To begin with, whoever was responsible for the hair styles in this film should receive the death penalty. Admittedly, I'm no fan of corn rows, but they're okay. However, with Debbi Morgan and several of the other female actresses, all I could keep thinking of was Medusa! And they certainly must have run out of Afrosheen on the men. Yuck. It was downright distracting. And no, I'm not just an old white guy who doesn't like Blacks. I usually enjoy films with mostly Black casts. Just not this one. Among my favorite actors: Morris Chestnut and the exquisitely beautiful Gabrielle Union.
And for that matter, Michael Beach, who at least in terms of acting ability ought to have had the lead credit in this film. He's a reliable, steady actor who never disappoints...and is excellent here...when he can keep his head above water with a less than competent script.
I was not impressed with the nominal lead actor here -- Blair Underwood. I used to like him back in his "LA Law" days. But here it seemed like he had to think about acting, which results in one looking like they are thinking about how to act. Gee, I think I should look intense here. Gee, I think I should look evil here. I found it to be rather shallow acting. He gave me the creeps...and he seemed to come to the creepiness all too easily. Hmmmmmmmm.
While I didn't like her hair, Debbi Morgan's acting was fine. I thought the script built around her scenes were a bit shallow, as if her character didn't have an ounce of backbone. But she did okay with what was given to her.
In terms of the plot, the premise is pretty good. Two Black couples are best of friends, and at a carnival a problem with the Ferris wheel causes one woman (Underwood's wife) to fall off the ride to her death. He then turns on the other couple, attempting to destroy their marriage in revenge. Good, basic plot; nothing too new, but always good for some suspense. And the ending. Let's see, they have a Christmas party, one woman is left behind drunk, so hubby takes her home...even after the psycho stalker has shown up at their party just a little while before. Geeeez! Nothing could happen there. Right? The ending is unusually violent, but well done.
Perhaps Tim Reid isn't up to directing a feature film. It all seems very contrived.
And for that matter, Michael Beach, who at least in terms of acting ability ought to have had the lead credit in this film. He's a reliable, steady actor who never disappoints...and is excellent here...when he can keep his head above water with a less than competent script.
I was not impressed with the nominal lead actor here -- Blair Underwood. I used to like him back in his "LA Law" days. But here it seemed like he had to think about acting, which results in one looking like they are thinking about how to act. Gee, I think I should look intense here. Gee, I think I should look evil here. I found it to be rather shallow acting. He gave me the creeps...and he seemed to come to the creepiness all too easily. Hmmmmmmmm.
While I didn't like her hair, Debbi Morgan's acting was fine. I thought the script built around her scenes were a bit shallow, as if her character didn't have an ounce of backbone. But she did okay with what was given to her.
In terms of the plot, the premise is pretty good. Two Black couples are best of friends, and at a carnival a problem with the Ferris wheel causes one woman (Underwood's wife) to fall off the ride to her death. He then turns on the other couple, attempting to destroy their marriage in revenge. Good, basic plot; nothing too new, but always good for some suspense. And the ending. Let's see, they have a Christmas party, one woman is left behind drunk, so hubby takes her home...even after the psycho stalker has shown up at their party just a little while before. Geeeez! Nothing could happen there. Right? The ending is unusually violent, but well done.
Perhaps Tim Reid isn't up to directing a feature film. It all seems very contrived.