[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Cat's Eye (1985)

Based on three short stories from Stephen King - the first two from his Night Shift collection whilst the third and best was written specifically for this film.

In Quitters inc James Woods, in an attempt to stop smoking, hires a firm who will stop at nothing to see the job done. They have a highly persuasive way of doing things and a 100% hit rate. For every time Woods is caught having a swift ciggie something bad will happen to his wife and daughter. Angry at seeing them persecuted Woods is desperate in his attempts to stay smoke free.

This was a fun tale, more akin to say an episode of Tales of the Unexpected than anything of genuine horror.

In The Ledge a crime boss and casino owner finds out his wife is having an affair. The gang boss kidnaps the unlucky guy and forces him out onto the exterior ledge of his penthouse. If he makes it all the way around the mafioso will grant his wife a divorce. If he fails then of course the man will fall to his death.

Again this was more like a Tales of the Unexpected episode, albeit an excellent one. The scenario was quite gripping throughout.

Finally we have General. General is a tom cat who has featured in both previous stories, especially the climax to The Ledge. In this final installment the cat is adopted by a young girl played by Drew Barrymore and she keeps him in her room. However there's something else lurking behind the walls of Barrymore's room - a vicious knife wielding troll who causes havoc by night, havoc which the cat is blamed for by Barrymore's parents.

General is an excellent story. Well worth the price of admission alone. The troll is a nasty thing which attempts to take Barrymore's breath at night as she sleeps thus killing her. It's an exciting and gripping half hour and unlike the other two stories is definitely a work of horror.

It's also brilliant how the cat flits from one story to another before finally becoming the subject matter of the third and final piece. The direction from Lewis Teague is strong as is Jack Cardiff's great cinematography.

It's ages since i last saw Cat's Eye and thoroughly enjoyed rediscovering it again via StudioCanal's impressive Blu-ray.