Genres

Visitors Review

twgame 2013-05-22 10:52:48

a nifty little thriller

Obviously a low budget film that went straight to video, but hugely betterthan most that fit that bill, and better than many so-called studiothrillers as well. While it's not jump in your seat scary, it's morecreepy,foreboding, and surprisingly literate. How many movies quote from "Day ofthe Locust" which ties into the plot as well. This movie is saying quite abit, I think, about Hollywood, illusion and reality, etc. And it's gotVirginia Madsen showing us her thong underwear on the beach!

MBunge 2013-05-22 05:22:40

This film features a character so deep in the closet, the guy who wrote the script didn't realize he was gay

I try not to spoil things in a review unless the movie is sounbelievably horrid that I want to be sure no one feels there's anyreason at all to watch it. Lying in Wait isn't THAT bad, but it's awfulclose.Babee Gordon (Thomas Newton) is the 20something son of a deceased TVactress. Yes, his mother actually named him Babee. Yes, people in thefilm comment on his name. No, the film never explains why he hasn'tchanged his name or just tells everyone to call him Rick or something.Babee's only real friend is his companion since childhood, thenow-teenaged El (Vanessa Gordon). Yes, her name is actually El and notElle. Are you already starting to get a sense of how terrible this filmis? Babee is a wannabe painter who's been living in his mom's house onhis mom's money. El is one of those drama queens whose seeminginnocence masks real emotional problems. She's been carrying a torchfor Babee since they were kids, but he shows absolutely no feelings forher…which I'll get into more later in the review.Anyway, a new married couple moves in next door to Babee. Keith andVera Miller (Rutger Hauer and Virginia Madsen) are rich, middle agedand very screwed up. Keith is a thrill seeker and the kind of guy whothinks he's deeply committed to his wife, even though he has sex withother women. Vera is a lonely, emotionally dependent woman whoimmediately latches onto Babee. When he sees Keith having sex with Lois(Shannon Whirry), Babee gets drawn into the Millers' twistedrelationship.Then a car accident puts Keith into a persistent vegetative state andBabee becomes caretaker to both Keith and the vulnerable Vera. He endsup having sex with Vera and talking with Keith, who apparently is justfaking his brain damage but will only let Babee in on the secret. Asthe story unfolds, Keith winds up killing a couple of people, eventhough he's motionless in a wheelchair. Babee covers up for Keith, evenwhen a police detective (Tony Bill) starts snooping around.I won't spoil the story's twist, but if you've got half a brain, you'llfigure it out about an hour before the movie reveals it. That's becauseit's the only possible explanation for Babee's behavior. This is thesingle most obvious, telegraphed and unavoidable twist I've ever seenin any film. The only genuinely good thing about Lying in Wait is that itdemonstrates quite clearly the difference between people who can't actand people who can but are just giving a poor performance. ThomasNewton and Vanessa Gordon can't act. They give performances straightout of a high school play. They were both fairly young when they madethis film, so they may have gotten better. But Newton is boring whenhe's supposed to be the young hero of the story and he's just as boringwhen he's revealed to be something else. Gordon's acting is closer to a40 year old man pretending to be a young girl than an actual younggirl. Now, Rutger Hauer and Virginia Madsen also give awfulperformances in this film, but they suck in a way where you can tellthey could be good in other circumstances. Hauer is very animated andcarries a sense of menace even as a human vegetable. Madsen's Veraseems genuinely troubled and unhappy. The problem is their characterssay and do such stupid things in the story that neither of them canreally be believable. They're like musicians doing a pretty good jobplaying a really lame song. You don't enjoy the song but you canrecognize the talent of the players.One other striking thing about Lying in Wait is that Babee Gordon isclearly gay. He is a deep in the closet, self-deceiving, what used tobe called latent homosexual. But not only do none of the characters inthe movie realize it, the guy who wrote and directed the movie doesn'tappear to have realized it! I don't know if Thomas Newton is gay and abad actor or straight and a bad actor, but he has zero sexual chemistrywith either Vanessa Gordon or Virginia Madsen. When you can't havesexual chemistry with Virginia Madsen, there's something massivelywrong. The movie tries to say that Babee grew up with El and justdoesn't feel that way about her, but she's a hot, young thing and she'sconstantly throwing herself at Babee and he's never uncomfortable. He'sjust annoyed with it. Newton never shows and the movie neveracknowledges the natural, physical reactions and impulses that ariseout of that situation. And Babee's seduction/being seduced by Vera iseven worse. Again, there's zero sexual chemistry and the story neverbothers to justify in any way the supposed attraction between thisolder woman and younger man. If you just cut out about 45 seconds oflame sex scenes between Babee and Vera, you would swear this was astory about a middle aged woman with a bad marriage befriending theunhappy and artistic gay boy next door. In fact, while I was waitingfor the film to reveal it's big twist, I was also waiting for it toreveal that Babee was was homosexual. It never does.In addition to being bad, Lying in Wait is also a big tease. It's ratedR for Strong Sexual Content…but that content is a single brief nudescene with Shannon Whirry and a shot of Virginia Madsen's thong. That'sit. If you're making a crappy sex thriller, especially one so cheap theDVD doesn't even have a menu screen, you can at least fill it withplenty of sex.

Caps Fan 2013-05-20 23:00:58

RUBBISH!

This is an abysmal film, totally lacking in suspense and peopled bycharacters I couldn't give a flying fig about. The actors move and speaklike marionettes, as if they can't wait to get off-camera. Not surprisingreally, since you can hardly see them in the murky photography. Addinsipidmusic and silly plot development and you have the kind of movie experienceit's well worth the trouble of avoiding. Rating: 1/10

spectredoggie 2013-05-20 08:48:37

One of the worst movies ever!

Where do I start??? Horrible direction. Bad acting. Bad writing. Oh yeah,did I mention thedirecting was awful?This could have been a decent thriller had it a tiny smidgen of subtletyandtaste in howit was delivered. As it stands, it's just another waste of an hour and ahalf.Avoid this like the plague!!!

JOHN L. SCHINDEL 2013-05-19 22:13:31

erotic striptease

In this movie, Vera (Virginia Madsen) does a drunken, beachfrontstriptease,although her character quickly sobers up and realizes the inappropriatenessof her actions. The abortive dance, with no overt nudity ,was one of themost erotic scenes in my recent cinema experience.Obviously, eroticism is in the eye of the beholder, but if you findVirginiaMadsen as attractive as I do, you'll want to track this filmdown.

CrzyMuthaRugger 2013-05-19 09:47:55

The Worst.

This is quite possibly the worst movie I have ever seen. Now I have seen alot of movies, some were B movies some were great Academy Award movies,butnothing that I have ever seen prepared me for the journey that I refer toasLying in Wait. I have never seen worse acting, not even in my old highschool acting classes. Pathetic. If you can seen one movie this year,heck,if you can see 1,000,000 movies this year make sure YOU DO NOT SEE THISMOVIE. Regrets are all that follows. Regrets of lost time and missedopportunities.

bob the moo 2013-05-17 02:42:48

Stupid story - some good performances

Young bachelor Babee is looking after his dead mother's estate when marriedcouple Keith and Vera move in. Babee becomes attracted to them by thebeautiful Vera and the risk taking Keith. However at a party Vera crashesher car, putting Keith into a coma.When Keith comes out he is in a semi-vegetative state and must rely on Verato look after him. Keith can't move or speak but reveals to Babee that hecan still talk and starts to kill those that wronged him with Babee'shelp.This starts reasonably enough - it looks like a femme-fatale type deal.However after the accident (early on in the film) it all gets a bit sillyand doesn't make sense any more. The main problem is the ridiculous idea ofthis man totally paralysed rolling into people in his wheelchair to killthem. The fact that the innocent Babee, so attracted to Vera, would assisthim to do things in secret is even more unlikely. And the ending is justabsurd - not only the set-up but the conclusion.Virginia Madsen is quite good in the role of Vera. Likewise Thomas Newtonand Vanessa Dorman are good as Babee and Elle respectively. However Hauerseems to have lost any ability to pick good roles - Bladerunner and theHitcher were clearly early flukes. He spends most of his time in awheelchair and looks stupid as he pretends to be a vegetable, he really hasa thankless role.Overall this is a sloppy film. It has several good performances but the plotis very thin - at times it feels like no one knows what they're doing. Whatplot there is (paralysed man in a wheelchair bumps people off) is stupid andbadly handled. Overall, an occasionally embarrassing mess.

leno 2013-05-16 14:36:39

Amusing

I read this page before watching the movie so I expected a pretty badmovie. Now I can say that is not true. The story doesn't make muchsense and the ending is far fetched, but it's very amusing. Hauer playsa excellent role, a psycho who uses Babee Gordon as a hand puppet. Youcan see Hauer really enjoys his role and he shows he can do better thenthe roles he usually gets (offered). Without Hauer this movie would bejust another B thriller, perhaps a even a C thriller. Madsen shows sheisn't only a nice woman to look at but she can also act. Thomas Newtonis okay but the real fireworks come from Hauer..

schultz_jennifer 2013-05-12 07:36:50

lying in wait, worth watching

Lying in Wait is a well developed characters study, you know thesepeople. The movie is a plot driven thriller with a twist. The movie isnot driven by sex or violence though both ocur in very limitedmoderation. The screen play is worth watching twice to get the nuancesand subtle humor. Other than Rutgar Howard, most of the actor/actressesare not recognizable and maybe with the exception of "L" deliver fairto good performances. If you watch it twice, Rutger gets a little oldas he continues to get older. The film quality is grainy and the setsare somewhat dark, which fits with the dark quality of the subjectmatter. I have seen better films, but certainly have seen worse. Thereis no doubt that Lying in Wait is a low budget film, but generally awell done low budget film.

2013-05-11 15:42:45

Even RUTGER HAUER can't save this lame script...

*Lying In Wait* I'll spare you all the boring details of a long and drawn out review. BAD ACTING, BAD SCRIPT = BAD MOVIE. The main characters are terrible actors and the story is worn out and boring. I would pass this one, even if it's free. Your time is worth more than that.I give it 2 THUMBS DOWN and THE FINGER!

Willy-51 2013-04-25 19:21:31

A young man has a fling with his neighbor's wife while covering up the trail of the husband's murderous rampage.

An excellent psychological thriller. Edgy, dark and witty. Good cast,although Tony Bill was a bit flat. The plot twists were authentic with asolid surprise at the end. The only real flaw, not sexy enough. VirginiaMadsen was good but would have traded her for an actress that was willingtoshow some skin. Rutger Hauer was, as always, on top of his game.

gravyshanks 2013-04-25 05:39:11

Props for Rutger Hauer

For those of you who haven't yet seen "Lying in Wait," please let metake a moment to list for you some props used by Rutger Hauer. Accordion - Rutger Hauer plays the accordion on more than one occasion,one of which is a seduction scene. The other accordion scene occurs inthe waning hours of a sexy party, complete with upright jazz bassaccompaniment.Cold hard cash - Rutger Hauer flashes a substantial wad of money hethen bets on a horse. It's perhaps the most exciting moment of thefirst half of the movie.Red helmet - Rutger Hauer wears a red helmet, the type the severelyretarded or hyperactive will wear. After wearing the helmet a fewtimes, he then dons non-protective headwear, specifically a woolen skicap. Motorized wheelchair - Rutger Hauer, avec woolen ski cap, implausiblyforces another character over her own balcony by ramming her with hismotorized wheelchair. Keep in mind this is a 3 1/2 foot balconydesigned to keep people from falling, yet Rutger's wheelchair employs atype of metaphysics to thrust (was it Lois?) over, through, the railingto her doom below. Thomas Newton - Rutger Hauer uses actor Thomas Newton as a sort ofpersonal hand puppet while the two of them excitedly watch a horserace. The action is thinly implied, yet when one advances the filmframe by frame, one can almost see an expression of terror momentarilyflash across Newton's face. It is the unmistakable look of doom causedby having a big, old Dutchman's fist in his rectum.Urea - Rutger Hauer goes to an art opening and pees on the floor fromhis motorized wheelchair, causing the uncaring art crowd to titter.While not technically a prop (urea may be considered a special effect,)it is an artistic choice agreed upon by the screenwriter, director,producer, art department, financiers, etc. and executed by Mr. Hauer ina convincing fashion. Motorized wheelchair redux - Rutger Hauer pushes a TV actor into aswimming pool using the wheelchair, pinning the man to the bottom anddrowning him. For all you doubters, know that there's more than justone way to kill with wheels. Paraplegics rejoice! You are the rollinghurt machines of woe for us all.Bloody Nose - Rutger Hauer has a bloody nose in the penultimate scene.It trickles into his mouth and gets on his teeth. Note - Rutger Hauer spends over half of this movie in a persistentvegetative state and the fact that he's able to use props at all isremarkable.Listing props is the only way to get through the movie. Good luck.

2013-04-24 08:35:16

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH BABEE

Poor Babee Gordon. He's a young man, around 22 or so, the son of a former television actress, who should have been shot for naming him after her t.v. poodle!!! Babee is played with a calm reticence by Thomas Newton, who can't be blamed for his droll performance considering the script director/writer D. Shone Fitzpatrick handed him. Babee's mom is now dead, circumstances unknown but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how and why she died. Babee is also involved in a "brotherly" relationship with provocative young El (a hyperactive Vanessa Dorman), and it seems as though they're about to lose their beautiful house since they don't have any money. Babee is also a painter of minimal talent; he always paints landscapes without any people. Enter the new next door neighbors: Rutger Hauer (trying hard but..) as Keith, a man who makes his fortune by betting on horses, and his sexy wife, Oscar nominee Virginia Madsen in the kind of role she often played before her miraculous comeback in "Sideways." Of course, Keith is a philanderer having an affair with the seductive Lois (Shannon Whirry), who is bedding an art conosseur played with relish by Ian Buchanan (Port Charles). Anyway, Babee finds out about Keith's dalliance with Lois and in a fit of anger or jealousy, he tells Vera. There's a fight at a party, Vera and Keith drive off in a flurry, and as soon as they leave the driveway, they crash into a tree, which leaves hubby Keith in a vegetative state. Or is he? This is where the movie's mystery begins. For those of you who decide to watch this below average film, you may be surprised by the twist, but since the prologue of the movie is so obvious, you may not be all that surprised. Most Oscar nominees and winners have probably done a film in which they probably would never want their current fans to see. Ms. Madsen has one in this: out of nowhere, she tries to seduce young Babee by doing an impromptu striptease to "You Made Me Love You." It's an embarrassing moment, and I'm sure if Virginia watched this again, she'd probably just shake her head and thank God for movies like "Sideways."

mm-39 2013-04-24 00:58:50

Boring

This is another boring film done by Rutger Huger. His career has been onthe down slide for many years. I think he should just call it quits. Heplayed a good weirdo but the story was lacking. The rest of the cast wereno names and desperately needed acting lessons. Do yourself a favor andbypass this one. 5/10

Willy-51 2013-04-10 12:21:40

More than meets the eye

I admit I'm a big Rutger fan, which is why I rented the movie, and VirginiaMadsen is no slouch either. And I must say I was quite impressed with thefilm! It's not jump out of your seat scary, more creepy and foreboding.Pretty good acting all around (I especially liked Thomas Newton) and soliddirection, camera, etc. But the thing is, I realized at the end of themoviethat it's not about Babee, the young, reclusive artist, but about the girlnext door! I think she may be the true crazy! Pretty good script,interesting little film. I totally recommend this littlegem!

Sharon Rice 2013-04-10 00:41:03

An Interesting Psychological Character Study

Although I'm not sure this film works as a thriller, it is an effectivecharacter study. Babee is the reclusive son of a late television star wholives alone in a large, somewhat decrepit, Hollywood mansion. His onlyfriend is a beautiful young neighbor who grew up with him. His lifechangesdrastically when a troubled couple (Rutger Hauer and Virginia Madsen) movesin next door. Hauer's amoral character, Keith Miller, decides to tutorBabeein the finer things in life (drinking, gambling and women). After Millerisseverely brain damaged in an accident, Babee becomes his caretaker. WhenMiller's enemies start dying, however, Babee becomes convinced that Milleris faking his injury. Although most people could predict the ending aroundthe beginning of the movie, "Lying in Wait" is well made and the acting isvery good.

vchimpanzee 2013-04-06 04:06:24

If you like 'Desperate Housewives' or 'Dallas' ...

Six months after Babee Gordon's mother Sue died, Mr. Horn recommends hesell the house because the trust fund is running out and Babee doesn'tseem capable of making a living, though he does like to paint. Sue wasa wealthy and reclusive actress who apparently had a popular TV series.She was also a talented artist, though it's not clear if she made anymoney other than from her acting career. Babee was a prop man's poodle,though Sue acted like it was hers, and what she did when her son wasborn was unbelievably cruel. We never learn about Babee's father.Keith and Vera are Babee's new neighbors. Vera flirts with Babee, andKeith seems to enjoy spending time with Babee's pretty, perky andselfish aspiring dancer girlfriend El. At a party, Keith wants to fixBabee up with Lois--which makes no sense because Keith wants her too.Lois didn't care for Sue's TV series. Keith and Vera are obviously not happy in their marriage, but Keith isunwilling to get a divorce.Keith enjoys living on the edge (no, I won't make a 'Smallville' jokehere). He makes his living gambling, having become discouraged workingin the film industry. Apparently he's very good at it, because he has anice house. He doesn't believe in insurance, but his wife does. She hasa life insurance policy which will pay her well if Keith dies.Fortunately, she also seems to have health insurance which coversKeith.George wants to exhibit Babee's art work at the Fletcher Gallery.Apparently Babee inherited his mother's talent.Several murders and attempted murders take place, and the person webelieve committed the murders has a perfect alibi.The ending made no sense--at first. The movie was progressing in acertain way, and it seemed like the writers defied logic to rush themovie to its conclusion when they ran out of time. Or did they? Rutger Hauer does a fine job here. At the horse track, Keith's passionis clear. And there's another dimension to Hauer's performance which Idon't want to give away.I thought Shannon Whirry was Elizabeth Berkley at first, but she's toogood an actress--deliciously evil is a good way to describe herperformance. And she's quite pretty.Ian Buchanan also had a nasty side, also reminiscent of the campy soapssuch as 'Dallas' and 'Dynasty'.In my opinion, most of the leading actors did a good job. I'm not sure,though, about Vanessa Dorman, who narrated the movie at times.This is not a movie for kids. The characters seem to have no morals,except possibly Babee, El, and the detective. And even Babee wasn'tthat moral.I didn't like most of the music (not counting background music, which Idon't really recall). For example, there is the alternative rock 'BlackSleep' used with the closing credits, which is a style so many peopleenjoy these days. But Keith did play the accordion several times, andfor me that was enjoyable. This is certainly not the high-quality production that a series like'Desperate Housewives' is, but at times it achieves at least some ofthe campy feeling. There are some good moments.

Ed Moorehouse 2013-04-05 17:40:32

A Good Film that Impressed Me

This Film Impressed Me. It hit all of the Essential Categories that Make aClassic. Horror, Suspense, Drama, Romance, and Thrills. This film had itALL! It was way Better than "Scream", And I Think It could only be Comparedto "Silence of the Lambs". It's Good. 10 out of 10. Also Recommended: TheGardener (AKA: Garden of Evil).

2013-03-26 17:10:49

Rutger Hauer

This review is from: Lying in Wait (DVD) What else is there to say, other than Rutger Hauer. Has he ever been in a good movie, other than the Hitcher? I didnt expect much, and that's what I got.

hartert 2013-03-26 03:05:42

See this movie at least twice. Gets better and better!

Some nice little surprises here! Very well acted and an interestingstory.You definately need to view this film more than once to appreciate itfully.The casting was great and the dialogue quite believable. This is a darkandyet delightful movie,,,Well done!