Video Reviews

WAIT UNTIL DARK
*ing Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin, Richard Crenna, Jack Weston, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
Dir: Terence Young
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Ultra-Warner, Rs. 285

This is a film that Alfred Hitchcock would have been proud of. Taut, inventive, suspenseful and wonderfully acted, Wait Until Dark is one of the better suspense drama’s ever made.

The plot revolves around Susie (Audrey Hepburn), who is recently blinded and learning to cope with her impairment. She is being stalked by a psychopath who thinks she possesses a heroin-stuffed doll that has immense street value. And Susie has to do everything to survive, and the odds can be evened only after dark.

Audrey Hepburn garnered a fifth Academy Award nomination for her role in the film and the first-rate supporting cast including Richard Crenna as a smooth-talking accomplice of the crazed psychopath give sterling performances. With the temperature heading south-ward, this is the right movie to spice up a Sunday afternoon. Go for it.

EXORCIST II: The Heretic
*ing Richard Burton, Linda Blair, Louise Fletcher, Max Von Sydow, Kitty Winn, Paul Henreid, James Earl Jones
Dir: John Boorman
Genre: Thriller
Ultra-Warner, Rs. 285

Bizarre nightmares plague Regan MacNeil four years following her possession and exorcism. Does Pazuzu, the Demon of the Evil Spirits of the Air, still inhabit her? And if so can the combined religious faith of a disgraced priest (Richard Burton), the psychiatric knowledge of a Vatican investigator and the hypnotic insight of a research scientist free her from the Devil?

Director John Boorman sets up an interesting film that plays mind-games with the viewer. The film’s technique and presentation may seem a little dated, but it is still a powerful film that has the ability to surprise you. Linda Blair returns as a mature, lovely Regan and her gamine presence is off-set by an intense Richard Burton who gives his role more energy than needed. The excellent support cast all keep the suspense levels high.

Exorcist II: The Heretic is a worthy sequel that doesn’t disappoint.

THE KING AND I
Animated Cartoon|
Dir: Richard Rich
Ultra-Warner, Rs. 225

One of the most celebrated Rodgers and Hammrstein musical is now a magically animated musical adventure that’s certain to keep the entire family spellbound.

Travelling to the exotic kingdom of Siam (Thailand) to instruct the Royal children, English teacher Anna Leon Owens soon discovers that her most difficult challenge is the stubborn, imperious king himself.

Even as a wonderful friendship develops between Anna and the seemingly arrogant king, an evil sorcerer is planning to usurp the kingdom. The film version starred Yul Brynner and Katherine Hepburn. This version is as enchanting and timeless as the film. Recommended.