Dead Silence
Jeffrey Deaver is one of my favorite authors. "Dead Silence" is based on his novel, "A Maiden's Grave." The movie is reasonably true to the book, except for changing the title and leaving out the reason for the original title. I thought the casting was excellent. I enjoyed it very much and will keep it on my shelf.

Riveting!
I found this suspense thriller excellent--in writing, acting, directing, and setting. There was continuous conflict, danger, surprises, and suspense. The characters were believable, and it had one great twist near the end which took me by surprise. Thoroughly entertaining! Get it!

Murder at the Old Mill
When some deaf mute students are taken hostage by three murderous escape convicts the odds don't look good for them. They are taken to an abandoned old mill along the Niagara River and the water is treacherous with the falls not far away. Fortuntely three adults are in there group so just maybe they have a chance. Or so you think until one is shot when the convicts demands aren't met. Will they be met? Will they find a way to escape? Will they survive? The answers may be depend upon their teacher played by Marlee Matlin.

A fairly suspenseful TV Movie with a good cast including James Garner and Marlee Matlin. Garner plays a hostage negotiator for the FBI. Things get complicated when the Deputy Governor turns up and it turns out a couple million dollars is hidden in the mill. And to make matters worse there is subterfuge and corruption involving a woman and a man the police haven't identified yet. The cast and production values are great. Not a bad storyline as well. Although I have seen a couple other hostage movies this was not like anything I have seen before. I was impressed with the screenplay based on a book. I recommend this one as a purchase. Good replayability. If you enjoyed this be sure to catch "The Fan" and "Hear No Evil".

NEGOTIATING THRILLS
DEAD SILENCE is based on Jeffery Deavers' excellent "A Maiden's Grave," and as is in most instances, the book is better than the movie. But to screenwriter Donald Stewart's credit, his script maintains much of Deavers' plotting and nuances to be a credible adaptation.
A busload of deaf mute students is held hostage by a notorious bankrobber, played with effective and cold mania by the underrated Kim Coates. The schoolteacher (Marlee Matlin) is heroic in trying to come up with ways to get her kids out of this mess. But FBI negotiator John Potter (played with controlled excellence by the ever dependable James Garner) has his own way of dealing with the hostage situation.
There are some nifty plot twists (a norm for the crafty Deavers) and the cast plays them out well. Director Daniel J. Petrie, Jr., focuses on the characterizations with minimal over-wrought histrionics. Charles Martin Smith plays the swarmy assistant attorney general; Scott Speedman in an early role plays the heroic Stevie; and Lolita Davidovich comes on late as a hostage negotiator who has had her turn with Coates.
A sharp, intelligent thriller.

Dead Silence
After escaping from prison and crashing their car, three psychopathic killers hi-jack a bus full of deaf children and their teacher and take them hostage in a slaughter-house. The FBI arrive at the scene and it's up to the tired cheif (James Garner) to negotiate with the criminals over a cell-phone.

Although it begins promisingly, the comunication between Garner and the criminals becomes tedious after some time, and the action doesn't pick up until the lone twist is reveiled. Lack of surprises and action doesn't help either. Garner is good in the role he plays.

If you like this film, I also recommend "The Taking Of Pelem 123".

Overall: 3 stars

Rated R for some graphic violence, language, and explicit sexual dialogue.