denverjones

I am trying to find the name of a science fiction movie I think came out in the 70's or 80's maybe even 90's, where a society (or scientists) from earth's future is attempting to send messages into the past to warn them about something. I remember that the message or whatever was attempting to be broadcast through some really weird way -- I think the results of their broadcast created weird alterations to the reality of the target past, like weird creatures coming out of the walls and trying to get into the building and things which attacked the protagonists.

It was hit and miss for the protagonists until they finally succeeded in understanding what they were supposed to do, then the apparitions/creatures seemd to go away.

I think that the bulk of the story was set in a building in a downtown urban setting or similar. You (the viewer) could sometimes hear weird sounds like lots of people whispering through an old radio at various times throughout the film. It was definitely weird. It kind of reminded me of a Cthulu-type of story but this was science fiction and not weird fiction because at the end it was explained what was going on.

Aaryk Noctivagus

Sounds a bit like 'A Sound of Thunder' directed by Peter Hyams... but it probably isn't that movie because of this thing about messages, but the rest of what you wrote reminds me of it.

Not a great movie at all... though the idea behind it should make a really good movie in theory, and Peter Hyams should have pulled it off... he's a rather good Director usually.

Of course, another thing about this NOT being 'A Sound of Thunder' is that was released in 2005.

Perhaps if you remembered a bit more... or mentioned a few other things you remember... I might recognise it a bit more. At the moment it sounds like a cross between 'Frequency' and 'A Sound of Thunder'.

Wolfgang

Sounds like John Carpenter's "Prince of Darkness".

Aaryk Noctivagus

Don't you mean Kodacolour's 'Prints of Darkness'... a movie that never had enough exposure - lol

Didn't sound like 'Prince of Darkness' to me, but I can see what you mean.

denverjones

SOmething about the use of tachyons to transmit message into the past....

Torquemada

John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness

Torquemada

I've just seen this and I agree.

Aaryk Noctivagus

I now concur with the others... 'Prince of Darkness' it is - not exactly John Carpenter's finest hour.

From your first post, I was thinking more of transmissions being SENT into the past from the present, rather than transmissions being RECEIVED from the future in the present.

I must admit I've never really thought of 'Prince of Darkness' as a Science Fiction... maybe I should re-evaluate it

Torquemada

You're right it wasn't great. Carpenter is a real enigma in that the more money you give him to make a movie the worse they are (with the exception of The Thing of course).

Aaryk Noctivagus

I think its quite true that most Directors when they become successful and are spoiled for money turn out fare which is not of their original quality or imagination.

I read somewhere that, directly movie titles started becoming 'John Carpenter's...' was when he fell from what he had been.

Creativity finds its most nourishing home in a nest of restrictions (easiest being budgetary). When creativity has freedom to do what one person wants... then it starves a little.

batman

I can think of at least one film that contradicts this ... Citizen Kane.

Bats.

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Aaryk Noctivagus

And a Director who lacks the knowledge of then current ways of making a movie, and so applies Radio Play sensibilities to the piece isn't giving birth to the movie out of restriction?

'Citizen Kane' is born full of restrictions which Welles had to overcome to put his vision onto the screen. It is full of innovations and experiment that a more knowledgeable Director in the then ways of cinema, or one with boundless budget, would not have thought to attempt.

Imagining one contradiction, which isn't one in fact, does not a rule of thumb break. I'm sure with some thought, and knowledge, anybody could find exceptions to the rule.

batman

Welles saw his lack of knowledge of movie making as a positive thing, not a restriction. It gave him unrestricted confidence to make the movie he wanted, as he wanted. Welles vision was achieved out of an awesome display of creative imagination and by utilising to the full the enormous facilities at his disposal.

Bats.

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Torquemada

I totally agree Bats. The truly great people do not their art from textbooks, but it comes rather from raw talent and natural ability. Although I'm not a great Citizen Kane fan - I much prefer Touch of Evil (Welles even manages to make Charlton Heston look like a good actor, now that's some achievement!).

batman

Cheers Torq ... Touch of Evil is my favourite Welles film too.

Bats.

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