The Signal (2007/I)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Directors:

David Bruckner
Dan Bush

Writers:

David Bruckner (screenplay) &
Jacob Gentry (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

4 July 2008 (Italy)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Do you have the crazy?

Plot:

A horror film told in three parts, from three perspectives, in which a mysterious transmission that turns people into killers invades every cell phone, radio, and television. |

Plot Keywords:

Cell Phone | Stabbed In The Back | Loss Of Family | Husband Wife Relationship | Death

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Anessa Ramsey	...	Mya Denton
Sahr Ngaujah	...	Rod (as Sahr)
AJ Bowen	...	Lewis Denton
Matthew Stanton	...	Jerry (as Matt Stanton)
Suehyla El-Attar	...	Janice
Justin Welborn	...	Ben Capstone
Cheri Christian	...	Anna
Scott Poythress	...	Clark
Christopher Thomas	...	Ken
Lindsey Garrett	...	Laura
Chad McKnight	...	Jim Parsons (as Chadrian McKnight)
Claire Bronson	...	Sightless Woman
David Bruckner	...	Screaming Man (as Dave Bruckner)
Dan Bush	...	Screaming Man
John Clifton	...	Maintenance Man

MPAA:

Rated R for strong brutal bloody violence throughout, pervasive language and brief nudity.

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Singapore:M18 | Norway:15 | UK:18 | Australia:R | New Zealand:R18 | Finland:K-18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Company:

POP Films

Trivia:

The opening sequence is an excerpt from "The Hap Hapgood Story," a winning entry in the 48-hour film festival directed by Jacob Gentry.

Goofs:

Continuity: The amount of blood on Lewis and Ben's faces continually changes from scene to scene.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Ben: What was that? That was strange.
Mya Denton: [in bed] Come back.
Ben: The TV turned itself on.
Mya Denton: [reaching out] Come back.
Ben: Okay.

Movie Connections:

References Irréversible (2002)

A Low Budget Visionary MASTERPIECE!!!

I rented this flick hearing rumors it was good, damn was that an understatement. This movie was mind-blowing. Being an indie filmmaker myself, I was amazed at the simple creativity, style and thought that went into this gem. Being written and directed by three individuals had me a little skeptical, but it definitely worked in their favour.

First off, the begginning of the film got my attention right off the bat, It was quick, stylish and bold. The following first sequence was just as striking. It moved with lightening pace and with intensity. The middle section added some great dead-pan humour, that I found myself laughing out loud at, then literally jumping back into suspense and intensity. The last third of the film, rounded the story out in a realistic and grim style, that also stood out on it's own. I didn't want this movie to end.

The characters were very well developed throughout the story, and added to the humour and chills, slipping seamlessly from humorous situations, to the insane and horrific. The fx were excellent and not over used.

Overall, I'd have to say the story, though conceived before in other ways, worked soo damn well here because of the way it was brought about by the directors. Kudos to the filmmakers for a very sic, groundbreaking and inspiring piece of work.