This is The Killer Inside Me week. Eye of the Killer is currently available on instant Netflix.

PASS: Eye of the Killer (2000) – Rated R for violence, language and brief sensuality.

“After a blow to the head, haggard Det. Mickey Hayden (Kiefer Sutherland) acquires an extraordinary new ability: He can visualize the owner of anything he touches. This homicide-solving talent comes in handy when Hayden gets assigned to the hardest case of his life. A serial killer named Jabberwocky has resurfaced, pinning a note to his most recent victim challenging Hayden to stalk the murderer again in this direct-to-video thriller.”

“Where are you going?” – “To a place called None of your business.”

The actual title of this movie is “After Alice” but apparently that was too obscure so it was changed to the obvious “Eye of the Killer” for video release. That is a shame because I really like the Carroll reference.

Bizarrely this is the only movie writing credit for Jeff Miller. I say bizarrely because he has a very good ear for snappy patter.

Also bizarrely this is the second film I have chosen with Killer in the title and they both involve dysfunctional detectives with unusual abilities tracking down serial killers. I really would love to see one of these where the psychic picks up an object at the beginning of the film and says “the killer is Dean Bowers and he lives at 715 Elm Street” *Boom* End of story.

Kiefer Sutherland does a good job here of playing the world-weary alcoholic detective. His Mickey Hayden is nothing like Jack Bauer.

Henry Czerny plays Harvey, another man who apparently has the same “gift” that Hayden does. His character is a good counterpoint to Hayden.

Polly Walker plays our female lead, Dr. Vera Swann. Polly has since gone on to some fame as Atia of the Julii in the series Rome and more recently Clarice Willow in Caprica.

While I did like quite a bit of the dialogue, many of the story elements are recycled and cliche. With the exception of a particular why (which is inspired) and that they have homosexual characters who are not over the top (it is nice to see one who is not the designated comic relief), the rest of the story felt recycled and somewhat lifeless.

There are good things to recommend about this movie but unless you are a die hard Kiefer Sutherland fan or a psychic detective junkie, I would give this one a pass.

People Watch: I always try to show some love for those unsung heroes, the stunt people. Brittney Banks appears here as Alice. Normally she is a stuntwoman and in that capacity has appeared in 2012, The Incredible Hulk, Dawn of the Dead, and Shooter.