The Terrorist Next Door - DVD Review
By Ed Hulse -- Video Business, 11/18/2009
MONARCH
Street: Nov. 24
Prebook: now
> Moderately suspenseful dramatization of “Millennium Bomber” takedown.
This Canadian-made telepic dramatizes the story of “Millennium Bomber” Ahmed Ressam (excellently played by Chenier Hundal), the Muslim extremist who smuggled a bomb into the U.S. and attempted to blow up the Los Angeles International Airport on New Year’s Eve in 1999. The attractive and experienced leads, Chris Martin and Kathleen Robertson, acquit themselves nicely and veteran character actor Michael Ironside lends gravitas to the proceedings. Story development and production values are commensurate with made-for-TV docudramas. Director Jerry Ciccoritti does an OK job of maintaining suspense, even though it’s easy to figure out how everything shakes out in the end.
Shelf Talk: The Terrorist Next Door was well received in Canada, where it was nominated for four Gemini awards, including Best TV Movie. Home video prospects are OK; sadly, the pic could get a boost from renewed interest in Islamist-terrorist stories in the aftermath of the recent tragedy at Fort Hood.
Thriller, color, PG-13 (mature themes, some violence), 92 min., DVD $24.95, UPC: 723952078339
Extras: none
Director: Jerry Ciccoritti
First Run: DVD premiere
