stephen-kyle Reviews

Reflections of Murder (1974 TV Movie)

This is a remake

[8/10 · 11 May 2007]

This was a made-for-TV remake of the classic French thriller "Diabolique." When I saw this version, I hadn't seen the original, so that might be why I preferred this version. It used Bach's music to very creepy effect. Also, there was a lesbian subtext between Joan Hacket and Tuesday Weld, something apparently not in the original script? This was one of several reasons this film worked well on so many levels. I only saw it once when it aired as an ABC "Movie of the Week," but I haven't forgotten it since, and I've been looking for this film ever since. Memories of certain scenes still haunt me decades later.

Forget the more recent remake with Sharon Stone, which was routine and forgettable. This version is the real thing.

Masters of Horror: John Carpenter's Cigarette Burns (2005) Season 1, Episode 8

A rarity of originality, has to be seen to be believed

[10/10 · 8 July 2006]

Wow. I was not ready for what this compact hour contained. So much more imaginatively written and better directed and acted than any crap that has passed for horror in the past 30 years.

I have seen most of J. Carpenter's films, some I like, some I don't. But with this piece he has surpassed not only himself but most horror films made either for theaters or TV.

It is hard to write about and describe because it is best to not give away too much, other than the premise involves a rare film that was shown only once, and it caused a riot to erupt in the theater, with deaths involved. The protagonist is hired to find the only known remaining print of the film, and finds himself drawn into something that was much more than he bargained for. Is there something supernatural involved? Does the film drive people insane? How can this be?

In some respects, there are more questions at the the end that remain unanswered. But, as with the best films, that's the way it should be; it stays with you, haunts you, and nags at your brain -- just like the legendary film within the film, "Le Fin Absolue du Monde."

Totally stunning, horrifying and awe-inspiring. A day later, I still can't shake it from my mind.