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UFOs: Season One – Review

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Melvil Poupaud VALIDEE

Is anyone out there? If so, can people here cope with whoever or whatever that might be? The French TV series UFOs (OVNIs) gives us a rather light-hearted view of how that may play out. Think of it as an X-FILES run by Steve Carrell’s character from THE OFFICE.

It’s 1978. Didier (Melvil Poupaud) is in charge of France’s major missile launch that was years in the making. It fizzles spectacularly, but no one, including his ex-wife and collaborator Elise (Geraldine Pailhas), can figure out what went wrong. In the wake of his high-profile flop, someone’s head must roll, so the boss dumps him into an obscure department that deals with reported UFO sightings. That sub-agency is merely a joke to the country’s aerospace scientists and politicians, so his mission is to debunk all the rumors to justify shutting it down.

Didier finds three quirky true believers in his new command, all of whom are considerably more open to the possibility of “visitors” than he. But various phenomena start to undermine his skepticism, and the four stumble through a 12-episode maze of characters and events on a shoestring budget, despite mounting pressure to just go away quietly.  The team’s efforts are confounded by opposition from all sides, including some DISinformation from high sources. A few sudden disappearances of “witnesses” piles elements of danger and suspense onto their efforts. Didier’s life is further complicated by desperate, often backfiring, attempts to heal rifts with this ex and kids, plus his overarching goal of rehabbing his professional credibility to land a coveted international leadership position. It add up to a scientific/political tug-of-war with Didier as the rope.

The character comedy dangles sci-fi and fantasy elements which are quite stunningly displayed for a TV production. That extra investment pays off, keeping their pursuits and interpretations livelier that the small screen often allows. The 1978 setting allows a lower tech information and communication stream than a present-day premise would, keeping the focus on the players’ ups and downs as they scramble to justify their jobs despite having to work with a tiny toolbox.

This first season ends without a major cliffhanger, but keeps enough questions alive to spur viewers’ (including my own) curiosity for the second season now airing in France to stream here.

Premieres September 6, 2022 in the U.S. and Canada on MHz Choice!

Rating: 2 1/2 stars

https://watch.mhzchoice.com

VALIDEE

NOPE – Review

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Although the calendar tells us that we’re cruising into the last half of Summer, the soaring temps are making most of us feel as though we’ll never escape from the “furnace”. And so, the multiplex provides a welcome cool sanctuary, at least for a couple of hours or so, Of course, the big action blockbusters and animated feature frolics are still taking up a lot of space on the ole’ marquee. Horror fans may think that they’ll have to hold out till Fall after getting their spines “tingled” last month with THE BLACK PHONE (although the newest JURASSIC WORLD and Doc Strange installment had lotsa’ surprise scares). Not to fear (at least till the flick begins) because after a three-year ‘time-out” the studios’ new “golden god” (he did get an Oscar) of terror is back with a spooky story shrouded in secrecy, one that Hollywood hopes will have the ticket-buyers shouting “Yup!” to NOPE.

After a disturbing flashback scene at a TV sitcom soundstage, the film jumps ahead to an incident from earlier in this year. A freak accident at a dusty horse ranch in Agua Dulce, CA claims the life of its owner, Otis Haywood, JR. (Keith David) right in front of his son OJ (Daniel Kaluuya). Jump to the present day as the serious and somber OJ continues the family business of providing horses to the entertainment studios alongside his often flighty sister Emerald (Keke Palmer). Their newest gig is a bust so they haul the rowdy stallion to the owner of the old West-themed “tourist trap” Jupiter’s Claim, former child TV star (hmmm) Ricky Park (Steven Yeun). OJ considers this transaction more of a “rental” than “sale” as he hopes to buy back the steed. Later that night, the prized white “show-horse” Ghost vanishes. Due to the strange nocturnal activity, the Haywoods believe that a UFO may be involved, and some visual proof could net them some cash to save the ranch. A trip to the local “big box” electronics shop puts the duo in contact with the hustling retail “drone” Angel (Brandon Perea), who drives out and personally sets up the security cameras all around the house and stables. But he also hooks up a link to his computer system. When he sees some “weird stuff” in the skies, Angel insists that he be part of a trio to “get the vids”. And when a bizarre incident occurs at Ricky’s business, the trio becomes a quartet when they contact grizzled LA “camera jockey” Antlers Holst (Michael Wincott). Soon the documentary shoot turns into a fight for survival as a mysterious entity swooping down from the clouds makes the group its target.

Reteaming with his GET OUT director, Kaluuya turns into a tight, stoic performance as OJ often evoking the “close to vest” Western stars over cinema’s history from William S. Hart to Gary Cooper to Clint Eastwood, though he shows us that there’s a lot going on in his half-shut weary eyes. He’s got the burden of his family hertiage as he tries to keep things “afloat’, which accounts for his zeal in making a “viral cash splash”. But we also get a sense that he’s looking for a “payout” and “payback” as he thinks there’s more to his adored papa’s demise. And he’s the perfect balance to Palmer as the motor-mouthed Emerald whose brain seems to be in “over-drive” as she considers all the “angles”, and hoping to get a bit of respect from her bro. Almost matching her impressive energy level is Perea whose Angel goes from being on the “make” into a crusader for “truth” as he sets aside his greed to sound an alarm. Then there’s Wincott’s Holtz with his old-fashioned cyncical surly machismo putting out an “old school” filmmaker vibe in the Huston/Ford/Fuller heritage of getting the shot no matter what, pursuing the glory rather than the gold. Now he may look tad hokey in his classic cowboy attire, but Yeun brings a sense of pathos to the tale as he masks his traumatic past with a grin and a “y’all”. With the Heywoods he takes off the stetson and reveals the scared kid still pushed down to his spurs. Aside from these talented actors, there are many interesting almost-cameos from horror/SF vet David to a certain prime-time soap “vixen” from the 80s.

Oh, Kaluuya’s director, none other than the superb comic performer Jordan Peele, who also wrote this sci-fi horror-western hybrid. After taking an extra year off, no doubt due to the pandemic (GET OUT in 2017, US in 2019) he’s returned with a twisted story full of doom and dread, generating a smothering sense of unease almost from the first strange prologue flashback. But unlike his breakthrough hit, this effort feels a bit unfocused as we struggle to get into the script’s “stop and start’ pacing as it fiddles with the “timeline” and the sound mix makes the dialogue quite murky (perhaps going for the Howard hawks vocal overlapping). Still, there are powerful sequences keeping us on the edge of our seat along with a nice satirical self-aware tone (he explores the stand-up comedy quips about how characters of color wouldn’t be as eager to put themselves in danger as others in monster movies, hence “Nope” is uttered many times in the scary scenes). Actually, the sitcom scandal subplot would be worthy of its own film or at least an unnerving segement of Peele’s “Twilight Zone” reboot. Much time is spent on the planning for the final showdown, but (gotta’ be vague here) what has been “established” veers away into weird bursts of some pretty terrific specail effects. Much of the film is engaging and unnerving, but its last act spins its wheels and becomes tedious. I’ll take Peele’s first flick over this, but it’s more coherent than US and that;s the least negative apprasal of NOPE.

2.5 Out of 4

NOPE is now playing in theatres everywhere

Sci-fi Documentary A TEAR IN THE SKY With William Shatner Releasing May 3 – Watch The Trailer For The UFO/UAP Phenomenon Film

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1091 Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to Caroline Cory’s documentary A Tear in the Sky. Written, directed, and produced by Caroline Cory, A Tear in the Sky features William Shatner, Michio Kaku, Travis Taylor, Caroline Cory, Kevin Day, Gary Voorhis, and Kevin Knuth. The film will be available to rent and own worldwide on digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms through 1091 Pictures on May 3, 2022.

https://www.atearinthesky.com/

This award-winning documentary A Tear in the Sky takes you on an unprecedented journey into the UFO / UAP phenomenon. A team of military personnel, scientists and special guest William Shatner will attempt to re-capture, in real time, the US Navy “TicTac” UFOs and other space anomalies, using state-of-the-art, military-grade equipment and technology. What they find instead are thought-provoking clues into the true nature of the UFO phenomenon and the very fabric of our spacetime reality.

The UFO / UAP subject has been around for decades, however lacking credibility and acceptance from society in general and certainly the establishment. It wasn’t until 2017, when the New York Times came out with an article featuring three leaked videos from the US Navy taken by military servicemen, that defied explanation, that the conversation began to shift.

The Navy and the Pentagon eventually confirmed the veracity of these sightings and Senator Reid and Senator Rubio prompted Congress to investigate these events and publish an official report on their findings, the “UAP Report”, which turned out to be inconclusive.

The filmmakers felt it was time to take it upon themselves to investigate the subject from a new scientific perspective by teaming up with scientists and experts in an attempt to capture these anomalous objects themselves and offer the public some real answers. 

The film features William Shatner and Prof. Michio Kaku Ph.D, world-renowned physicist and best selling author who offer fascinating insight on the phenomenon and Kevin Knuth, Ph.D., Associate Chair in Physics and Matthew Szydagis, Ph.D. Associate Professor at the University of Albany who carry out the investigation.

The film has already won multiple awards and official selections for “Best Documentary” including The Malibu Film Festival, The LA Film Awards, The New York Film Awards and The New Media Film Festival.
 
“I am very proud and excited to be the first filmmaker to film a large-scale, real-life scientific expedition of UFOs and space anomalies, using military-grade, state-of-the-art equipment and academic methodologies to study the data and the phenomenon,” said Caroline Cory. “Working with William Shatner was phenomenal, and the hundreds of hours of data that we have collected during the filming, which will be released publicly along a university research paper for peer-review, has now made history beyond any government or organizations investigating the subject. I’m looking forward to seeing the results of our hard work. This is all so very exciting!”
 
“A Tear in the Sky was hands down the most unique filming experience of my life. The challenges of working unscripted with the most renowned UAP scientists in the world, top secret military-grade scientific equipment, and William Shatner made every day a new unpredictable adventure! I am excited for everyone to see what we found!” said Lenny Vitulli, Director of Photography. “We’re excited to be joining forces with Caroline Cory on her new documentary A Tear in the Sky. The film is the first of its kind and will show the public what’s really happening in our skies with UFOs,” said Jim Martin, head of paranormal acquisitions for 1091 Pictures.

SHOWTIME Documentary Films To Air New Docu-Series UFO From J.J. ABRAMS’ Bad Robot – 4 Episodes To Air On August 8

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Key Art for UFO. Photo credit: Courtesy of SHOWTIME.

SHOWTIME announced it will air UFO, a four-part docu-series from J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Glen Zipper exploring our fascination with unidentified flying objects, and what clandestine influence the American government, lucrative private companies and the military may have in shielding the truth behind extraterrestrial phenomena to further their own agendas. Directed by Mark Monroe (Icarus) and Paul Crowder (Riding Giants), the seriesexplores unsettling theories of a subject that recently reached national headlines, and has historically been the focus of powerful politicians and CEOs, while average citizens pursuing the very same truth have been ridiculed and ostracized. The series is a co-production by Bad Robot and Zipper Bros Films.

SHOWTIME will release all four episodes of the new series UFO to its subscribers at midnight on Sunday, August 8, prior to its on-air debut that night at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Ignited by the bombshell New York Times story in 2017 revealing that the Pentagon had been secretly tracking UFOs for years, the series examines the history of the phenomenon through cultural and political touchpoints, including shocking testimony from eyewitnesses across the country.

As the conversation grows more bizarre and reaches the mainstream by virtue of credible investigations into alien encounters, UFO confronts the most enigmatic questions of all: Why do we believe what we believe? And what is the elusive truth beyond this decades long mystery? 

UFO is executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Glen Zipper, Mark Monroe and Sean Stuart along with Ben Stephenson and Rachel Rusch Rich from Bad Robot. The series is co-executive produced by Kevin Lincoln and produced by Maren Domzalski and Paul McGuire.

THE PHENOMENON (2020) – Review

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By Marc Butterfield

If you aren’t disturbed after you watch this documentary, you weren’t paying attention. You will WANT to pay attention to this information. The new documentary THE PHENOMENON, directed by James Fox, starts off like any of a hundred other UFO documentaries, cataloguing eyewitness testimonies, all of whom seem credible, but in most cases, a testimony is all you get, or some sketchy photographs that could be fake, particularly in an era of pretty convincing Photoshop. 

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still important to pay attention even at the beginning, as what you see is not just some dry documentary, but a case being built for what’s to come.  The information flow is important, and so by the time we get to the now famous recordings taken directly from US Navy fighter planes, you aren’t surprised at the footage, but at what the implications are because of it.

After decades of denial and dismissal, the government of the United States just…stops denying and dismissing, and you’re left wondering “what does it all mean”?  The slow, deliberate build up brings up questions as to what was real and what was fake in the preceding decades of denial and misdirection. Even when we had recordings of pilots on commercial jets, it took the audio and video of Navy pilots not just discussing what they were looking at in firm disbelief, but the video of their HUDS while they attempted to get target lock, and a clear view of what they were seeing.  And not just one or two.

And the thing that strikes me more than what we’ve seen from the recent footage, but how much it makes you wonder which clips from the past that we had previously blown off are actually real. Oh, and the minor point that this information has been slowly making it to the view of the public eye since 2015, and as of 2017 was FULLY in view, but was met (so far) with a collective yawn from the public. Why?

The thing I’m left wondering is while we now know that they (whoever “they” are) are out there, we still have no idea what they want, where they’re from, what they are doing. here at all. There is the one thing that this documentary can say that it does: removes doubt. There can be no further discussion about ‘if’ they are out there. We now know that they do, beyond the shadow of a doubt.

If you only see one documentary this year, THE PHENOMENON movie is the one.

4 out of 4 stars

https://geni.us/ThePhenomenon Available digitally worldwide on October 6th from 1091 Pictures. 

UFO Documentary THE PHENOMENON Lands On October 6

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“70 years of secrecy has led to this.”
— Jacques Vallee, world renowned scientist and UFO researcher

Movies about visitors from another world have been common place in the zeitgeist of popular culture since the likes of THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD, THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL and INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS hit cinemas in the 1950’s

Now comes the explosive documentary THE PHENOMENON.

From director James Fox, this film being hailed as the most revealing and credible examination of the long-standing global cover up and mystery involving unidentified aerial phenomenon.  Including shocking testimony from high-ranking government and military officials, NASA Astronauts, and riveting never-before seen footage, the timely film also reveals the monumental events behind the NY Times’ recent bombshell disclosure of The Pentagon’s secret UFO Program, and provides eye-opening evidence that mankind is not alone in the universe.

See it on October 6th.

Pre-order the film here: https://geni.us/ThePhenomenon

With over 2 million views of the trailer within 24 hours, this film is sure to make a lot of noise. The hot topic film debuts just ahead of the presidential election, and on the heels the Pentagon’s announcement that Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist approved the establishment of an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF), which will fall under the Navy. “The Department of Defense established the UAPTF to improve its understanding of, and gain insight into, the nature and origins of UAPs,” the Pentagon said. “The mission of the task force is to detect, analyze and catalog UAPs that could potentially pose a threat to U.S. national security.”

Chairman of the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator Marco Rubio, recently publicly said: “We have things flying over our military bases and places where we are conducting military exercises, and we don’t know what it is and it isn’t ours, so that’s a legitimate question to ask.”

Senator Harry Reid says “The Phenomenon is meritorious. It makes the incredible credible.” Former Senior CIA Officer Jim Semivan, calls it “The most important documentary of the year and the most accurate examination of the world’s greatest mystery.”

Narrated by Peter Coyote, the film includes Senator Harry Reid, President Clinton, President Ford, John Podesta, White House Chief of Staff for Clinton and advisor to Obama, Governor Bill Richardson, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, Christopher Mellon, NASA Astronauts, Governor Fife Symington, George Knapp, and Dr. Jacques Vallee, who was portrayed in Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind.