This is, by far, the scariest film I have ever seen.
Added 10/17/2009
A made for TV movie that is scarier than any other film out there. Scarier than the Excorcist. Makes Halloween seem laughable. This movie is incredible. I remember seeing it as a teenager and it scared me so muich I couldn't get off the couch to turn the TV off--I was scared stiff!! Everyone I have told about this film agrees. It is brilliant, frightening, creepy and all around SCARY! Not gory or cheesy, but truly scary scary scary!!! I still have trouble watching this film (and I am in my 20s) because it still gets to me. If you want to see a truly frightening movie, watch this. You won't be disappointed.
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Spine- chilling
Added 10/14/2009
I hadn't watched a movie like this for a loooong time, and it sure was a pleasant surprise. I had forgotten what it is like to feel shivers down my spine. The movie has all the ingredients of a real suspense , keeping it simple and without unnecessary (and confusing) twists and turns. The ever-competent Charles Durning is one of my favorite actors, and it was a plus for me to be able to see him again. Well, I definitely recommend this movie!
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Wrong description of movie
Added 6/11/2009
Returned item and haven't received a refund. Reason for return is seller described story line different from the one I received.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Improves on the original, but in other ways it's also very inferior
Added 1/10/2008
When a Stranger Calls back was overall a well-done sequel that in some ways improves on the original, but in other ways it's also very inferior to the original. Like the original the opening act is simply brilliant. Each second the tension is raised until you are on the edge of your seat. While the opening act may not be as great as the original it is a very tense and edge of your seat thrill ride.
After the opening act in the original it does slow down and can be a little boring in some areas, but I still think its better than most people give it credit for. Here in When a Stranger Calls Back the middle sections aren't as slow paced, but the problem is it lacks the eerie feel of the original. For the first half of the movie you're still on that high from the opening act so even the slightest suspense scene will play out very well.
The one thing this movie does get right is I always felt the original should have been Jill Johnson's story with the stranger being more of a sub-plot. After the opening act instead of switching over to the stranger we stay with Julia played by the lovely Jill Schoelen who was tormented in the opening act. Returning is Carol Kane as Jill Johnson and Charles Durning as John Clifford; When a Stranger Calls back works well when the focus is on Julia, but works ever better when Jill is the main focus. This time around the stranger William Landis played by Gene Lythgow has a very small part and only appears a couple of times and mostly he's kept hidden.
Writer Fred Walton does a pretty good job with the screenplay, but there were some directions the movie could have gone. Jill appears around the 30-minute mark and in a main stay through the movie unlike the original where she only appears in the opening and closing act. While Walton does do a good job with the character I do feel a little more could have been done with her character. Overall the script is well written, but never reached its full potential.
As a director Fred Walton does an excellent job of creating suspense and tension. When it comes to opening acts I don't think you can find a better filmmaker. Once again he does such a great job with the opening act that the slightest little noise will freak you out. The pacing though after that does lack in some areas. As I stated before the middle sections aren't as slow this time around, but they aren't as creepy as the original. There were some problems in the 2nd half where the pacing does suffer. Despite When a Stranger Calls only running at about 93-minutes I do believe it could have lost a couple of minutes to help the pacing. The 2nd half isn't bad, but does sort of repeat itself at times.
Once again When a Stranger Calls Back is one of those sequels that improves on the original even if not as good. I liked the idea of the moving focusing more on Julia than the killer. It's an interesting character study seeing her nerves really shot and nobody really willing to believe someone is stalking her. I've always liked Jill Schoelen and she provides a solid performance. The best scenes are those with Carol Kane who once again is out-standing. Jill Johnson who should have been the main focus of the original has a much bigger role this time. Charles Durning who carried the original is great here, but reduced to pretty much doing the same thing as he did in the original film and it just doesn't work quite as well.
The final act was good, but lacked the suspense and tension of the opening act. While it does have some tense moments it could have worked a lot better, but I suppose overall it does deliver. The killer here isn't nearly as creepy as Roy Duncan, but overall he works well in a small role. Like I said When a Stranger Calls Back in some ways improves upon the original, but is also inferior. Towards the end the movie does trail off a little bit, but never really becomes boring; Overall a good sequel.
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Scary Scary Scary !
Added 2/23/2007
I agree with the other posts here , this is a superior made for TV what a surprise and to have Carol Kane back is just fantastic !
This idea of a young girl alone in the house the phone is dead and then theres a knock on the door , and the voice behind the door wants to use the phone and then it starts to send chills thus the movie goes into a rollercaster throughout .
Buy it or rent it I promise you you wont be disapointed .
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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This is, by far, the scariest film I have ever seen.
Added 10/17/2009
A made for TV movie that is scarier than any other film out there. Scarier than the Excorcist. Makes Halloween seem laughable. This movie is incredible. I remember seeing it as a teenager and it scared me so muich I couldn't get off the couch to turn the TV off--I was scared stiff!! Everyone I have told about this film agrees. It is brilliant, frightening, creepy and all around SCARY! Not gory or cheesy, but truly scary scary scary!!! I still have trouble watching this film (and I am in my 20s) because it still gets to me. If you want to see a truly frightening movie, watch this. You won't be disappointed.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Spine- chilling
Added 10/14/2009
I hadn't watched a movie like this for a loooong time, and it sure was a pleasant surprise. I had forgotten what it is like to feel shivers down my spine. The movie has all the ingredients of a real suspense , keeping it simple and without unnecessary (and confusing) twists and turns. The ever-competent Charles Durning is one of my favorite actors, and it was a plus for me to be able to see him again. Well, I definitely recommend this movie!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Wrong description of movie
Added 6/11/2009
Returned item and haven't received a refund. Reason for return is seller described story line different from the one I received.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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