The Black Hole

source: The Black Hole

Moviecut—The Black Hole

This should NOT be confused with Black Hole, the excellent graphic novel that I reviewed by Charles Burns or the David Brin novel Earth which are both must reads. This flick (Black Hole starring Kirsty Swanson and Judd Nelson]) is a must skip. In fact, this film should not be confused with anything even mildly connected to the word excellent. It was an embarrassing mess. It starts promisingly. In fact, it starts very similarly to David Brin's great novel Earth. A black hole is artificially created and stabilized (in the book by Brin, they were looking for a power source and deliberately created the hole. In this addled movie, they were doing quantum research and wound up with a surprise, actually two) So, with the black hole comes a creature. No one understands the creature (including myself having watched this piece of crap) or its motivations other than it likes electricity and hates loud noises. Somehow it's affiliated with the black hole, which looks like a miniature hurricane and moves just as ponderously, wiping things out in its path. First about the acting...it's terrible but I know Nelson is capable of better. The script is to blame and some of the lines are real howlers. Nelson seemed embarrassed the entire time and had NOTHING to do until the end, when he saved everyone. There's half a plot line that he's divorced and his ex-wife and daughter finally see his value as he's saving the world. Of course, there's another jarring plot line where he's either in love with Kristy Swanson or had an affair with her or something. Boy, it's ridiculous. Swanson looks good. She's never been a brilliant actress. In fact, the only movie I can recall where she impressed me was Higher Learning and that was only because I dug her plot line as a bi-curious chick seducing Jennifer Connelly. Last, the physics. A black hole would not sit on the surface of the planet if it were released there. In fact, what is most likely is that it would sink immediately into the earth and orbit the core, eating the planet from within, a place we can't get to. That was the plot of Brin's novel (among many other plots) and it was much better than either this addled flick or (for that matter) most other hard sci-fi novels. Next, whatever the creature was, I don't know why they felt the need to make it humanoid. If there are creatures that live in black holes (black rabbits maybe?) then I doubt they need musculature, faces or would need to tap electrical power lines. What was it eating before it popped out of its hole? Skip it. It's worth neither the time to watch nor the effort to write this review. Spend the time either reading Brin's book (Earth) or getting the graphic novel (which is science fiction but nothing like you'd expect). Click below for links to those.

In St. Louis, the scientists Dr. William Hauser (Kevin Beyer), Shannon Muir (Kristy Swanson) and Kent (Dan Buran) accidentally create a black hole during an experiment. While investigating the phenomenon, Dr. Hauser and Kent die and the army comes to their laboratory under the command of General Ryker (David Selby). Shannon tries to call the prominent Dr. Eric Bryce (Judd Nelson), but the scientist does not answer the phone since he misses his daughter Kayley (Julia Sinks) after the divorce to his ex-wife Elizabeth (Jennifer Quackenbush). When he is contacted, he comes to the laboratory and soon he finds that the experiment has also unleashed a creature that feeds of energy. The Powers That Be wants a nuclear attack against the creature, but Eric warns that the action will increase the black hole. He also believes that the creature may be destroyed and the black hole closed if they are attracted to each other. However, only General Ryker supports his theory while General Tate (Peter Mayer) wants to bomb the location. "The Black Hole" is a stupid and corny thriller. The one-dimension characters are not developed and Eric in the beginning is an alcoholic scientist that misses his family and in the corny end is a hero in love with Shannon, who seems to be the pivot of his divorce. The military personnel cannot be that imbecile, using the usual weapons against the energy creature to be vaporized on the next scene. The idea of bombing the black hole and the creature is taken by people without any knowledge is totally unintelligent. And the character that performs the President is disrespectful so ridiculous he is. My vote is three. Title (Brazil): "Buraco Negro" ("Black Hole")

I gave this a 5 star because this was either absolutely horrendous, or screamingly funny, depending on whether you want to take the movie seriously. It was so bad it was wonderful! The stereotypes were painted with a brush as wide as a superhighway, complete with beautiful young assistant in love with her boss who's a discredited (but right!) older man with "issues." She, of course, loves him in spite of it because, after all, he's just misunderstood! It has a mysterious creature from another dimension. Growly voiced and intellectually challenged generals. Sycophantic bureaucrats! Helicopters immune to the gravitational forces of a black hole! Panic in the streets! Come on! This is classic stuff! The disclaimer at the start gives the watcher the anticipation that the science will at least have some basis in truth. Alas, this is not to be. But I don't want to give it away. This is a great party movie for a frat house beer bash. Or Mystery Science Theatre 2000. Judd Nelson did a bang up job as the still-inebriated and hung over physics genius trying to save the world. I never quite understood the need to have his "family" in there, but what the heck. Julia Sinks was cute as his clueless daughter, lost in iPod land oblivious that the world is about to evaporate, asking her mother at the single most inappropriate time why her parents were separated. (Correct response:"Who the &@*# cares?? We need to get out of here NOW!" Actual response:"We just don't get along, honey. You'll understand when you're older.") This movie will undoubtedly reign along with Santa Clause Conquers the Martians as one of the all time worst movies. But in my book, that makes it a winner! Grab a case of beer and have a few friends over for a truly memorable event!

Judging from the commercials, this was going to be about the stupidest thing to hit the airwaves since Deep Core, but in the end, it didn't insult my intelligence nearly as much as I expected. Some scientists are running experiments with a particle collider, and something goes wrong. They don't know what it is at first, but soon an odd phenomenon starts forming: A black hole! It wasn't done in nearly as idiotic a fashion as I had expected. Anyhow, of course it keeps growing, the female scientist has to call in her ex-boyfriend, the big brains of the outfit, to figure everything out, and the military shows up...actually, they show up to help, unlike 99% of the movies in this genre where they're just there to prevent the heroes from doing what must be done to save the day. David Selby (Dark Shadows fans may remember him as Quentin Collins) does an excellent job as the military General, trying to let the scientists do whatever it takes to stop this thing, while his bosses want - of course - to nuke it. Just because that's what they always want to do in these movies. Oddly enough, there's some sort of invisible, power-consuming monster that comes out of the black hole and starts following the power lines to the main generating plant. Much of the plot is concerned with dealing with this guy. The ending is a bit silly, but they always are in this sort of film. I thought the special effects were a cut above average, and a bit creative as well. Sure, the science is completely wacky, but that was expected. You could hardly do a movie about a black hole and have the science be plausible, because the movie would just consist of the characters saying "We're screwed", and then the credits could roll. Overall, a somewhat above average effort for the Sci-Fi Channel. Likable characters, semi-believable plot (stress on the "semi"), and just some good old B movie fun.

I originally picked The Black Hole up because I thought it was the original seventies one. So I was already a little disappointed when I discovered this was some TV movie from two years ago but I watched it anyways and I'm glad I did. Certainly it's not going into the sci-fi hall of fame but considering it's a TV film on a TV budget it's a decent little flick with some campy acting but somehow a relatively decent story and even some very decent special effects. It would appear as though director Tibor Takács is one of the masters of TV horror camp. He has done no less than 20 of these types of films so he should have some sort of talent involved in it and he does. He uses the story and budget and effects the best that he can to make a decently watchable flick. The plot of the film is actually very good for sci fi fans. A man made black hole releases a monster of energy that begins to destroy everything in it's path. Focusing rather heavily on the city of St. Louis they certainly create a destructive path in the city. Judd Nelson plays outcast scientist Eric Bryce who becomes the unwilling hero of the story. Nelson can act...we've seen it before but he seems to be getting caught in these roles of the washed up drunk but even still he does a pretty decent job of carrying this film. He's watchable and actually makes a very down to earth hero in the end. Kristy Swanson is fellow scientist and love interest Shannon Muir. Swanson looks like a deer in the head lights for most of the film but she supports Nelson decently enough although their romance and tension is a little strange to me. She is okay in the role but not the stand out performer by any means. David Selby is really terrific in a very subtle kind of way as General Ryker. He is also a hero in his own way and although he doesn't get a lot of dialog he does a really great job in the role and is probably one of the stronger characters in the entire film. I think he could have carried the film himself. The Black Hole won't put you on the edge of your seat by any means but to kill an hour and a half it's not the worst thing you could watch. The decent story and decent acting makes it worth seeing if you're a sci-fi nut and looking for something different. As mentioned earlier the special effects really aren't that bad, in fact they are well done. Watching the St Louis arch fall apart was very cool and although it's probably stock footage...the actual city being destroyed was also very cool. All in all I suppose you'd have to be a fan to really bother watching it but there is far worse out there in Television and on DVD for that matter. 7/10

If you're a science-wonk or if you're looking for scientific reality, then this movie is probably not for you. But, if you're willing to suspend disbelief and just go along with the premise and details of the plot for its own sake, then you'll probably enjoy this made-for-TV flick. The plot, dialog, and character depth are pretty par for for the course when it comes to movies that were made for the Sci-Fi Channel network. Most of the special effects were pretty good. The black hole special-effect was pretty lame, however the electrical effects; the invisible "entity"; the cracking, crumbling and imploding buildings; and the St. Louis Arch being ripped to pieces and collapsing were impressive sights. The acting of the two main characters was adequate to support the plot... but the supporting cast did a MUCH better job in their roles. I was particularly impressed with the acting from the lovely newcomer JENNIFER QUACKENBUSH, who played "Elizabeth". Her portrayal of Judd Nelson's ("Eric") impatient and incredulous ex-wife was understated and quite believable. Her character is suspicious and dismissive of her ex-husband when he tries to warn her of the imminent danger from the black hole. She doesn't trust his motives, angrily assumes he's drunk, and she plays it beautifully. Even though it's a minor role, throughout the movie we are treated to brief glimpses of Quackenbush's acting range as her character is taken on an emotional roller-coaster ride of disbelief, anger, fear, and panic. At the end of the movie, the black hole has (predictably) been destroyed and we discover that Judd Nelson's character has (predictably) survived. It's during one of the final scenes that Quackenbush was very convincing when she reveals to us--with a glance and subtle smile--that her character has set their troubled past aside, and instead feels a sense of relief and pride in what her ex-husband accomplished. Yes, this movie does have minor flaws and weaknesses, but as long as you know what to expect then it's a fun movie that's worth watching and worth renting.

In the style of Tibor Takács "The Gate" just got a "hole" lot bigger. The movie was well done with great graphics and a great cast. Better than average TV movie. The monster was reminiscent of the invisible creature from "Forbidden Planet". The film had all the tension of a disaster movie with a nasty little monster thrown in for good measure. So we have a Black Hole devouring St Louis and its invisible creature eating electricity causing havoc. Well done Tibor! worth watching again. On a personal note, Tibor and I went to grade school together and yes he was entertaining as a child, always telling jokes and making rude sounds at the back of the classroom. The principals office was always a popular meeting spot. Eric Anderson

This is horrible..... And it is embarrassing to watch with the actors doing les than optimal performance... and come on ... nuclear weapons on a black hole ... how XXXXXX can u get. and would you really think about food and water when there is a black hole in town .. lol .. just makes me want to cry. ###### This is horrible..... And it is embarrassing to watch with the actors doing les than optimal performance... and come on ... nuclear weapons on a black hole ... how XXXXXX can u get. This is horrible..... And it is embarrassing to watch with the actors doing les than optimal performance... and come on ... nuclear weapons on a black hole ... how XXXXXX can u get.