Rampage: The Hillside Strangler Murders (2006)

User Rating:

4.0/10   

Director:

Chris Fisher

Writers:

Chris Fisher (written by)
Aaron Pope (written by)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Los Angeles, 1978. Sex, Drugs, Serial Killers.

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Hooker | Random Sex | Gurney | SWAT Team | Kitchen Scene

Cast

Joleigh Fioravanti	...	Tanya (as Joleigh Pulsonetti)
Bret Roberts	...	Jack
Brittany Daniel	...	Samantha Stone
Joseph McKelheer	...	Joe
Vanessa Nigro	...	Sally
Channon Roe	...	Dave
Valerie Stodghill	...	Melanie
Tomas Arana	...	Angelo Buono
Clifton Collins Jr.	...	Kenneth Bianchi
Rhino Michaels	...	Watch Commander
Lake Bell	...	Jillian Dunne
Tom Wright	...	Detective Bryant
Mike Hagerty	...	Detective Smith
Eddie Jemison	...	Kantor
Stephen R. Hudis	...	Swat Captain

Also Known As:

The Hillside Strangler (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence/grisly images, sexuality/nudity, drug use and language.

Runtime:

USA:85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:MA | New Zealand:R18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Valencia, California, USA

Company:

Nightstalker LLC

Trivia:

Vincent Pastore was offered the part of Angelo Buono. When he had to decline, Tomas Arana got the part.

Unfortunately Disappointing

What seems to be a sort-of follow up to 2004's "The Hillside Strangler", in this one, "Rampage: The Hillside Strangler Murders" begins with the suspected Strangler, Kenneth Bianchi (Clifton Collins Jr.) captured and brought in for questioning from Dr. Samathan Stone (Brittany Daniel). The film tells the story of Dr. Samantha Stone and what she goes through during her time on the Strangler case. Not only does she deal with sexism from male detectives, but an abusive boyfriend, and of course Kenneth Bianchi and the is-he-or-isn't-he question that she must ask herself. Her only confidant is a former friend, the District Attorny Jillian Dunne (Lake Bell).

"Rampage" is an interesting film: Fantastic performances from Clifton Collins Jr. as Kenneth Bianchi, and the lovely Lake Bell is terrific as Jillian Dune. However it is almost hard to take Brittany Daniel seriously as a psych doctor, though she gives an admirable performance. Some of the camera techniques are very unusual, particularly at the drug-using party scenes. They add something to the film to liven it up I suppose, which is needed, because the film plods at times, and the pacing seems a little off - the first interrogation for example was far too long. The 70's outfits are fantastic though. The standout performance is obviously Clifton Collins Jr., and the way he pulls of the "personalities" of the Strangler are worth watching this film for, even if it is unfortunately disappointing.