Richard Chatten What starts out as a potentially disturbing thriller about the vulnerability of women to disturbed and violent men - even in a public place - ends up becoming almost comical as the police blunder about like the Keystone Kops in pursuit of a villain who puts more effort into looking sinister than developing any proficiency as a serial killer. TV producer Gary Baylor (William Shatner) actually has a short speech breathlessly detailing to journalist Deborah Ballin (Lee Grant) how tip-top the security is in the hospital in which she's a patient; to which she moans: "There's NO security! He's in, he's out!" And she's right!Michael Ironside as Colt Hawker might as well be stomping about wearing a T-shirt with "PSYCHOTIC LONER" printed in capitals on it, but throughout the film has the run of the place without ever attracting attention despite making no attempt to put those around him off their guard by at least attempting to behave like a normal human being.More and more police pile into the building, but Hawker is never short of deserted corridors down which to skulk; and the only time the cops ever seem to stir themselves out of their torpor is to obstruct people who are genuinely trying to help. Fortunately Hawker is as inept as they are at his chosen vocation of psycho-killer, and proves easily distracted into pursuing other potential victims who attract his attention rather than killing his original intended victims when he has the chance.

Stephen Abell I was surprised as I sat viewing this film to realise I had seen it before... Evidently, back in 1989, ITV had shown the uncut version of the movie. I find it amazing that I could remember the film so clearly after twenty-eight years.Though I remembered the movie it never lessened the enjoyment of watching it again. Notwithstanding the passage of years, this film is still strong and relevant today.Lee Grant plays Deborah Ballin a news reporter who is campaigning for better rights for abused women. While on her television show, Colt Hawker, played menacingly and darkly by Michael Ironside, watches with growing disdain for in his world women should know their place. He takes it upon himself to send Ballin a message by killing her. He fails dismally, leaving her wounded. Her death now becomes his mission. He starts to stalk the hospital where she's receiving medical attention and the bodies start to stack up - and not due to natural causes.What the director, Jean-Claude Lord (Second Chances - reviewed on this blog & Secrets of the Summer House - to be reviewed), gives the audience is an above par slasher film, with a nice psychological thriller twist. It's superior to others in the genre as it gives a credible back story to the psychopathic killer, which in turn adds a chill because it shows he's not a monster, just a man.Lord gives the audience a roller coaster ride as he speeds up the action and slows down for tension and suspense. The use of a more natural light is a bonus for the viewers when most of these films hide everything in the darkness of shadows, Lord shows you the menace at all times. This is a good thing as Ironside does a wonderful portrayal of Hawker, who is a chameleon... a man of many differing faces, though a madman under the skin.I really liked the fact that Nurse Sheila Munroe, veritably portrayed by Linda Purl, doesn't let too much get to her. As a nurse, she's used to seeing death and dead people, though not murder victims. This is shown through her reactions, she doesn't scream uncontrollably, she is shocked but remains in control of herself. She is a good strong female character.It's Ballin that loves to scream and flail about and this is the only downside to the movie. I know it's strange, I love slasher films but cannot abide screaming. What I cannot abide is unnecessary screaming. For the most part, when faced with something indescribably terrible most people will utter expletives rather than scream, come on directors lets keep it real.If you like slasher psychopaths on a rampage then this is a movie for your delectation.

callanvass *Minor spoilers*I've always found a hospital setting in a Slasher movie to be ideal. It's one of the creepiest places in the world for me, and to have a killer stalking you makes it all that more effective. It worked like a charm in Halloween II, and it worked here as well to a bit of a lesser degree. Visiting Hours is a Canadian production which seems to have a love and hate affair among fellow Horror fans. Whilst it didn't blow me away, and it's not something I plan on going out of my way to see again, I actually had an OK time with it. It certainly has some effective atmosphere at times. I enjoyed the slow stalk scenes and how Michael Ironside would toy with the people he was after. There is no special gimmicks with him, he doesn't wear a mask; he's an unadulterated psychopath. He gave me the willies, and I would not want this man after me in the Hospital. He was responsible for a lot of the suspense. He was excellent. Lee Grant is a very solid actress, and did just fine here, but she over does the hysterics big time. Her whiny performance got on my nerves, despite that she was technically solid. Linda Purl is as vital as a heroine as Lee Grant was. She had a sense of innocence that I loved, and she was probably my favorite female performer in this one. William Shatner cashes in a paycheck and pays his bills like we all have too. That's the only reason he was probably here. He did what he had to do adequately. Gore hounds will most likely be disappointed. There is blood, but not much of it. We get some stabbings, and one nasty scene where someone breaks a glass bottle and purposely smashes the arm into the broken pieces. I cringed at that one. Oh; yeah. I almost forgot… We get a flashback scene where a Father tickles his kid and forcefully pours booze down the kid's throat. I personally count that as a gore… Just for the sheer WTF factor.Final Thoughts: It's forgettable when all is said and done, but I actually didn't mind it for what it was. It has some good stalk scenes, and the atmosphere was pretty creepy at times. Aside from a slow middle where it dragged a little bit, and some questionable plot holes, you could do a hell of a lot worse when it comes to 80's slashers. It's better than a lot of them 5.5/10

cameron-kills-it "Visiting Hours" is the intense story of Deborah Ballin, a women's rights activist who causes much controversy in her decision to support a woman who killed her abusive husband. This decision causes a psychotic misogynist to hunt down Ms.Ballin and kill her. However, his violent attack only sends her to the local hospital, where she makes friends with a kind-hearted nurse. The psychopath then hunts her and all those close to her down in order to finish what he started. Although it sounds like your typical '80s slaughter-thon, this movie actually has more depth to it than most. Instead of b-actors that don't know what they're doing, this cast is made up of some pretty good actors such as Academy-Award winner Lee Grant, William Shatner, the ever-creepy Michael Ironside, and Linda Purl. I believe that Ironside was perfectly cast here and gives a great performance as a soulless, evil killer. Another thing that sets this apart from the other slasher flicks is the dark-nature of the violence. Most of these flicks are very gory, but they are mostly light-hearted and campy. This was just dark and quite mean-spirited, which makes the movie very effective. I certainly recommend this frightening little gem!Rated: R for Violence and Profanity