10 to Midnight (1983)

10 to Midnight (1983) was another one of old stone face's exploitation films that he seemed to crank out every other month during the 80's. The two Chucks (Norris and Bronson) seemingly released a film like every other week. That's what we need, bi-weekly cheesy action whitesploitation movies. Well Charlie was up to the task in this one and Cannon was ready to foot the bill.

A sexual confused serial killer is stalking co-eds. The killer has Charlie stumped. Along with a new partner, he stalks the streets looking for Mr. Goodbar er... the mad manic maniac!! Old Chuck seems to be on the right trail but the law that he's sworn to upheld swing both ways.

Pure sleaze. If you're looking for a good movie look elsewhere, this is grade z Charles Bronson. Slumming for a paycheck whilst losing any creditability he had as a serious actor. But their are folks who actually dig Mr. Emotion earning his pay acting in terrible films. I happen to be one of those. I can't tell by his "acting" but Mr. Bronson seems to dig his new role in Hollywood.

For fans only.

Fmovies: I thought this movie was remarkably ahead of its' time; it paved the way for films like COPYCAT or SEVEN. The performance from Gene Davis, (brother Brad was in MIDNIGHT EXPRESS) is astounding; you really feel like you're in the presence of a serial killer. The alibi he establishes for his crimes are extremely clever. Bronson doesn't really serve up too much more emotion than he did in any of the DEATH WISH movies, however I didn't feel he was as wooden in this. Other than the cheesy music, this film hasn't really dated (bare in mind this film is 21 years old!). Pacing for the picture is rather decent; the ending is quick and violent. Certainly one of the better Charles Bronson movies.

A very exciting cop movie, which picks up where Dirty Harry left off and raises very similar moral questions. Bronson is in top form and the villain is one of the most interesting of the eighties. Don't just take my word for it. Gene Siskel liked it, and Joe Bob Briggs picked it as one of the years top films.

10 to Midnight fmovies. Special credit for Gene Davis 10 to midnight is obviously one of the best maniac-killer movies presented by legendary Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus. Lieutenant Leo Kessler (Charles Bronson) and detective McAnn (Andrew Stevens) are investigating a murder of sexual character. It's done professionally: no evidence, no witnesses, and 100 percent alibi. The killer is skilled enough to get naked before cutting the girl he feels jealous for. First there are no links but as the Warren (Gene Davis) has to kill once again to get fully cleaned, Kessler knows for sure who's doing all this after the second killing. But there's problem, they still have no evidence. But what worries Kessler most of all is that the first victim was making friends with his own daughter and the killer is already interested in her. Kessler decides to put the Warren behind bars whatever it costs, because he knows the guy's unstoppable: the thing is the "poor" guy is vengeful for he's always been refused by women. So Kessler fabricates the evidence by getting some blood of the first victim on the jacket Warren was supposed to be wearing that day, that evening when the girl was killed. Unfortunately his plan doesn't work because McAnn is too young to agree solve the case that way. Lawyers win the court and Warren straight after that continues troubling Kessler's daughter with his threatening phone calls. What do you think Mr. Bronson will do now? Rather smart movie with impressing characters, alerting plot and simply excellent score. Very pleasant atmosphere, lot of memorable. Gore account is average for 80's. For instance, in the part Bronson's reading victim's diary to the suspect, Warren nervous reaction doesn't have much to do with cops in his apartment, he gets mad learning how many boyfriends the girl had. The girl that kept him far. Especially I want to point Gene Davis has really got deep into his character's head. A mentally demented guy with no friends, no parents, no women sympathy. Hiss acting really has something to remind Brad Davis from "Midnight express", that's why I give special credit for his play. Highly recommended! 10 out of 10.

It's easy to forget that in the 80s, action movies were every bit as violent as horror films and 10 to Midnight is pretty harsh. It feels like they're attempting to make both a Friday the 13th and a Death Wish movie AT THE SAME TIME!

Charles Bronson plays a tough cop dedicated to his job. He stumbles onto a serial sex killer and obsessively hunts him down only to have the system fail him leading to a truly shocking bloodbath at the finale.

10 to Midnight is Cannon film, thus it's over-the-top with lots of sex and violence. It's also through and through a Bronson film so there's a lot of tough guy grandstanding and complaints about a broken legal system that values the rights of the accused over those of the victim.

The positives of this movie are that it has a truly solid cast. Bronson actually seems to care about his performance (not always the case in his later films), the villain is creepy and frightening (he likes to attack his lady victims while he is totally nude), and the kills are intensely effective.

The negatives are that the movie is just a little too slow. There are too many cop movie cliches and I didn't care at all about Bronson's partner. Honestly, I feel that this movie would have worked much better as a straight forward giallo film.

This is a cop movie that occasionally turns into a slasher film which leaves a movie that can't find a consistent tone. Fans of slashers and cop flicks are both likely to be put off by the movie but it is unique enough that I get why it has a cult following. It's an above average latter day Bronson film and probably at least worth a look for fans that don't mind a little (or a lot!) of bloodshed.

In Los Angeles, the rookie Detective Paul McAnn (Andrew Stevens) teams up with the veteran Detective Leo Kessler (Charles Bronson) to investigate the murder of Betty Johnson (June Gilbert) and her boyfriend that were stabbed by a naked serial-killer in a park. Detective Kessler recognizes the victim, who lived in the same neighborhood many years ago and childhood friend of his daughter Laurie Kessler (Lisa Eilbacher). The killer Warren Stacy (Gene Davis) goes to the funeral and overhears Betty's father telling Detective Kessler that his daughter had a diary.

Warren breaks in Betty's apartment and stabs and kills her roommate Karen Smalley (Jeana Tomasina) trying to find the diary. But Karen had already delivered the journal to Detective Kessler. Leo Kessler is sure that Warren is the serial-killer and her plants a false evidence in his apartment. However, Warren's defense lawyer presses Detective McAnn accusing him of perjury and Warren is released. Now the Warren is stalking Laurie to revenge against her father.

"10 to Midnight" is a classic thriller from the 80's and among the best movies of Charles Bronson. I saw this film two or three times in the past and I have just seen it again. The unexpected reaction of Detetctive Leo Kessler is the climax of this great film and gives an unforgettable conclusion to the story. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Dez Minutos para Morrer" ("Ten Minutes to Die")