Scott LeBrun "The Clairvoyant", a.k.a. "The Killing Hour", is just a passable thriller at best. Working like an American version of an Italian Giallo, one thing it does have going for it is a killer with an unusual modus operandi: they handcuff their victims to their killing implements. The first person is handcuffed to the bottom rung of a swimming pool ladder and drowns, the next is a Con Ed worker who is electrocuted, another is imprisoned on top of an elevator. The detective on the case is a quirky character named Larry Weeks (the reasonably likable Norman Parker), who moonlights as a stand-up comedian who does bad impressions of Woody Allen and George Burns. His friend is Paul "Mac" McCormack (Perry King, "Class of 1984"), a sleazy TV show host who exploits the case for all it's worth. And rounding out our trio of main characters is Virna Nightbourne (Elizabeth Kemp), an art student who has psychic visions of the murders and then sketches them. It's not too hard to figure out whodunit in this boringly handled film; director / story co-author Armand Mastroianni fails to bring much style to the proceedings. Things get more interesting by the end but by then it's too little too late. There's also a serious lack of true dramatic tension; one never becomes too involved with these characters or this mostly familiar scenario. There is some value in watching this cast at work; Kenneth McMillan is good (if not as good as he can be) as Weeks's superior, and it's nice to see character players Jon Polito (thinner in build but sporting a thicker moustache) and Joe Morton near the beginning of their careers. Also in the cast are Brooke Palance (Jack P.'s daughter) as a hooker, Ted Sorel ("From Beyond") as Ben Cosley, and Robert Kerman ("Cannibal Holocaust") as the medical examiner. King is quite animated and pretty entertaining, injecting a little bit of spark into the film, and Kemp, who's commendably more average looking than the typical leading lady, does have some appeal. The film does begin quite effectively, with two murder set pieces shown in succession, and doesn't go out of its way to explain things, letting the viewers work out the plot for themselves. And the on location shooting in NYC is always a bonus for films of this kind. In addition to Mastroianni and actress Kemp, other hands from the previous year's slasher "He Knows You're Alone" were involved in the making of this one. Five out of 10.

Brian T. Whitlock (GOWBTW) Ahhh! The Big Apple, New York to say the least . My home state, well enough of that part, there's a strange killer running around. He is coined, "The Handcuff Killer". He put a young model, nude and in the Hudson River. A swimmer gets his ankle cuffed on the bottom rung of the pool ladder. Then to say the least, a ConEd worker get the shock of his life. This killer is methodical. Next you have this detective(Norman Parker) who is not only hard-nosed, hut has a funny side to him. He's a comedian off duty. Then in the film, there's this artist/medium(Elizabeth Kemp) who helps him crack the case. The last big help is this reporter(Perry King, "Riptide" and "Switch"[1991]) to lend a hand. Or so he does. The police department doesn't like him very well. Especially, Det. Weeks. Weeks and Mac do partner up, until Virna stays with him, while trying to piece up the murders. It turns out that Mac was more than just a TV talk show host. The crab claw she visions points out to her. This movie could used more of a twist to it, yet it was all right to watch. 2 out of 5 stars

manchester_england2004 THE KILLING HOUR is an American movie made in the same vein as an Italian Giallo.Whilst many may assume by the director's Italian name that this movie is a giallo, I can most assure them that it is not.The director of this movie also directed HE KNOWS YOU'RE ALONE. Having liked that movie and also being tempted by the attractive DVD cover depicting a gloved hand over a woman's face, I had high hopes for THE KILLING HOUR.How wrong I was.The plot of this movie is actually very interesting. A police detective and a TV show host form an unlikely alliance in tracking down the "handcuff killer". Also entering the scene is a young clairvoyant with the ability to draw pictures based on her premonitions.But the interesting aspect of the movie finishes here. The plot is really all that it has going for it.In the hands of an experienced Italian director - Dario Argento, Mario Bava or Lucio Fulci - this movie could have made a great giallo.Unfortunately, the movie was placed in the wrong hands and the superb concept on paper degenerates to a crashing bore on the screen.The director of this movie obviously failed to understand that there is more to making a giallo than just the mere presence of a glove-wearing killer, a few arrogant cops, and occasional nudity and sleaze.The movie is severely hampered by Mr Mastroianni's pedestrian direction that is without suspense, tension or the ability to invoke emotion.The few killing scenes to be found are nothing to write home about and most last too short a time to have sufficient impact upon the viewer - or even the plot for that matter!Without revealing spoilers, I can reveal that there is a killer in this movie - mostly unseen. But the killer shows very little threat or menace and as such it is almost impossible for the viewer to attach themselves to situations that should be tense, frightening and horrific.Without revealing spoilers, I can also mention the presence of another scene in this movie outside of the killings but was clearly meant to be disturbing. But even this scene lacked any impact.The two lead actors are incredibly bland with one-dimensional characters that can be found in any random American movie of this period.Kenneth McMillan basically "phones in" his performance as a police lieutenant. Believe me, he was more interesting to watch in the infinitely superior SALEM'S LOT, a movie in which he had several great scenes.On a positive note, Elizabeth Kemp delivers a good performance as the clairvoyant. But she is clearly restrained by a script lacking inspiration and a director lacking a coherent vision for the character.Overall, I do not recommend this movie at all. I would, however, advise people to see HE KNOWS YOU'RE ALONE because I believe the director did a much better job on this earlier effort. Or even better, check out some genuine giallos such as DEEP RED, THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE, TORSO and DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING just to name a few.

FieCrier I saw this on VHS under the title The Killing Hour.This movie starts off really well with several unexplained killings involving handcuffs. A woman is fished out of the river, a man swims alone in a swimming pool reminiscent of a scene from Cat People, a construction worker goes down a manhole. The latter two killings are quite graphic, though without being bloody. Meanwhile, an artist draws strange pictures.A cop who does lousy impressions in his side job as a standup comedian (yet he gets laughs, surprisingly) leads the investigation, leaking information to a tabloid television reporter. Both he and the reporter start courting the artist once they meet her.Some additional deaths occur. The ending may be predictable, since it's possible to make a good guess as to the identity of the killer early on in the movie. Unfortunately, after the strong opening, no other scene quite lives up. Some scenes have lengthy dialog that doesn't serve the plot or characters. Still, not a bad movie by a long shot.