Who says modern horror films can't be scary? The Signal, which was a hit on the film festival circuit, rolled into theaters briefly, then rolled out onto dvd with a ton of great word of mouth. But, as I have found with the disappointingly plain Hatchet, word of mouth means nothing, and you have to judge for yourself whether the film is noteworthy or not. That being said, I hope the following review gets you to go out and at least see this film because it's not only amazing but its the first must-buy horror film of 2008.

Broken up into three intersecting stories and directed by three different guys, the film hits the ground running when a strange signal begins broadcasting through any means possible. TVs are messed up with a techni-color scrambled image, radios hiss the signal menacingly, and every other piece of electrical equipment seems to be malfunctioning. What is the signal, and where is it coming from? This is not as important a question as why the hell is everyone going insane? Almost immediately, people start bashing the hell out of each other. They stab, punch, shoot, and massacre the ones they love for no apparent reason except the unexplainable rage coursing through them.

The film's plot deals mainly with Mya, her husband, and her boyfriend, all trying to reconnect as the world goes to hell around them. First, Mya's husband Lewis goes crazy, and she escapes with his friend, who goes wacko shortly thereafter. Soon, her boyfriend Ben (yes, you read right, her boyfriend!) comes to rescue her at her apartment, but finds her husband tied up to a chair instead. He frees Lewis, but gets kidnapped by him as Lewis tracks his wife down to an apartment building, where the bulk of the film is taken up. Here the film's energy drags slightly, but the scenes are just as horrific and slightly comical. The film wraps up in a train terminal as all the characters finally meet up and the fate of their lives is finally decided. As for the fate of the world, well we'll just have to wait for a sequel.

What's scarier than the one you love suddenly getting the urge to kill you with whatever they can get their hands on? The reason the film works so well is because its as realistic an event as possible. This was probably the goriest, most intense horror film I have seen in a long while. It is entirely engrossing, brutal, and edge-of-your-seat fun. If it had had nudity, it would have been a golden coffin winner for sure. I was immensely impressed with this film, and would like to add my voice to those praising it. If you are one of the ones who say that they don't make good horror movies anymore, then do yourself a favor and check this movie out. It will not only satisfy the gore junkie in you, but will keep your adrenaline junkie very happy.

- Jose Prendes