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Movies / On DVD / White Noise
White Noise

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White Noise (2005)

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Reviews Counted:147

Fresh:13

Rotten:134

Average Rating:3.5/10

Consensus: While there are some built-in scares, the movie is muddled and unsatisfying.

Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Synopsis: People have always searched for a way to communicate with the other side--fascinated, motivated, driven to find a way to connect with loved ones who have passed on. Electronic Voice Phenomenon... People have always searched for a way to communicate with the other side--fascinated, motivated, driven to find a way to connect with loved ones who have passed on. Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) is the process through which the dead communicate with the living through household recording devices. These extraordinary recordings--captured by people all over the world, in their homes, with a simple tape or video recorder--seem to confirm what many of us have dared to believe: it is possible for the dead to communicate with us. And all we have to do is listen. Now, from Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Films comes the suspense thriller that explores this very-real, other-worldly communication--White Noise. Tapping into our deepest fears and most profound longings, White Noise forces us to re-examine the world in which we live and, in the process, question our most basic notions about life and death. Michael Keaton plays successful architect Jonathan Rivers, whose peaceful existence is shattered by the unexplained disappearance and death of his wife, Anna (Chandra West). Jonathan is eventually contacted by a man (Ian McNeice), who claims to be receiving messages from Anna through EVP. At first skeptical, Jonathan then becomes convinced of the messages' validity, and is soon obsessed with trying to contact her on his own. His further explorations into EVP and the accompanying supernatural messages unwittingly open a door to another world, allowing something uninvited into his life. White Noise is directed by veteran television helmer Geoffrey Sax, written by Niall Johnson (The Big Swap), and produced by Paul Brooks (executive producer of My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and Shawn Williamson (House of the Dead). -- © Universal Pictures [More]

Starring: Michael Keaton, Deborah Kara Unger, Chandra West, Ian McNeice

Starring: Michael Keaton, Deborah Kara Unger, Chandra West, Ian McNeice, Nicholas Elia, Sarah Strange, Mike Dopud, Mitchell Kosterman, Keegan Connor Tracy, Miranda Frigon, April Telek, Aaron Douglas

Director: Geoffrey Sax

Director: Geoffrey Sax
Screenwriter: Niall Johnson
Producer: Paul Brooks, Shawn Williamson
Studio: Universal Pictures

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Reviews for White Noise

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1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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The soundtrack and crackling static, contorting into mysterious moans, create a chilling mood, but the characters are so thin.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

In short, watching actual white noise would be preferable to sitting through White Noise. Avoid like your life depended on it.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
01/15/05
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Through it all Keaton furrows his brow with impressive intensity. But his efforts are hampered by a script which requires him to do the exact opposite of what any right-minded individual would do in his circumstances.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
05/10/05
Neil Smith
Neil Smith
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

There's a decent concept here, but the fuzzy execution, lack of scares and a corny conclusion kill this one.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
01/07/05
E! Online
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Boring horror film.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment 1 Comment
01/07/05
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Around the two-thirds mark, this restless bum had an urge to move considerably farther than the seat's edge.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
01/07/05
Globe and Mail
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

...a clumsy, dreadfully preposterous and pedestrian thriller that seems to believe loud noises are the same as good frights.

Full Review Source: Premiere Magazine | comment Comment
01/07/05
Aaron Hillis
Aaron Hillis
Premiere Magazine

[A] dullsville chiller.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
01/07/05
Amy Biancolli
Amy Biancolli
Houston Chronicle

It is inept, it is inane, and it is seemingly interminable.

Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment Comment
01/05/05
Andrea Chase
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews

It's likely a bad idea to try to figure out the logic of various plot points.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Mercury | comment Comment
01/06/05
Anthony Del Valle
Anthony Del Valle
Las Vegas Mercury

For [Keaton], a forgettable flick like this one is like a rehab stint in A ball for a big league pitcher

Full Review Source: Lowell Sun | comment Comment
01/07/05
Austin O'Connor
Austin O'Connor
Lowell Sun

An effective ad campaign for a colossal mess.

Full Review Source: FromTheBalcony | comment Comment
06/16/05
Bill Clark
Bill Clark
FromTheBalcony

A listless, troublingly familiar thriller, the last thing White Noise will accomplish with its E.V.P. tale is convincing anybody that this phenomena is real.

Full Review Source: FilmJerk.com | comment Comment
01/06/05
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
FilmJerk.com

White Noise begins as an overlit paean to trophy-wifedom and 'lifestyle' living, then practically gets down on its knees and begs to be called 'a stylish thriller.'

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
01/06/05
Carina Chocano
Carina Chocano
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A stalled, been-there-seen-that vehicle that can't fine-tune its themes, its effects, even its connect-the-dots plot.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal | comment Comment
01/15/05
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

I didn't hate this, but... if I wanted to watch white fuzzy pictures on a TV screen, I could stay home to do that.

Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
01/07/05
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com

A little skepticism would have gone a long way in this movie, because if the characters don't pause to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, we are forced to do the guffawing for them.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
01/06/05
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

The film’s strong premise makes it even more disappointing than similarly weak efforts in the horror genre.

Full Review Source: culturevulture.net | comment Comment
01/24/05
Chris Pepus
Chris Pepus
culturevulture.net

White Noise generates a number of boo! moments -- the hiss-suffixed, vegetable-throwing kind. But mostly, like its namesake, it just puts you to sleep.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
01/06/05
Christine James
Christine James
Boxoffice Magazine

White noise is intended to help you fall asleep. White Noise would never let you do that, though. It's far too interested in a cacophony of cheap scares.

Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment Comment
02/26/07
Christy Lemire
Christy Lemire
Associated Press
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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Latest News for White Noise

May 02, 2006: "White Noise 2" Set Visit: Hanging With Nathan Fillion, PLUS The First "White Noise 2" Set Photos!
Our "White Noise 2" set coverage wraps up with not one, but many delights: a sit down with Nathan Fillion, plus the first ever photos from the spooky set to grace the... More...

April 27, 2006: "White Noise 2" Set Visit: Shawn Williamson On Horror Remakes, "Dungeon Siege," and...Canadian Horror?
RT's "White Noise 2" set coverage, Part Three: producer Shawn Williamson, whose 50+ credits include "Slither," "White Noise," and many of Uwe... More...

April 26, 2006: "White Noise 2" Set Visit: Patrick Lussier Promises Twists, Talks Horror
Our "White Noise 2" set coverage continues with RT's conversation with director Patrick Lussier, as the horror editor-director talks about working with Wes Craven and... More...

March 14, 2006: Nathan Fillion Talks "White Noise" Sequel
Sci Fi Wire talked to "Serenity" star Nathan Fillion about his upcoming thriller, "White Noise 2: The Light," which has just started filming in Vancouver. More...

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