| When the shark attacked in Jaws, we were on | | | | theme that just didn't exist in the book. |
| the boat. While E.T. stayed at Elliot's house, we | | | | One can understand the treatment that 'Intruders' |
| were there too. When the Aliens moved their ship | | | | received because it was directed by Dan Curtis. |
| above Roy Neary's electric truck and gave him | | | | Famous for his 'Dark Shadows' vampire soap |
| that famous sunburn in Close Encounters of the | | | | opera of the 1960's and 1970's, Curtis is a |
| Third Kind, we were in the truck as well. | | | | legitimate force to be reckoned with when it |
| However, this film takes things a step further. | | | | comes to covering horror and fantasy on film. |
| War of the Worlds takes place in our world, not | | | | Sadly, he lacked the Spielberg touch of being able |
| some unfamiliar past or vague future. The film | | | | to marry fact and fiction without distorting most |
| makes you feel like a contestant on Survivor. | | | | of the fact. It was when Spielberg dropped the |
| The television reality show feel of this film is what | | | | ball with a UFO fact-based series that I got upset. |
| makes it something new. In this case, new is | | | | I have always believed that real facts about |
| good, very good! The Sci-Fi film genre has been | | | | UFOs, the paranormal and the unexplained are far |
| languishing over the past few years from an | | | | more interesting then any fictional stories I have |
| overdose of special effects combined with | | | | ever come across. That's exactly why Hollywood |
| mediocre story lines that have left moviegoers | | | | has borrowed from actual events involving these |
| uninspired. 'War of the Worlds' has the same | | | | topics to create some of the most exciting and |
| potential to inject some life into sci-fi | | | | profitable fictional film and television projects of all |
| entertainment that 'The Matrix' did when the first | | | | time. It's when filmmakers try to create a hybrid |
| installment hit the screens a few years ago. | | | | of reality mixed with fantasy and sell it as fact |
| There is little doubt that this movie will generate | | | | that things go bad and the public is misled. |
| some major box office numbers, however, what | | | | Steven Spielberg was the executive producer of |
| effect will it have on the way the public views the | | | | the 2002 mini-series entitled 'Taken.' The ten |
| top of Aliens? We celebrated the fiftieth | | | | episode project was based on the fascinating |
| anniversary of the famous Orson Welles 1938 | | | | theme of multi-generational UFO abductions and |
| dramatized radio broadcast of 'War of the Worlds' | | | | possible government involvement or intervention |
| in 1988. A number of UFO conferences were held | | | | with them. The problem I have with this series is |
| throughout the world that year to recognize the | | | | that it over-stepped and blurred the line between |
| anniversary. Many in the UFO research community | | | | fact and fiction. The promotions for the series |
| felt and still feel this was a mistake. Their concern, | | | | and the episodes themselves left viewers with |
| and it's a legitimate one, is that the line between | | | | the impression that what was being presented |
| UFO fact and fantasy becomes blurred anytime | | | | was factual in nature. In reality, the series was |
| the entertainment world covers a paranormal | | | | based more on the various theories surrounding |
| topic. They feel such ventures should be ignored | | | | the subject of UFO Abduction and the |
| or even discouraged. I disagree. | | | | government cover-up of that activity then the |
| When 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' | | | | facts themselves. |
| appeared on movie screens in the late 1970's, | | | | According to the ratings, 'Taken' was not the |
| much of the film was based on real events. Noted | | | | success that I believe those who created it had |
| UFO researcher, scientist and Project Bluebook | | | | hoped for. Given the fact that a fascinating |
| detractor, Dr. J.Allen Hynek, was a consultant to | | | | subject was distorted and left to drown in a sea |
| the project. That Steven Spielberg film had a | | | | of pessimistic drama, that is no wonder. It's one |
| very positive effect on UFO research. People who | | | | thing to take amazing facts and build a fascinating |
| had simply dismissed UFOs out of hand took the | | | | story around them, but quite another to alter |
| time to take a second look. Many who had | | | | those facts to create something that doesn't |
| believed the never ending stream of negative | | | | even begin to resemble the truth and sell it as |
| UFO propaganda from a majority of the scientific | | | | fact. |
| community were now willing to consider the | | | | 'War of the Worlds' keeps it simple. The film |
| possibility that Aliens may be visiting our Earth. | | | | takes the concept of Aliens visiting the Earth and |
| Most objective researchers involved with studying | | | | examines what would happen if they have hostile |
| UFOs have no problem with fictional | | | | intentions and decide to take the Conquistador |
| entertainment projects based on information they | | | | approach. It creates an all out invasion scenario |
| present as fact. It's when Hollywood takes a | | | | similar to the theme that 'Independence Day' was |
| factual UFO case or specific subject within the | | | | based on. As far as truth goes, I'm afraid that |
| field and distorts the truth that we get upset. | | | | any real hostile Aliens from an advanced civilization |
| When 'Intruders' became a TV mini-series split | | | | that might desire to control our world would gain |
| into three episodes in 1992, most UFO | | | | the upper hand through subtle and far more |
| researchers were extremely optimistic about the | | | | sinister processes unimaginable to us. |
| project. Based on the non-fiction book by UFO | | | | I recommend 'War of the Worlds.' As sci-fi |
| Abductions researcher and noted Artist, Budd | | | | entertainment, it's a stand-out film that will take |
| Hopkins, the mini-series had a deep well from | | | | you away from drab reality for a few hours and |
| which to draw from when it came to fascinating | | | | propel you into an exciting story you will want to |
| material. Unfortunately, the film turned out to be | | | | experience more then once. As a sci-fi film based |
| a drab melodrama that largely mocked the UFO | | | | on the subject of Aliens, it does no harm to the |
| Abductions Investigator character based on Budd | | | | factual study of Aliens and reminds us all that we |
| and tried to create some sort of conspiratorial | | | | are not alone. |