Hey folks, Harry here... Here's a film that kinda wants to be as good as MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, but doesn't quite do it. Why? Well, for one, it's just so derivative from so many films I like more, that ultimately at the end of it... when they didn't particularly take me anywhere great, I came away feeling that the concept of EVP and the issues and conversations that it stirs is the best thing about the film. One lady in my audience said, "That's it, I'm getting rid of my phone, tv and radios, fuck that!" as she got up at the end. So obviously, this movie will play some folks. And after the film Father Geek and I had a great 2 hour dinner conversation about residual spiritual energy brought on by powerful personalities that some how linger... and then started trading ghost stories, so... in that respect the movie succeeded in bringing about a conversation that I enjoyed more than the movie, and if that's what you want out of an evening, a movie that could give way to a BETTER conversation... this is very much a Coffee Table Book of a movie, if you get what I mean there. ANYWAY - this first reviewer is a professional paranormal investigator (and yes I did check him out first) and here's what he thought...
First of all, without revealing too much about myself...
I am a professional paranormal investigator from Baltimore, MD. I have a reputation nationally as an expert on Ghost Investigating technology. The group I am a proud member and leader of here in Maryland is much like the group seen on Sci-Fi Channel's Ghost Hunters except a bit more serious and less melodramatic. Also, are utilization of scientific principles is much more prevalent.
I suppose the above reasons are why my group was given free passes to a sneak preview of Universal Studios new paranormal thriller and Michael Keaton vehicle "White Noise".
I am going to break this review down for you based on accuracy in regards to real paranormal research, thrill factor and overall enjoyment of the film.
How accurate is this film? (SOME SPOILERS)
In case you didn't know this movie is based on the paranormal subject of EVP or Electronic Voice Phenomena. EVP as defined by author Troy Taylor:
The sounds that make up EVP are apparently sonic events of unknown origin, which can be heard, and sometimes captured in recordings, on various types of electronic apparatus, including tape recorders and even radio equipment. The voices on the tapes take on diverse forms, sometimes seeming to speak in tongues, singing or speaking in gibberish. The messages often make a sort of backward sense as though communication is difficult. They can also apparently call by name and speak directly to researchers. They can be heard over telephones and as anomalous interference on tape recordings. Some of them seem to enjoy engaging in dialogue, answering questions or supplying personal information about the researchers, possibly as a way of achieving credibility.
The film starts off right with an explanation of what EVP is and a nice little quote from Thomas Edison. In the movie we are introduced to architect Jonathon Rivers (Michael Keaton), his internationally known writer wife Anna and his son (from a previous marriage) Mikey. After some happy news about Anna learning she's pregnant she turns up missing.
Soon afterward Jonathon is contacted by one Raymond Price (to we paranormal experts this is obviously a tilt of the hat to infamous paranormal investigator Harry Price). Mr. Price informs Jonathon that he has been contacted by his dead wife. Soon after that Jonathon finds out that his wife is indeed dead.
After some strange things begin to occur, and at first skeptical Mr. Rivers goes to Raymond to see what's up with his dead wife.
To the best of my knowledge EVP is usually recorded by persons directly involved by the deceased or haunted location. Why anyone besides the widower in the case would receive EVP from his wife is news to me. EVP can come in many forms. From audio tape (the most common), video images, TV screens, phone calls and even digital recordings. This guy gets all of the above!
Also, later in the movie we find out there are majorly evil entities in play here. Something that has never been reported in any EVP case. Sometimes you will hear an angry voice, but you will never hear of a demonic creature that can break bones and possess drugged women. These things can even predict the future!
So, this movie is not a very accurate depiction of how we do EVP.
The Thrill Factor
Yow! Some real "wet your pants" scares here! Want to see a fairly decent horror/thriller? Go see this! There aren't many thrillers out right now that have any genuine scares in them. But, this delivers! We were on the edge of our seats with this film! I don't want to give away any surprises, so I'll just tell you... YOU WILL BE SCARED!
Overall?
This was a really good movie if somewhat disappointing in the accuracy department. But, I guess we should expect that. There are definitely some clichés (psychic blind lady) and loopholes in this movie, but the suspense and honest scares make up for them. It starts off like a Unsolved Mysteries documentary but ends with murder, mystery and heroics! If you're an amateur ghost hunter you may walk away a bit angry because of the impressions this movie will have, but don't get too upset, it was still a fun ride!
-Ghost Nerd
Ok - so that's what a genuine ghost catcher thought of WHITE NOISE - now, what about a katana loving film freak that frames images for a living? That's right, time for that Eastern European Pyul MacTackle...
White Noise (dir. Geoffrey Sax)
Riding on the wave of pg-13 ghost story creep-fests, White Noise will be one of the more heavily debated of the lot as it strives for something greater than many will feel it delivers. Spending much of it's time developing an interesting mythology surrounding the paranormal technique known as EVP (electronic voice phenomenon, the technique of leaving tape recorders running to pick up messages from beyond), White noise builds and maintains a creepy mood while delivering several jump scares. But is it too heady for most audiences to drink in? Quite Possibly.
Michael Keaton is Jonathan Rivers, a man who's wife is snatched away from him when it seems that they're at their happiest. When a strange man approaches him, claiming he has a message from from her 'from the afterlife', he is drawn into a world where messages from the dead are just up the dial - if you're willing to listen.
Its a film about many things: obsession, loss and the very Lovecraftian concept of 'the things man was not meant to know.' Using finely crafted editing (both film editing and sound) veteran TV director Sax builds a slow, methodical sense of terror sending chills up your spine with every recorded voice. He tells a rich, layered story, one filled with hints and clues, but little clear validation of what exactly is going on. This is both good and bad.
For those who love to be presented with a mystery, one you walk out of the theatre still trying to solve, this is a fun, masterful supernatural thriller. For those, on the otherhand, who don't like to be left with lingering doubts or wondering what exactly happened, this film ends with an unforseen twist that seems to come out of left field radically changing your view of the film, leaving you scratching your head and muttering how cool it was until...
Personally, I love what Sax did here, and I found myself both truly creeped out and enjoying piecing together just how everything worked. Sadly, a large portion of the audience didn't share my views, including several of my friends. Views ranged from one of the best of the PG-13 thrillers (on par or better than The Ring, but not quite as good as The Sixth Sense) to worst of the lot (compared to the recent Darkness).
Michael Keaton is great here, delivering a subtle performance of a man wandering further and further away from the living as he draws yet closer to the dead. Keaton internalizes much of his emotion, delivering a performance that strays from the typical breaking down and crying and leads more into the stoic man in need of something, anything, to fill the void left by the absence of his wife. As he delves deeper into the world of EVP, however, the solice of his newfound hobby slowly evolves into obsession and that's when the problems really begin.
White Noise is a slow moving, film lovers horror film, reminiscent of what the Japanese are doing with horror - films like The Eye, Ringu and Ju-on: The Grudge, rather than their american counterparts. This pacing, of course, isn't for everyone and those put off by the slow burn feel of these films will find very similar problems with White Noise. But for those that enjoy these films, and love horror puzzlers like The Ugly and The Ninth gate, this at the very least will prove to be a fun, spooky thriller that will make for a great discussion on the car ride home.
Pyul Mactackle
Well, Pyul liked it more than me... and his buddy Massawyrm liked it even more than Pyul. But then that's why he's not round here anymore. Next we have a reaction that quite a few at the screening we had here in Austin felt... UGH...
Hey guys,
Saw 'White Noise' last night. Ugh.
Ever since Bruce Willis's somber, nearly catatonic performance in 'The Sixth Sense' (repeated again in 'Unbreakable') it seems that every middle aged actor in Hollywood is looking for a soulful wounded guy film with a supernatural spin. Richard Gere in 'The Mothman Prophecies,' Kevin Costner in 'Dragonfly' and now Michael Keaton in 'White Noise.' BTW where the heck has this guy been lately?
'White Noise' is a tepid stew of supernatural film leftovers. Throw in the static-y TV and Seattle locale from 'The Ring,' sprinkle in a dash of M Night ambience and a couple of labored plot twists and you've got 2005's version of 'The Forgotten' (which was best forgotten). Only we don't have the lovely Julianne Moore to watch, instead we get Michael Keaton's furrowed brow & pursed lips. Don't get me wrong, I like Keaton but it's been a long tie since 'Beetlejuice,' 'Batman,' or 'Clean And Sobre.' In this film he's kind of a bore.
The first half hour is painfully cliched as the plot mechanically ticks off its obvious set up. Then around the 30 minute mark the spooky and the creepy kicks in and you think, hey, this might actually be pretty good. Too bad the film takes a sharp turn into turdsville with voices & images from the beyond, a lame ass serial killer subplot and a supernatural world that's only barely explained. The EVP stuff starts interestingly enough but turns out to be little more than a gimmick to frame the lame ass story around. Keaton is adequate but lets face it, how hard is it to stare at a tv screen for half the movie? Probably the easiest paycheck he ever collected.
The director apes three or four other film (and TV) styles never really finding a tone of his own and the screenwriter borrows liberally from the XFiles, which I dare say would have done a better job in half the running time.
Overall, it plays like 'Stir Of Echoes' retarded little brother.
Call me Alec Holland.
Next we have Adam - and of the four reviewers here, I probably would agree most with him. I kinda liked it, kinda didn't. Perhaps it was just my love of Asian horror - and just seeing how that were stealing fairly judiciously from all of it, but not really doing it better than any of those. BUT - I still kinda dug it. Here's Adam...
It's hard to describe what genre "White Noise" would go in. In some ways it's a thriller/horror movie, but then again it has sci-fi elements as well mystery/who done it. Jonathan Rivers (Michael Keaton) is an architect married to Anna(Chandra West), a beautiful author who when coming home one night has a car crash but her body is not found. One morning Jonathan notices a man parked outside his house and then later at his office. The man's name is Raymond Price (Ian McNeice) who tells Jonathan that his dead wife has been contacting him. Rivers belives the man to be a nut but keeps his business card. Over the next six months Rivers tries to put his life back together. After moving he decides to talk with Price. At Price's house Rivers meets Sera (Deborah Kara Unger) who's fiance has communicated with her via EVP or Electro Voice Phenomenon (a way the dead communicate with the living through the static of modern audio and video equipment) of which Price happens to have an obsession with.
Jonathan gets contacted by Anna several times but soon it's not exactly what he expected. Through her contacts Jonathan will begin a quest to find out what happened to his wife among other things.
The mood of "White Noise" is close to that of "The Ring" but doesn't come close to the eerieness I felt when watching "The Ring." Over all there are a few "jump out at ya" scares along with the standard "fooled ya" and "double fake out" scares. Overall the story is told pretty well and the way that EVP is shown is a bit scary (I won't see noise on the TV or hear static on the radio the same again).
The main problem with this film is the ending. So many times movies are warpped up in a nice neat bow for the audience. I love it when a movie leaves everything open. Why does everything have to have a complete ending? It seems to me though that towrads the end the wirter, Niall Johnson, didn't exactly know how to end it so why not thow in the whole kitchen sink? "White Noise" is well acted, shot and edited but in the end it just lacked that special something.
**1/2 our of *****
Adam Portrais
