MovieChat Forums > When a Stranger Calls Back (1993) Discussion > The First 25 minutes

The First 25 minutes

posted 20 years ago by dudleythecaretaker
17 replies | jump to latest

As soon as I read the title I was like "What the hell is this turd?" but I guess... what else are you going to call the sequel to "When A Stranger Calls".

I found it on our coffee table one day and I popped it in the vcr and Holy Shizzle Batman... I was glued to the tube!

I just assumed that it was going to be a pile because it's been so long since the original but it's really not bad. Especially the first "Act" if you will with the actual babysitting.

The rest of the movie is just ok but the first 25 minutes, that's some serious writing right there man. I was totally enthralled.

[–] saltrapty 20 years ago

I agree with you on the first 25 minutes, or however long it is. I love this movie, and the begining is so good. i love how he comes at her, with his thumbs out, ready to gouge them into her eyes. I havent seen it in years, it was on the other night, at 7, on like, the mysteries channel or something, but i had to babysit, so i missed it.
As a full time babysitter, i often wonder, why am i not as lucky, as paula from cutting class. I'd love a night time visitor like that. Ever seince i saw this movie, on showtime years ago, i have never locked a door, or window, or even put down the shades. That is not a joke.

[–] dudleythecaretaker 20 years ago

I'm a little confused...

You want to have your eyes gouged out by a stranger while babysitting?

What about the kids? Screw 'em?

Or is babysitting so boring that being harrassed by a killer would be interesting? If so, I hope your packin heat while babysitting.

"Erections don't rape people sir, people rape people" -Brainscan

[–] cliftooze 19 years ago

100% agree, the first 25 minutes of this movie were FANTASTIC!! I too was glued to the screen. The rest of the movie was a major let down though, although the ending was kind of cool.

[–] dudleythecaretaker 19 years ago

Come to think of it... the first movie was the same way.

Beginning - Creepy intro building to high intensity.
Middle - We follow this homeless dude around and generate sympathy for him.
End - Back to creepy intensity.

The middle of the movie kinda makes you wonder if you didn't actually change the channel at some point without noticing.

"Sedagiiiiive!?!" -Gene Wilder

[–] gwbsucks 19 years ago

I'm glad someone made this post because it's so true. I watched this for the first time last year and was completely creeped out by the beginning. You can tell she's already nervous from the start and then the guy with the broken down car comes along plus the maniac in the house. It did a good job of building up tension that just hasn't been matched too well recently. To the babysitter on this thread: are you serious? I think the last thing a babysitter would want is some dangerous psycho stalking them.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] Flowbeer 19 years ago

WTF?
You said: "I'd love a night time visitor like that. Ever seince i saw this movie, on showtime years ago, i have never locked a door, or window, or even put down the shades. That is not a joke" - Do you have a death wish? Or a rape fantasy? You really should keep yer doors locked, if not for your own safety, keep the children in mind, duh!

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] NormanL29 19 years ago

I would have to agree. The first 25 minutes freakin creepy. Specially when we see the guy with the coat and his hands stretched out and walking towards her. Freaking freaked me right freakin out no lie. Then one end part where he is painted and looks like the background. Very creepy.

[–] movielovrr916 19 years ago

I went into this movie the same as most, thinking it was going to be a big waste of time but was I surprised, pleasantly! You are right about the first 25 minutes, the writers really managed to do a good job and scared the crap out of me too. Just like the first film the beginning of the movie really got me.

[–] htown_sweetness1987 19 years ago

If you really think about it, its the same thing in all babysitter movies lock the door and windows..BUt it was really weird when she went into the kitchen and the camera pointed at something on the fridge..Then about 3-5 minutes later in the movie did it again and after that you see her run upstairs..I must admit. For the guy i was watching the movie with im sure he was happy me jumpin in his lap and all, but i really did find this movie interesting. Not only did that part scare me But i couldnt be alone babysitting for a long time after that, when she was in her dorm room. The alarm clock really started to freak me out my sister decided to do that to me, :(. I just hope this remake of the first movie(of course i didnt know if my sister was telling me the truth when she said they had a first one).. But im going to see it with a couple girls from work and hopefully its as good as this one it actually looks a bit more intense but then again what ccan you say its 2006 and not 1993 no more! lol..leave sum later..Ciao all

[–] ranthony78704 19 years ago

I agree. The first 25 minutes, the babysitting scene, was awesome. It takes alot to creep me out and this did. I only wish it would have lasted longer. However, I think it lasting longer would have made it like the remake.

[–] gerard-69 19 years ago

I have watched so many horror films that it is truly hard to scare me but when I saw the beginning of this movie I was a bundle of nerves! The first 25 mins are SO tense - especially if you have ever babysat. If only the rest of the movie had lived up to the beginning...

[–] Sburt4-1 18 years ago

SPOILER

I got creeped out when Julia was explaining to the poilce how she noticed her book was in a different spot and she said her alarm was going off at a different time and then finding a shirt that didn't belong to her. I thought it was very scary that Landis stalked Julia again. sure the pacing is a little slower but the whole idea that some creep was in Julia's apartment moving things around bothered me. I got scared when Landis was in Julia's hospital room and backed into the dark when Jill visit.

[–] IAmNo4 14 years ago

The first 20 minutes and the creepy ending MAKE both this & the original movie. Very tense stuff.

Previously known as itsmevrdo/iVrd0/iVanV/horror_zone

[–] VWstarwars 12 years ago

TO the OP and some others commenting along. No, I did not read the entire thread so someone else may have pointed this out because it is true. It does much the same as the original where you have this dynamite opening that just has you gripped in this gradual, moody build that just chills you as it goes . . . then the film slows down majorly, though with some creepyness still here and there, then to a cool and creepy ending.

[–] PeterBradford 12 years ago

The first 25 minutes are among the scariest, most suspenseful stuff I've seen! I saw this on cable when it was first broadcast and it blew me away.