Film Forum

Episode Recap

Episode 2

January 18, 2005

Films Reviewed: Assault on Precinct 13 and White Noise

Commentary: Michael Keaton

Featurette: EVP, featured in White Noise

Regarding Assault on Precinct 13:

Matt: If you have to remake a John Carpenter classic, then this would be the one.  Thankfully, everyone involved knew what they were doing and the movie turns out to be more fun than your average January release.  Laurence Fishburne still radiates cool, even when he's being bad.  Three stars.

Aron: Yes, it's no great shakes to make a film like this.  But the direction is taut and the acting is pretty good.  Maria Bello was really good as the police shrink and Ethan Hawke makes a credible police officer again.  Definitely worth checking out sooner or later.  Three stars from me as well.

Average Rating: *** (out of ****)

Regarding White Noise:

Aron: A movie that consists of more jump scenes than actual movie, but it's not bad for what it is.  Michael Keaton is believable as the doting widower who is led to believe that he can communicate with his (presumed) dead wife.  The look of the process is very Hollywood, but it does raise some possibilities.  Two and a half stars.

Matt: The movie isn't all that great.  But. at the same time, giving this a January release date is a sign that Universal simply didn't know how to market this film.  Electronic Voice Phenomenon may or may not be real, but it did work in the confines of this movie.  And it was nice to see Deborah Kara Unger working again.  Two and a half stars.

Average Rating: **1/2 (out of ****)

Commentary: Michael Keaton has been acting for more than 20 years, starting with Night Shift and, most recently, White Noise.  Aron and Matt took a look at his body of work, which included superheroes, ghosts, junkies, criminals and the first stay at home dad.   

Featurette: Behind the concept of Electronic Voice Phenomenon, as featured in the movie White Noise.  Interview subjects played recordings of voices from beyond.