Some things I liked some I did not.

A Brilliant Conflict

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

You have to rate movies based on their genre and/or budget. As such, this one is close to perfect. It felt like a (very low budget) combination between the original The Andromeda Strain and the original Night of the Living Dead. It is not with monsters, though. You will see what I mean when you watch the film.The actors are 10 in all, and they act like normal people. None of them are known, but they are really decent. The story itself is interesting and the dialogue good enough. It actually feels like it's real, which was the point of the movie all along.Therefore I highly recommend watching this, but keep in mind that it is a low budget film that has its strengths in plot and human reactions, not in outlandish ideas and special effects.

I'll readily admit that I'm a little biased when it comes to Bill Rebane movies, he is after all the Ed Wood of the Midwest, but I think The Alpha Incident is far and away his best film. For all it lacks in budget and effects it more than makes up for in strong performances and storyline even if it is ripped off from The Andromeda Strain. An alien virus is found on samples of martian rock and it is determined that this strain must be dispatched immediately. In order to not arouse suspicion the virus is sent on a cargo train to Colorado with the mysterious Dr. Sorensen as its lone guard along with a moonshining hillbilly engineer Hank who is too curious for his own good. While Dr. Sorensen is asleep Hank inspects the toxic contents and, wouldn't you know it, breaks the vial cutting his hand in the process. The next morning the duo arrive at a remote track changing station that is run by the quiescent Charlie along with his secretary Jenny. Hank and Sorensen meet Jack Tiller who is changing train engines for the transfer ride when Hank's odd behavior tips off Sorensen that the virus has been tampered with. A call to Sorensen's military handler leads the five to become quarantined at the tiny office until the "top scientists" who bicker like an old married couple can find an antidote. Tempers rise and give way to fear as the four civilians are held captive by Dr. Sorensen's cryptic warnings of an alien virus that will kill them should anyone fall asleep. The bulk of the film concerns this fragile alliance out of the necessity for survival.There are no Oscar worthy performances here however I did feel that each of the main actors were portrayed pretty solidly. Dr. Sorensen plays the mystery man well, Jack Tiller the obnoxious loudmouth, Charlie the reserved man who secretly pines for his assistant and Jenny who sure knows how to fill a dress! I couldn't picture Paul Bentzen as a government scientist without constantly thinking of him in his role as Billy, Kester's megacreep cousin in Giant Spider Invasion. Watch for Menards pitchman Ray Szmanda as "The Official" all alone in his makeshift central command talking to himself. When Sorensen asked for supplies they should of had Ray go into his schtick ending with the usual teeth-grinding "at Menards!" looking as if he's about to drop dead of a heart attack. An acquired taste that might be a little too talky for most though it does have a pretty graphic death scene towards the end as well as Carol Irene Newell showing off some of her "talents". At least give it a try before ripping this review to shreds.

Bad, very bad. The concept was good but the acting and lack of life in the film was bad. The movements all seemed choppy, like they were shooting one line at a time. Not enough information when going from one scene to another to establish the new scene and its activities.Poorly done, droned along at a very nerve racking and slow pace. While all the actors were trying to stay awake, I was trying to go to sleep to save myself from the pain of watching this bomb exploding on the screen.I've seen high school plays that had more life and action by children with little or no talent, than what this movie expresses. Characters were not believable, lines were dumb, actors actions were stupid. And what was all the clothes changing and attitude with Ms. Newell??? First she acts stuck-up then she gets all warm and fuzzy. Did I miss something in the transition??? Bad movie. If it were a book it would be helping to warm my house by way of my fireplace right now. This movie made "Plan 9 form Outer Space" look like an Oscar winner!

I actually enjoyed this film but i really don't know why. Its mostly all duologue and the majority if the movie takes place in one room. I think the reason why i liked this one so much is because of the character Hank. yes sir.., he just might be my new favorite tobacco chewing, drunk train conductor from any film ever. come to think of it all the characters are hilarious. You got Charlie the perverted old man who stashes his porno mags in a draw at work and checks his young not so attractive employees ass out every five seconds, and the scene where the girl blows her brains out was good for a laugh. I would recommend watching this one on a boring night with a couple of beers. its the kind of movie your better off watching on your own. any film that pays homage to NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is OK in my book.