Transhuman (2017)

Last night, I decided to spend my time focused on Twin Peaks: The Return, and I am glad that I did. This past episode was one of the most satisfying of the series and I can’t wait to see the final night. I did watch a couple flicks on Saturday and I have to finish those reviews. The first one is the 2017 low budget flick Transhuman.

Plot/ Transhuman follows a young journalist into the underbelly of a transhumanist cult, spanning generations leading back to the Nazi’s during World War II.

I picked this one up at Family Video on a whim, mostly because the combination of journalism and cults seem to go together nicely. Unfortunately, the synopsis was the best part of the film. Okay, the acting, the production values, and the scenery were not bad either, but those facets are wasted in the film. Unfortunately, the lack of depth within the storyline truly takes its toll, especially for those that do not quite understand the transhumanism movement. In case you don’t know, Transhumanism is an international intellectual movement that wants to alter humanity by using technologies to enhance intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities. Actually, a pretty deep subject that was lost somewhere among the multiple flashbacks that overwhelm this film. In the end, this one really does nothing to make it likable and it is in no way memorable. Stay away from it at all cost.

Red Planet Mars (1952)

After watching Slugs last night, I decided that I wanted to watch some type of classic sci-fi tale. After some searching, I settled on the 1952 entry Red Planet Mars.

Plot/ An American scientist is able to contact and communicate with Mars with shattering political, economic, and spiritual repercussions.

This one is an entertaining and interesting film that is definitely more of an intellectual drama than a pure sci-fi flick. Released during the early part of the Cold War, the sentiments of the day with the communist hysteria is evident throughout. Hell, this could have been one of the flicks that educated McCain and Feinstein on the Russian threat. The acting is solid, the cinematography excellent, and the storyline does have some twists that make it a fun watch. Yes, there are some strong religious overtones, there are no real action sequences or effects, and the flow is a touch choppy, but those are not deal breakers. In the end, this was a fun watch and a movie that does embrace the thoughts and attitudes of that era. Not for everyone, but a movie that should be seen.

Another Look at Hollow Earth

The world is a crazy place, and just one look around will show that science and history are at a crossroad. Many of the scientific or historic items that were once embraced as fact are now slowly being proven to be myths. Water on Mars and the potential that life once existed on the famed red planet are just a couple of items that have made headline news in the past few years (NASA, n.d.). What about here on Earth, do similar hypothesis exist? Absolutely, and one such concept is the potential of life existing inside the planet, or something known as Hollow Earth theory.

For years, skeptics around the world have dismissed this theory as insanity or impossible. After all, geologists study the structural make-up of the planet and have for hundreds of years, and no definitive proof has been discovered to back up this theory.  However, the same thing could have been said about water on Mars until NASA made their announcement in September (Chang, 2015). This discovery definitely changed history, and in many ways, opened the door for more exploration of our own planet and the solar system in search of life.

Why does Hollow Earth sound familiar?

While many in society have probably heard of this theory inside some of the epic science fiction tales crafted by authors such as Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and even Edgar Allen Poe. What most people do not realize is that Hollow Earth theory has actually been debated and researched for generations (Storr, 2014). One look at ancient history will show that there are many accounts recorded on stone tablets from the earliest cultures depicting strange creatures that live inside the Earth. These accounts are not just discussed by historians, scholars such as Plato, Edmond Halley, and Leonard Euler all made suggestions on the possibility that the Earth could be hollow.

Even scientists in this modern era debate topics exactly like this one. Honestly, what do we really know about the planet or Solar System? Most of the facts that are written about in textbooks are theoretical at best, and when challenged, some seem to fall flat. In 2015 alone, multiple laboratories broke long accepted laws of physics with their experiments (Moskowitz, 2015). When you couple those discoveries in physics with the discovery of water on Mars, it should not be a surprise to see that many modern scientists have theorized on the hollow nature of the Earth (Walia, 2013). Of course, like most of the discoveries made by ancient astronaut theorists, the majority of discoveries made outside of government agencies remain far from the mainstream news cycle.

Who is Admiral Byrd and what is in his diary?

No discussion of Hollow Earth theory could be complete without talking about renowned explorer, Admiral Richard Byrd; the first person credited for flying over the North Pole in 1926  (PBS, n.d.). While this was a great achievement, it was what Byrd reportedly wrote about in his diary after one of his explorations, and at times talked about in mostly dismissed interviews that plant the seed that he discovered more than just poles on his many expeditions (UFOman, 2014). Could this be true? Could he have discovered something inside the Earth? According to many, including ancient astronaut theorists, the answer is yes.

Inside his diary, there are claims of a great society full of strange and mysterious beings. In fact, it goes as far as saying that he saw many different creatures and vast technologies that we could only dream of ("Admiral Byrd Diary | Admiral Byrds diary," n.d.). With all of the unexplained ancient cultural achievements, would it be too much to consider that they received help from some type of advanced civilization? This type of thought cannot be easily dismissed when one looks at the ancient societies and their appreciation and reverence of the underworld.

Hitler, Hollow Earth, and the Mayan Calendar.

Hollow Earth theory may still seem like a stretch of the imagination, which would be a valid conclusion since no published map has an entrance outlined in bold. Yet, maps do exist that do show that these openings do exist. Many people have heard the stories about Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party searching for mystical artifacts and occult items during World War 2. However, it was a quest for Hollow Earth that led the German soldiers and scientists to Antarctica during the war and actually creating a map of their discovery (Indigo Society, 2014). Incredibly, this map matches another, more famous, ancient artifact that most people across the globe have at least heard of.

If you compare the German map with the Mayan Calendar, you will see that they almost align perfectly ("Mayan long count," n.d.). Both have multiple openings to the underworld, with the primary openings sitting at the North and South Pole positions, as well as smaller openings that relate to locations such as Brazil, Mammoth Caves, Dero Caves, and the volcanoes in Italy, which are rumored to be openings into this underground region. While this may seem like a theoretical observation, the reality is that some of it would explain the cultural practices, historical artifacts, and God worship in the Mayan civilization (Guillermoprieto, 2013). This visual relationship should also be enough to lend more credibility to those who subscribe to ancient astronaut theory, as many of the historical sights discussed by these researchers sit in and around many of the ancient cultures that demonstrated a still unexplained technological output.

Why not go to the entrances of Hollow Earth to solve the mystery?

With a theory that many believe is crazy, one would think that there would be an easy way to prove the answer. Unfortunately, many obstacles stand in the way of researchers, especially when they attempt to take on some of the more logical questions of this theory. Exploring the major openings, specifically the large alleged entrances at the North and South Poles would be the most obvious. However, that is virtually impossible, with governmental controls and treaties in place to prevent civilian exploration of these areas (United Nations, n.d.). In fact, that United Nations Treaty is one of the only continent-based agreements that have been ratified by every major super-power.

The question that should come to mind is why? Why is it so hard to explore these major entrances and why is it virtually impossible for civilians to explore these regions? Those are great questions, with a simple theoretic answer. With almost every cave system on the continents connected in some way, it would be almost impossible to navigate them with any accuracy, and few if any maps exist to assist in that type of venture. Under the guise of the United Nations, governments prevent civilian exploration and limit access to the potential resources and technologies that have been rumored to exist in Hollow Earth.

More than that, unveiling the truth that a technologically advanced world survives in the depths of our planet could cause catastrophic ripples within major parts of society. Everything from history, to science, and religion could fall into the crosshairs of questioning, and a majority of what was taught throughout the centuries would have to be discounted. Not only would this cause turmoil in these areas, it could also potentially cause mass hysteria across the globe in a world that already has a lack of trust with the governments of the world.

Is it true; is the Earth Hollow?

With such diverse data existing inside the historical and scientific realms of study, it is hard to discount Hollow Earth theory as impossible or insanity. While there is not a ton of concrete evidence floating around for the world to digest on the topic, there is enough to make people wonder. Coupled with the way that it is constantly being proven that what society is being told is not necessarily the truth, and the way governments and organizations suppress knowledge and documents, the idea that the Earth is hollow definitely appears a valid theory, and a potential discovery that could change the world forever.

References

Admiral Byrd Diary | Admiral Byrds diary. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.admiralbyrddiary.com/AdmiralByrdDiary/index.php

Chang, K. (2015, September 28). Mars shows signs of having flowing water, possible niches for life, NASA says. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/29/science/space/mars-life-liquid-water.html?_r=0

Guillermoprieto, A. (2013, August). Secrets of the Maya Otherworld. Retrieved from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/08/sacred-cenotes/guillermoprieto-text

Indigo Society. (2014, April 15). Inner Earth?(South/North Pole). Retrieved from http://indigosociety.com/the-living-earth/inner-earth-south-north-pole-t78754.html

Mayan long count. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://mayan-calendar.com/ancient_longcount.html

Moskowitz, C. (2015, September 9). 2 accelerators find particles that may break known laws of physics. Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/2-accelerators-find-particles-that-may-break-known-laws-of-physics1/

NASA. (n.d.). Mars, water & life. Retrieved from https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msp98/why.html

NASA. (n.d.). Earth Rise. Retrieved from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=86453&picture=earth-rise

PBS. (n.d.). The American experience | alone on the ice | people & events | Richard E. Byrd. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/ice/peopleevents/pandeAMEX86.html

Storr, W. (2014, July 13). Hollow Earth Conspiracy theories: the hole truth. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10961412/Hollow-Earth-conspiracy-theories-the-hole-truth.html

UFOman. (2014, April 19). Admiral Richard E Byrd - Hollow Earth video interview [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzWHqooAJtM

United Nations. (n.d.). Disarmament Treaties Database: Antarctic Treaty. Retrieved from http://disarmament.un.org/treaties/t/antarctic

Walia, A. (2013, August 26). Mind blowing research suggests that Earth could actually be hollow. Retrieved from http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/08/26/mind-blowing-research-suggests-that-earth-could-actually-be-hollow/

Zombie Massacre 2: Reich of the Dead (2015)

I have taken a couple of days off to focus solely on my book project After the Static. Of course, as I am writing, I love to have some horror on in the background to help me stay focused. One of the movies that aided my cause is the 2015 entry Zombie Massacre 2: Reich of the Dead.

Plot/ Set in the WWII it tells the story of a bunch of American soldiers fighting against a horde of zombies created by the Nazis using the prisoners of the camps.

First off, I can’t say that I ever heard of Zombie Massacre and had no idea that there could be a sequel. After seeing this one at Family Video, I was interested in the story even though I figured that it would be littered with the same clichéd moments as most in the arena and I was right. While I did not find it the worst zombie flick I have watched, I really think that this one had a chance to be more than it was. Between the head scratching decisions, the flat characters, and the story that was rather incoherent, there was nothing really memorable. This one was really inconsistent in every aspect (even for a low budgeted film) including the effects and cinematography. In the end, while I was excited to venture back into the zombie genre as I am working on my first zombie-themed novel, this may not have been my best choice. Stay away, I am sure there are much better options out there.

31 (2016)

As I was sitting here last night I realized that I was two posts away from hitting 1500 here on The Ringmaster's Realm and was debating what movie I wanted to review for that post. After some debate, I finally decided on a movie I feel that must be seen and truly embraced. While that movie will be reviewed tomorrow, for tonight, I have the 2016 Rob Zombie flick 31.

Plot/ Five carnival workers are kidnapped and held hostage in an abandoned, Hell-like compound where they are forced to participate in a violent game, the goal of which is to survive twelve hours against a gang of sadistic clowns.

Having decided to watch this as one of the first films on the new television, I was unsure of what to expect. Rob Zombie is one of the most polarizing filmmakers out there, and his films often sit in the love/hate realm. For me, I love his material, not because it is artistic masterpiece, but because it is a flashback to some of the no-budget grindhouse flicks from my youth. In this case, there is nothing much I can truly say about 31, as it is a trip into violence and gore. Sure, it lacks a coherent plot, it is full of mindless murders, blood, and guts, and the characterization is all over the place. It is what it is, a strange journey into the depraved mind of Rob Zombie. In the end, 31 is a movie that will be polarizing and a movie many will hate. Sure, I thought that it could be better, but it was a fun trip into the 1970s.

The Imitation Game (2014)

Having spent some time with true stories such as Black Mass, I decided to stay with that type of film for one more entry prior to getting back into horror (which is coming with Plan Z, Phantasm V Ravager, and 31). The final true story is the 2014 biopic The Imitation Game.

Plot/ Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain's top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II.

Being in a mood for true stories, I followed up Black Mass with this one and I am glad I did. This is one of the best biopic films to come out in some time and features a tremendous cast led by Benedict Cumberbatch. This film has a lot going for it including an awesome script, tight cinematography and direction, emotional and solid performances, and true backstory that must be seen. The events played out in this movie (and true story) definitely are part of a historic event that changed the face of the planet during World War II. Yes, there may have been a few historical inaccuracies sprinkled in with locations and such, but those are but small flaws that were easily overlooked as part of this important, yet saddening story of true genius that died for all the wrong reasons after being destroyed by an intolerant society. In the end, this was an outstanding movie and a story that everyone should know about. I highly recommend that you check it out.  

Sharkenstein (2016)

After finishing American Crime Story: The People Vs. OJ Simpson, I decided to jump back into some low budget horror tonight before diving back into AHS: Hotel. After doing that though, I quickly realized I made a mistake with my selection: 2016s Sharkenstein.

Plot/ In the final days of World War II, a secret experiment to weaponize sharks is shut down and destroyed by the Third Reich. But now 60 years later, a bloodthirsty, mysterious creature plagues a small ocean town, one built and reanimated using parts of the greatest killers to ever inhabit in the sea - the Sharkenstein monster!

While I expected this one to be bad, a small part of me held out hope that I was wrong. Unfortunately, my instincts were right, and this one quickly landed on the list as one of the worst films I have seen in some time. Actually, I would rate it beneath the presidential debates (which could be taken as horror/comedies from a certain perspective). There is really nothing redeemable in this film. The special effects range from bad to worse, the CGI horrible (I know it is an effect, but it is THAT bad), the scripting is flat, and the overall quality is just not there. Yes, I am a fan of no-budget horror, but this has nothing that I could immerse myself into to make it worthwhile. In the end, this is one of the worst shark films that I have seen, and would even be bad for a SyFy Channel original. Stay away, it is really not worth the 73 minutes that I took to watch it. However, if you do want to see something that is a true piece of independent horror cinema, check out THIS video from Project Veritas. 

Green Room (2015)

After sitting through my share of low budget anthologies recently, I figured it was time to change some things up. Last night, following a trip to Family Video, I decided to give 2015s Green Room a chance.

Plot/ A band straying into a secluded part of the Pacific Northwest stumbles onto a horrific act of violence. Because they are the only witnesses, they become the targets of a terrifying gang of skinheads who want to make sure all the evidence is eliminated.

After a couple of uneven entries, this one changed all of my frustrations. An intense thriller, this one definitely falls closer to horror than the thriller genre. The acting is solid throughout, the scripting does a masterful job at creating atmosphere and tension while keeping the movie realistic, and the tone/pace of the film and violence is perfect. While I enjoyed the entire package, some viewers may not like all of the violence and the realism created in this world. To me, that is the only potential downfall of the film. In the end, if you enjoy violent and tension filled movies, this one is definitely for you; check it out!

Zombie Lake (1981)

I had a few minutes when I got home as the wife and daughters went to a matinee to see some chick flicks. With that time, I spent some time watching Ancient Aliens, along with the 1981 schlockfest Zombie Lake.

Plot/ In small villages, somewhere in France, German soldiers, killed and thrown into the lake by the Resistance during WW II, come back.

This film by Jean Rollin is a train wreck and possibly one of the cheesiest zombie flicks ever made. Yes, it does feature a ton of nudity, some decent underwater cinematography, and a couple of decent shots, but that in no way can save this schlockfest in any way. The special effects and make-up are laughable, the acting beyond amateurish, the lake a joke, and the script by Jess Franco is incoherent at best. In the end, there were a couple of entertaining moments, but it is nowhere enough to make this a good movie. Sure, it may be hilarious because of the schlock-factor, but at best, it is a 90-minute time waster.

Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)

What is my favorite movie of all time? For some of you that answer should be easy; for other, maybe not. Yes, I do love no-budget horror and slashers, and yes, Jason Voorhees is one of my favorite characters, but my favorite movie is not one of those. Sure, some might find it cliché, but honestly, this is one movie that made a lasting impression on me in my youth. That movie is The Exorcist. Of course, there were other films in that series, and incredibly, I have ignored them on here. So, to start catching up on the franchise is Exorcist: The Beginning.

Plot/ Years before Father Lancaster Merrin helped save Regan MacNeil's soul, he first encounters the demon Pazuzu in East Africa. This is the tale of Father Merrins’ initial battle with Pazuzu and the rediscovery of his faith.

In this prequel for the classic flick The Exorcist, there is a lot to like. However, this movie is often discounted and forgot. Sure, there is the controversy between this version and Dominion, but this is a decent movie. With the Exorcist being my favorite movie of all time, I love this back story and feel they created an atmospheric movie that had some solid effects, decent acting and detailed storyline. Sure, some of the scripting was off, there were some pacing issues and the ending felt a tad rushed, but it was still entertaining. In the end, this may not be the best prequel to ever come about, but it is better than many give it credit for. If you have not seen it, watch it. If you have seen it in the past, revisit it, this one may surprise you!

Iron Sky (2012)

Having finished Jericho, I decided I need something with a lighter mood to close out my weekend and I found just the movie. Yet, it honestly reminded me of the veterans of our past and the sacrifices they made. Of course, with Monday being Veterans Day, it is hard not to think of all those who served our great nation and all of the great people I served with during my career in the Navy. For all veterans new and old, Happy Veterans Day! Oh, what movie did I choose? I decided upon the 2012 action/comedy Iron Sky. 

Plot/ The Nazis set up a secret base on the dark side of the moon in 1945 where they hide out and plan to return to power in 2018.

This is a flick that I have debated about for some time. Now that I have watched it, I can see why there was debate in my head. This cheesy schlock-fest is one of the most unrealistic and strange flicks I have seen in some time. Yet, because it is so cheesy and unrealistic, it creates a fun and entertaining vibe throughout the movie. Honestly, it is one that is so stupid it is funny. Yes, the performances are uneven at best; there is some solid visual effects and decent action. In the end, this is one of the entertaining flicks the will be polarizing, loved and hated. Personally, I could not stop laughing, as it was one of the most ridiculous movies I have seen in some time. Check it out and decide for yourself.