High-tech spirits in ‘White Noise’

Matt Bellner is an actor and writer from Burbank.

What if dead people could communicate via electronic devices?

Scientists refer to this as Electronic Voice Phenomena or EVP? That’s

the premise of the new movie, “White Noise,” starring Michael Keaton.

Keaton plays the role of architect Jonathan Rivers, and it’s great

to see Keaton back on the big screen. Early in the film, Rivers’ wife

dies a mysterious death and that’s when he starts hearing voices

through his household appliances.

“White Noise” is very similar to the 1982 film, “Poltergeist,” but

instead of using just the TV, the recently deceased communicate using

cellphones, answering machines and radios. Dead people have

officially entered the technology race.

As the movie progresses, Rivers meets a woman who can also hear

the dead, and they set out to solve the mystery of why he is hearing

these voices via the white noise in his equipment.

In no way is “White Noise” a great movie but it’s good for some

cheap thrills. I saw this movie with a lively crowd at the Mann’s

Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

Most of the audience screamed in their seats throughout the

101-minute running time.

The film looks and sounds great and the editing adds to the

suspense. There isn’t much of a story and that’s why this movie is

just throwaway entertainment. “White Noise” is not worth 11 bucks a

ticket but it would make a fine DVD rental. My advice, wait a few

months and rent it on a rainy night.

My biggest complaint is that the entire film was shot in Canada

and 99% of the cast is Canadian. I have nothing against Canada but

I’m pretty sure this movie could have been shot in Southern

California.

“White Noise” is a decent couples picture. It’s been my experience

that scary movies make great date movies. The rudimentary scare

tactics will help you get closer to that special someone.

Since my girlfriend was mad at me the night we saw “White Noise,”

this plan backfired. Once the movie was over, we had a few drinks and

discussed the film. Within minutes, life was back to normal between

us.

“White Noise” is rated PG-13 for violence, disturbing images and

language.