Platicsco Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Rexanne It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

dromedormant With Dark Star being a major impressive student film that got him onto his first feature film, the critically acclaimed Assault on Precinct 13 before preceding to give us Halloween which was smashing new box office records for the horror genre, John Carpenter aired this rare gem of a film for Television. The result is a gripping and tense mystery- thriller that captivated me thanks to Carpenter's stylistic direction with an original story also written by him and an impressive character driven cast, lead by the stunningly beautiful Lauren Hutton. Hutton gave it all as a woman who seems to have everything, the confidence, the wit, the elegance and natural beauty that any guy could want from a woman. Hutton's character, Leigh Michaels, has recently moved into a new and well received apartment in Los Angeles. While she is settling in her cosy accommodation, unknown to her is a voyeur who enjoys spying on her through his telescope from an apartment across to hers but this voyeur doesn't stop there. Once he sets his sights on Leigh, he attempts to drive her insane, through various harassment calls and lots of stalking. Throughout, she struggles to keep up with his repetitive games and her patience begins to wear out, and on top of it all, she also has trouble convincing the police about this disturbing matter, where they conclude that the acts were harmless. Luckily for Leigh, she has her friend (whom she acquainted while at work) and formed a relationship with a University teacher, who trust her and believe it as being more than just a tease or harmless prank and the three set out to put a stop to this.I enjoyed this film so much, that I wish I had seen it earlier. Due to it's scarcity, I was lucky to have found it on Youtube at one time. What I found to be strikingly remarkable about this film is not only Carpenter's wonderful direction with this original plot, but also the familiarity and relation it shares with HALLOWEEN. Apparently, he made this just before he began work on Halloween, although released it after it debuted in cinemas, making it his fourth movie. These two films can be related in a lot of ways. Carpenter had paid homage to Alfred Hitchcock and Dario Argento, but unlike many copycatters who came aboard during the 80's slasher craze (When a Stranger Calls), Carpenter made it his own and used it very well to serve its purpose. Most noticeable to what he had employed in here via HALLOWEEN was the POV shots, placing us into Hutton's hysteria when circling around her apartment, toppled with fleeting and gliding camera, following her down corridors and hallways to increase suspense and paranoia around her and Carpenter brilliantly executes it. Plus we are also put into the voyeur's perspective, sometimes even drawing closer to his eyes to achieve the obsession and madness going on in his mind. Carpenter is absolutely brilliant with the way he constructed his characters in this film. Lauren Hutton's displays Carpenter's affection for Hawksian type women with their resilient attitude and sly wit superbly with Jamie Lee Curtis following into her footsteps. Adrienne Barbeau really steals the show taking on the sidekick role as her best friend with a quick witted and naughty sense of humour and David Birney plays as the concerned boyfriend who stands by defending her anyway possible. All three I find worked really well together.I enjoyed this film a lot and it's a shame it hasn't gotten the recognition it deserves because for a TV movie, it really is a rare case where it doesn't feel like one, meaning its really damn good. I find it to be certainly among his best. It is both ambitious and appealing in narrative and style, and I feel would be perfect viewing, along with Halloween as a double feature. I felt Carpenter perfectly demonstrated and familiarised himself with the techniques he successfully used for this film, he would proceed to use them to make "HALLOWEEN" the masterpiece it is and what it became infamously known for. Keep an eye out for a classic Carpenter trademark, the false startle technique, which has a figure dashing in the background. I give this rare gem a 9 out of 10.

Joshua Warren This is often referred to as "the lost Carpenter film", and many of you have probably not even heard of this film. Well now that it have finally been released to DVD, I advice all of you that are either John Carpenter or thriller fans to go out and by or rent this immediately. This is a high quality thriller that is packed with Carpenter great ability to create chills and paranoia. This movie may be ahead of it's time as I've noticed these kinda movies got very popular during the 90's. If you like this you'll probably like movies as "Phonebooth" and such. This is definitely the best thriller of the 70's and has a noticeable Alfred Hitchcock feel to it.I must admit this is far from John Carpenters best movie, but it is far from bad. This was movie the movie he directed right before his biggest success film of all time "Halloween", and if I'm not wrong it was because of this film, that he was chosen specifically to direct it.I give this film a 9/10.

preppy-3 Leigh Michaels (Lauren Hutton) moves into a beautiful apartment building in LA. She also gets a new job, makes friends with lesbian coworker Sophie (Adrienne Barbeau) and makes a new boyfriend with charming Paul Winkless (David Birney). But she starts getting threatening phone calls and letters by a man who seems to know her every move. Sophie and Paul try to help her but they can't and it seems he's getting more and more dangerous.A good movie for Capenter that's obviously made for TV--there are blackouts every 20 minutes or so. It's not as good as "Halloween" but how could it be? It's more like Hotchcock's "Rear Window" than anything else. It's well-directed by Carpenter with a few nicely placed scenes that will make you jump. The script is very good too with believable characters and a fairly intricate plot. Also it's unusual that Carpenter got a lesbian character in the movie. There's nothing wrong with that at all--it was just a fairly gutsy move for a 1978 TV movie. Hutton is surprisingly very good in her role. You slowly see her character crumble under the pressure. Barbeau is also excellent in her role. Only Birney is off--he seems a little uncomfortable in his role. Still this is a good suspense film from Carpenter. Well worth catching.

disdressed12 while i admit there is lots of tension in this movie,it's almost too much.the problem i found is that(to me at least)the movie keeps building to a climax which is less exciting than the rest of the movie.there is one pretty thrilling moment in the movie,but for me,that's about it.this is by no means a bad movie.in fact,think it was very well done and the acting is top rate.i just felt it was too drawn out.this is John carpenter's third picture,and was intended for the big screen at one point.but somewhere along the line,it was decided to make it into a TV movie.it's not overly violent and certainly not very graphic.even though i thought the movie was drawn out,it was still entertaining enough o watch until the end.if you don't mind a really slow build up,you will probably enjoy this one.by the way,this movie also available as part of the Twisted Terror collection,which also includes five other horror movies.anyway,for me,Someone's Watching Me is a 6/10