Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out

Ricky Caldwell (Bill Moseley) lies in a coma and has for six years, after being shot in order to end his deadly rampage. Doctors don’t know when or if Ricky will ever awaken. Laura (Samantha Scully) is a blind young woman who has a talent that some might call ESP – despite her lack of sight, she sees things in her dreams/mind that she can’t explain. Dr. Newbury (Richard Beymer) is trying to help her understand and use these talents, but she is skeptical of the doctor’s studies and wishes to end her participation. During a particularly violent dream, her screams seem to have awakened Ricky. Let the blood bath begin anew….

This is the sequel to Silent Night Deadly Night 2, despite the fact that the part of Ricky was recast. After seeing this movie, I have to believe Eric Freeman read the script and said no. This film makes the second one look like a masterpiece. Where do I even start?

First off, if Ricky was shot in the chest in the second film, why is he wearing that weird protective device over his exposed brain? (Btw, I guess we just need to forget there was another Ricky, no explanation is given for his changed looks). This Ricky does not how “Revenge!” or “Garbage Day!” with great glee, in fact he says very little and shows no emotion whatsoever. But make no mistake, he is still a killer. And now his focus is on Laura. Why? Couldn’t tell you. Terrible plot, horrible script, terrible direction, sets, and cinematography, and very very bad exacting. Even Richard Beymer and Robert Culp (yep, that guy from I Spy) couldn’t save this. Also, there is Eric DaRe, whom I remember from Twin Peaks (oddly, his character was in a similar type situation as Ricky, almost Frankenstein-like). I didn’t recognize DaRe at first, thinking his character was cute.  Don’t ask me why, I requested the next one, where we have another actor playing Ricky. I’ll keep you in suspense until I watch and review it. I am giving this film .5 Stars. I only hope #4 is better, but I am not holding my breath on that.

Saw V

Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) emerges as a hero in the wake of Jigsaw’s death, but Agent Strahm (Scott Patterson) is suspicious, believing that he was meant to perish with the others and unexpectedly he lived. He begins to search Hoffman’s past, as well as the previous Jigsaw murders. Meanwhile, five people awaken in a perilous situation, and a new game is afoot

One person Strahm seems to be focused on for information is John Kramer’s (Tobin Bell) ex, Jill

(Betsy  Russell). But she knows nothing, as her ex never made her privy to his plans, so she can’t help him. Meanwhile, the five people are trying to navigate this new situation they find themselves in. Jigsaw, as usual, has left them clues, but will they do what it takes to emerge alive?

I liked watching the evolution of Mark Hoffman as John’s assistant, as well as the struggle of the five people. They have the clues at their fingertips, if they’ll only pay attention. As with any Saw film, there is gore and there is peril. In the end, Strahm proves to be his own worst enemy. I also appreciate that Jigsaw is still very much a part of the film series, despite John’s death. There are clearly twists and turns yet to be uncovered, and I look forward to seeing them. I’ll give this film 4 St