When a Stranger Calls (1979)

--Reviewed by Lindy Loo

Plotline: A young woman is babysitting two children when she starts receiving phone calls from an anonymous man. When she realizes that he can see her and what she's doing, she calls the police. If you've ever heard the babysitter urban-legend before, you'll know where it goes from there. Seven years later, the crazy man who delivered all the phone calls has escaped from the mental institution. A PI is hired out by the father of the previously mentioned children to track him down.

Scariness factor: The first 10 minutes were great. I even knew what was coming, but they still did a good job. The rest of the movie was hit or miss.

Gross-Out Factor: Absolutely nil.



Complaints: I could never quite decide whether I thought the villain was creepy and spooky or just plain lame. And although the first 10 minutes of the movie were damn good, it sort of winded itself after that and never quite managed to achieve that nerve-wracking pace again.

High Points: The first 10 minutes. Also, the 1970s-ish quality of the movie is fun as well, but then again, I'm a sucker for 1970s movies.



Overall: I am at a loss as to whether or not to recommend. It was no means bad, but it also didn't leave me with any huge voracious desire to ever see it again. So I guess, if you're bored one day, it wouldn't be a waste of your time. But then again, if you never ever see it, your life won't be meaningless.

Grade: B-