Killer - A Journal of Murder
by Tim Metcalfe
Our Price: $39.99
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $14.97 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Cara Buono, Ellen Greene, James Woods, Robert John Burke, Robert Sean LeonardDirector: Tim Metcalfe
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Letterbox, 1.85:1
Running Time: 91 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-09-29
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Republic Pictures
Movie Reviews of Killer - A Journal of Murder
Movie Review: Low budget film showcases James Woods talent
Summary: 4 Stars
Carl Panzram (the talented James Woods) is arrested and jailed for theft, but while in prison confesses to killing 21 men (while being beaten by the prison guards). Newly appointed prison guard Henry Lesser (Robert Sean Leonard) feels sorry for Carl after seeing how badly he's been beaten, and gives the prisoner a dollar (a lot of money back in the 1920's). Thus starts up a very strange friendship.
Lesser, against the rules, provides Carl with pencil and paper for Carl to write down his life story. We're taken back through Carl's life, mostly with flashbacks, to the mayhem his life had been. It seems the only time he attempted normal behavior was under a warden named Casey who actually trusted Carl until Carl, while out on one of his daytime trips, rapes an innocent librarian (played by Ellen Greene - Little Shop Of Horrors).
While 'Killer' isn't a fast paced movie, it's nonetheless a very good movie. James Woods plays his role as a sociopath to perfection. The use of occasional black-and-white photography, the costume design, the props, and the old stills really create the atmosphere of the era. The dialogue is sharp and realistic. (Carl: "I do not intend to plead for pity or sympathy or mercy. What I demand is justice. You created me. Now you kill me.") The scene where the preacher comes to Carl's cell is priceless.
Overall, if you liked 'The Green Mile' or just like James Woods' work, you should pick up or rent a copy of this film. Though obviously low budget, it works very well. Enjoy!
Summary of Killer - A Journal of Murder
James Woods gives one of his finest performances in this flawed but fascinating film about imprisoned serial killer Carl Panzram, who was hanged in 1930 after he beat a prison worker to death--the last of a reported 21 killings. The film centers on the tentative trust and friendship between Panzram and prison guard Henry Lesser (Robert Sean Leonard), whose attempt to understand Panzram's violent life leads him to believe that Panzram could redeem himself from a life of crime. Told primarily in flashbacks, Panzram's story unfolds as Lesser reflects upon its significance. In reality Panzram's life was a constant succession of unspeakable acts and violent crimes; for the purposes of the film, writer-director Tim Metcalfe attempts to humanize Panzram's story, leaving the viewer to decide if Panzram was deservedly executed, or the victim of his own miserable past. The film's ambivalence--and its tendency to leave crucial questions unanswered--lessens its impact as a biographical drama, but Woods and Leonard work superbly together, and Metcalfe's script paints a vivid portrait of the criminal mind. The DVD includes a full-length director's commentary that fills in some of the factual details that the film leaves out. --Jeff ShannonDrama DVD Video
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Movies most talked about in If you want to discover James Woods (1947 - )
![The Visitors [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Spain ] Image](/images/The-Visitors-NON-USA-FORMAT-PAL-Reg-2-Import-Spain-B0013JB0CY-X.jpg)
The Visitors [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Spain ]DVD
Best price: $22.99
The Onion FieldTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2002-09-17; DVD
Best price: $4.40
Price in other shops:
The Black MarbleRelease date: 2003-04-08; DVD
Best price: $4.59
Price in other shops:
EyewitnessRelease date: 2005-06-28; DVD
Best price: $4.30
Price in other shops:
Videodrome - Criterion CollectionImage Entertainment; Release date: 2004-08-31; DVD
Best price: $22.50
Price in other shops:
Once Upon a Time in America (Two-Disc Special Edition)WARNER HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2003-06-10; DVD
Best price: $12.19
Price in other shops:
Against All Odds (Special Edition)SONY PICTURES HOME ENT; Release date: 1999-12-14; DVD
Best price: $3.54
Price in other shops:
Stephen King's Cat's EyeWARNER HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2002-10-01; DVD
Best price: $3.66
Price in other shops:
Salvador (Special Edition)Release date: 2001-06-05; DVD
Best price: $3.39
Price in other shops:
Best SellerRelease date: 2002-06-04; DVD
Best price: $3.92
Price in other shops:
Similar DVD Movies
The Onion FieldTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2002-09-17; DVD
Best price: $4.40
Price in other shops:
Dirty PicturesTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2000-11-28; DVD
Best price: $3.00
Price in other shops:
Swing KidsSwing; Release date: 2002-09-03; DVD
Best price: $4.50
Price in other shops:
Citizen CohnWOODS,JAMES; Release date: 2001-07-10; DVD
Best price: $3.46
Price in other shops:
Married to ItTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2003-04-01; DVD
Best price: $2.41
Price in other shops:
Indictment - The McMartin TrialWarner Brothers; Release date: 2003-01-07; DVD
Best price: $8.60
Price in other shops:
Panzram A Journal of MurderAmok Books; Published: 2002-08-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.78
Price in other shops:
Best SellerRelease date: 2002-06-04; DVD
Best price: $3.92
Price in other shops:
CopRelease date: 2005-10-04; DVD
Best price: $5.65
Price in other shops:
TapeLions Gate; Release date: 2002-04-16; DVD
Best price: $7.36
Price in other shops: