Pulse

So this has nothing to do with a more recent horror movie called Pulse ... neither the original nor the US remake of that more recent effort and stab at horror. No pun intended of course. This has 80s written all over it. For better or worse, which will be depending on how you view things and what your personal liking is of course. The horror works quite fine and the family that plays the lead is very well cast too. If you are into supernatural horror you'll enjoy this ... There's really not much to add to that ... apart from characters not alway doing what would seem logical ... but then again what is logical in a world like that? Exactly ... other parameters that seem to define the fear of technology taking over ... or at least being more of an enemy to mankind rather than a helping hand ...

Writer-director Paul Golding's abysmal, completely forgettable thriller distributed by a major studio (Columbia) but filled with low-rent talent. Story has a young boy (Joey Lawrence) attempting to save his dad and stepmother from evil, unseen forces within their home. As the stubborn father, Cliff De Young once again gives his usual knucklehead performance; he has made a specialty out of playing impatient grown-ups who have no ear (or use) for the truth, and yet we're supposed to care what happens to the guy? Lawrence is kept near the verge of hysteria throughout, but this begins to look pretty silly--especially when there's not much happening plot-wise. * from ****

I remember I saw this movie about 5 years ago and recently found a videotape with it on. I watched it and thought, it's still a good movie. The electricity is a good touch turning appliances into killers. It's not really a cheesy movie you would expect by it's tagline but goes on the lines of "what would happen if this was true" of course there is no way scientifically possible for any of this to happen... or is there?!

I really didn't like Pulse, but I don't think that it's fair for me to say that it was a bad movie. I just don't like family horror films, those rated PG stories where there may be some action and suspense, but there are no body counts, blood, cursing, and what not that you'd find in your average horror movie. Pulse is the story of a spirit living in the form of electricity and it killed the previous owner of a house that David is spending the summer in with his dad and stepmom. The spirit lives on and is ready for it's next victims. Only David can figure this out (of course), though he can't seem to convince either parents that he's not crazy and that there really is a dangerous spirit looming about. Even if you're not a kid, but somewhat nostalgic about teens stars of the 80s, you will get a healthy dose of pre-teen Joey Lawrence and his unbelievably tiny brother Matt, who plays inquisitive little next door neighbor, Stevie.

The main problem with this movie is that its premise is quintessentially, thoroughly unscary. It's no coincidence that the only two even remotely scary scenes (suffocation by gas and a very hot shower) are not even directly linked to electricity! And how IS the evil circuit able to control doors and windows?? This picture has some decent acting at least, but you should only see it if you're desperate and have run out of good horror flicks to watch. (*1/2)

This one wasn't so much frightening as it was an interesting attempt at a horror/sci-fi mix. I think the script needed a little juking, a few more twists and turns and genuinely suspenseful moments, before I could recommend it. There was a little too much macro-photography of wires melting, and not enough attention paid to the characters (one of the major ones is inexplicably written out of the story before the climax.) I never thought I'd say this, but Joey Lawrence actually gives a good performance, and there are some nice, subtle moments-- particularly some strong observations about family. I was never scared, but the ambiguity & unusual premise kept me interested. I think POLTERGEIST was much more effective in creating horror in inanimate objects. Still, a good try. 6/10.

Every so often comes an offbeat movie that begs to be seen over and over again, which is now possible because of cable and satellite. "Pulse" is such a movie. Don't over analyze it. Just get a lot of popcorn and whatever and sit forward on your seat, grip the arms of your chair, and immerse yourself in it. If you're looking for more of the same, similar feelings without it being a slasher movie (yuck!), add "Final Destination" to your viewing evening, another 10 in my book.... Of course, I'm talking about a different standard than great drama, I'm talking about a movie that makes you grip your seat and exclaim "Holy S..t!"....