Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 3, 1993 TAG: 9302020249
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
ONE WORTH GETTING ON IMPULSE
A gullible lawyer. A sultry blonde. A dead older lover. Is it Madonna's "Body of Evidence"?No, it's "Homicidal Impulse," a video original that's more outrageous, inventive and fun than the Material Girl's most recent romp on the wild side. It's also the cream of a new crop of deliciously cheap thrills.
In "Homicidal Impulse," Tim Casey (Scott Valentine) is having a bad time at work. His boss, District Attorney Dugan (B-movie stalwart Charles Napier), thinks that Tim lacks the "killer instinct" necessary to win the big cases. But then Tim gets a new assistant, Deborah (Vanessa Angel), who's smart, aggressive, sexy and ruthless. When she decides to help advance Tim's career, sparks fly.
For the first 40 minutes or so, the story by writer-director David Tausik chugs along without any real surprises, beyond some enthusiastic love scenes involving body doubles and salad dressing. But then something bizarre happens (too bizarre to describe without spoiling the fun), and this little movie gets seriously, seriously weird. Comparisons to "Blood Simple" aren't out of place.
"Homicidal Impulse" came from Roger Corman's organization, so the production values aren't lavish, but it still looks good, and it's well worth watching for Tausik's audacity.
In a similar way, "Live Wire" uses sheer imagination to transform a standard political thriller into a real treat.
The setting: Washington, D.C. The gimmick: Exploding senators. That's right, politicians who inexplicably blow up. Initially, FBI bomb disposal expert Danny O'Neil (Pierce Brosnan) is mystified. What could cause a seemingly harmless elected official to detonate? Only an international terrorist (Ben Cross) knows for sure.
Danny has other problems. His estranged wife, Terry (Lida Eilbacher), has been seeing a particularly slimy character, Sen. Travers (Ron Silver). Danny hates Travers, but has to protect him any way, lest the senator from Florida go ballistic - literally. The conclusion, borrowing heavily from TV's "MacGyver," is something of a disappointment, but not a large one.
At its best, Bart Baker's script has a keen black comedy edge reminiscent of "The Manchurian Candidate." The leads give properly tongue-in-cheek performances. Director Christian Duguay made excellent use of some unusual Washington locations. And overall, the film has a high-budget polish that would put many theatrical releases to shame. What more can you ask of a video original?
Stephen King's "It" fared better than many of his novels when it was transformed into a miniseries in 1990, and it stands up well on cassette. The lengthy plot is still simplified, but even at three hours-plus, the pace zips right along.
The story concerns a group of childhood friends who, in their youth, overcame a hazily defined, protean critter. It often appears as Pennywise (Tim Curry), the evil clown, but it can assume other incarnations, many involving inventive special effects. Years later, when the kids have grown up, the boogie man comes back.
The ensemble cast - including TV veterans Harry Anderson, Dennis Christopher, Richard Masur, Annette O'Toole, Tim Reid, John Ritter and Richard Thomas - does commendable work. Director Tommy Lee Wallace doesn't let the effects overpower the story. Horror fans who missed this one when it was first broadcast should make a point of finding "It."
\ "Landslide" isn't as much fun. Based on Desmond Bagley's novel, it's a combination amnesia and town-with-a-secret tale. Bob Boyd (Anthony Edwards) lost his memory years before in a car crash that killed most members of the influential Trinovant family, leaving control of the local economy to the villainous Matterson family.
Bob comes back with an assumed identity and an ugly crewcut. He's determined to find out what really happened, and why the Mattersons are trying to buy up all of the nearby forest land. Joanna Cassidy, as an evil Matterson daughter, steals the show, though in this case, that's faint praise. The script is stilted and cliched; the pace is far too slow; and made-for-TV production values show through. As the title promises, though, "Landslide" does end with some good special effects.
\ "Sweet Poison" begins with another well-worn premise. This time, we've got the escaped convict (Steven Bauer) who kidnaps the Milquetoast husband (Edward Hermann) and his restless wife (Patricia Healy). Walter Klenhard's story sticks to the formula most of the way through, but it does arrive at a couple of nice turns toward the end. Fans will like it more than others.
New releases
Mo' Money: *
Stars Damon Wayans. Directed Peter MacDonald. Columbia Tristar. 97 min. Rated R for strong language, graphic violence.
Though this one has been advertised as a comedy, it's really more of a crime-thriller. The loose script - written by Damon Wayans - cobbles together several of the characters and bits he has developed on the TV series "In Living Color." They don't have much to do with the central story line, something about credit card fraud. Overall, an unfunny waste of talent.\ \ What the ratings mean:
**** Memorable. One of the best of its kind; maybe worth owning.
*** Outstanding. An excellent video, worth searching out.
** Average. You've seen better, you've seen worse, but if it sounds interesting . . .
* Poor. This is why your VCR has a fast-forward button.
A waste of time and an insult to your intelligence. More a warning than a rating.
Note: Star ratings are not available for reviews from wire services.
THE ESSENTIALS:\ \ Homicidal Impulse: *** LIVE. 84 and 86 min. R-rated and unrated for violence, nudity, sexual activity, strong language, subject matter.\ \ Live Wire: *** New Line. 85 and 87 min. R-rated and unrated for violence, strong language, nudity, sexual activity.\ \ It: **1/2 Warner. 193 min. Unrated, contains some violence.\ \ Landslide: ** Republic. 95 min. Rated PG-13 for some strong language, mild violence.\ \ Sweet Poison: **1/2 MCA Universal. 101 min. Rated R for violence, strong language, brief nudity, sexual activity.