Saturday is Horror Day #48 - I Saw the Devil

 I Saw the Devil

A young woman with a flat tire is approached by a stranger who offers to help her, but she tells him she has already called a tow truck and that won't be necessary. But some people can't take no for an answer. The man breaks into the car and takes her against her will.

The woman's fiance, Kim Soo-hyeon (Lee Byung-hun) and her policeman father Chief Jang (Jeon Good-Hwan) search frantically for her, to no avail. Her dismembered body is discovered, and no clue as to the killer. Soo-hyeon takes two weeks' leave from his job, determined to find the killer. The police have a short list of potential suspects, and Jang procures the police files for Kim (whose actual job is secret agent). Kim is determined to find the killer, and starts to go through the list.

Jang Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik) is a serial killer, and this is far from his first victim. He enjoys 

inflicting pain in whatever way he can, and has a guillotine set up in his torture chamber at home. He has a job driving young women in a school van. Kim is just one step behind him at the school, after he has gone to take a group of girls home. Realizing he's been fired, Kyung-chul takes one of the girls hostage in a greenhouse, but Soo-hyeon catches him in time, and inflicts a great deal of pain on him... before letting him go. But not until he forces him to swallow a transmitter/homing device he procured from a sympathetic friend on the police force.

Now begins the cat and mouse game. Soo-heyon tracks the psycho killer, catches him in the act, inflicts more pain and lets him go. How long can he keep this up before something goes horribly wrong?

I Saw the Devil is a Korean film by director Jee-woon Kim. While it is certainly a horror film, there is a lot more going on here than that. Questions are raised regarding justice and revenge. Where does one end and the other begin? Are they the same or are they diametrically opposed? Right and wrong, good and evil. The serial killer is well played and well written. He is undoubtedly sick (and so is his cannibal friend he hides out with for a short while), but he isn't necessarily your stereotypical villain. The hero has undoubtedly good motives for what he does, but is he allowing himself to become the monster he seeks? You might remember Lee Byung-hun as the Front Man in The Squid Game.

I enjoyed everything about this film, from the writing to the acting to the direction and the cinematography. Warning - this is not for the squeamish. The pacing was just right too, and all in all a very satisfactory movie. I highly recommend it, and I give it 5 Stars.

Virtual Book Tour: Love Me, Please by Chris Bedell

Good morning everyone! Please welcome author Chris Bedell to Full Moon Dreaming. He is here to tell us about his new release, Love Me, Please. Chris will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter during the tour. The more you comment the better your chances of winning. To find the other stops on his tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!

 

Love Me, Please

by Chris Bedell

 

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GENRE:   YA LGBTQ Thriller

 

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BLURB:

 

Colton should be like every other seventeen-year-old, hanging out with friends, procrastinating on homework, and dreaming about which colleges he should apply to, but Colton’s focus when he gets home every day is on how violent his alcoholic mother will be. Will he be her ashtray again or worse?
Tripp has the perfect life – handsome, from a wealthy family, and is the football player everyone wants to date. Tripp just wants to date one person – Colton, but he can’t seem to break through that tough exterior and get Colton to trust him.
A friend’s party opens the door for both to potentially get what they want, but it’s that same party ends with Colton’s best friend dead. Caught between wanting to finally find happiness with Tripp and discovering what happened to Declan, Colton discovers that he isn’t the only one who’s kept secrets. How well did he really know Declan and can he trust Tripp enough to let himself believe he’s worthy of being loved?

 

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EXCERPT:

 

 

The placard clinked against the door, and I cocked my head. A group of guys in varsity jackets just entered VERONICA’S. I was more concerned with the guy I locked eyes with, though. More specifically, Tripp. He and his friends just walked by my table.

 

My throat tightened. Mom’s words and actions weren’t the only thing that would remain burned in my mind for the foreseeable future. I couldn’t forget about punching Tripp and how I wanted nothing more than to apologize for our altercation on Monday.

 

Gina leaned closer. “What the hell was that about?”

 

I sipped my caramel latte. “Nothing.”

 

“I’m not that gullible. I saw the look you guys exchanged.”

 

“Leave it alone!” I exclaimed.

 

“Do you like him?” she whispered.

 

“Gina, please!”

 

“I’m not judging. I have a gay uncle.”

 

“Cool.”

 

Gina squealed at me. “I’m serious. That glance isn’t the way you’d look at a friend.”

 

I resisted making a fist or screaming; it would’ve been a shame to throw over ten years of friendship away just because discussing my sexuality made me uncomfortable.

 

“If there’s something you wanna tell me, then don’t hold back,” Gina continued.

 

“I’m bisexual,” I blurted, making sure not to speak too loudly.

 

Relief trickled through my body. For one moment, my life wasn’t a warzone. I told Gina my truth and said fact fucking mattered. I couldn’t help feeling great. I let someone in, and my life hadn’t imploded. So, maybe there was hope for me yet.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Chris Bedell's previous publishing credits include Thought Catalog, Entropy Magazine, Chicago Literati, and Foliate Oak Literary Magazine, among others. His 2019 books include his NA Thriller BURNING BRIDGES (BLKDOG Publishing), YA Paranormal Romance DEATHLY DESIRES (Deep Hearts YA), and YA Thriller COUSIN DEAREST (BLKDOG Publishing). In addition to his YA Thriller BETWEEN LOVE AND MURDER, his 2020 books include his YA Contemporary I’LL SEE YOU AGAIN (Deep Hearts YA), YA Thriller THE FABULIST (BLKDOG Publishing), YA Thriller I KNOW WHERE THE BODIES ARE BURIED (BLKDOG Publishing), and YA SciFi DYING BEFORE LIVING (Deep Hearts YA). Besides his YA Thriller LOVE HIM/HATE HIM, Chris’s 2021 books include his YA Fantasy CROSSING DESIRES (Spectrum Books) and rerelease of his YA Fantasy IN THE NAME OF MAGIC from JMS Books. Furthermore, Chris graduated with a BA in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2016.

 

 

Social Media Links:

Twitter: @ChrisBedell

Instagram: @CJohnBedell

Author's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Bedell/e/B086JMTWRY/

 

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The Questions – please choose at least 5

You’re marooned on a small island with one person and one item of your choice—who is that person and what item do you have?

I’m gonna cheat a little bit with this question. I wouldn’t take a person—I’d take my dog (Blondie, a female Black Mouth Cur, who is a little over a year old). As for the personal item, I’d probably bring one of my favorite books—not sure which book, though. I’d have to give that some long and serious thought.    

Take these three words and give me a 100 word or less scene using them: hammer, saucer, traffic lights

Lucas sat in his used station wagon while red traffic lights glowed against the pitch-black sky. He forgot his hammer at work. Yet he had bigger problems. A flying saucer had followed him the last few blocks, and currently hovered less than a hundred feet above his car. Because Lucas couldn’t ignore his pulse roaring in his ear while sweat coated his brow—he wouldn’t be the second person in his family to be the victim of a UFO abduction.

What is your idea of how to spend romantic time with your significant other?

My hypothetical idea about how to spend romantic time with a partner would be just enjoying nice food (whether takeout or home cooked) and talking. Nothing like talking and food.

 

When you start a new story, do you begin with a character, or a plot?

I’m also gonna cheat with this question, because I’m gonna say I begin with both. Usually, when I start a new story, a character (or characters) who is involved in some sort of situation (plot) comes to me. I could have the most interesting characters in the world, but if I don’t have an interesting situation for them, then I don’t really see the point of writing about those characters.

If they were to make the story of your life into a movie, who should play you?

If they were to make a movie of my life, I’d want the Canadian actor Connor Jessup to play me. He’s been in things such as American Crime, Closet Monster, Netflix’s Locke and Key, among others. I just think he’s a really creative actor who brings something interesting to each role.

 

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Book Review: Skip Beat! Vol 7 by Yoshiki Nakamura

 

Skip Beat! Vol 7     

           

Author: Yoshiki Nakamura

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: July 3, 2007

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Shojo Manga//200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

It’s not easy to be a substitute manager, a budding actress, and a wannabe high school student all at the same time, but Kyoko never backs down from a challenge! Even when she and Ren are caught in a serious traffic jam, and she is worried that he will be late to work, thus tarnishing his perfect image, she makes sure he gets there on time, even if she has to appropriate someone’s bike to do it!

At school, she finds herself being picked on by one girl in particular, Mimori Nanokura, although Kyoko doesn’t understand why that is. When Kyoko runs across the commercial she and Moko did together, while walking on the street, she is taken by surprise, although she isn’t exactly flattered by some of the comments she overhears from passersby. Even more surprising is the call she receives from Ren. Is he watching her or something? How? He hasn’t had time to give her marks for being his manager, but somehow that doesn’t work out as well as either one planned.

Kyoko’s manager receives a call from someone who was impressed with the Curara commercial and wants to use the two girls – aka Moko and Kyoko -  in a music video – featuring Sho Fuwa? Can it be? Kyoko is furious at first at the idea of being used by Sho, until she begins to see this in another light, namely as an opportunity to use Sho as a stepping stone for her own career. But Moko has already made another commitment to a 2-hour drama, so Kyoko will be on her own, if they will accept her.

At the audition, Sho keeps staring at Kyoko. She realizes she has to make him believe it’s not her, so she begins to act completely not like herself. But then Moko’s role is re-cast – and given to Mimori? Will she reveal who Kyoko really is? How can she get the girl to stay quiet, at least long enough to get through this music video? Or maybe it’s time to let him see who she really is, so he can worry?

This was a fabulous volume, especially the back and forth between Kyoko and Sho. How like a man, to want her now that he sees what he couldn’t see in her before. The music video they are shooting concerns a devil (Sho) and two angels, and Kyoko plays the angel who wants to kill him. How appropriate is that? Also, Ren still seems to be struggling against his feelings for Kyoko, but even his manager can see he cares.  Kyoko continues to grow, both as a person and as an actress. Loved this, looking forward to more!

 

Wednesday Briefs: Rose and Thorne 6 #10 (2.6)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day ! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.  

Vinnie and Ethan have a new case - involving Ethan's Uncle Benny! But first maybe they have something to talk about? See what's going on with the guys in this week's chapter of Rose and Thorne 6. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Rose and Thorne 6 #10 (2.6)

“Nothing’s the matter, what do you mean?” I bluffed. If I thought that lame attempt would diffuse the situation, I was completely mistaken. Naturally. That man knows me better than that.

“Vinnie,” he said, stretching out my name in his incredibly sexy low voice that was also a warning that he wasn’t buying what I was selling.

“We can discuss it while we pack for tonight.” That wouldn’t buy me much time, but every little second counted. “I promise,” I quickly added as I saw his brows begin to draw together in what I called his frustrated scowl, one that was usually aimed at me.

“Think we should take both bags or just one?” I attempted to make conversation once we reached our bedroom. Not that I thought that would distract him for any length of time. And it didn’t.

“I think we can share one,” Ethan said, pulling the larger of our two cases from the closet and setting it on the bed. “It’s just for a few days. And it’s not like we need to bring your dresses, not for this.”

Thank goodness for that.

At some point in our relationship, I’d grown used to the idea of having an assortment of dresses and wigs and assorted accessories that I needed to wear for various undercover assignments. But I’d be lying if I said I never wore them on our downtime, for Ethan’s benefit, because I surely did.

And I was liking it more and more…

“Yeah, no need to schlep those,” I agreed.

When Ethan cleared his throat, I realized I was practicing my usual avoidance. Time to come clean.

I reached for his hand, he gave it willingly, and we took seats next to one another on the edge of the bed.

“Ethan, you know how much I love you, right?” I squeezed his hand to demonstrate my deep affection, but I think I only succeeded in scaring him.

“Vinny, now you’re frightening me. Is something wrong? With you? With us? Whatever it is, we can fix it.”

My heart broke at the sound of his woebegone voice. I’d been trying not to upset him, but my words were having the opposite effect.

“There’s nothing wrong with you, absolutely nothing.” I wrapped my arms around him and burrowed my face against his chest.

“Is it you? Are you sick?” He held me tightly, so close that I could feel the frantic beats of his heart.

Damn, I could be an idiot sometimes. Or often.

I raised my head to look into his distressed face, took a deep breath, and said, “I just thought maybe you should find yourself a woman, someone who can give you actual children.”

That sounded dumb, even as I said it.

“I mean, I don’t have a uterus, you know…”

Even dumber.

“You’d make such a great dad, you shouldn’t waste your time—”

His lips stepped the tide of my idiocy rather effectively. I clung to him as we breathed one another in, my tension draining away as I melted into him.

Nothing was spoken between us for a few moments. He broke the kiss and pulled back just far enough to look into my eyes as he gently caressed my cheek. He seemed to be much calmer, now that he’d managed to decipher my stupidity.

“You are so selfless,” he began, but I wasn’t having any of that.

I shook my head. “I’m very selfish,” I insisted. “I want you all to myself but I want you to be happy.”

“So you would give me up for some non-existent woman with her non-existent uterus?” His lips curled up slightly into a smile.

“Well… yes… Kindof,” I waffled.

Ethan’s smile grew wider.

“You were watching me with Alex, weren’t you?”

I nodded mutely, no longer trusting my voice.

“And you decided to give me up so I could have a baby with someone else?”

Again I nodded.

“Vinnie, I don’t want children with anyone but you. And that’s only if you want them too.”

“But—” My protest was cut off by his finger laid gently against my lips.

“There are other ways of having children, Vinnie. Non-traditional ways, you know? It’s not like we’re exactly a traditional couple, are we?”

“Well, no…” When he put it like that.

“Has this been bothering you ever since I asked you about having kids this morning?” His blond brows arched at me.

“Well… maybe,” I conceded, unwilling to admit to how stupid I really was. Of course there were other ways. Adoption, surrogacy… I guess the question had shaken any semblance of common sense out of my brain. What little I possessed, that is.

“Let’s not worry about it right now, okay? It was just a random question. Nothing to lose sleep over, and certainly nothing to get upset about. I’d rather have no children with you than twenty children with anyone else.”

“Even if you could get a reality TV show out of it? I couldn’t help but tease.

Ethan laughed. “Vinny, you are reality enough for me.”

He kissed me again, and the subject was tabled. At least for now.

 to be continued

See what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

Saturday is Horror Day #47 - Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, Candyman: Say It

 Escape Room: Tournament of Champions

Zoey (Taylor Russell) and Ben (Logan Miller) barely made it out of the escape room alive. Ben is more than willing to just move on, but Zoey is determined to make the Minos Corporation pay for what they did. She wants to go to NYC to confront them but is still fearful of flying. So Ben reluctantly agrees to drive her there. But when they arrive, the place is deserted, no sign of anyone.

Feeling somewhat defeated, they get on the subway, and that's when things begin to happen. They quickly discover that the other people on the train have been through their own brand of hell in the form of escape rooms, and it seems that now Minos has assembled a Tournament of Champions to play their next hellish game.

I can't go into much of the plot as that would involve too many spoilers. The action begins on the subway as they have to figure out how to escape - naturally.  Besides Ben and Zoey, we pick up some players who are new to us - Nathan (Thomas Cocquerel), Rachel (Holland Roden), Theo (Carlito Olivero) and Brianna (Indya Moore). If you've ever seen Pose, you'll recognize Indya from there, as she plays Angel (I do love that show!)

Of course the whole plot hinges around escaping each room which are each beset with deadly traps, 

figuring out the puzzles and getting the heck out of Dodge. While I did enjoy this film, it isn't quite as good as the first one, the puzzles not as complex, at least not in my opinion or that of the friend I watched it with. The twist wasn't entirely satisfactory either, and on the whole I found myself left with many unanswered questions. But if I'm not mistaken, there will be a third film, as was made abundantly clear by the ending of this one.

Altogether, it was a fun watch, and I would recommend it. I'll give it 4 Stars.

Candyman: Say It

Up-and-coming artist Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is concerned that critics believe his career is the result of his relationship with his agent/girlfriend Brianna Cartwright (Teyonah Parris). They live together in a gentrified area that was once the projects known as Cabrini Green. Anthony learns an urban legend that took place there back in the day - the legend of Candyman - and becomes obsessed with the tale. 

Legend says that if you say Candyman's name five times while looking in the mirror, he will appear. The more Anthony learns about the legend, the darker his art becomes. But what is even scarier is that people are dying in the same manner as Candyman was said to kill. Is art imitating life or what? Anthony is in for a bumpy ride and some difficult truths. Can he handle the truth? And what exactly is it?

This is a sequel to the 1992 film starring Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen.  Vanessa Williams briefly reprises her role as Anne-Marie McCoy, Anthony's mother. I was excited to see this film and looked forward to it greatly, especially since Jordan Peele was involved with it. However I have to say I was disappointed with the outcome. What was originally a horror story has morphed into some kind of political statement having to do with the erroneous deaths of black men at the hands of white men in a position of authority (I read that theory, I didn't originate it, but I can see where someone could get that out of it).

Anthony's reveal comes late in the film (although I already knew it, having read about it before the film 

ever came out). The pacing of the film is a bit slow, taking forever to get to the point regarding Anthony and the Candyman. But most disappointing of all is the almost non-existent presence of Tony Todd. Seriously? The premise was so completely changed that he was almost not in it, and he makes the first film. They squandered their greatest asset, and for what? I don't really know, to be honest.

Abdul-Mateen wasn't bad as Anthony, but I felt his performance was slightly lacking. I would have loved to see  him and Todd interact, but alas that didn't happen. As a horror film, I found it unsatisfactory and rather disappointing. I wanted my Candyman and I didn't get him. I'll give this film a shaky 2.5 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: Rose and Thorne 6 #9 (2.5)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day ! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.  

Vinnie and Ethan unexpectedly find Anderson waiting for them, along with a new mission. What's really surprising is that it involves Ethan's Uncle Benny! See what's happening in this week's chapter of Rose and Thorne 6. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!'

Rose and Thorne 6 #9 (2.5)

Anderson hesitated before responding to Ethan’s question. I could tell he wanted to say yes, but his Southern gentleman manners were holding him back from doing that, and I suspected I knew why that was. “I know your sister’s visiting,” he began instead. Told you. That man was nothing if not polite.

Ethan held up one hand immediately even as he said, “Sarah will understand. She was going home tomorrow anyway. I’ll explain what’s going on to her. There won’t be a problem.”

Especially since she’s mad at you right now.

Of course I never said that aloud. But I’m sure the same thought was flitting through Ethan’s brain.

“Thanks, Ethan. I appreciate that. More than you can imagine.” Anderson sounded relieved. “All things considered, I knew I could count on you. On both of you.”  He rose, just as Alex made an unexpected appearance. He ran into the room, giggling, his frazzled mother just a few steps behind.

“I’m sorry, he got away from me,” she apologized.

“No worries, I was just leaving,” Anderson said. He leaned down and offered his hand to Alex, along with a warm smile. “It was nice meeting you, young man.”

“Nice meeting you,” Alex dutifully echoed as they shook hands. I couldn’t help but think how cute he was. One glance at Ethan’s face and I knew he was thinking the same thing. My mind went back to the unfinished conversation of this morning and instantly doubts began to beset my mind.

Ethan obviously loved kids, so much he was talking about having them. I, of course, was not equipped to give him any. Maybe he was regretting our relationship. Maybe I was holding him back from his true destiny as a father. I didn’t want Ethan to finish out his life with regrets for what might have been, and I didn’t want to be the reason why he didn’t have progeny of his own.

Was I selfless enough to give him up to some woman who could fulfill his need for a child? I’d do just about anything for Ethan, but I didn’t think I could do that.

Lost in my own somber thoughts, I was surprised to glance up and realize Anderson was gone, and Alex was once again in his mother’s loving arms. Whether he liked it or not.

“I understand completely,” Sarah was saying. “Don’t worry about it. Do what you have to do.”

At least she didn’t sound angry. “Let me know what’s going on when you can,” she continued. “And tell Uncle Benny I love him and miss him.”

“I will, don’t worry. Hopefully when this is all over, we can all of us get together and do some serious catching up. We’re past due for that.”

Did all of us include the two Josephs, I couldn’t help but wonder.

“Amen to that,” Sarah fervently agreed. “It’s been too long, hasn’t it?”

“It certainly has.”

A moment of silence followed.

“Ethan, I…”

“Sarah, I…”

Must be that twin thing.

They both laughed, and just like that the tension between them was broken. At least for now.

“You know I only want what’s best for you,” Ethan said. “Both of you. I love you.”

“I know. And I love you too, Ethan.” She hefted Alex up a little higher on her hip as he tried to wriggle out of her grasp.

“Benny!” Alex insisted, pointing toward the kitchen. I suspected Benny was taking a nap, lying in what sun he could find. Part of his daily agenda. But he’d be up for playing if awakened.

“Okay, just a minute,” Sarah soothed her son, before adding for her brother’s benefit, “I won’t do anything foolish or stupid, I promise. Okay?”

“Okay,” Ethan replied. “Just know you can call me any time, day or night, okay? Vinny and I are always here for you, no matter what.”

My heart warmed at his inclusion of me, but I should have known better. That was just how Ethan was. Thoughtful and generous. No wonder that I loved him so very much. Which made the idea that I was potentially holding him back from attaining his heart’s desire all the more painful.

“I know, and I will,” Sarah promised.

“If you like, I can stay at the hotel tonight and you can stay here,” I said. My offer was sincere although I didn’t really want us to separate, even for one night, but I could understand his wanting to spend what time he could with his sister. I was determined to do the right thing, no matter at what cost.

Sarah surprised me by enveloping me in a big hug, one that included Alex apparently, who thought it was funny and hung onto me as well. “You’re so sweet, Vinny, no wonder my brother loves you so much. We’ll be fine, don’t worry. You two just go do your job and watch over Uncle Benny.”

“I’ll call you later,” Ethan promised. “Maybe we can drop you at the airport tomorrow.”

“Okay, if you can,” she agreed. “If not, that’s why they make Ubers, right?” She gave him a quick wink before heading toward the kitchen with the excited Alex.

And now we were alone. And now Ethan was giving me a… look. The kind that meant trouble because I just knew he was going to ask me something tricky. Something I wouldn’t care to answer.

“I think I forgot to make the bed.” I plotted an escape route to the hallway, one that would dazzle Ethan with my speed of execution. But he was faster and blocked my way rather handily, his beautiful blue eyes boring into mine. How could I resist?

“Vinny, what’s the matter?’ he said gently.

 to be continued

Now go see what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

Saturday is Horror Day #46 - The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane

 The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane

Rynn Jacobs (Jodie Foster) is thirteen years old. She and her father have just moved into a rental house in a small town in Quebec. But things are not as they appear to be. Not at all.

Rynn keeps to herself, going quietly about her business, which does not include going to school. She does everything herself, and her father is never seen, presumably busy.

Halloween night is her birthday, and as she is beginning a solo celebration, complete with birthday cake, an intruder arrives. Frank Hallet (Martin Sheen) is the son of the landlady, and he is quick to make his intentions quite obvious. Although he claims to be scouting ahead for his two children, who are trick-or-treating, he is more focused on how pretty Rynn is as he makes himself at home. Disgusted, she manages to get rid of him, but for how long?

The next day the landlady, Cora Hallet (Alexis Smith) waltzes into the house, making demands. Rynn stands up to her, and Mrs. Hallet quickly lets her know that she doesn't care for the teen's attitude. She wants to get something out of the cellar but Rynn tells her to come back. Obviously this woman is going to be a problem.

When the landlady's next visit goes awry, Rynn finds herself in a dilemma. But a knight in white armor, in the guise of young teen magician Mario Podesta (Scott Jacoby) appears and she talks him into assisting her. Rynn also receives a visit from local policeman Ron Miglioriti (Mort Shuman). He asks to see her father, but Rynn puts him off. She puts off everyone who tries to see him. Why? Is he even there? What is going on in this house that she doesn't want people to find out about?

I wasn't sure what to expect from this film, as it was shot back in 1976. I was pleasantly surprised. Of course you have a great cast, with Jodie Foster and Martin Sheen. Sheen is very creepy as the would-be pedophile who is intent on having his way with a 13-year-old girl. Jodie Foster is excellent as Rynn, just trying to get by under very difficult circumstances. The wig threw me off a little but you get used to it. I guess it's a story about survival, of doing what you have to do even if it's not what you would prefer to do. But there are bad people in this world, and sometimes accidents do happen. And when there aren't accidents, there's murder.

Good production values, well directed and filmed, good story. Not very gory at all but very entertaining and well-paced. I enjoyed this and would recommend giving it a watch. I give this film a strong 4 Stars