Movie review - "The Terminal Man" (1974) **1/2

 Michael Crichton hoped to direct this adaptation of his novel but Warners decided not to, giving the job to the more experienced Mike Hodges. Hodges is clearly a better director than Crichton - his work is full of style and confidence.

I had read Crichton's original adaptation was not faithful enough so they changed it - this isn't that faithful. It completely downplays the character of the handsome male doctor who tries to chase the killer at a hanger and gets wounded (a memorable sequence). Also the ending bit in the book,  a terrific sequence in the hospital, becomes one where George Segal falls in a grave and the lead lady is never in danger.

Joan Hackett is okay as the physiciatrist - a better part in the book. Segal is excellent - his manic quality works well. Other characters from the book who were vivid - the scientis behind the whole thing who had various ailments, the whiz kid computer nerds - are not here.

It's like an interesting cover version of the novel rather than a faithful adaptation. not as good as the book. 

Movie review - "Physical Evidence" (1989) *

 Started as a sequel to Jagged Edge though not written by Joe Eszterhaus. Instead of Glenn Close and Robert Loggia there's Theresa Russell and Burt Reynolds - who aren't quite the same. Reynolds is very good, though this was one of the series of flops that killed his career. Russell tries and is okay - she's beautiful, poised, all that, but doesn't have Close's warmth. Maybe if Sally Field had played it...

The film has little sex in it. Russell lives with bond salesman Ted McGinley who we meet stripping down to take a nude jacuzzi. 

The movie is directed by Crichton without inspiration - there's no style, flash, power. The blocking is ordinary.

But the most crucial problem is the story. Jagged Edge had two core relationships - Close was in love with her client Jeff Bridges, and had a father-son relationship with Robert Loggia. There's no core relationship here. Some flirtation. That's it.

I got confused who was a suspect. 

I didn't care. No sex. Dull violence. No atmosphere. No wonder Crichton gave up directing.

TV episode review - "Insight - The War on Eggs" (1971) ** (warning spoilers)

 Saw this because it was written by Michael Crichton. Insight was a TV anthology series - one set, three actors, shot on video. The plot has an injured two year old brought in, doctor James Olson (who was in The Andromeda Strain) becomes suspicious the parents (Bill Bixby, Elizbeth Ashley) did it. He cross examines them  as a psychiatrist - I assume Crichton took this from a real case. Turns out mum did it - highly strung with a highly strung dad. Bixby is uptight. Very good actors. Not bad. No twists. A lot of chat. Entirely decent low budget effort though a little dodgy the woman did it. Lamont Johnson directed.

Movie review - "Coma" (1978) ***1/2

 Hugely fun thriller. Crichton wasn't great at creating characters but here he's got an ace cast - Genevieve Bujold as the investigating doctor, Michael Douglas as her boyfriend, Richard Widmark and Rip Torn as possible villains. There's appearances by Ed Haris, Lois Chiles and Tom Selleck. The hospitals are creepy the director's experience with them helps sell it. He's better at suspense than action.

Some camp - the love interlde, Bujold attending dance class and hopping in the shower. 

Book review - "Sphere" by Michael Crichton (1987)

 Second tier Crichton. Very easy to red, smart. More esoteric. Not that scary despite a decent death toll. There's a black man and a woman among the scientists and they are always referring to it while the day is saved by the straight white man. Cleverness in its depiction of aliens. I spent a lot of time wondering how to adapt it. I'd add a fourth character for the main scientist to explain thigns to.

Book review - "The Terminal Man" (1971) by Michael Crichton

 Crichton's take on Ffrankestein - a computer programmer has turned violent after an accident so they trt to plug a computer into his brain. Lots of research and detail to sell the concept - starts slow then builds up, with a memorable antagonist because he was paranoid anyway. Three memorable set pieces - doctor in shower met by the man, another doctor tracks the man to a deserted hanger, and the final confrontation in the hospital.

Book review - "The Great Train Robbery" by Michael Crichton (1975)

 Crichton having fun. Really loves slang from the era. Maybe too much. Still can't create characters - Pierce is just a part for a movie star, his girlfriend is paper thin, etc. But the detail is wonderful, the research entertaining, the twists clever - sourcing keys, dressing as a dad man to get on the train, etc