Three stories in this episode of THE NEW TWILIGHT ZONE and they're all rather decent. The first tale, JOY RIDE, is the slightest, featuring B-movie actor Robert Knepper as one of a quartet of joy riders who find themselves on the receiving end of some supernatural justice when the previous owner of the car they've stolen visits them in spirit form. Lots of action and high speed pursuit in this one.
The second story, SHELTER SKELTER, is by far the best and a really entertaining short. It concerns a crazy guy who's convinced that nuclear war is just around the corner and who keeps a well-stocked nuclear bunker in his basement ready for the occasion. When the inevitable happens, there are twists in store for all involved. This is a fine blackly comic tale which features an performance from Joan Allen (MANHUNTER) and a wonderful final twist that you won't see coming; it's a story that's difficult to top, if I'm honest.
PRIVATE CHANNEL is the final segment and it's a pretty decent effort. The story is saddled with a boring actor as the lead (the unlikeable Scott Coffey), but in its favour it does feature a typically intense Andrew Robinson (DIRTY HARRY) playing a crazed plane passenger.
The tale is a simple one with a single idea exploited to the extreme with maximum suspense. A young man realises that the headphones of his personal stereo have the power to pick up the internal thoughts of those around him. When he becomes involved with a plane bomber he realises the true implications of the newfound ability. It's a pretty decent little story that fits well in this show.