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When a Stranger Calls Back

When a Stranger Calls Back

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One Of The Most Terrifying Movies Of All Time
Review: The sequel to 1979's good-but-not-spectacular "When A Stranger
Calls" blows its predecessor out of the water in almost every way
imaginable, in my opinion. The first 20 minutes or so of the film, which, like the original has a babysitter in the house(this time played by one of my personal favorites, Jill Schoelen)
receiving increasingly ominous telephone calls, could be called a remake of the (admittedly great) first 20 minutes of the last one, but from there the two movies veer off in different directions, this one taking a darker and far eerier path. It's after the first 20 minutes that the film eases off the terror throttle a bit, both to get to know the characters better and to give the viewer a chance to breathe without having a heart attack.

Carol Kane, the babysitter from the first film, along with Charles Durning, the lead detective from the first, return to help with the police investigation, due to their experience in a similar situation years before. In my opinion, both give superior performances this time around, which along with the new cast members makes for one of the better ensembles of players out there. And as for the villain of the show, what can be said of this character? Not very much, for the antagonist remains a mystery until well into the final third.

After the brief respite following the opening terror, "When A Stranger Calls Back" rises quickly and dramatically in fright and intensity, and some of the most chilling and disturbing visual imagery ever conceived of comes into play towards the end.

A complete masterpiece, with intensity comparable (though not as much gore) to the first "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", the best "Hellraiser"s, and the deranged "House Of 1,000 Corpses".

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Walton makes the film he should have made the first time!
Review: "When a Stranger Calls" remains a classic a quarter century after its release, but this sequel is the rare one that outdoes its predecessor! The first movie started and ended with chills and thrills at the beginning and end but had a stagnant middle. This one is nonstop terror that will leave you clinging to your seat! The original cast is back, an especially nice touch, and some of the plot is the same, but rather than a rehash of the original, this one is sure to become a treasure all its own! Pop some corn, turn out the lights....and be sure to check the kids first.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Better than "When A Stranger Calls"
Review: "When A Stranger Calls Back" is the sequel to 1979's "When A Stranger Calls" featuring Carol Kane and Charles Durning reprising their roles. The beginning is almost exactly like the original's beginning. The only difference is that things disappear, simple things like a piece of paper or a pen, plus a continuous knocking at the door by a shadowy figure. Jill Schoelen plays Julia, who keeps getting harrassed by phone calls and a man outside her door. She becomes hysterical as the 2 kids she was babysitting were kidnapped and murdered. 5 years later, she is attending college when she gets harrased again, presumably by the same person who bothered her before. Student advisor Jill Johnson (Carol Kane) tries to help Julia any way she can, as she was similarly harrassed when she was a teenager. She also enlists the help of retired detective John Clifford (Charles Durning) to help find Julia's stalker. Thsi is film is more suspenseful, more fast-paced with better performances than the original. Carol Kane is great as Jill as well as Charles Durning. The only one thing I noticed about this film is that it's sort of a sequel to the first 20 minutes of the original. There is no mention of the killer getting shot instead he was put away and Jill doesn't have a husband or kids. Continuity glitch I guess. This is a great film to own if you have the first one. Full of suspense, buy it!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Scary movie, very good-quality DVD
Review: A terrific film, scary and creepy as few others manage to be, and with an original and very surprising ending to boot. The DVD tranfer is excellent, the story and performances uniformly good and the direction taught and tense with a keen sense of what to do to make the audience's stomach churn. Just don't forget this should be watched at night, when it's quiet out there and the kids are fast asleep.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: good made for TV movie
Review: A well done follow up to the orignal. Interesting and suspenseful!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: good made for TV movie
Review: A well done follow up to the orignal. Interesting and suspenseful!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: They almost have a great horror movie here. Maybe part 3.
Review: As with the original, When a Stranger Calls Back follows a simple formula - Good Stuff, Boring Stuff, Good Stuff. In an attempt to show they've learned from their mistakes the filmmakers decided to reduce the bad stuff by expanding the opening. I think this one is about twice as long as the original.

Jill Schoelen is babysitting for the night. There is a knock at the door and a small, inoffensive voice asks her to call AAA because his car is broken down. When she tries, she finds there is no dial tone. Of course you don't tell a stranger you're all alone with no phone so she tells him AAA is on their way. She does everything right. She doesn't open the door when he asks, she makes sure all doors and windows are locked, she doesn't give out her name. It doesn't do her much good, though. This opening sequence is every bit as good as the original and then some. Schoelen is perfect as the put-upon babysitter trying not to be rude and scaring herself half to death with thoughts of what's on the other side of that door.

But...you have to enter the second act at some point and when WASCB does it sinks fast. It's five years later and Schoelen now has an awful mullet that makes her look as unattractive as possible. I guess that's the point, but geez -- a mullet?. Carol Kane and Charles Durning are conveniently in the neighborhood to investigate. Again, it picks up for the third act when Kane is stalked by this new killer. His method of disguise is pretty ingenious, I have to admit.

The DVD has no extras and is not widescreen, so there is no real reason to get it if you already have it on VHS or have seen the Showtime version.

Again, recommended for the opening and ending, but nothing in between.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Kane and Durning carry sequel
Review: Carol Kane and Charles Durning reprise their roles from the original film, with Kane now a counselor who befriends a young stalking victim, and Durning is on the scene to protect his old friend. Film follows it's predecessor's format, with a great opening sequence that peters out before coming back to life with a scary finale. Interesting premise; our stalker is also a ventriloquist, and he can throw his voice so we're never quite sure where he is. Kane and Durning make a good team together and I'd welcome a third installment.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is movie is definitely original and extremly scary!
Review: For all who liked Scream and I Know What You did Last Summer. Then loved the sequal even more. This movie is the scariest movie that has ever been made! For the romantics, this is the movie for you and your loved one to hold on tight to. Its fasted pace and extremely enjoyable. If you have any a high intrest of being scared this is the movie for YOU!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Scariest Movie I've Ever Seen!
Review: Forget "The Exorcist" this is the scariest movieyou'll ever see! The first 15 minutes of the film scared me so much that I literally could not move off the couch. Jill Schoelen plays Julia, a lovely, vulnerable girl who is doing a friend a favor by babysitting their kids. However, someone is going to make this night a living hell. Someone is watching Julia, toying with her like a cat and mouse. Unlike the original "Stranger" this film continues the suspense throughout the entire film. And yet, only one scene includes violence and blood. Carol Kane and Charles Durning reprise their roles, and I must say, are much more effective in this film. The ending of the film will shock you and leave you terrified for a very long time. I guarantee this will be the scariest film you've ever seen!


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