LDSFilm.com comments:
"Message in a Cell Phone" is really an impressive direct-to-video movie. Easily better than any number of theatrically-released family films.
Directed by Eric Hendershot, this movie gets a big boost from the top-notch cinematography by veteran T.C. Christensen. The star is a young Nick Whitaker, about the same age as he is in his supporting role as Jacque Gray's little brother in "Brigham City." My daughter and all of her friends have remarked at how beautiful Nick Whitaker is.
He's also a fine actor. Great supporting cast headed by Rick Macy and Jan Broberg Felt (no, they're not married in this one). Macy is great and he plays against type. I won't give it away but... you'll like it.
"Message in a Cell Phone" could be placed in a category similar to "Someone Was Watching," in that it features young protagonists in a family-friendly mystery/adventure film. A couple of differences, though... There is much more humor and much less pathos in "Message in a Cell Phone." "Message," was written by Hendershot, had many very funny moments that had my young kids laughing. I thought it was funny as well. Also, "Message" is simply a better made movie. Hendershot is much more experienced. The movie has real polish. The child actors are better in "Message" than the teenaged actors in "Someone." I think "Someone" director Mark Goodman has great things in him, but there's rarely any subsitute for the kind of raw experience that Hendershot has behind him.
"Message" is also scarier. There is a kid-appropriate but surprisingly scary scene towards the end in which Nick is chased through the house by a masked man out to get him. Really effective with great photography, editing and music. My 7-year-old daughter was frightened, wanted me to be in the room with her (and she loved it). Of course she soon wanted to see the movie again.
At a small desert resort, eleven-year old Chase Patterson and his two friends hang out by the pool without a care in the world. Little do they know that Felix, the man snoring next to them, has missed an important cell phone message with the warning to "erase it once he gets it!"
When Felix later discovers that he has left his cell phone poolside he dials it, hoping that someone will pick it up. A curious Chase answers the phone and thinks he hits the jackpot when he is offered five dollars to bring the cell phone up to Felix's room.
Chase arrives at the room and overhears Felix arguing with another man, followed by a loud crash and a mysterious silence. Unable to convince the resort manager that he has witnessed foul play and still in possession of the cell phone, the three boys set out on a race against time to crack the cell phone's secret code and find out what the message is before danger follows them to their own backyard.
| violence and thematic material |
Rick Macy
Jan Broberg Felt
Doug Caputo
James Laub
Robbi Merrill
Scott Subiono
Steve Rippey
Shannon Engemann
and
Michael Grove
as Snyder
casting by
E & D Casting
costume designer
Hayley Hendershot
production designer
Richard Jameson
music by
Ramon Balcazar
director of photography
T.C. Christensen
edited by
Rocco DeVilliers
executive producer
Dickilyn Hendershot
produced by
Eric Hendershot
Steele Hendershot
Karri O'Reilly
written and directed by
Eric Hendershot
| Chase | Nick Whitaker |
| Harry | Rick Macy |
| Jess | Jan Broberg Felt |
| Mitchell | Doug Caputo |
| Mac | James Laub |
| Jeremy | Robbi Merrill |
| BJ | Scott Subiono |
| Fake Felix | Steve Rippey |
| Amanda Reiser | Shannon Engemann |
| Snyder | Michael Grove |
| Felix | Terry Taylor |
| Chic | David H. Stevens |
| Resort Manager | David Stanley |
| Maid | Irene Santiago |
| Judge | Peggy Pendleton |
| Bailiff | Tim Weigert |
| Big Kid | Richard Jenkins |
| Kid 1 | Chase Snowboyle |
| Kid 2 | Cavett Richards |
| Blonde In Porche | Mickell Hafen |
| Brunette in Porche | Danielle Stiles |
| Girl On Raft | Nisha Pope |
| Unit Production Manager | Karri O'Reilly |
| Production Coordinator | John Goodwill |
| First Assistant Director | Steele Hendershot |
| Second Assistant Director | Joey Hyer |
| Second Assistant Director | Sean Taylor |
| Additional Photography | Rocco DeVilliers |
| First Assistant Camera | Dean Aoki |
| Second Assistant Camera | Ryan Taylor |
| Second Assistant Camera | Lauren Brady |
| Script Supervisor | Suzanne Bingham |
| Sound Mixer | Roger Davis |
| Boom Operator | Jill Davis |
| On Set Dresser | David DeYoung |
| Key Makeup | Sandi Graham |
| Makeup and Hair | Cicily Truman |
| Key Costumer | Hayley Hendershot |
| Gaffer | Garland Wilde |
| Best Boy Electric | Fritz Lindbeck |
| Key Grip | Glade Quinn |
| Best Boy Grip | Chris Gawel |
| Location Manager | Phoenix Johnson |
| Assistant Location Manager | Taylor Orson |
| Production Coordinator | John Goodwill |
| Production Accountant | Steele Hendershot |
| Assistant Accountant | Richard Wolfe |
| Teacher | Scott Smith |
| Extra Casting | St. George Casting |
| Caterer | K&J Catering |
| Chef | Kenneth Tuck |
| Assistant Chef | Ernesto Rio |
| Craft Services | Albert Smith |
| Set Medic | Kit Jones |
| Post Production Supervisor | Simon van Gelder |
| Assistant Editor | Jaron Briggs |
| Telecine Provided by | RDG Transfer Provo, UT |
| Colorist | Doug Fowkes |
| Laboratory | Fotokem Burbank, CA |
| On Line Editor | Simon van Gelder |
| Titles Designed by | Jason DeVilliers |
| Opening Animation | Swan Animation |
| 3D Modeler and Animator | Tanya Rizzuti |
| Story Board Artist and 2D Effects | Adrian Ropp |
| Post Production Sound Provided by | Michael McDonough Sound Design Salt Lake City, UT |
| Sound Editor and Rerecording Mixer | Michael McDonough |
| Foley Artist | Ryan Purcell |
| Foley Recordist | Scott Sandstrom |
Production Insurance
The Truman van Dyke Company
Grip/Electric Provided By
Redman Movies & Stories
Salt Lake City, UT
Camera Equipment Provided By
Otto Nementz
Salt Lake City, UT
Additional Equipment
Cornerstone Films of America
Charlotte, NC
"Crazy"
Music by Royal Bliss and Chuck E. Myers
Copyright © 2000 DMI
Produced by Chuck E. Myers
Big Idea Music Productions, Inc.
Engineered by Tino Saiki
Additional Key Board and Production by Tino Saiki
Performed By Royal Bliss
Lead Vocals Neal Middleton
Lead Guitar Taylor Richards
Rythm Guitar Chris Harding
Bass Guitar Brent Bruschke
Drums Jake Smith
Special Thanks
L.D. and Mary R. Bowerman
Hayley
Steele
Taylor
Beau
Brock
Khalee
Kade
Chrissy
Sarah
Cole
Olivia
Stacie Stone
Claude and Jeanne
Richard and Verna Johnson
Washington County Sheriff's Department
Tim Weigert
Jeanne Bruckner
Charles Mrkvicki
Judge Hans Chamberlain
Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Nelson
Karl Stone
Kenneth Hyer
Sandia Hyer
McKay Hyer
Adam Hyer
Erin Hyer
Spilsbury and Beard Mortuary
Michael Beard
Ted Spilsbury
Charles Bromley
Ted Salmon
Richard Whitehead
Green Valley First Ward Youth
Matt Loo
Thurl Bailey
Budget Eight Motel
Kirsten Hansen
Show Canyon High School Cheerleaders
Las Palmas Resort St. George, Utah
Alan and Carol Coombs
Dianna Beck
Ashley Bird
Brittney Hansen
Brittany Nelson
Ashley Gwilliam
Mikki Ward
Mandi Ward
Las Palmas Home Owner's Association
Brent and Christian Nyberg
Gary and Tina Daniels
Beverly Rhodes
Ren and Debbie Boyce
Moenkopi Partners
Loren Spendlove
St. George Leisure Services
Washington County Jail
David and Rita Ostler
Don and Joyce McGegor
Gary and Diane Sheets
Joe and Larae Meirer
Gary and Deanna Esplin
Robert and Nada Bishop
Dixie Community College
Cox Auditorium
Kimball Willard
Jason DeVilliers
Derrick DeVilliers
Rocco C. and Jeanie DeVilliers
Nate Fackrell
St. George Police Department
Travis Brown
Rulon Jones
Steve West
Albert Gilman
Chris and Valerie Hendershot
Paul and D'Anne Robbins
Linda DeVilliers
Terrel and Jane Bird
Darrell Whaley
Copyright © 2000 Pure Entertainment
All Rights Reserved
Pure Entertainment is the author of this film
for the purposes of copyright and other laws.
The characters and incidents portrayed and the names herein are fictitious, and any similarity to the name, character, or history of any person is entirely coincidental and unintentional.
This motion picture photoplay is protected pursuant to the provisions of the laws of the United States of America and other countries. Any unauthorized duplication and/or distribution of this phtoplay may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.