If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it a thousand times: I am to Tubi what raccoons are to trash. So if Tubi puts something up there to watch, by God I’m watching it and leaving a godawful mess while I’m at it.
Why though? Why would one put themselves through pointless agony?
I’ll tell you why: Mindkiller and Night Vision.
Before you read this, you probably never heard of either of those films. But now you have. So I’m providing a FREE public service: finding overlooked gems before they are totally and completely forgotten. I’m a historian, this is what I do.
Both films were directed by Michael Krueger and both…according to IMDb…were released in 1987. Unfortunately, Krueger died in 1990, presumably leaving both films to lie in obscurity until their resurrection into the public consciousness by Tubi.
You might think I’m being facetious over my praise of Krueger’s work, but I assure you, I genuinely enjoyed both movies. Sure, they might look like cheap after-school specials…the sound editing is particularly atrocious in Mindkiller…but a few technical issues aside, aspiring filmmakers should take note: where you lack a budget, you can make up for with heart.
As you all know, I have a horrible memory. So I don’t recall too many plot details. But Mindkiller, roughly, is about a dork librarian who reads some outlandish shit and he begins to control minds. I think. He then begins to control the mind of his love interest, played convincingly by Shirley Ross as a strait laced librarian.
Ross then flips the script for Night Vision, also as the love interest, as she plays a street wise video clerk showing her boyfriend the ropes. The streets of Denver have never looked so mean. Remember, this was the 80s, before all the hipsters moved in and gentrified the place. But supposedly Night Vision is also a horror film. I think a VCR is demon possessed or something. While I don’t remember being scared, I do remember being taken in by the film’s earnestness and Ross’ performance.
It’s a shame that Krueger didn’t have a longer career. But I am thankful for what we did get.
RIP
The Internet Ruined Everything 
I found Mind Killer on Tubi as well! Good cheesy 80s fun. Picks up toward the end with some cool effects and lighting. I haven’t seen Night Vision yet. I was heartbroken to read the guy died of cancer in his 30s. So young. He showed a lot of promise.
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Yeah, Mindkiller DEFINITELY picks up towards the end. The horror aspects of Night Vision are dialed down considerably, almost to the point that I forgot it was horror film, but for whatever reason I found it completely charming. Krueger def showed a lot of promise. I think he directed some Amityville Horror knockoff that I look forward to watching
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