About 15 minutes into this movie I began to wonder if I'd make it through the entire thing. It felt very amateurish and the acting and dialogue left much to be desired. But interestingly enough, it had a strange charm to it that kept me interested through the entire movie. I think it was so over the top and clunky that I liked it. It was average for a TV movie, even though it was a bit predictable.

House of Deadly Secrets (Beware there may be spoilers and a crazy old lady) This B-rated made for tv horror film is a little over the top (at least that's how we see this production). Maggie and her daughter, Ava, move into a new house on a quiet street at the beginning of this film. Maggie flips houses for a living and is freshly on her own after a breakup with her ex, Zeke. Patty McCormack steals the show as the their neighbor from across the street, sweet old "Sylvia". She quickly befriends Maggie and her true character begins to unfold. Sylvia's "husband" is being held hostage in his own home, only left with a wooden spoon to defend himself (and call for help). Unfortunately, that wooden spoon is also his downfall as Sylvia creatively shoves it down his throat to shut him up.

Sylvia is haunted by the "disappearance" of her own daughter at a young age and is willing to do anything to keep her memory alive. She begins to see her "Cindy" in little Ava and makes any excuse to let herself into Maggie's home. She really is crafty in this sense. As you guessed it, eventually Maggie and her reunited family defeat the crazy old neighbor together and survive to live another day.

Strongest: "Sylvia" - with her ability and brute force with wooden spoons, pushing, and stabbing - there's lots of muscle packed into this petite frail body.

Most gullible: Maggie - making friends so quickly with "Sylvia" - she's old she must be trustworthy.

Most creative evil plan - "Sylvia" again when she pays off the bum to sleep in Maggie's home. Tricky tricky!

Overall grade: C+

It's interesting how a mediocre script can be saved by the acting of a single star. Patty McCormack is brilliant in her golden years and is as scary as she was in her youth. The movie is only worth watching because Patty is in it and it will terrify you because she is in it. If any other actress had taken the role you would be rolling your eyes and turning the channel. I am now terrified of grannies and have a whole new respect for them. I might even give them my seat on the bus if I ever deem to humble myself by taking public transportation alongside common people (which will never happen-just saying). This story could have been a bit more polished and gained a higher rating. The actors were good, especially the kid, but the overall plot needed some more work.