Talking to a family friend about Horror movies that they were searching for on DVD,I was surprised to hear them give details about a film,which sounded like a more extreme take on an under rated Slasher Thriller called Eyes of a Stranger.Searching round on Amazon UK,I was pleased to find,that along with the cut UK edition of the movie,a completely uncut version of the film had also come out on DVD in the US,which lead to me deciding that this would be a call worth listening in to.

The plot:

Hearing on the news about the police discovering his 5th rape/murder victim,serial killer Kirk Smith decides to celebrate by phoning up a local radio station,and talk to the host of a psychologist program called Dr.Lindsay Gale.Putting on a fake voice and using the name "Ramone",Smith is thrilled to hear Gale give him a nervous reaction,until Lindsay begins to ask "Ramone" if he has taken the medical advice that she gave him,when "Ramone" last phoned up the show.Angered over Gale ruining his fun,Smith decides that is time for him to start searching for a new victim.

Being placed by their chief officer as the investigators of the mysterious serial killer's spree,Lt. Chris McCabe and Sgt.Hatcher find themselves completely out of their dept in predicting the killer's next move.Focusing on doing extensive evidence gathering at the murder scenes,and also knocking down a number of doors,McCabe and Hatcher begin to suspect that the killer might be a fan of a local radio show…

View on the film:

Before getting to the movie itself,I first have to give a special mention to the Scorpion Releasing DVD,which along with offering a terrific,clean uncut print of the film,also fill the DVD with a number of very informative extras,which include a great commentary by Co- producer/Co-writer/ (along with Michael Castle and actor Nicolas Worth) director Robert Hammer-who sounds like one of the most mild mannered directors of the last 20 years!.

Shooting his first,and only film in 18 days,Hammer impressively overcomes the tired,misogynistic Slasher elements of the movie,by turning the second half of the film into a GrindHouse Slasher!,with Hammer and Castle giving McCabe and Hatcher's search for the killer an unexpected comedic edge,whilst also making sure that the blood of Smith's victim's solely runs in the gutter,thanks to Hammer illegal filming on the dirty,grime-covered streets of Las Angeles,which lead to this phone call being one that you wont forget for a good while.