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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Madness Explored, February 22, 2000
Like so many others, I too have become a recent Vosloo watcher and bought the DVD of this film for that reason. This is not a film I would have purchased ordinarily, nor would I have attended it in a theater. (I spend too much of my time keeping others alive to relish watching someone else trash viable young adults in the full bloom of youth and life). Still, one can hardly but appreciate the talent that went into bringing Stephan to reality on the screen. I have met two psychopathic personalities, one professionally while I was working on a neurology ward and one in private life while I was living in Egypt. In both instances in retrospect, I am especially amazed at the skill they exhibited in enlisting the cooperation of their victims--myself among others--in their enterprises. One not only believed in what they said and did, one actually WANTED to believe in what they said and did. Nor if I were to have a third encounter with such an individual could I honestly say I would be any the less vulnerable for the experience. Mr. Vosloo's characterization of Stephan is, therefore, not only creditable it is positively chilling. (One wonders how he went about preparing for the role.) His ability to show up virtually everywhere without warning was also effective (though not unpredictable given the genre). The only film I've seen wherein the character--in this case a female--was more effectively menacing, merciless, and everywhere is an Egyptian film in Arabic, entitled Shamps. Mr. Busey's character was also believable in that he entered a web of terror of his own volition (and probably arrogance) with Mr. Vosloo's very dangerous spider waiting for him in the middle of it. His ineffectual efforts to escape it and his ultimate involvement of others in the terror is also creditable. My only criticism of the film is that the story behind the title character's madness was neglected, religated to the experience of a disillusioned teenager--though recent events have proved graphically how violent and tragic that can become--this was, after all, the diary of a serial killer, and I would have liked to have known more about the making of such a madman. Over all, though I cannot honestly say I "liked" the film, I still thought it was a good one.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Actors Gone to Waste, June 10, 1999
With Gary Busey and Arnold Vosloo starring and a great story idea, how could this movie go so wrong? Simple. With a script that can't live up to its full potential and weak directing that leaves these talented and charismatic actors with egg on their faces. Throughout this movie, lines are forced and emotional outbursts come flying out of nowhere. At times the actors are left to grope for a connection, or worse, they are made to violate their instincts, turning powerful moments into awkward ones. Like harpies from the sky, these senseless moments make the viewer want to run screaming for shelter. What seemed like a promising thriller of intrigue and insanity turned out to be a disappointing groaner of missed marks and flat presentation. It's always a shame when such awesome actors have been wasted, but they say that any experience is a good one if you learn a valuable lesson. I sincerely hope so, but I want to know "Is it too early to do a re-make?"
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A Poor Man's Psychological Thriller ..., August 5, 1999
By A Customer
Sad to see such wasted talent as Arnold Vosloo (who is horribly miscast as a far too attractive and far from menacing serial killer) in this unfortunate excuse for a psychological thriller. If, like me, you have recently become a fan of this sexy and darkly intense actor since this summer's mega-hit "The Mummy", you will be pleased at the amount of screen time and dialogue he has but sorely disappointed if you are a fan of the psychological thriller genre. Gary Busey seems to sleepwalk through the movie when any other journalist would likely be traumatized at being stalked by a serial killer. More interviews with the killer would have provided more insight into this character. Lots of potential for an interesting study of the mind of a killer, but somebody missed the boat on that one. In short, if you're a Vosloo fan, give it a look but if you're a psychological thriller movie fan, give it a definite pass!!!
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