Serial Killer Movies

Sansui

I'm a sucker for serial killer books and movies. Which movies do you think best represent serial killers (Silence of the Lambs = understood).

No, I'm not a serial killer....yet.... :eek:

"You don't know what pain is!"

Holydoc

You may want to watch the new Showtime Series that premiered this season called Dexter. All about a Serial killer that works incognito with the police hunting down serial killers.

Sansui

I'd love a series like that! Wish I had cable...

Demiurge

Might want to catch David Fincher's Zodiac when it comes out in March. I have only been waiting for this movie for 3 years now.

Oh, and obviously, if you haven't seen Se7en, get that. It's my favorite movie, period.

mikesd

A couple that come to mind that I enjoyed are Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam" and "From Hell" starring Johnny Depp.

zombie boy 2000

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is an unbelievable movie.
I also enjoyed (if I can really say that..) American Psycho -- though the book is in a whole other league.

AndyGwis

All good choices, especially American Psycho even though it's more of a dark comedy than anything else.

What about that one that just came out, Primeval? Another good movie is Primal Fear, but that's just one murder, more or less. What else. . .

zombie boy 2000

Just Cause has Ed Harris giving one of his best performances ever as a serial killer...

"Did you see my parents? Tell me, how did they smell...."

creepy

Refefer

Hmm, I need to read more carefully.

+1 to Demi!

AndyGwis

Demiurge wrote:

Oh, and obviously, if you haven't seen Se7en, get that. It's my favorite movie, period.

Demiurge had it up there already.

steveducie

i don't know if this movie qualifies as a serial killer movie but Hostel is an excellent film of that genre.

venomclan

These may not exactly fit into that category, but I liked them.

Taking Lives
Fear
The Talented Mr. Ripley

steveducie

Bone Collector is pretty good

capecodder

zombie boy 2000 wrote:

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is an unbelievable movie.

Concur big time. Definitely NOT a big Hollywood splashy film filled with silly clues and ridiculous scenarios. Just a raw look at the individual who, for what ever twisted reason, derives satisfaction from killing people. Henry is a tough film to both watch and not watch.

Sansui

Demiurge wrote:

Might want to catch David Fincher's Zodiac when it comes out in March. I have only been waiting for this movie for 3 years now.

After reading a book about "him" I'm looking forward to the movie too. I may wait for it to come out on DVD to watch it though.

Oh, and obviously, if you haven't seen Se7en, get that. It's my favorite movie, period.

I only the best one I've seen (SOTL), I've seen Se7en about 15 times...;)

Sansui

mikesd wrote:

A couple that come to mind that I enjoyed are Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam" and "From Hell" starring Johnny Depp.

I remember hearing about "Summer of Sam" but I haven't seen it. Is it out in DVD?

"From Hell"? I never heard of that one. Is it an older one? I'll have to check that one out. Thanks for the tips!

Sansui

zombie boy 2000 wrote:

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is an unbelievable movie.

I wasn't that impressed with Henry. Now I wonder why, when I just did a seach of my DVD database, I have two copies of it.

I also enjoyed (if I can really say that..) American Psycho -- though the book is in a whole other league.

I liked this movie. Is the book better or worse than the movie. Usually the books are better.

Red Dragon is closer to the (prequel book to SOTL) than Manhunter was. I read the book after seeing Manhunter a few times and I wish both moives had taken the time to show why Dollarhyde was the way he was. I like them both the same but for different reasons.

Sansui

AndyGwis wrote:

All good choices, especially American Psycho even though it's more of a dark comedy than anything else.

It was all right, IMHO.

What about that one that just came out, Primeval?

Never heard of this one, neither has imbd.com.

Another good movie is Primal Fear, but that's just one murder, more or less. What else. . .

Got it, seen it, decent movie, doesn't count...

Sansui

steveducie wrote:

i don't know if this movie qualifies as a serial killer movie but Hostel is an excellent film of that genre.

I wouldn't classify this as a serial killer movie. Good movie though and I hope Hostel 2 is as good or better.

Sansui

venomclan wrote:

These may not exactly fit into that category, but I liked them.

Taking Lives
Fear
The Talented Mr. Ripley

How did I miss "Taking Lives"? I'll have to get that one.

I just bought/watched Fear yesterday. Good flick but not a Matt Damon wasn't a serial killer (that we saw), unless he was in the past.

Mr. Ripley doesn't count. From the review he only (killed?) takes the place of one person.

Thanks for the "Taking Lives" tip!

Sansui

steveducie wrote:

Bone Collector is pretty good

Yes it was. From the title I was expecting more but I got my money's worth.

venomclan

Sansui wrote:

How did I miss "Taking Lives"? I'll have to get that one.

I just bought/watched Fear yesterday. Good flick but not a Matt Damon wasn't a serial killer (that we saw), unless he was in the past.

Mr. Ripley doesn't count. From the review he only (killed?) takes the place of one person.

Hi San,
Are we taking about the same Fear? I was referring to the one with Mark Walberg. Not really a serial per se, but the same persona in some ways.

Mr. Ripley is a different look at that persona. First murder was in rage from rejection of love=Pyscho mentality.

Second murder was to cover up the first. The third murder was interesting because in many ways it was just to kill. He did not need to cover up anything at that point any more. That is why I consider it more of a serial.
Venom

zombie boy 2000

Sansui wrote:

I liked this movie. Is the book better or worse than the movie. Usually the books are better.

American Psycho was far more graphic. In fact, Leonardo Dicaprio was originally slated to play Christian Bale's role, but was forced to pull out due to certain scenes in the book -- which quite frankly, I couldn't read all the way through. Turns out after giving the role to Bale, the studio forced the filmmakers to not shoot those scenes.

Besides that, the book is an amazing read and excellently written. Completely more snide and scathing toward unbridled Capitalism than the film was able to manage. The chapter that covers the ritualistic exchange of business cards is brilliant.

venomclan

American Psycho was a masterpiece, Bale owned that role. I think it is his best to date besides Trevor Reznic - The Machinist.

zombie boy 2000

I agree.... personally I think Christian Bale is the heir-apparent to Gary Oldman. He delivered a brutal performance in The Machinist.

venomclan

I would love to see Bale and Ed Norton acting as rivals in a movie.

Sansui

venomclan wrote:

Hi San,
Are we taking about the same Fear? I was referring to the one with Mark Walberg. Not really a serial per se, but the same persona in some ways.

Yes we are. I have no idea why I put Matt Damon's name in my last post and I agree with you. Loved MARK WALBERG's part and enjoyed the movie, non-serial killer as it is.

Willow

umm I think there was one about Bundy, one about Bernardo and there was one Dahmer and the Boston Strangler as well as Hillside Strangler....

http://www.thecrimeweb.com/serialkillermovies.htm

Sansui

Willow wrote:

umm I think there was one about Bundy, one about Bernardo and there was one Dahmer and the Boston Strangler as well as Hillside Strangler....

http://www.thecrimeweb.com/serialkillermovies.htm

Thanks for the link and info, I'll check it out!

Willow

Sansui wrote:

Thanks for the link and info, I'll check it out!

No prob, hope you find what you're looking for.