The China Lake Murders

A rogue cop named Donnelly (Michael Parks) starts killing people in the small town of the title, and it's up to Sheriff Sam Brodie (Tom Skerritt) to catch him. Things get far more complicated than a typical homicide investigation, and Brodie finds himself in the middle of the biggest, most dangerous case of his career.

THE CHINA LAKE MURDERS is an outstanding made-for-TV crime thriller. Skerritt is as dependable as ever. He can play these sorts of roles so naturally that he simply IS the sheriff. Parks portrays one of the best psychopathic characters in any TV movie. Knowing that he's the madman from the beginning does nothing to lessen the suspense. It's the interplay between Brodie and Donnelly that carries the story.

Gripping entertainment right up to the closing minutes...

Vacationing psycho cop (Michael Parks) is an opportunistic serial killer, whose visits to a small desert town coincide with disappearances and unsolved homicides. New sheriff on the scene (Tom Skeritt) takes an interest in Parks as a suspect, and thus commences a cat and mouse game between the hunter and the hunted. Parks is certifiably creepy, with his pompous personality. Some eerie flute music, and great desert locations add immeasurably. For Michael Parks admirers this is a must see. Overall "The China Lake Murders" succeeds as entertainment, and is definitely recommended. ...................... - MERK

The desert plays a central role in this fascinating portrayal of a serial killer's mad pursuit of self-fulfillment. Michael Parks's character—a big-city police officer who spends his vacation in the desert killing people—is as simple and arid as the desert he makes his yearly hunting ground, a place where his victims fall into his deadly trap as quickly and easily as a rodent in a rattlesnake's jaws. Parks's character lacks passion and depth in a way that suggests, paradoxically, a cavernous psychosis. His eyes are pitiless and impenetrable, and his slow, quiet way of talking gradually shifts from easy friendliness to menacing madness. Tom Skerritt offers an equally adept performance as a sheriff who at first simply wants to help out a fellow officer. The more his suspicions of this odd newcomer grow, the deeper into self-destructive madness does the killer descend. The sheriff's understated normalcy provides an effective measure of the killer's increasing detachment from reality. The fact that the killer has no clear motive to kill the people he chooses on empty stretches of desert highway makes the story all the more compelling and memorable. The murders are pointless to everyone except the killer, and he ain't talking.

This is not a bad little police thriller - some intrigue as our small time sheriff try to solve a string or murders that he suspects attributes to a rogue city cop that takes his vacation in the town.

The plot does tend to sway away from the main crime story occasionally with the subplots, but the movie still holds up pretty well with the decent acting, pacing, and scene setting of the desert and town.

Not too many unpredictable or surprising moments, but the movie does keep you amused and sympathetic to the protagonists.

Grade B-

This fairly low budget film makes good use of the scenery, look out for the clever photographic synchronisity; gloves being put on with wheel nuts being tightened, suggesting tools as an extension of the hand etc.

Token females in film hardly need many lines, but director Alan Metzger really works this 1990 near-surreal thriller with skill and dexterity.

Lovely bright scenes, you can almost feel the dust. Tom Skerrit and Michael Parks make a good 'opposites' blend.

Although not too many surprises, that would just spoil it, as most of the film carries itself, and you just know whats coming - but its dished up with relish.

Highly entertaining.