Woodyanders
Spunky feminist TV reporter Jane Harris (a fine and sympathetic performance by Lauren Tewes of "The Love Boat") suspects that creepy neighbor Stanley Herbert (a scary and convincing portrayal by John DiSanti), who resides in the apartment across the street, might be the vicious serial rapist and killer who's been terrorizing the Miami, Florida area. Directed with smooth assurance by Ken Wiederhorn, with a tight and absorbing script by Eric L. Bloom and Ron Kurz, a substantial amount of gut-wrenching tension, a gracefully eerie score by Richard Einhorn and Red Neinkirchen, several extremely brutal, graphic, and upsetting murder set pieces (Tom Savini did the excellent gruesome make-up), crisp and stylish cinematography by Mini Rojas, a generous sprinkling of yummy female nudity that provides an extra sleazy edge, a strong and impressive turn by Jennifer Jason Leigh in her first major film role as Jane's fragile blind mute sister Tracy, and a harrowing conclusion, this movie makes the cut as one of the better and more effective entries in the early 80's body count cycle. Moreover, the inspired casting of the plain'n'pudgy middle-aged DiSanti as the predatory psycho rates as the picture's true masterstroke; this seemingly ordinary and non-threatening fellow outwardly doesn't seem like the type who's capable of committing the heinous crimes that he does. Recommended viewing for slice'n'dice fans.
acidburn-10
The plot = A news-reporter suspects that one of her neighbours's is a serial killer whose been raping and murdering local women in the area, as she investigates further, she little realises that her sister could may well be the next target.Well firstly only recently I've come round to actually seeing this movie, despite the mixed reception from the fans, but in my opinion I thought that this movie was pretty good, okay I can see the complaints as most of the murders are off screen despite the effects being handled by Tom Savini, that's where I can see the problem despite his input we don't get to see hardly anything which is a real shame.The opening scene and murders was handled really well, I was kept on the edge of my seat at that part, especially the creepy phone calls which were equally terrifying, and I was expecting more of the same, but sadly it does kind of go off key. When we get introduced to the killer played by John Di Santi who gives a pretty decent performance, the main problem is that we're not given any insight to him at all, we just see him doing what he does and doing normal things around the house, he could have been a bit more fleshed out.The performances from the two leading actresses firstly Lauren Tewes who plays the reporter, handled her part really well, I definitely enjoyed her investigation part, some real tense scenes here like when she's hanging off the balcony, but then she quickly becomes stupid like when she's trying to play the killer at his own game, She's a victim due to her own actions and not for any other reason. Jennifer Jason Leigh who plays the other sister, truly gives the stand-out performance in this movie playing a blind deaf and mute girl, who becomes the object of the killers intentions and then showing thats she's not totally defenceless as she may seem in the final gripping showdown which is a real highlight.Despite some good scenes, this movie does tend to go a bit on the bland side at times and there are some good opportunities but are wasted, and some of the scenes are rushed despite good build up, like for instance the final showdown with Jennifer Jason Leigh was good, but when her sister turns up it's over too quickly. The good aspects though are that's it's saved by good acting, the opening scene and the atmosphere and every so often does shine in certain aspects, but sadly not enough.All in all "Eyes Of A Stranger" is not all bad, it does show potential but doesn't quite get off the ground, but worth watching if you're a fan of early 80's slashers.
preppy-3
Overweight ugly creep Stanley Herbert (John DiSanti) is attacking, raping and killing women all over Miami. Newscaster Jane Harris (Lauren Tewes) gets involved in it because her younger sister Tracy (Jennifer Jason Leigh) was rendered blind and mute by an attack as a little girl. Unknown to Jane, Herbert lives very close to her and Tracy may be his next victim...Trash. There are two rapes and beatings of women that are shown and they're just disgusting to see. Heck, the first one is within the first 15 minutes! DiSanti is a terrible actor (I couldn't figure out what exactly he was trying to do in a few scenes), the film has a boring script and becomes a chore to watch. Only a few things save this from being totally worthless. It has Leigh in her film debut and she's great. Surprisingly even Tewes was good in her role. Also director Ken Wiederhorn has some really nice suspenseful touches added to the film that make some of it fun to watch (especially when Tewes goes to DiSanti's apartment). So it's pretty terrible but not completely without merit. Also I caught the 2007 DVD which reinserts some of the gore that was cut for an R rating back in 1981. Obviously that's the one to get.
