My retro review for this month Mind Games, tells the story of a family that doesn’t make the right choices and finds themselves in peril. It’s not a Brian de Palma or a Robert Harmon thriller, but it does entertain for those who like danger and intrigue. The film has been released on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital HD.
It’s the morning of the Lund family’s vacation and they are loading the Winabago for a trip. Hopping into the travel trailer are dad Dana (Edward Albert), mom Rita (Shawn Weatherly) and their 10 year Old son Kevin (Matt Norero). On the outside it’s a happy family, but Rita has hit a low in the marriage and it may be a ring toss that will get addressed. At their first camp grounds Kevin takes a walk in the woods and hears a flute playing in the distance. Curious he follows the music and sees Eric Garrison (Maxwell Caulfield) playing the instrument and sitting a huge rock by a creek. Finding Eric a cool guy Kevin gets him invited to dinner and the traveler hits it off with the family. Showing he’s a friendly guy and very likable, Dana invites Eric to join them for as long as he wants. The gesture will be one that they will regret.
Bob Yari moves his classic film along nicely, quickly establishing the characters so the audience can empathize with them. He shows the relationship between Kevin and Eric grow in a good way and the distance between Rita and Dana grow further apart. As he delivers Eric’s penchant for violence it creates a feeling of dread that slowly builds changing the Kevin character to extreme caution. It’s kind of terror that feeds most thrillers, but Yari’s becomes more sinister as the movie’s time nears the finale and turns into a psychological stunner.
Mind Games is producer Bob Yari’s first attempt at directing and he only helmed one other Papa Hemingway in Cuba in 2015. As a producer however he has 49 credits to his name including Where the Red Fern Grows, A Love Song for Bobby Long, Crash, Hostage and The Illusionist.
BONUS:
“The Making of Mind Games”
“Portrait of a Producer Bob Yari”
Mind Games has been rated R by the MPAA. It contains language, violence, and sexual insinuations. It’s now available on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital HD. Not the most diabolical film about hitch hiking, but one that should scare anyone wanting to pick someone up as a nice gesture.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A decent home entertainment feature for a snowy or rainy night. (2.5 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Maxwell Caulfield, Edward albert, Shawn weatherly, Matt Norero Directed by: Bob YariWritten by: Kenneth Dorward Genre: Thriller MPAA Rating: R, language, violence, sexual innuendos Running Time: 1 hr. 33 min. Video Release Date: February 25, 2020 Original Theatrical Release Date: March 3, 1989 Language: English Reviewed Format: Blu Ray Audio: Stereo 2.0 Video: Aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Subtitles: English SDH Distributed by: MVD Released on: DVD, Blu-ray, Digital HD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
