tomsview Although you might be forgiven for thinking that it would be difficult to come up with something completely new in the police thriller, serial killer genre, this offbeat Australian movie does just that.The story has a number of strands. Set at Christmas, a uniformed policeman, Constable Graham McGahan (Brendan Cowell) is posted to the ironically named Sunshine, a community where there has been a murder and a mass shooting on a train. His beat is a police caravan, which he mans by himself at night, near the scene of the crimes.He meets a number of people who seem drawn to his lonely outpost, and although some are dangerous, he doesn't seem to mind the company. McGahan talks late into the night, and shares his philosophies about living, dying, and the meaning of heaven and hell. It is a personal philosophy, and its importance becomes apparent in the movie's final scene.A woman, Lavinia Smart (Maia Thomas) who survived the killings, now fears that the killer will come after her. Diabetic and scared, we feel her anguish. Although the murderer is seen early on, a number of the characters look similar, especially at night, adding to the sense of unease.Early in the movie McGahan has an accident, and for the rest of the movie suffers from increasing tinnitus– ringing in the ears – fortunately, the condition is cured at a critical moment.McGahan seems a diffident sort of policeman, a little scruffy with a slightly abrasive personality. He lives with a policewoman, and in one scene they share some recreational grass together. He gives the impression that he is not really on an upwardly mobile career path. His main concern seems to be the unfairness he feels at not receiving sick leave, although he more than fulfills his duty before the end.Melbourne makes an interesting location. Set out in a grid, the city offers great perspectives down long flat streets especially at night. However, there are no mindless car chases down those streets, and the one shootout in the film demonstrates how your life can depend on your ability to reload a weapon with trembling hands.The tension just keeps building in this unusual movie. The ingredients are similar to many films of the genre but it's the way they are mixed together that makes "Noise" different.

the_thirst Noise is a typical Australian movie. For some reason Australian film makers think they have to make unusual, quirky films for them to be successful, and for this reason, almost all of them are bad. Despite knowing this, I decided to give Noise a chance as the premise sounded interesting.The plot of Noise twists and turns with no real purpose. Every scene contains some nonsensical element. Perhaps the director wanted to mirror the disorienting sense tinnitus gives it's sufferers, in the style of how the story is told, but in reality he just made a truly horrible film that is boring and aggravating at how stupid it is. It never captivates the imagination whatsoever and the story is ridiculous.

fanita00 I like independent movies. I like to see the work of many talented people resulting in a work of art. This piece is one of those. The acting, sound, post, cinematography, story, the entire piece was really good, it is totally worth watching. However, this piece of art tried too hard to suck the audience into its psyche by elongating the scenes to the point of exhaustion. I wonder how many "beats" were in the script. I actually got so bored with the pace of the movie that I decided to get out the ironing board to do something productive with my time while the movie slowly unfolded. So ladies and gents, make sure you bring something to keep you entertained during the unnecessarily long scenes. Chop 15 minutes off the top and you got yourselves a real winner. Still a good little indie.

Rhys (DrBugSmith) Look no further, without doubt the best Australian film you can easily get your hands on. Not very objective I realise but really worth a Sunday afternoon (or more) to immerse yourself. I believe people who dislike this film are expecting too much action or fast paced excitement. Each can be found here but are spread amongst some more drawn out themes. My big gripe was the opening scenes on the train - just didn't seem too plausible in Sydney. Getting inside the lead character's head should be at the heart of most film and here we get a frightfully painful perspective of life that few ever experience. Gritty and realistic acting are the foundation that breathe some life back into the once floundering Australian cinema. I think I can hear a pulse again...