Spellbinder (1988)

While Kelly Preston hasn't done a film anyone could probably remember off the top of their head, she did establish her career in the 1980's as one of Hollywood's up and coming sex symbols by seemingly jumping at the chance to take her top off anytime it would get her a lead in any film.  Unfortunately shameless nudity didn't seem to propel her career like some of today's more sought after actresses (I'm thinking of you Angelina Jolie), instead Preston's more well known for being married to John Travolta, and less known for most of the unknown films she's put her name on. Still while most of her earlier films borderline on B-movie obscurity they still tend to offer an bit of cheesy entertainment.

Spellbinder stars Tim Daly (of Wings fame), as Jeff Mills a lawyer who intercedes in a couples argument when the man slaps his girlfriend upside the face.  Jeff tells him to beat it, and graciously offers the woman, Miranda Reed (Kelly Preston), a ride home only to learn that she was living with that jerk who slapped her around.  So Jeff offers to let her stay with him and sparks begin to fly, but this is no ordinary girl, she's mixed up in something quite disturbing.  Turns out Miranda's into witchcraft and is apart of a notorious satanic cult in Los Angeles that is thought to be responsible for multiple murders.  Miranda convinces Jeff she's been trying to get out but once your apart of the group they won't let you leave.  But Jeff has fallen head over heals for Miranda and vows to protect her from the cult, only Jeff doesn't realize he's gotten himself deep into something he should have strayed far away from.

Spellbinder is a surprisingly entertaining low budget thriller with quite a few interesting twists and turns all leading up to what I thought was a mediocre yet surprising ending.  Maybe I'm used to most thrillers ending happily, but that's not the case here, while the ending will surprise you it's also somewhat of a disappointment.  I don't know what that says about my tastes when I'd almost opt for the more pleasing and predictable ending.  But on the plus side the film manages to keep up a steady flow, stay convincing and thrilling and even have a few creepy moments such as the scene where Jeff and Miranda are in their bedroom and about twenty of Miranda's satanic cohorts are gazing through the windows!

Preston's truly the main reason to bother watching this, as is the case with most of her work, she's one of the few actresses who actually gets hotter with age.  For this film she's perfectly cast as the seductive and helpless young woman who reels in Jeff with her literal "witchy wiles".  The question is, is Miranda really looking to exile her supernatural past or is this all some short of scam?  You'll have to check it out to discover the truth.

7/10