Creature from Black Lake (1976)

Sometimes I search for some weird stuff while working and this week that has happened a lot. With my side job with Titans Wire keeping me busy, I am finally able to sit back and catch up on some of the movies that caught my eye. This one was one I haven’t watched in decades and was excited to see it streaming on Amazon, the 1976 bigfoot inspired Creature from Black Lake.

Plot: Two men exploring the Louisiana swamps encounter a Bigfoot-type creature.

As much as The Legend of Boggy Creek inspired me to get into researching the unexplained, this one may rank a pretty close second. This is another example of the classic B-Movie creature features that influenced a generation. This low budget film is a more entertaining overall film than Boggy Creek and takes on the subject in an interesting way. The documentary style really works and this one does offer some suspense. While the performances are uneven and some of the cinematography doesn’t hold up, for the low budget and time period this is a decent entry and entertaining. In the end, this one definitely should be viewed in the same way many hold the Legend of Boggy Creek. This one is a drive-in special and an interesting watch. 

Mountain Devil 2 (2022)

The cold is starting to frustrate me a little,  although it is so much warmer here in Virginia Beach than it was when I was at home in Pennsylvania last week.  While I was there I didn't time thinking about my days in the cryptid and paranormal community.  When I got back yesterday I decided to continue that with a Mountain Devil marathon. Next up is 2022s Mountain Devil 2. 

Plot: In 1976 a book was published titled "The Creature" that swept over Bigfoot enthusiasts and researchers all over the state of Pennsylvania. Since then, it has been the most quoted work on the subject of Bigfoot. But, who was the author and was there any truth in the story?

To me,  movies like this are more about the information and story than the overall quality and technical aspects. This low budget investigative docudrama has an interesting story and drives into a unique piece of Pennsylvanian lore. While less about Bigfoot itself and more of an investigation into the origin and Prentiss truths in the book The Creature, this one is a mixture of interviews and dramatizations based on excerpts from the book.  Featuring a large group out local investigators,  it movie does provide some insight into the research that has taken place. Unfortunately,  this one did drag a little and did not really drive into the Bigfoot mythos. Something that will definitely turn off some enthusiasts that are looking for a straight forward documentary.  Fortunately for me,  having grown up in the area, the focus on the local lore kept me engaged throughout. While there are side solid cinematography aspects,  some of the material feels underwhelming and that does seem to impact the pace.  In the end,  this one won't be for all cryptid enthusiasts,  but if you enjoy a piece based on a legend and the potential research of that legend,  give it a shot.  

UFO: The Truth About Flying Saucers (1956)

This weather here in Virginia Beach has been miserable with it feeling more like I live in Florida than Virginia. But,  even with the weather,  it has not been a terrible week. I did get to see both The Empire Strikes Back and Asteroid City at the NARO and catch some other movie.  Something weird did happen on my last selection though,  I chose a 2018 movie called UFO and what strange was a 1956 documentary/movie called UFO: The Truth About Flying Saucers.

Plot: Interviews and documentary footage combine with the fictional story of an air-force pilot who encounters aliens.

Considering the age of this docudrama, this is an amazingly informative movie. Using actual Military documents and footage with a somewhat fictional story to help navigate the material was a great way to put forth the matter-of-fact approach to the material is refreshing.  This is especially true when comparing it to the documentaries that have overtaken every streaming service on the subject matter. As a researcher, it is really interesting that there are still many similarities between the different decades when it comes to the subject matter. In fact, in many ways, it may be a more accurate capsule of the UFO topic. Yes, is does move slowly and doesnt have the flair of the modern UFO documentary, but it is likely more realistic acting as a real news piece unlike the feeling and interpretation driven approach that litters every  documentary today. This one definitely presented the material and presented the material in a way that allows the viewer to make their own decision on what they believe instead of attempting to steer a narrative. This may not be for everyone, but any serious UFO buff should love it. I did and totally recommend it.

Butterfly Kisses (2018)

After a few day hiatus to get the house in order for my mother's visit and to enjoy my birthday, I finally have some time to sit back and relax.  During this days,  I did spend some time watching a few shows and movies. One that I found interesting was the found footage mockumentary Butterfly Kisses.

Plot: filmmaker discovers a box of videotapes depicting a disturbing student film project about an urban legend known as Peeping Tom. As he sets out to prove the footage is real, he becomes obsessed, along with the film crew following him.

Found Footage movies can always be a mixed bag and for a while I stayed away from them because it felt so repetitive. However, I seem to be on a hit streak, vacate this makes 2 in a row that I have thoroughly enjoyed.  This one has an interesting premise and is both somewhat comedic and mysterious. I really liked the way the footage was InfoPath into a rather layered storyline.  The performances were solid,  everything went together,  and there was a touch of atmosphere.  Sure,  there were a few bumpy moments in it, but those didn't really hurt what turned into an intriguing character study. If you like found footage,  check this one out. Oh, one last thing,  didn't Peeping Tom somewhat similar to the Hat Man?

Horror in the High Desert (2021)

Monday's are usually a day that I try to get caught up on stuff from the weekend,  especially with shipping items from weekend sales and planning out listings for the week.  Yesterday was much of the same, except for the traffic early in the day.  When I finally settled down,  I decided to check out 2021s Horror in the High Desert. 

Plot: Friends and loved ones gather to recall the events leading to an experienced outdoor enthusiast's disappearance in northern Nevada.

I will admit,  when I saw this one I thought it was a documentary and didn't realize that it was a found footage/mockumentary. In fact,  it felt that way until the last segment of the movie.  Based on a true story,  the scripting and performances were extremities believable and did really well.  Sure the first hour was slow,  but the ending sequence definitely picked up the pace. Overall, this movie was a great example of low budget indie filmmaking complete with a believable atmosphere, an intriguing story, and great character development.  If you like found footage/mockumentary style movies, check this one out.

Mindhunter - Season One (2017)

After finishing my binge of Salem, I was drawn in by the idea of creating a true crime series off a nonfiction best seller. What I found was amazing, as the Netflix Original series Mindhunter is truly captivating.

Plot/ In the late 1970s, two FBI agents expand criminal science by delving into the psychology of murder and getting uneasily close to all-too-real monsters.

Having read Mindhunter when it came out, I was fascinated by the subject matter. When I found the show on Netflix, I had no idea what to expect, but what I found was better than I would have imagined. With a heavy atmosphere and dark storyline, the show comes across in much the same manner as the true crime serial killer entry Zodiac (a must see by the way). While the series does differ from many crime dramas, with little to no actual crime scene visits, the information and power of the dialog truly bring this true crime series to life. The series features solid characters that are perfectly captured by the outstanding cast and their performances, dark and detailed cinematography, and an amazing storyline. Yes, the pacing at times can feel uneven and there is little mystery involved in the overall plot, but those elements are easily overlooked. In the end, it appears that Netflix has hit another home run with this true crime drama. Mindhunter is a tremendous achievement and a show that demonstrates the power of storytelling in a truly educational psychological drama.

Lore (2017)

I know that I have been in a retro mood lately, but I decided to change things up as we creep closer to Halloween. With that in mind, I decided to marathon the Amazon Prime series Lore.

Plot/ This anthology series brings to life Aaron Mahnke's "Lore" podcast and uncovers the real-life events that spawned our darkest nightmares. Blending dramatic scenes, animation, archive, and narration, Lore reveals how our horror legends - such as vampires, werewolves, and body snatchers - are rooted in truth.

This was a series that I was actually looking forward to seeing. As a huge fan of folklore and the supernatural, this seemed right up my alley. Now that I have watched all six episodes, I can tell that this will be one of those series that falls into the love/hate category and there will be little middle ground. For me, I thoroughly enjoyed the series and found it both entertaining and informative. Yes, it was not perfect, but the positives definitely outweighed the negatives. The subject matter was awesome and there were some interesting elements sprinkled in, the combination of narration and reenactments provided a nice blend of storytelling techniques, and the production values were solid. Yes, the pacing felt uneven, the performances seemed a bit flat and subdued, and there were times, where the episodes jumped in odd ways, but those elements did not deter my viewing experience. I felt that the best episodes were They Made a Tonic and Black Stockings, while my least favorite was Passing Notes, which seemed to drag on a bit and try to pack way too much information into the allotted time. In the end, I found this series a worthwhile watch. Sure, it has some flaws during the transition from podcast to show, but that is to be expected. It is definitely a series that has potential and they should be able to build upon and fix the flaws as they move forward.

Hell House LLC (2015)

Last night after a couple of episodes of season two of Salem, I decided that I wanted to see something based in a different style. After searching my streaming services, I settled on the 2015 entry Hell House LLC.

Plot/ Five years after an unexplained malfunction causes the death of 15 tour-goers and staff on the opening night of a Halloween haunted house tour, a documentary crew travels back to the scene of the tragedy to find out what really happened.

When I saw this one on Amazon Prime it seemed like something different and the premise seemed interesting, so I gave it a shot. I am glad that I did, as this was one of the better found-footage/mockumentaries that I have seen in some time. This one stands out in that overcrowded genre featuring some solid performances, a strong and interesting storyline that mixes the found footage and documentary styles seamlessly, decent pacing, and enough added scared to make it feel right and not forced. Of course, it is not a perfect flick having a few dialog hiccups and the tension never seems to reach its full potential, but those issues are easy to overlook. In the end, this was definitely one of the best movies to come out in the genre and a movie that must be seen. If you have not watched it yet, give it a shot.

Phoenix Forgotten (2017)

After doing some softball drills with a couple players last night, I decided last night that I was going to step away from the computer and relax. Plus, I had Shin Godzilla to watch and wanted to focus on that. However, that is not the next movie up for review, that movie is the 2017 mockumentary, Phoenix Forgotten.

Plot/ 20 years after three teenagers disappeared in the wake of mysterious lights appearing above Phoenix, Arizona, unseen footage from that night has been discovered, chronicling the final hours of their fateful expedition.

This was a movie that I wanted to see when it came out, but decided to wait for the video release. As a person that saw the live coverage of the Phoenix Lights on national television, I have always been convinced that more happened there that night than we will ever be told. For me, this was a interesting mockumentary that adds a fictional twist to the true story of the Phoenix Lights and a movie that had more than a few believable moments. The performances were decent, the storyline interesting, and the 1990s feel was spot on. Yes, this is partly a found footage flick, so that will likely turn some viewers off, the pacing was a touch slow early on, and the ending added some frustration, but overall those elements really did not detract from the feel of the film. In the end, keeping the true story of the Phoenix Lights is an extremely important endeavor and movies such as this will not let the world forget about that event. Sure, this movie isn’t perfect, but it also isn’t terrible. Check it out, you may be like me and enjoy it.  

Population Zero (2016)

After taking a night off because of a miserably long rain delay (and eventual washout) of the games at the USSSA Summer Showdown, I figured it was time to get back at it tonight. My next review was an interesting film, 2016s Population Zero.

Plot/ In 2009 three young men were killed in a remote part of Yellowstone National Park. The only thing more shocking than the crime itself, are the bizarre events that followed.

I had looked at this movie for some time at Family Video and could not figure out exactly what it was. After renting it, I was glad that I did because it was better that what I envisioned. This mockumentary does a great job at staying true to the documentary feel and keeps you guessing on whether all of it is true. The storyline is engaging, the cinematography amazing, and the performances are solid. Yes, the pacing was not perfect as the film was very dialog driven, but that was somewhat expected because of the documentary platform that was being created. In the end, if you are a fan of true mockumentaries that present believable storylines, give this one a shot. It is very entertaining.

Moth (2016)

Having just watched the documentary The Mothman of Point Pleasant as well as following the Owl Man sightings in Chicago, I have been motivated to spend some time in the field doing some research. Unfortunately, with this being the middle of travel softball season, this has not worked out the way I had hoped. To help ease some of the disappointment, I decided to kick back and watch the 2016 flick Moth.

Plot/ A teacher and her student travel to the European countryside to investigate 22 recent Mothman sighting reports, but what begins as an attempt to stop a catastrophe becomes a nightmarish fight for survival.

This found footage film does suffer through some of the typical problems that seem to always pop up in this realm; yet, it does add some elements that are not typically seen in the genre. More of a slow burn drama than straight found footage horror flick, this one comes away with a more realistic feel because of the dated look it has. Plus, there is an interesting twist added in that actually works within the storyline. Yes, the performances are uneven (especially with the lead actress); the dialog is laughable at best, and as usual, there are clichéd moments littered throughout. For me, this did not ruin the film, as the subject interests me and the low budget nature does allow for some flaws to be overlooked. In the end, this movie is far from perfect, but it is also far from the worst film in the found footage arena. Is it for everyone, no way, but it is somewhat entertaining and a decent way to pass some mindless time recovering from a long day.

Conspiracy Theory (2016)

I took last night off from the blog to kick back and relax. Sure, I was watching some things, but honestly did not feel like spending time at the computer typing. One of the movies I watched was the 2016 found footage mockumentary Conspiracy Theory.

Plot/ While filming in southern Nevada, a television crew discovers a terrifying truth lurking beneath the waters of Lake Mead.

When I saw this at Family Video, I was somewhat excited about the concept. Unfortunately, this excitement did not last throughout the film. What I found was nothing like the premise that I expected, yes, it was a parody and did have some laughable moments, for the most part, it felt too contrived and fell flat. The performances were extremely uneven, and much of the storyline was not memorable and made even less sense. True, some of the cinematography was outstanding and with an ultra-low budget, the film is well made and could have been a lot worse, but those were the best parts of the film. In the end, this one is not memorable in any way and I would not recommend paying for it. Be warned.

Operation Avalanche (2016)

Sometimes I just need to take a break away from the computer and such, and that was what I did last night while watching a solid conspiracy driven mockumentary. The moon landing may be one of the most famous conspiracy theories out there, and it is one that I have looked into more than a few times. To my surprise, I found a new movie dealing with that subject, 2016s Operation Avalanche.

Plot/ In 1967, four undercover CIA agents were sent to NASA posing as a documentary film crew. What they discovered led to one of the biggest conspiracies in American history.

When I saw this one at Family Video I was not really concerned about the quality or any other aspect, I was drawn to the storyline and subject matter. For better or worse, I love conspiracies and the moon landing is one of my favorite rabbit holes to go down. I am sure there are many out there that are in the same boat on that subject. Matt Johnson is one of the most inspirational filmmakers today. While this movie is not perfect and it does have some flaws, there were enough elements surrounding the story to make it an interesting take on this conspiracy. I loved the feel of the movie, as it definitely transported the viewer back to that period with a solid combination of soundtrack and cinematography. The idea of the story and the performances were also decent. However, the atmosphere and some of the scripting were uneven, plus the pacing was a bit choppy – all elements that detracted from the final product. In the end, this mockumentary was a different and entertaining look at possibly one of the greatest conspiracies of all time. If you are like me and are into conspiracies, give it a shot.

Bigfoot Chronicles (2013)

After a few days, I decided that I needed to be caught up with some of the films I had watched in recent weeks, but did not find time to review with everything that is going on. This past week was one of the worse for that. Next up from that list in the 2013 entry, Bigfoot Chronicles.

Plot/ A skeptical filmmaker is hired to document Bigfoot sightings. He travels to a hot spot of Bigfoot activity and pursues the wild beast. Along the way, he learns a lot about the illusive creature and in the process, he finds himself.

I am all for low budget cinema, especially when it involves a subject that sits close to my heart. In this case, though, I could have done without this one. This was one of the worst films on the subject of Bigfoot I have seen, with the famed creature standing as a mere afterthought to the dramatic elements and feelings of one of the characters. This one was nothing like I expected, and offered little to any viewer that was drawn in with title. The acting is uneven, the production values are lacking, and the make-up effects for the creature when it eventually makes it way to the screen are laughable at best. In the end, this was one that I wish I had skipped, there was nothing redeeming with it at all. Stay away; stay far away!

The Atticus Institute (2015)

While I was writing up my new theory on who, Supreme Leader Snoke is in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I needed something to help soothe my mind. To help me through this process, I decided to watch something different, the 2015 mockumentary, The Atticus Institute.

Plot/ In the fall of 1976, a small psychology lab in Pennsylvania became the unwitting home to the only government-confirmed case of possession. The U.S. military assumed control of the lab under orders of national security and, soon after, implemented measures aimed at arming the entity. The details of the inexplicable events that occurred are being made public after remaining classified for nearly forty years.

Found footage and mockumentary styled films are always hit and miss, and that is again the case with this one. While I loved the setting, the idea, and some of the cinematography and plot elements used, it did not come off as well as it started out. This had potential, especially with the governmental experiment ideas that were presented inside. Having grown up in that era, the rumored government experiments always drove conspiracy theories, and as we have discovered now (decades later) most of those conspiracies were true. Unfortunately, the movie never builds on the hypothetical theories it is built upon, and at times becomes extremely predictable and falls flat. In fact, I believe in this case, the mockumentary style is what derails this one (although the clichéd and overdone possession angles do not help either). In the end, there was really nothing new inside this one and it never builds a suspenseful atmosphere that will draw you in. Sure, it is not terrible, but it is also just average-not good for a movie in a flooded genre.

Spirit Stalkers (2012)

With the Christmas holiday behind us, it was time to move forward and get back to the blog. Needing something horror related, I decided to find something with a low budget indie feel, that movie, and my next review, is the 2012 entry Spirit Stalkers.

Plot/ The Spirit Stalkers reality show, once a big hit, faces cancellation without a ratings boost, which leads the investigative team to Gloria Talman, whose house is rampant with unexplained ghostly activity.

I am all for low budget horror, and was hoping that this one would be as good as some of the tags I saw on Twitter. Unfortunately, there was nothing scary or riveting inside this one and it came off as a bad behind the scenes of a ghost hunting reality show with some blood scattered throughout. Sure, the performances were not bad, the cinematic qualities were better than a lot of low budget films, and the ideologies portrayed with the paranormal investigations seemed realistic. However, there was not much else there to keep your attention. The effects were lacking (although with a low budget that was expected), and it was extremely predictable. In the end, there is nothing memorable here and in the end it will just mesh with the other low budget paranormal movies that have become all the rage in recent years.

Hangar 10 (2014)

Being a fan of aliens and UFOs, movies, especially any that are said to be loosely based on true stories always seem to draw me in. Unfortunately, there are times where you find some snoozers. That is the case with m next review, which was rather blah, the 2014 import, Hangar 10.

Plot/ 33 years after the infamous Rendlesham Forest UFO incident, three metal detector enthusiasts hunting for Saxon gold in the same region, capture incredible footage of UFO's whilst filming their expedition.

While I was in the mood for an UFO/Alien flick, it is unfortunate that this was my selection. Honestly, there was not really anything in the movie that was interesting or original. In fact, it was one of the most predictable and uninspiring UFO movies, I have watched in some time. The pacing is slow, and it is full of clichéd moments and underwhelming found footage moments. In the end, this one is the is really not worth watching, there is nothing there at all that will make it memorable or entertaining.