UFO History: November 28, 1980

With news breaking that there were UFO/UAP sightings here in Virginia Beach, I have to admit that I am a little disappointed I found out on X and did not encounter it myself. I will continue to look throughout the evening and will update if I see anything.

For our encounter today, we are turning back the clock to 1980 and the Alan Godfrey UFO Abduction Case. I found this on the Latest UFO Sightings webpage. 

The case took place in Todmorden, near West Yorkshire on November 28, 1980.

This is based on the experiences of Police Constable, Alan Godfrey and what he would encounter on a routine patrol. While out on the damp streets he encountered a bright, diamond-shaped object, that was suspended eerily above the ground. It was silent, massive, and unlike anything he had ever encountered. He tried to radio the station, but couldn’t raise anyone on the radio. 

He described the object as being 20 feet high and 14 feet wide, silent, yet possessing a force that affected the area in its vicinity.   Being a seasoned officer, he did sketch the object in his investigator journal. He also experienced time loss, losing roughly 30 minutes and discovering a split boot and an unexplained red mark on his foot. 

After the encounter, Godfrey underwent regression hypnosis where he remembered a beam of light, a strange room, and being surrounded by small beings and a humanoid figure. This account created a wide array of media attention, both good and bad. Attention that would cause a lot of personal distress for Godfrey throughout his life. 

To this day, no one knows exactly what transpired on this fateful night in Todmorden, but it does add to the compelling accounts that continue to come out on this topic. We all deserve the truth on the UFO topic, and hopefully the pressure many of us are providing can help lead to full disclosure. 

I also found this interesting document on the CIA FOIA page from November 28, 1967, you should check it out.

Fade to Black (1980)

Having just returned from a local indie comic show, I decided that I needed some downtime and wanted to revisit something from my youth. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, there was a lot of classic horror and this one was a favorite, 1980s Fade to Black.

Plot: A shy, lonely film buff embarks on a killing spree against those who browbeat and betray him, all the while stalking his idol, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike.

Horror movies from the 80s are a mixed bag, but some stand tall. This is one that I love to revisit from time to time as it is quite memorable. Shot with a dark gritty style, this movie does a great job at creating an air of madness and demonstrates what can be accomplished with an interesting storyline. While it is somewhat predictable, there are many moments that are memorable and help create a feeling of despair. You can tell that this did have a lower budget, as the performances are uneven, there are some extremely disjointed moments, and the characters are somewhat unlikable, but those monents seem to add character to the film. While there are some flaws within the storyline that cause it to fall short of its potential, this movie is a fun and mindless trip back in time. It probably isn't for everyone, but fans of the 80s should enjoy it.

Alligator (1980)

While I have been on a Sci-Fi kick lately,  I still love to go back to my youth for some of the horror movies that shaped my love for the genre.  To me,  some of the classic creature features from that era still hold their weight.  Yes,  there is some cheese and schlock,  but wasn't that part of what made the 80s awesome? Last night I went for one of those creature features, 1980's Alligator.

Plot: A herpetologist helps a detective track her flushed-away pet, now a king-size mutant called Ramone.

The creature features of the 70s and 80s were the best. Yes,  there are some duds, but there were also some classics that sprung up. While this one is not as memorable or as mainstream as Jaws or even Piranha, Alligator remains one of the better low budget creature features of the time.  Boasting an interesting storyline,  dark atmosphere, a solid cast,  decent performances, and some creative effects,  this one takes an urban legend to a new culture classic level. If you love classic low budget creature features and can overlook some of the flaws, you will definitely enjoy this fun B-Movie.

Nightmare City (1980)

I have really enjoyed getting back into the blogging scene and have found a new enjoyment with watching different facets of the horror genre. Unfortunately, I am not all the way back as many things seem to be the same stuff just repackaged and I am not there yet. One thing that was different was this 1980 entry Nightmare City.

Plot/ An airplane exposed to radiation lands, and blood drinking zombies emerge armed with knives, guns and teeth! They go on a rampage slicing, dicing, and biting their way across the Italian countryside.

Let me ask, is there anything better than low budget Italian horror from the 1980s? Personally, I find it extremely entertaining and always fun. Honestly, you never know what you are going to get. That is the case with this one. Yes, the effects are cheesy, the performances are all over the place, and the plot from the start is unbelievable at best. Really, from the first scene with the aircraft, it is insanity. Sure, the storyline does open some valid questions, there is a touch of humanity, there is a lot of action, and the characters are somewhat believable (and aren’t afraid to show skin); all positives for a movie that is often overlooked. In the end, this one is worth watching (especially with it being available on Amazon Prime. If you are like me and love low budget Italian horror, give this one a shot. You are missing out if you have not seen it.

Night of the Demon (1980)

Once I finished with some classic 1950s sci-fi/horror, it was time to find something a little different last night to finish off my holiday weekend. After some searching, I settled on the 1980 exploitation/creature feature Night of the Demon from 1980.

Plot/ Professor Nugent and his students try to track down Bigfoot, but end up uncovering something more sinister at work.

This is the epitome of the classic no-budget drive-in exploitation flicks of the 1970s and early 1980s. While it is extremely flawed on almost every level, it is full of sporadic moments that make you laugh and keep you entertained. Yes, the micro-budgeted flick has a laughable and conflicting script, flat performances, uneven editing, rough special effects, and a myriad of head scratching moments, but that seems to only push this closer to the exploitation/grindhouse cinema of the day. Fortunately, the storyline is interesting with an interesting combination of creature feature and occult driven horror that take on many of the taboo narratives of the era. There are also some remarkable cinematography elements that work well with the soundtrack and gore, making it somewhat memorable in comparison to some of the other films from that period. In the end, if you are in the mood for a mindless piece of low budget exploitation schlock find this one. Sure, it isn’t close to perfect, but for what it is, it will hit the spot.

The Ninth Configuration (1980)

With this holiday weekend coming to a close, I decided to kick back and watch some different movies I found on Shudder over the past few days. One of the more interesting ones comes from writer William Peter Blatty, of Exorcist fame. While this one did not deal with demonic possession, it did deal with a disturbing subject matter. That movie is the 1980 cult classic The Ninth Configuration.

Plot/ A new commanding officer arrives at a remote castle serving as an insane asylum for crazy and AWOL U.S. Army soldiers where he attempts to rehabilitate them by allowing them to live out their crazy fantasies while combating his own long-suppressed insanity.

When I saw this one on Shudder, I had no idea what to expect. What I found was extremely different from anything that I could have imagined coming from the mind of Blatty. The Ninth Configuration is a subtle mixture of comedy, horror, and drama that makes for an entertaining evening. Completely different from The Exorcist, this movie offers an interesting and intelligent look at mental illness and creates a narrative that is a valuable tool for understanding. The cast is tremendous, the performances solid, and the storyline offers many different angles into the mindset of the characters. Yes, some of it does feel dated at times, but that is really not a problem, as the overall power of the message comes through clearly. In the end, this is an underrated gem, and a movie that must be seen. Sure, it is not a mindless entry and it will require some thought while viewing but that is perfectly fine with this one. Check it out!

Contamination (1980)

Sometimes, I need to take a trip down memory lane to my youth and the big box VHS flicks that made the 1980s one of the best decades for no-budget horror cinema. One such movie is my next review; the 1980 horror/sci-fi entry Contamination (AKA Alien Contamination).

Plot/ A former astronaut helps a government agent and a police detective track the source of mysterious alien pod spores, filled with lethal flesh-dissolving acid, to a South American coffee plantation controlled by alien pod clones.

There is really nothing better than horror from the 1980s and the gore that often accomplished in before the political correct censorship establishment took control. While this is not the best of the era, it is a movie that offers a unique combination of gore and schlock that makes it a fun watch. Couple those elements with an entertaining storyline (albeit somewhat predictable), some solid performances, and enough classic Italian cheese to make it watchable. Yes, some of the gore effects are overused and a little dated today, and some of the movie would seem cliché with many scenes mirroring other films from the era, but that was common back in the days of big box VHS. In the end, if you love European horror from the 1980s, you have to check out this version; it is worth watching. Be warned though, this schlockfest is not for everyone.

Friday the 13th (1980)

It is Friday the 13th, and honestly, it feels like it. The weather here in Pennsylvania was chilly and overcast most of the day. This was followed by the tragic news of the terrorist attacks in Paris and the Earthquake in Japan. It really makes you wonder what is taking place out there. But, do not worry; Al Gore says the climate change summit is on schedule… With that all weighing on my mind, I decided that I wanted to watch something mindless. After some thought, I decided on the classic 1980 slasher that rejuvenated the horror genre, Friday the 13th (perfect choice, right?).

Plot/ A group of camp counselors is stalked and murdered by an unknown assailant while trying to reopen a summer camp which, years before, was the site of a child's drowning.

Honestly, it is hard to review this flick, as it left an imprint on me (and society) when it came out in 1980. That imprint is still felt today with the modern slasher flicks that often pay homage to this classic. Technically, there was nothing incredible about this low budget horror flick; save for the memorable effects, soundtrack, and ending, but it has to be one of the best examples of how low budget cinema can influence generations. Once you get past those aspects, everything else is uneven at best. The storyline is somewhat predictable; the acting is all over from decent to bad, and the cinematography and direction never meet the potential that existed inside picturesque setting. However, even with those flaws, the original Friday the 13th may be one of the most influential movies in history and is still fun to watch after all these years (yes, my parents took me to see it in a theater when I was a kid). In the end, while I am sure every horror fan has seen it, and most of society knows who Jason Voorhees is, but that does not matter. If you are bored and looking for something to watch, why not grab it and revisit a classic. It is definitely worth watching again!

The Shining (1980)

When thinking about Halloween and the dark, eerie times we live in, it is hard not to search for that perfect supernatural horror flick to make you look over your shoulder. While these are becoming rare, some classics leave a lasting impression.  Being in a Stanley Kubrick mood, I decided to take a trip down memory lane to 1980, and his classic, The Shining.

Plot/ A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.

The adaptation of the Stephen King classic may be one of the best horror / supernatural movies of the 1980s. While King was not a fan of Kubricks’ vision, it is truly a masterpiece. The atmosphere is dark and foreboding, the acting is outstanding, the cinematography is amazing, and the scripting perfect for the downward spiral into an abyss. Sure, there were some slow moments, but those are easily overlooked. In the end, The Shining is one of the most frightening films from my youth and one that stands-up to the test of time. If you have not ventured into this masterpiece, you are wrong. This is a must see for all horror fans. 

Dressed to Kill (1980)

After taking a few days off to work on some different prospects, it was time to jump back into some reviews. To me, it is often a challenge to find something fun and intriguing to watch, as much of today’s horror is so uninspired or rehashed, there is always hope though. In the end, I decided to take a trip back a few decades and watch the classic thriller Dressed to Kill from 1980.

Plot/ A mysterious, tall blonde woman, wearing dark sunglasses murders one of a psychiatrist's patients, and now she goes after the high-priced call girl who witnessed the murder.

I remember when this one originally came out and the stir it caused with some of the erotic elements that were littered throughout. Today, many of these elements are still visible as the film aged extremely well. While many say this is a Hitchcock rip-off, and there are some similarities, I feel an overwhelming nod to the classic giallo’s of Argento. The stylistic camera angles, the lack of dialogue with an atmospheric score, and some artistic uses of blood and camera effects make this extremely enjoyable. More importantly, the acting, characters and storyline really work together. In the end, this is clearly one of the better thrillers from the 1980s, and a movie that must be seen. 

The Final Countdown (1980)

As I was sitting here tonight wondering what I wanted to watch, I decided to venture into Netflix to see what they had to offer. Last night, I watched 1984, a classic, and a film that I will review on New Years Eve. That book by George Orwell was ahead of its time, and the film, does a great job at portraying the dark nature of a New World Order scenario. My selection for the evening tonight was another interesting flick, and one, that could also be considered before its time.

Plot/ A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Films in this particular vein of Sci-Fi and Fantasy are always interesting, and often pose realistic questions about reality, as we know it. Much like the truths behind the mysterious Philadelphia Experiment and subsequent movie, one has to at least think of the weird possibilities that exist in the universe. By all accounts, this is a great film from the era and stands up to time quite well. The acting is above the line, the effects are solid, and the way that actual history was integrated was outstanding. Could it have been better, absolutely, but that can be said about almost any flick out there. In the end, this is a awesome flick and one that, as mentioned, does a great job at exploring the possibilities of a time rift. If you like this genre, you must check out this flick!

Hangar 18 (1980)

 

 

Having spent a lot of time in paranormal land, or in conspiracy mode, I decided to venture into something just a bit different last night. While the conspiracy overtone is still clearly in my mind as my research into HAARP continues, I needed something of a lighter faire to help pass the evening. My selection for the evening is something from my youth, actually one of the first UFO / Conspiracy movies I remember, Hangar 18 from 1980.

 

 

Plot/After the launch of a satellite from a space shuttle it collides with a UFO in front of the crew's eyes. Because of an election campaign, some politicians try to hide the crashed UFO.

 

 

When this popped into my Netflix queue, I just had to watch it. I remember as a kid growing up during this period, how these movies helped shape me and my thoughts. While I had some small memories of the film, it was not much. What I found when I turned it on surprised me, as while it was somewhat out there, there are a lot of thoughts inside this flick that are a lot less far-fetched today than the were when this came out. The acting was decent, the pacing solid and the story interesting. Yes, there were times where the low budget was evident and the make up and effects were far from believable, but that is nowhere near a showstopper. In the end, this flick was extremely entertaining and in some ways seems to have influenced some of the movies and television shows of today. If you have not watched it, give it a shot. Yes, it is dated, but it also makes you think. Check it out!

 

 

Flash Gordon (1980)

While preparing to go out and cut the grass today, I decided to search my onDemand channels and see what was available. That’s when I saw something that jumped out as the perfect motivational avenue. Yes, it is cheesy and yes, it is a schlockfest, but that is what made it great. Plus, it is a definite break from the cannibalism that is taking over the world. The flick, from 1980, the comic book classic, Flash Gordon.

Plot/ A football player and his friends travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting the tyrant, Ming the Merciless, to save Earth.

I remember watching this in the drive-in when it came out, at eight-years old it was an awesome flick. Today, when I re-watched it for the first time since then, it was just as awesome (but, for many different reasons). This has to be one of the cheesiest and most visually interesting flicks out there. Now, do not take this the wrong way, this one if bad on many levels.  The acting is mostly horrid (except for Max Von Sydow who is amazing as Ming), the dialogue ranges from bad to worse, the characters seem stiff, and the script and special effects are laughable. However, it is all exactly how I would imagine a comic strip coming to life and more, with incredible visuals, insane costuming and amazing sets (not to mention one of the most memorable soundtracks ever recorded by Queen). In the end, this one is technically one of the worst flicks ever, but it is also one of the most campy, entertaining and visually stunning schlockfests out there and must be seen at least once. If you have not watched it check it out.

Maniac (1980)

After a couple of days of different subgenres, I decided to venture deeper into horror with a classic 1980s display of violence and gore. For me, growing up during that era, I miss the look and feel of those classic ventures into terror. I hope that we can get back to that at some point. After some minor debate within my mind, I decided on Maniac from 1980.

Plot/ A psychotic man, troubled by his childhood abuse, loose in NYC, kills young women and takes their scalps as trophies. Will he find the perfect woman in photographer Anna, and end his killing spree?

One of the best parts about the 1980s was the rise of Tom Savini and his incredible special effects, and this flick is the perfect example of that. Sure, it is not the typical slasher or gorefest, but it is a gritty, intense and realistic look at a true psychopath. Sure, it was a micro budget and some of the pacing was a bit off, but it remains on of the best from the era. The acting is solid (especially the late Joe Spinell), the story interesting and the atmosphere and effects are tremendous. In the end, it is one of the lasting classics that defined a generation of horror and should not be forgotten. If you have not seen it, what are you waiting for?

Humanoids from the Deep (1980)

Fishing today sucked! There was not even one little nibble on any of the bait choices that I sent into the lake. Between that and the crappy movie choices lately, I decided to venture into Netflix and see what I could find. My selection the 1980 Roger Corman classic Humanoids from the Deep (AKA Monsters).

Plot/ Scientific experiments backfire and produce horrific mutations: half-man, half-fish which terrorize a small fishing village by killing the men and raping the women.

I remember this one still, and when I found it, I was all in. This one is a fun romp full of B movie schlock and fishy creature feature fun. Yes, the storyline is serious but totally unbelievable, the effects range from solid to cheesy with rubber suited monsters and the vast amount of boobs take it up a notch. Honestly, what else would you expect from a 1980s Roger Corman classic? It has it all, solid acting, decent cinematography, blood splatter, creatures and boobs, plenty of boobs everywhere. If you have not seen this, you do not know what you are missing, check it out!