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Making Contact

Original title: Joey
  • 1985
  • PG
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
4.7/10
2K
YOUR RATING
Making Contact (1985)
Believing to be able to communicate with his deceased father, a young boy develops psychic powers where he uses them to try to stop supernatural forces threatening his family and friends, especially a possessed ventriloquist dummy.
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
91 Photos
ActionAdventureDramaFamilyFantasyHorrorMysterySci-Fi

Believing to be able to communicate with his deceased father, a young boy develops psychic powers where he uses them to try to stop supernatural forces threatening his family and friends, es... Read allBelieving to be able to communicate with his deceased father, a young boy develops psychic powers where he uses them to try to stop supernatural forces threatening his family and friends, especially a possessed ventriloquist dummy.Believing to be able to communicate with his deceased father, a young boy develops psychic powers where he uses them to try to stop supernatural forces threatening his family and friends, especially a possessed ventriloquist dummy.

  • Director
    • Roland Emmerich
  • Writers
    • Roland Emmerich
    • Hans J. Haller
    • Thomas Lechner
  • Stars
    • Joshua Morrell
    • Eva Kryll
    • Tammy Shields
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.7/10
    2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Roland Emmerich
    • Writers
      • Roland Emmerich
      • Hans J. Haller
      • Thomas Lechner
    • Stars
      • Joshua Morrell
      • Eva Kryll
      • Tammy Shields
    • 32User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 0:31
    Trailer

    Photos91

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    + 84
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    Top cast84

    Edit
    Joshua Morrell
    Joshua Morrell
    • Joey Collins
    Eva Kryll
    • Laura Collins
    Tammy Shields
    • Sally
    Jan Zierold
    • Martin
    Barbara Klein
    • Dr. Haiden
    Matthias Kraus
    • Bernie
    Jerry L. Hall Jr.
    • William
    • (as Jerry Hall)
    Sean Johnson
    • Bobby
    Christine Goebbels
    • Alice
    Ray Kaselonis
    • Steven
    Joel Kleinman
    Berit Morrell
    Punky
    • Scooter
    Christoph Lindert
    • Sheriff
    Axel Berg
    • Parapsychologist Ralph
    Sandra Freeding Myers
    • Parapsychologist
    James Baumgartner
    • Parapsychologist
    James Heffernan
    • Parapsychologist
    • (as James Hefferman)
    • Director
      • Roland Emmerich
    • Writers
      • Roland Emmerich
      • Hans J. Haller
      • Thomas Lechner
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews32

    4.71.9K
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    Featured reviews

    4williawallie

    military brats

    at the time this film was made, it was cool for us "military brats." one of our own was in this film (actually, two). but anyway, i went to school on a military base in Stuttgart,Germany with josh morrell and ray kaselonis. my group of friends thought we were so cool because we went to see the movie in German (actually, it was pretty amazing that a bunch of middle school kids could actually understand what they were saying in German). it is nostalgic to see this again but can't believe how dorky it is! nevertheless, this film is a piece of our heritage as military brats at robinson barracks. it would be nice to know where these guys are now...
    SuperSpy-3

    The Worst Film

    I know no other way of describing this painfully wretched film except by saying that it is one of the worst contributions to the world of movies that I have ever seen! Directed by German-born Roland Emmirich, who would later emerge to direct the big-budgeted blockbuster epics "Independence Day" and "Godzilla," this film makes up in bad acting what it lacks in creativity. Is this film supposed to be a horror film? All I saw was a lawsuit waiting to happen, since it showcases (or rather steals) the creativity and genius of such classics as "E.T.The Extra-terrestrial" and "Poltergeist." If you're looking for laid-back, horror film to enjoy with your friends on a casual Friday night, this isn't it! This is by far one of the most boring and stupendous pieces of work I have ever seen! It is deserving of 100 Razzi Awards! Before I start to puke, I must sign off and get this disgusting, no-good film out of my head. But before I do, I'd like to make a brief comment for the wonderful (yes, I'm being sarcastic!) Mr. Emmerich: 'Please, for the love of god! For the love of Hollywood! Spare us a sequel to "Godzilla!" I wouldn't know how to cope!'
    5jswraven

    Back in the day...

    I remember watching this on video for my 10th or 11th birthday. That little demented dummy scared the p**s out of us! Now, I was never a horror fan and had never really seen a horror flick before that, so my sense of 'scary/not scary' had yet to be tarnished. So, if you have a 10 year old who isn't into slasher horror flicks, but wants something a little scary, go for it. (We also watched the 80's version of "Invaders from Mars" and thought it was pretty cool--for what it's worth.)
    6Sharpe417-1

    Still Creeps Me Out!

    I remember watching this film at a young age and found the movie terrifying. It was my first doll/dummy movie and from then on I definitely needed a night light. The dummy creeps me out even to this day. For the longest time I would have reoccurring dreams of the doll. I could not have a closet open because I thought the dummy would be in there, just staring at me. Even when I had stuffed animals or toys in my closet I felt like they were staring at me.

    As I grew older, I laugh at the Chucky doll and never found him all that creepy, but the dummy from Joey definitely still gives me the creeps. I even recently watched the film 'Magic' and found that just as creepy. The doll from Dead Silence is the next big scary thing for me now. I just hope they keep coming with these.
    7insomniac_rod

    Not exactly scary.

    Now I have to admit it... "Joey" gave me the creeps as a child. Before watching it in recent times, I thought about it as a chilling, fairy tale of terror.

    Now, to be objective, "Joey" is a movie that should be enjoyed by a younger audience because it's indeed a movie directed for a younger audience. Not to be redundant but as a kid you are easily impressed and scared by things like talking dummies or evil dolls.

    "Joey" isn't meant to be scary and now as a grown-up I can only recommend it for a younger audience or for fans of movies involving dummies.

    Still, I am pleased with the good memories I have towards this movie.

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    Related interests

    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Still frame
    Adventure
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
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    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although the bulk of the film was shot in Germany, writer-director Roland Emmerich set it in the United States and shot it in English so that the film could be marketed worldwide.
    • Goofs
      The name 'Josh' is written on Joey's backpack. 'Josh' is the name of the actor who plays Joey.
    • Quotes

      Joey Collins: I hate you! I wanna to talk to my father! I wanna to talk to my mother, now! Do you hear me?

    • Alternate versions
      US version runs ca. 20 minutes shorter than the original German version.
    • Connections
      Featured in Master of Desaster: Roland Emmerich - eine Hollywoodkarriere (1998)

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Making Contact?Powered by Alexa
    • What are the differences between the US Theatrical Version and the Original German Version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 27, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • West Germany
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Dimensión extrasensorial: contacto con el más allá
    • Filming locations
      • Newport, Virginia, USA(some exteriors)
    • Production companies
      • Centropolis Film Productions
      • Pro-ject Filmproduktion
      • Bioskop Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 38m(98 min)
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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