Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Alienated PSYOPs appeal: A Film Review

*full disclosure: an online screener of this film was provided by One Way or Another Productions/George Katt

Director/writer: Brian Ackley.

Cast: George Katt, Jen Burry and Taylor Negron.

Alien encounter/abduction scenarios are sometimes tough to play out on screen. In this day and age where interest in UFOs is at an all time high due to TV shows like "Hangar 1: The UFO Files" and fangled conspiracies through "Ancient Aliens," just what does not often get explored are the existential issues witnesses feel when they realize how insignificant they are in a greater, cosmic sense.

Alienated is an aptly titled independent movie that delves into the psychological domain where Nate (George Katt, In the Gray) finds himself caught between a rock and a hard place. After sighting an unidentified flying object, he has relationship issues with his wife Paige (Jen Burry, Land of Smiles) and existential woes whom Griffin (Taylor Negron, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Vamps), a blind neighbour, explains in metaphysical terms that he does not fully comprehend. This couple may have been happy once, but after Nate's close encounter of the first kind, his life has become very uncertain. Every time he tries to bring up his feelings with his wife, what happens is their frustration simmering in brutal ways. Paige doesn't believe his encounter is real and that's just one aspect of their conflict this film nicely explores as their relationship moves towards self-destruction.

The terror found here is very isolating, as neither protagonists are able to find shelter from each other's verbal assaults. The pacing is very slow and the reward is in seeing what the outcome will be. The performances by Katt and Burry are very strong, the script is a thoughtfully written one by Brian Ackley and the cinematography by Donald Murray is fantastic. The fabric of this visual presentation suggests all is not pristine in this world. If anyone going to this film is expecting Fire in the Sky type material, they will be in for a disappointment. This film uses PSYOPs to create the drama. No men in black are needed here as the leads do a great job at terrorizing each other. Just what Griffin represents is perhaps the best part. His purpose in the film is not simply to deliver the pizza like he did from Fast Times. He provides useful insights about the human condition to wrap up this film.

Overall: 7.5 out of 10.

A fan page for the film is available here:

Alienated on Facebook

Ed has his own Blog, found here:

Ed Sum at Otakuno Culture


Recommended release: Parallels at Amazon


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