The Black Hole (2006)

An atomic research experiment goes awry in St. Louis, Missouri unleashing not only a big black hole, but also a creature from beyond that feeds on electricity through the streets of this Midwest city.

Director:

Tibor Takács

Writers:

Kenneth M. Badish (story), Boaz Davidson (story),

Stars:

Kristy Swanson, Judd Nelson, David Selby

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kristy Swanson	...	Shannon Muir
Judd Nelson	...	Eric Bryce
David Selby	...	General Ryker
Heather Dawn	...	Sgt. Alicia Bennett
Jennifer Lyn Quackenbush	...	Elizabeth Williams (as Jennifer Quackenbush)
Christa Campbell	...	Advisor Coldwell
Peter Mayer	...	General Tate
Julia Sinks	...	Kayley Bryce
James Anthony	...	Spencer Tolland (as Jim Anthony)
Kevin Beyer	...	Dr. Hauser
Daniel Buran	...	Kent (as Dan Buran)
Tim Snay	...	Hayes
Adrian Rice	...	Lt. Samson
Greg Carr	...	Guardsman
Chris Nolte	...	Lt. Hendricks

Storyline

It's 2 A.M. in St. Louis when a routine scientific experiment goes terribly wrong and an explosion shakes the city. A scientific team investigates, clashing with an intergalactic, voltage-devouring creature that vaporizes them. By 7 A.M. a chain of earthquakes is tearing the city apart while a massive swirling black hole is consuming the remains. The alien is devouring every source of electricity it finds and destroying every human who blocks its way. Mass chaos rules as St. Louis is being evacuated. Only a few people, scientist Eric Bryce, his assistant Shannon, and General Ryker comprehend the mortal danger. By midnight, the Pentagon initiates a nuclear attack against the black hole. Bryce has only one hour to find a solution to obliterate the alien and the colossal black hole before mankind is annihilated.

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Plot Keywords:

black hole | electricity | creature | st. louis missouri | scientist | 

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Taglines:

No force from this world can stop it!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sci-fi violence, peril and thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Sci Fi Channel

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 June 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Black Hole - Das Monster aus dem schwarzen Loch

Filming Locations:

Bissells Point Water Treatment Plant - Bissell and Blair Streets, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nu Image Films, Active Entertainment, Equity Pictures Medienfonds GmbH & Co. KG III

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Elizabeth and Kayley's house and Eric's apartment were both filmed in the same house.

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Goofs

A little after the collapse of the Midwestern Quantum Research Laboratory, Gen. Ryker reaches Town Hall. At that time, Director Hayes is watching a news report while having a conversation with his secretary (about 44:10). The female newsreader starts, "Another update; sources at both the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security are now officially describing this dark mass we're seeing just outside the downtown are of St. Louis as a black hole." Hayes' secretary informs him about Gen. Ryker reaching the new command center. At this time, the audio for the news flash finishes and then can be heard starting once again with "Another update; sources at both the..."; an obvious indication of a prerecorded segment that was timed and set to loop while the scene was filmed.

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Connections

Edited from Category 6: Day of Destruction (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Out of Your Life"
Performed by Whitney Jordan
Written by Paul Taylor (BMI) & Jeanette Willard Jordan (BMI)
Published by Revision West (BMI)
Courtesy of Marc Ferrari / MasterSource

User Reviews

Black hole has lunch in Missouri

I knew from the trailers Sci-Fi channel was showing that this one would be totally insane. I watched anyway, figuring it would be at least good for some kitschy comedy, and a chance to see my home town of St. Louis get ripped. It did not disappoint (at being insane, that is).

A black hole is created artificially in a lab, but the black hole itself is not the only menace, as a strange electrical energy entity (that zaps people into oblivion) hitchhikes with it. This creature was actually kind of a creative plot device, since the movie really didn't seem to know what to do with the black hole other than devour stuff. Since there is a famous landmark in St. Louis, it's pretty obvious where the black hole goes for lunch (always moving along the ground in a 2-dimensional manner, by the way). As for the creature, it was utilized in some intriguing ways; but the explanation of its nature and intent was insufficiently developed, and could have been explored more.

Most everyone is at least somewhat familiar with basic scientific theory regarding black holes, and therefore will see a myriad of scientific absurdities, but if you view this silly nonsense without taking it seriously, it can be fun to watch. Toss disbelief into the black hole; or just play a game of "find the goofy science" as you watch.

The actors, given the weird script, really do approach the thing with urgency. When the scientist hero describes his quantum physics theories, you almost want to believe the offbeat premise of this movie. But then another bizarre thing happens and you're laughing hysterically again. There are the usual ploys and clichés: divorced dads, military that wants to use nukes, rogue scientists, TV news reporters doing play-by-play of destruction, etc.

Watch for loony amusement only. Science has been imploded in this "Black Hole."