Customer Reviews

Sleepstalker

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Horror, yes. Suspense, yes. Acting, OH YEAH. This one had me turning the lights back on. One thing that really got me was the closing sound track. Teresa Straley's rendition of "Sleep Baby Sleep" was not only haunting, but captivating. I only wish that it were available on a sound track album. In my opinion, this movie is, for horror fans, well worth watching. Great direction, but unfortunatly, there is a small problem with continuity. I've seen worse in films with higher budgets. Enjoy it for what it is, but remember to leave the lights on...

I remember watching this when it first came it out. It scared the hell out of me. Even the lullaby scared the hell out of me. Basically because it was composed in miner keys. But I thought that it was an outstanding horror film. It's not quite original but it's good enough to scare the hell out of you.

The film is about a young boy named Griffen, who sees his parents killed by serial killer who calls himself the Sandman. Seventeen years later, Griffen has grown up to be a talented journalist. He feels pure relief when he finds out that the killer who murdered his parents is being executed. But what Griffen doesn't know is the Sandman performed this black magic ritual that will resurrect him into a horrific creature made of sand that can change his shape at will. The execution is performed and the sand-like killer/creature is resurrected and he sets out to end Griffen's life.

Like I said, this is not quite original but it is an excellent film and it will make you have every light on in your house.

I remember watching this years ago... I thought it was a decent film with ok acting. And Mr. Michael Butts, Kathryn Morris' hit tv series is Cold Case--not Without A Trace! ..just to set the record straight. =)

I watched this movie alone one night...Iwas scared STIFF...It can get a little slow at times...But its very good! A MUST rent for horror fans!

True, the 90's didn't have as much great horror as the 80's and on down, but it did manage to spit out some good odd-ball horror every now and then. 'Sleepstalker' was one of my favorites growing up, and still is! Who doesn't love a killer sandman as an idea for a horror film!? I know I know we have Freddy but this is different. For when this film was made, the CGI isn't bad and old-school make-up is involved as well. A truly creepy looking killer! Picture 'Clayface', one of Batman's enemies, and what all 'Clayface is capable of, that's pretty much what this evil sandman's powers are! It's slightly better than most sci-fi channel horror flicks being made today. Check it out and remember to just enjoy it for what it is!

This movie turned out to be an unusually intelligent, interesting horror film with a very effective ending. I was actually surprised! Actor Michael Harris definitely steals the show as the 'villian' of the piece - he is charismatic, scary and sympathetic all at once. I was engaged from beginning to end, mostly by Harris' performance, but also by the twists and turns of the story. Definitely one of the better of its kind.

Sleeptalker surprised me and surpassed my expectations. This isn't your average B-movie, and it certainly deserves wider recognition and separation from the various straight-to-video flicks that are ignored by the typical movie-goer.

The plot revolves around a young man named Griffin (Jay Underwood) with an obviously troubled past. Griffin's parents (Marc McClure, Caryn Richman) were murdered when he was only seven years old by a serial killer known only as the Sandman (Michael Harris) -- a creepy scene we witness at the beginning of the film. Seventeen years later, when Griffin is a grown man, he seems to be leading a relatively normal life. He is looking for his big break in writing/journalism, and has a steady friendship (which, of course, is evolving into something more) with the lovely Megan (Kathryn Morris). But his seemingly normal life is shaken when he learns that The Sandman will soon be executed. At first, he's simply relieved and tries to brush it aside. But he'll soon discover that, as the tagline for the movie suggests, "Evil never dies...it only waits to be reborn". In his cell, the Sandman is given his last rites by a priest (Michael D. Roberts) -- who is actually a satanic worker of witchcraft. Through the dark powers that be, he grants the Sandman immortality, but only if he can kill Griffin within three nights. Griffin is his mortal link to this world -- a link that must be severed. This little bit of the story is actually a driving point behind the entire plot. A decently clever twist that pulls everything together by the end. So, after his death, the lullaby-singing sleep-stalker is reincarnated into a body made completely of sand. Yes, shapeshifting and such is made possible, but believe it or not, this aspect of the killer was brought to the screen in just the right way that it's not as cheesy as it sounds. And once he's back in his new form, it seems it's the end of the line for old Griffy boy. But he's not going down without a fight. Through the assistance of the satanic priest, as well as his devoted friend Megan who seems to be the only one who believes him, he's able to uncover the truth behind The Sandman and possibly put an end to all of the madness. But when all is said and done, is that truly possible?

Sleepstalker is definitely a cut above most B-flicks. Michael Harris dominated the screen with his terrifyingly realistic portrayal of one creepy-as-hell cinema-psycho! Also to my delight, the cast was not filled with wannabe actors that couldn't convince the audience with their characters. Most of the acting was quite impressive. And for the majority of the film, all of the behind-the-scene touches -- including directing, editing, cinematography, and a great score (with a haunting rendition of "Sleep Baby Sleep" by Teresa Straley) -- really aided this in becoming something worthy of five stars. There are plenty of great movies out there that aren't recognized because of the sterotype claiming B-flicks to be amateur and stupified, and Sleepstalker is one of them. Sure, you can't expect a blockbuster masterpiece hit, but you can certainly expect something highly entertaining from Sleepstalker. There aren't any special features, but the film alone is enough reason to pick up this DVD. It's worth a look for all horror buffs and even thriller fans.

This is another one of those movies I like to rent once a year or so. I find horror films to be mindless fun and this is a good one. I was impressed with the quality of the DVD, although it is not in widescreen. I like the acting and the character development. I liked Griffin. The Sandman could have easily become another icon like Freddy or Jason if they had continued with sequels. Of course with any horror movie, you can poke holes in the plot. There was little gore and no sex scenes and this made the movie lack what most other horror movies provide. The acting was good, the photography and lighting was good, and the score was good.

This is a fun addition to my collection.

SLEEPSTALKER surprised me. It's an effective, chilling, if flawed, horror movie. Give Michael Harris credit for a chilling portrayal of the Sandman, both before and after his sandy transition. Kathryn Morris (who now has a hit series, WITHOUT A TRACE) has one of her early roles as Megan, the heroine. Jay Underwood gets a little histrionic, but at least he puts everything into his role as Griffin, the young man who saw his parents murdered by the Sandman seventeen years earlier. The direction is good and the cinematography very atmospheric. Teresa Straley's haunting rendition of SLEEP BABY SLEEP sent chills up my spine for its sweet, yet ominous, overtones.
Effectively haunting, not gory, but spooky all the same.

Frankly it's a brilliant device for a low budget horror flick, sand when he appears and kills, and water is his nemesis, you can't get any cheaper than that, but the storyline and execution is just elements of Shocker, Freddy, and Candyman, it's cliche low budget horror based on a decent premise, and unlike those other films this has like no replay value. The originality ends with the concept, it certainly isn't worth the 4 and 5 star reviews others have given it, I think 3 stars is generous, a decent effort, but the film just falls short and plays out like a genre rip off. The Sleepstalker is no Wishmaster.