WHAT THE PEEPER SAW

WHAT THE PEEPER SAW (1972)

Featuring: Brit Ekland; Mark Lester; Hardy Kruger

Director: James Kelly

Still on the subject of horror movies there is this seventies British flick starring Brit Ekland and Mark Lester.

Elise (Brit Ekland) who is newly wedded to widower Paul (Hardy Kruger) comes home one day to find her new stepson, Marcus (Mark Lester) standing in the door. She hasn't met him before as he is supposed to be still away at boarding school. But from the get go it is clear they are not going to get along. Then something happens that turns the relationship even more sour and before long Elise starts to fear that the child might mean her dangerously serious harm.

As far as horror movies go, this one is very tame; almost no blood and guts. It is actually more of a psychological thriller. But for me the biggest let down was the casting of Mark Lester in the role of what is supposed to be an evil character. With his natural angelic looks and gentle disposition, he simply does not fit. The basic concept of the movie is not bad but the final execution thereof is, to say the least, unconvincing.

I'll rate it at 3 out of 5 stars.

Mark Lester and Brit Ekland

  

THE GREEN MILE

THE GREEN MILE (1999)

Featuring: Tom Hanks; Michael Clarke Duncan; David Morse

Director: Frank Darabont

A while back I started looking at some of the movies made, based on the works of Stephen King. This is the last one - for a while anyway.

It tells the story of Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) who is in charge of a prison cell block housing death row inmates. He is also the one that oversees all executions and to make sure they are carried out properly. To him this has basically always been a job just like any other. That is until John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) enters the scene. He has been convicted of the murder of two little girls. But it doesn't take Paul and the rest of his small staff very long to realize that not only may John be innocent, there is also something very special about this giant of a man: he seems to be able to perform miracles...

As always Tom Hanks delivers a solid and flawless performance. But it is Michael Clarke Duncan that steals the show with a powerhouse performance that won him a couple of awards and got him nominated for several more. This film is generally regarded as one of the best big screen adaptations of one of Stephan King's books. Well worth watching even if you have seen it before. It's also a must for any serious DVD collection.

I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan and David Morse walking the "green mile"...

 On set with director Frank Darabont, writer Stephen King and starring actor Tom Hanks...