MovieChat Forums > The China Lake Murders (1990) Discussion > For a TV movie it's not all that bad...

For a TV movie it's not all that bad...

posted 20 years ago by sheldonvh
7 replies | jump to latest

I saw this movie a few years back and to my amazment I actually enjoyed it. I've been fascinated by the desert for quite some time now. Westerns and old B sci-fi movies are among my favourites. This movie struck a cord with me. To be honest I think it was the music. It has a really powerful score not like you would hear in any ordinary movie. Tom Skeritt turns in an alright performance as the Sheriff of a small town in the middle of the desert. It's the other cop on the road pulling people over that get's all the attention. He does a marvelous job. Killers in the world today aren't always the bad guy's the movies depict them out to be. Sometimes like in this case, the bad guy is a cop. Don't worry, I didn't give anything away as we find out who he is within the first 5 mins. I don't know if this will help you decide to watch the film or not, but at least give it a go it's worth it. I can't wait to see it come to DVD.

[–] moviemisstress 19 years ago

I agree. This has always been one movie I catch when it is run on tv.
I have yet to record it, but next time it is on, for sure.
Michael Parks plays the role of burned out cop Donnelly to perfection.
I watch it mainly for his performance.
And, the music, great.
DVD? Don't hold your breath.

[–] makharveymail 17 years ago

Same here. Whenever this shows up, as it did tonight, I watch it. Michael Parks is great in this movie, as is Skerrit. My favorite line is when Skerrit asks Parks where he is going and Parks replies, "Anywhere I want." OK, you have to HEAR him say it.
A favorite of mine for 17 years now.
ps Nice to see Lauren Tewes too.

[–] Devans00 17 years ago

The landscape and the supporting, everyday people where the most interesting part of this movie for me.

At the end, we didn't know much more about the serial killer than we did at the beginning. Not many serial killers take on grown men, they tend to like women and children who they can overpower more easily.

Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not.

[–] avnrulz 17 years ago

My wife and I saw this for the first time the other night, but it was late and I nodded off at teh end so she had to tell me the ending. I'm looking forward to watching it again.

[–] hurricanefloydny 17 years ago

I don't know if this is for all digital time warner cable subscribers but its on the Free Movie Channel. I'm watching most of it right now, and its alright, nothing to spetacular, and I usually enjoy made for tv movies a lot.

[–] mike_the_bloody 15 years ago

I agree, it wasn't all that bad. I thought it was good. Michael Parks was excellent as always. Tom Skerritt was great also

I rated it a 7/10

"Hello, Ben. Welcome back to the land of the living" - John Locke

[–] pipeoxide 10 years ago

It was a goooood, entertaining movie -- TV or no. Very enjoyable!

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