps Halsey, and I really am glad that (for once!) there was no romance as such for the story, even though any man would have been more than a little interested in her because of her looks.
I have seen Jeffrey DeMunn in several other movies, and he really is convincing as Captain Estridge, going from sympathetic to tough, as any experienced cop should be.
One word of advice to those of you with kids.
As I said, the violence, including the climactic scene near the end, is largely off screen.
However, if you have very young kids who get nightmares easily, you might be better served by waiting until they are a bit older and more mature.
With all that said, very good movie, despite what the critics may have said.
Check it out.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
I Still Look For Fingers In My French Fries!
Added 2/23/2009
The first time I saw this movie it just about terrified me....and few films have ever done that to me as an adult. Rutger Hauer was haunting as the demented killer.
The film moves very fast in this story of a maniac stalking a young motorist (C. Thomas Howell). Two subsequent viewings have quieted the fear but it's still a very chilling film and should keep most people riveted to the screen. It's an hour- and-a-half that will fly by with action and suspense.....and horror (see the headline here for one of those horrific moments).
On the negative side, not once but twice we have to watch Howell vomit. Neither he nor female lead Jennifer Jason Leigh are likable "good guys." (Of course, when has Leigh ever been a "good person" on screen?) The police, as usual in films, are pictured as sadistic, short-tempered idiots. Finally, credibility gets stretched a bit, particularly in the last 30 minutes.
But, overall, it will be a film that will get your attention, beginning with Mr. Hauer, whom you will never forget.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Best psychological horror ever
Added 2/15/2009
If you loved Hitchcock's Psycho then this is a must see for you. Many movies of this caliber tend to be too theatrical and become scenes of blood and gore. This movie has more than one 'shower scene.' While many people are murdered in this movie and you know it wasn't pleasant, you don't get to see the blood and gore.
You are never quite sure what took place, it is in your mind and perhaps that is what makes this so scary.
I know there has been a remake of this movie but it doesn't even come close to this one - from what I heard and read. I didn't see the new movie myself. If you want a real challenge, try to watch this movie alone, on a dark rainy night and see what happens. If you don't think you can cut it then get some friends together who enjoy psychological thrillers and prepare to be thrilled in ways you never expected.
Leadie Jo Flowers
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
The original!!!!!
Added 12/10/2008
One of the best from the 80's.
Rutger Hauer is great as the psycho.
Screw the remake,go out & rent/buy the original,trust me,u will love it.
o.k. laters.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
The Terror of a Cold-Blooded Murderer
Added 11/27/2009
This is not something I would normally watch these days, but I saw it in 1984 and remembered that it was one scary movie! (OMG! 25 years ago!!!--seems like yesterday!) My son left it next to the computer, so I picked it up and watched it again. Left my stomach a bit unsettled, but for those who like this kind of flick, I must admit it is a good one, with a fine performance by Rutger Hauer as one bad-axx, cold-blooded murderer. If you want to impress on your teenager not to pick up strangers, this movie should do it. But, please, do not show it to young children. It is 98 minutes of gut-gripping terror!
It begins with some creepy music, while you wonder if you should really select "play" or not. More creepy music continues as a young C. Thomas Howell/Jim Halsey, maybe age 18/20, lights his ciggie as he is driving a car through the long desert road at dusk. He is starting to get a little sleepy as darkness approaches and he drowns himself in caffeine from his large thermos. Fast forward to 4:30 a.m. , daybreak approaches in the darkness as lightening flashes and thunder crashes behind the background mountains. We learn that Howell is driving a Caddie to San Diego for some guy.
Here comes the heavy rain. OMG! No! Don't fall asleep! Honk! Whew! That was close. Shake it off. The rain is pouring, and there's a hitch-hiker--out in the middle of nowhere. Young Mr. Howell stops! Geeze! Don't you know any better? The Hitcher (Rutger Hauer/John Rider) opens the door and gets in the car. Here comes the opening line of a nightmare that goes on and on and on. You will probably remember this line for the rest of your life when Howell says to Hauer, "My mother told me never to do this."
It only took a few minutes for Hauer to get creepy. Howell tries stopping the car and telling him to get out, but it don't work. They pass a car on the side and Hauer starts telling Howell how he cut up the guy in that car and that Howell is next. This begins the road to hell as Hauer threatens Howell and causes intense fear all along the way. One minute Howell gets rid of Hauer and the next minute he is back again. This kid does the dumbest things, but then that's what makes the movie. You find yourself screaming on the inside, "Nooooo! Don't do that!" Out in the middle of nowhere, there is no help to be had and, unfortunately, there was no wireless network in 1984. (I know--hard to believe, but true. No cellular service, no email, and no laptops! I don't know how we made it to 2009.) Hauer plays Howell like a fine violin throughout the movie.
The good thing is that you don't see much blood, except in one scene about mid-way through, but you have NO DOUBT what Hauer did to these people.
This is one scary-axx movie, and not for the children!!!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Not for the faint of heart, but not very graphic.
Added 8/26/2009
I saw this movie years ago, about the time it was released, while I was still in high school, and it has stuck with me these years later.
My only real complaints are that the picture quality is only a little better than VHS, and the case actually has a glaring spoiler printed clearly right on the back!
What is wrong with these idiot DVD publishers that they would do THAT?!
My advice, for anyone thinking about buying this or watching it for the first time, is do NOT read the case back, unless you like to know how your movies are going to end before you even watch them.
Sheesh!
Also, Amazon was consistent by getting it to me within a week, and that was via the slower Parcel Post.
Okay, with that said, this really is a terrific scary movie (hard to call it either horror or thriller), and you will probably be sitting in stunned silence after you see it for the first time.
Yes, Roger Ebert panned this when it first came out in 1986, but I have to disagree with his sentiments.
This is hardly in the league of those idiotic and sadistic "Saw" movies, which do little more than give the viewers prurient pleasure by watching what at least looks to me like celebrating the violence depicted therein.
This movie does not provide any real answers, for those of you out there searching for a meaning all nicely wrapped up with a bow at the end.
Also, while the movie has an "R" rating, the violence occurs largely off screen, which to me makes it far scarier than the graphic "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" type of footage.
The supporting actors, C. Thomas Howell (Jim Halsey), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Nash), and Jeffrey DeMunn (Captain Estridge), all turn in decent performances, especially DeMunn, but make no mistake, Rutger Hauer (John Ryder, the Hitcher) dominates the screen.
Each twitch of his face will make you jump, and his sardonic stare will make your blood run cold.
He really gives a glimpse at what it would be like to see a psychopath in real life, yet he does it with an almost gentle quality, which makes it all the more disturbing.
Think about how disturbingly calm, polite, and coldly intelligent Anthony Hopkins was as Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs," and you will get a pretty close idea.
It was also interesting to watch Howell as Jim Halsey, steadily change from a terrified boy unable to even run, into someone who is willing to do what it takes to survive.
Jennifer Jason Leigh does a good performance as a Texan local girl who helps Halsey, and I really am glad that (for once!) there was no romance as such for the story, even though any man would have been more than a little interested in her because of her looks.
I have seen Jeffrey DeMunn in several other movies, and he really is convincing as Captain Estridge, going from sympathetic to tough, as any experienced cop should be.
One word of advice to those of you with kids.
As I said, the violence, including the climactic scene near the end, is largely off screen.
However, if you have very young kids who get nightmares easily, you might be better served by waiting until they are a bit older and more mature.
With all that said, very good movie, despite what the critics may have said.
Check it out.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
I Still Look For Fingers In My French Fries!
Added 2/23/2009
The first time I saw this movie it just about terrified me....and few films have ever done that to me as an adult. Rutger Hauer was haunting as the demented killer.
The film moves very fast in this story of a maniac stalking a young motorist (C. Thomas Howell). Two subsequent viewings have quieted the fear but it's still a very chilling film and should keep most people riveted to the screen. It's an hour- and-a-half that will fly by with action and suspense.....and horror (see the headline here for one of those horrific moments).
On the negative side, not once but twice we have to watch Howell vomit. Neither he nor female lead Jennifer Jason Leigh are likable "good guys." (Of course, when has Leigh ever been a "good person" on screen?) The police, as usual in films, are pictured as sadistic, short-tempered idiots. Finally, credibility gets stretched a bit, particularly in the last 30 minutes.
But, overall, it will be a film that will get your attention, beginning with Mr. Hauer, whom you will never forget.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
