The Drone Virus

Well, this is almost virgin territory. The only comments about this movie that I could find were in German. Not a promising start.

It is about a little girl who dies during an MRI. The father tries to find out why, but the hospital stymies his investigation. Nothing original here; just a run-of-the-mill thriller.

Nothing exciting happens until Christa Campbell walks into the room. They head back to his room so the good doctor can give her a breast exam. She is not appreciative.

Billy Wirth and Maeve Quinlan just seem to go through the motions. There was nothing expressive in either performance.

After a successful treatment of cancer of the girl Jaime Roland (Talia- Lynn Prairie), the former hacker Stephen Roland (Billy Wirth) is convinced by Dr. Caine (David Jean Thomas) to let her be submitted to a MRI scanner by the specialist Dr. Colleen O'Brian (Maeve Quinlan) to check that she is totally cured. During the examination, Jaime has seizure and dies. Stephen has a meeting with the Director Dr. Jamison (Michael Ensign) and requests explanations about the death of his daughter. He claims malpractice or malfunction of the equipment and Dr. Jamison tells that only after the autopsy it would be possible to know the true cause. Further, he introduces the responsible for the experimental MRI equipment Al Bercovicci (Philip Boyd) that explains that the equipment is working perfectly. After the autopsy, Dr. Jamison accuses Dr. Caine of malpractice and tells that the girl had several tumors in her head. However Stephen does not buy the story and teams-up with Colleen. He uses his computer knowledge to investigate and finds a complex of power and economical interests involved to approve the scanner and buy it.

"The Drone Virus" is a thriller with a good story but poor screenplay. The plot begins with the testimony of relatives of patients' victim of cancer that have no association with the story. The screenplay is confused with plot points and despite the unexpected last one, it could be better and better. The gorgeous Maeve Quinlan is an attraction of this film. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Contaminação" ("Contamination")

This is a must see movie. Although quite a different role for Billy, he comes through with flying colors. Not to mention that he is drop-dead gorgeous as always. Amazing that his proved acting ability is not recognized more in the media or movie industry and feel that he should be given more starring roles and on the big screen. Few other actors have the many talents that Billy has and hope more people will support him. I have been a fan of Billy's ever since War Party and never tire of watching it or the many others I have purchased over the years. He has also shown that he is an amazing writer and director (MacArthur Park) and look forward to more opportunities for him.

This movie begins like an infomercial of compelling people who are desperately seeking a cure for cancer. Then suddenly, all compelling is completely shut off as the movie moves to the medical facility that is most often lifeless, empty, bland, basically your low-budget set. Yes, medical environments are clinical, but the harsh contrast of this place made it impossible for any of the actor's craft to come across as convincing. Except for the bad guys, bad backgrounds, lighting, make them more convincing. Plus, the main characters were all depicted as easy and willing to compromise. How are you expected to like any character who can't be trusted at the beginning?

The concept of menace is all over the place, is it the machine or is it greed or ignorance that is behind the terrible mishap of unexpected deaths involving the MRI?

Thriller takes a long, slow, boring walk throughout the entire movie.

When a man (Billy Wirth) loses his daughter during a routine MRI, he looks into the matter and finds other tragic instances like his own. The deeper he digs, the more mysterious and dangerous it becomes for him.

THE DRONE VIRUS is an excellent medical-thriller in the same vein as movies like COMA or ANATOMY. It's loaded with suspense and an atmosphere of paranoia and dread. There's just something about diabolical, conspiratorial doctors that's extra frightening! This will make you wonder about your last checkup!...