The Craigslist Killer (2011)

Sadly Over-hyped

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

This is a TV movie based on a true story. The killer is Phillip who does extremely well at medical school, and chases a new student Megan, pushing for her to be with him instead of studying. He was creepy from the very start. They moved in together only 6 months after they first met, and soon he wanted to marry her, and they both have a joint bank account. The girl Megan comes across as totally brainwashed by Phillip, even when he fails to pay any rent and drains the bank account when she needs money and when he turns up home at very late hours. She's not even suspicious when he returns home from scratches on his neck. In fact no one asks him about that later on. One of his victims who was found dead scratched him. He was an evil killer and this TV movie kind of humanised him and romanticised him. Why did they put on sickly music and show Phillip and Megan in a heavenly scene talking about their future together with children? It seemed very weird and sick. The victims never got justice but atleast they know he was responsible. Megan dumped the engagement ring in prison and packed away the wedding dress. That scene played more sad music, which was inappropriate and unecessary because she's a moron completely besotted by her murderer evil boyfriend. I didn't like this film at all. TV movies are often good at making films based on true events, and also even if they add some changes they're always good but this film was dull and almost sympathetic to the killer.

So, I know this is based on a true story and if any of the facts are accurate, I'm wondering why these women didn't SCREAM! Dude! I mean lady! You give him your pin number to your bank account when you could have been hollering for dear life! The robberies took place in a public hotel where 9 times out of 10, the walls are so thin you can hear your neighbor watching TV or even snoring....yet, these women NEVER screamed! In fact, in most movies where it's life or death, characters tend to be silent and submissive.But...if you are faced with someone tying you up, taping your mouth closed, pointing a gat at your head and ROBBING you, and you don't at least SCREAM, it's like giving up. Now, don't get me wrong. There is a part of the movie where one of the women does fight back and gets shot but in a situation that is threatening your life, you MUST do everything you can to survive or die trying.

First and foremost we know this is a real life story. Based on what I could see, script did little to change it, which is great as the real story is interesting and captivating enough. The news story was a gripping tale. The movies shows is as a romantic story and how a woman was betrayed by a good looking boy with a promising future. We do feel sorry for the girl and are appalled by the double life of the boy. Phil is well portrayed and it is amazing that he manages to lead a double life amongst so many people. I also wondered if he could not help himself - a possible mental illness? You do feel sorry for Megan and her parents. The fact the Phil is unable to deal with his past well and talk about it openly must have raised some concern. But then she was in love. For the young, well meant advice is usually not welcome - we all know that. Overall a good movie. I expected a thriller but saw a ill-fated romance. I was glad that Megan escaped - Credit goes to Boston Police, I suppose. I could not help wondering if a Thriller version would have been more enjoyable movie.The acting does justice to the story and so does the script. One cannot forget the fact that this is real, and it happened as portrayed - only a few films that we see can really teach us about life. And this is one of them - all teenagers must see this to see for themselves that not all are what they appear to be and that our world is not just full of friends.I would give it a six out of ten.

Though very much different, why did the last scene evoke memories of Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift in 1951's "A Place in the Sun?"Philip Markoff had it all. Brilliant beyond belief, a winning personality and a girl who loved him deeply, and yet he threw it away due to the fact that he was a complete psycho. Amazing that he was able to balance his life for as long as he did.The film didn't concentrate on his family life other than to say that his parents separated and his mother showed up at his engagement party. As quickly as she showed up, that's how fast she evaporated from the film.Once the police were on to Philip, he goes downhill very quickly.You wonder how is fiancé could have been naive. Love is certainly blind.