AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

Konterr Brilliant and touching

Freeman This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Richard Chatten What starts out as a potentially disturbing thriller about the vulnerability of women to disturbed and violent men - even in a public place - ends up becoming almost comical as the police blunder about like the Keystone Kops in pursuit of a villain who puts more effort into looking sinister than developing any proficiency as a serial killer. TV producer Gary Baylor (William Shatner) actually has a short speech breathlessly detailing to journalist Deborah Ballin (Lee Grant) how tip-top the security is in the hospital in which she's a patient; to which she moans: "There's NO security! He's in, he's out!" And she's right!Michael Ironside as Colt Hawker might as well be stomping about wearing a T-shirt with "PSYCHOTIC LONER" printed in capitals on it, but throughout the film has the run of the place without ever attracting attention despite making no attempt to put those around him off their guard by at least attempting to behave like a normal human being.More and more police pile into the building, but Hawker is never short of deserted corridors down which to skulk; and the only time the cops ever seem to stir themselves out of their torpor is to obstruct people who are genuinely trying to help. Fortunately Hawker is as inept as they are at his chosen vocation of psycho-killer, and proves easily distracted into pursuing other potential victims who attract his attention rather than killing his original intended victims when he has the chance.

Stevieboy666 Straightforward plot about a murderous psycho stalking a newswoman, much of which takes place in a hospital (shades of Halloween 2 & X-Ray). Right from the start we have a tense opening score, then it's not long before we have a shower scene. Pyscho sprang to mind. This Canadian film is more pyscho-thriller than just an outright slasher movie. There's no mysterious or unknown killer here. What we get is Michael Ironside (he reminds me very much of Jack Nicholson), seen very early on in the film. Turns out that he suffered much domestic abuse as a child & he's now become a woman hating, racist monster. The fact that he does not actually speak until 36 minutes into the film, combined with some POV shots, just makes him even more frightening. And let's be clear, he plays the part brilliantly, and with depth he makes for one of the scariest pyschos in movie history. Good cast, including William Shatner, very well filmed, a powerful musical score and lots of tension. Somehow this was deemed a "video nasty" and briefly banned into Britain but is now available in all of it's uncut glory. A cut above most of the other films that also made the list. Highly recommended.

Leofwine_draca I'll start by saying that the slasher film genre is one of my least favourites. This is generally because, after a few excellent movies, the films that flooded the 1980s all became derivative, repetitive, and downright boring. The only thing you could look forward to in these movies were the gory special effects, where the oh-so-annoying teenage victims finally got their just desserts. But just occasionally you'll find a slasher flick that transcends the genre and becomes more than just a routine bloodbath; I'm pleased to say that VISITING HOURS is such a film. Instead of a faceless monster stalking young girls, instead we get a psychological slasher film which explores the character of its antagonist – the stalker/murderer who hates women, thanks to a childhood incident – and the protagonist, an outspoken reporter trapped in a hospital and waiting to be attacked.The film is leisurely paced and takes a while to get going, and there are a lot of sub-plots getting in the way before we get to the conclusion. Despite this, the production values are good and the script realistic. Although the film does contain its fair share of clichés and predictable moments, it always feels more realistic and more horrible than most in the genre. In some ways it feels like a less-weird David Cronenberg movie, with the almost clinical detachment from the action; maybe it's just some vibe that Canadian horror movies possess.The film's success is mainly a result of the casting. Without Michael Ironside, I can't imagine this film being half as good. In a mostly silent performance, Ironside creates a totally cold, ruthless, and downright frightening personality, a maladjusted killer who has great intelligence but a corrupted mind. Ironside is fantastic. I always admire the actor and his performances but here he just goes off the board with his subdued portrayal. Far better than hammy Anthony Hopkins and his Hannibal Lector and Kevin Spacey and his clever-clever killer. In fact I would consider this Ironside's finest moment.The rest of the cast are adequate but can't match Ironside. Lee Grant is an unusual choice as the female lead but she makes a pretty good job of it and at least proves to be something more than the blonde bimbo. William Shatner lurks around the sidelines but doesn't get to do anything, worse luck. The various stalking sequences are very atmospheric and suspenseful and the final cat-and-mouse chase in the hospital is up there with the best of them. It's just a shame that the cold subject matter and horrific images (Ironside photographing the slowly dying old woman) are too much to handle for some viewers. Get past them and you have a great little film in your hands.

TheExpatriate700 Visiting Hours has a fairly typical slasher premise, with an insane killer stalking a woman confined to the hospital after one of his attacks. It features many of the same tropes, such as characters making incredibly stupid decisions and a Freudian explanation for the killer. It turns out above average, though, based largely on Michael Ironside's presence.Although this is clearly a B-movie with mainly stock characters, Michael Ironside treats the material with the same seriousness as a big budget thriller like The Silence of the Lambs. He brings his character, a misogynistic murderer, a depth and menace most slasher villains did not achieve, particular in 1982, when most were Michael Myers clones.The film also engages with serious themes of misogyny, framing the killer's violence in terms of his hatred of women. Although many slasher movies deal in this theme, Visiting Hours brings it to the surface, making Lee Grant's protagonist an ardent feminist and featuring several strong female characters. It also points out the ugliness of misogyny with a graphic rape scene, which most likely led to the film's banning as a Video Nasty in the UK.The film does have some flaws typical of the slasher genre. William Shatner's character is dull, in part because of his lackluster performance. (Luckily, although he has top billing, he actually has a small part.) However, Ironside makes this a film well worth seeing.