Tall, Dark and Deadly

Although this TV movie has not been paid much attention, and I did catch it on TV way after it ever came out, 'Tall, Dark and Deadly' is reasonably impressive being such a small project.

The plot itself is excellent, however simple, I can't think of any movie such a story has been used for. The musical score is quite catchy, again, it's simple, but it adds on well to the action in the movie and the building suspense. It's basically all about plot, almost like going on the ride for yourself, and within thirty minutes the movie is quite addictive. The story issues are broad, ranging from murder and obsession to blackmail and intense scenes of fear.

I do have a few complaints about the movie, for example, not all the plot is good. It barely touches on the sexual themes it presents which would be a much bigger deal given the situation. It also didn't explain the way things worked out in the end in detail, so I was left in confusion. There are a few plot holes, but nothing noticeable while in the midst of its suspense.

I recommend this film to just about anyone. 6/10

Jack Scalia turns up again in this cruddy TV movie. Looks like he's trying to grow old gracefully! This TV movie looks cheap and it's been done time & time before. Fatal Attraction has a lot to answer for! The only good things about this late-night nonsense is the opening sequence, which has a young lady being dropped from a apartment building and the camera going around her body in slow motion as she falls. A neat trick and quite beautiful (until she smashes full pelt into a car roof that is). The other good thing is Kim Delaney who deserves better than this and in my opinion is a very under-rated actress who also radiates beauty. But then what do I know... This one gets a 3/10 on the ShoonScale, Delaney bumps it up from a 2. Shoong

This writer gives TD&D an 8 not because it's a good movie but because it is hilariously fun. Indeed, the last 27 minutes offer most of the ridiculousness.

The viewer can take the opportunity to make fun of the entire situation. All one has to do is make up little witty jokes and voilà! The movie is funny fun. Give it a whirl while it's still available.

This film essentially begins with a young woman by the name of "Maggie Springer" (Kim Delaney) breaking up with her boyfriend "Sam Harrison" (Todd Allen) who is moving to Alabama to start a new business. After a few months she meets someone named "Roy Calvin" (Jack Scalia) and quickly falls head over heels for him. After spending a couple of nights together, however, he begins to become quite controlling and as a result she decides to break up with him. The problem is that he is a homicidal maniac, and he doesn't take rejection well at all. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this movie started off rather well but as the film progressed things became more and more implausible--to the point that the last 15 minutes or so were completely ridiculous. But that's Hollywood for you. Be that as it may, in spite of the increasingly nonsensical plot, I thought Kim Delaney put in a solid performance for the most part and I have rated this movie accordingly.

Definitely a low-budget effort, but I thought the filmmakers did quite well with their limitations, and it has a GREAT plot. I have seen this movie many times (and in fact own it), and my girlfriends love it, too. Scalia plays charming well, then descends into the Date From Hell very convincingly. True, no motivation for his character's actions is ever given, but maybe that would have gotten in the way of the action and suspense. My women friends and I were very impressed with Kim Delaney's performance, and the fact that she wasn't another simpering, victimized female. She kicked ASS! When he chained her to the sink, who could not cheer her on and be amazed at her resilience? As mentioned, the opening scene is terrific. I also like the scene where Kim finds out what Calvin's profession is! Wow. Pretty scary stuff. I give this one 7/10 and consider it one of Scalia's best. With higher production values and a bigger budget, this one could have been more successful. Too bad he never gets the big-budget pictures, because I think he is a highly underrated actor.