White Noise
By: Patrick Vu | Category: DVD Archive | 06/18/05 | 11:43 PM
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 Grade: C |
Genre: Horror
Summary: This film isn't destined to be a classic, but Keaton's performance compounded with the jump out of your seat thrills are engaging enough to have you clutching the pillow you've got covering your eyes.
Electronic Voice Phenomenon (E.V.P.) is the recording of voices and images of the dead using de-tuned receiving apparatuses. Identified in 1939, and now the subject of increasing scientific research worldwide, it is able to finally show evidence of communication with the deceased.
Architect John Rivers (Michael Keaton) has never been exposed to such supernatural abnormalities but is about to engulf himself in the movement when his wife, now dead six months, begins to make contact with him through the static of his television set and radio receiver. The White Noise he hears becomes his main focus in life and consumes everything around him. From Architect to paranormal crusader, John turns his world inside out in order to see and speak to his wife one last time. |
John is a divorcee newly married to beautiful author, Anna Rivers (Chandra West). Both live a picture perfect existence and are now expecting a new addition to the family after Anna discovers she is pregnant. On one normal day, John leaves for work at his architecture firm he helped founded, and Anna is off to her publisher's to discuss the cover of her latest book. When she doesn't return, Anna is presumed missing and several weeks are spent investigating her disappearance.
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| White Noise |
| Starring: Michael Keaton, Chandra West, Deborah Kara Unger, Ian McNeice |
| Director: Geoffrey Sax
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| BUYOR RENT IT NOW! |
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Suddenly, a mysterious gentleman, Raymond Price (Ian McNeice), appears to tell John that Anna, who is in fact dead, has been contacting him from beyond. A paranormal expert, Raymond has extensively researched the phenomena and has collected mounds of recordings that prove that it is in deed possible for the dead to communicate with the living. He shows John the door between him and the after life, and brings in a world of chaos for which John isn't prepared.
Soon, John begins to experience White Noises and images from the static of his television and radio. Faint whispers from Anna trying to pass along messages clue him in on tragic events that are soon to happen. As Anna tries to aid John in saving those that may be in danger, at the same time, it puts him in grave danger himself. John is obsessed and puts his life on hold so that he can spend all his time recording messages from Anna.
White Noise is filled with so much static that it shields many holes and leaves a lot of explaining to do. The messages from the dead are always cryptic but you know that they will eventually build up to clarity. However, for obvious effect that just "dumbs down" the film, the moment of clarity seems to come when it's almost too late. No reasons are given to explain the spirits' purposes or why John has been chosen to play avenger of the dead. Michael Keaton, though a solid after, doesn't do much for his credentials with White Noise and continues his string of sub par movie selections.
This film isn't destined to be a classic, but Keaton's performance compounded with the jump out of your seat thrills are engaging enough to have you clutching the pillow you've got covering your eyes. If Poltergeist made you throw out your television set, then White Noise will have you switching cable providers and subcribing to XM.
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