Watch the Skies (2025)

After another extended absence, I decided it was time to give the blog some updated material. With October ending, I have seen plenty of fun movies over the past month and figured it would be a great time to jump back in with Watch the Skies (2025) on Amazon Prime. 

Plot: A rebellious teenager who believes her missing father was abducted by aliens joins forces with a quirky UFO club of endearing misfits. They embark on a high-stakes adventure that defies the law and challenges the very fabric of reality.

This Swedish entry was a fun watch that brought back the 80s Spielberg vibes that made Sci-Fi mainstream and enjoyable. The storyline is interesting and the characters work within what is a rather vanilla and basic premise. While there are truly no major effects or aliens, the story and performances drive what is more of a drama with extraterrestrial and comedic overtones (with some time travel thrown in). The dunning was noticeable in spots, which did detract a little, but it was much better than a lot of the dubbed movies that make their way to the streaming services. In the end, this one made for a relaxing and fun afternoon watch. Check it out. 

Alien Code (2018)

I was on X earlier today talking to some people about the recent drone flap and one of them brought up this film. I hadn’t watched it in a while and honestly, was surprised I hadn’t reviewed it. This is the 2018 Sci-Fi thriller with some time travel thrown in, Alien Code. 

Plot: After deciphering a message found in a satellite, brilliant cryptographer Alex Jacobs finds himself being stalked by government agents and otherworldly beings.

I remember watching this one a while back and was impressed. Watching it again today, I saw the same thing, a minimalistic Sci-Fi flick that is better than one would expect. This movie has great pace, editing, an interesting storyline and a great script that created some tremendous characters. And the performances brought it to life perfectly. Yes, there were a few head scratching moments, but those are easily overlooked in this gem. Not to mention, the Men in Black parts are amazing. In the end, if you are looking for a solid Sci-Fi flick, give this one a shot. It is well worth watching.

The Breach (2023)

There is nothing more that I like then when multiple interests intersect inside a movie.  Especially,  when this happens by surprise.  Of course,  this does impact my overall view on things,  having a soft spot for certain topics. Too often, certain subjects become blown off by society when they appear inside horror or Sci-Fi movies and for me this is a great example of the unfortunate conditioning that mainstream media has perpetrated on society.  So many people have no clue what is really happening and that entertainment is used to lift the veil on reality via soft disclosure of information.  Something that was definitely in this 2023 entry,  The Breach.

Plot: When a mangled body with strange wounds washes up on the shores of the Porcupine River, John Hawkins is compelled to investigate one more case before retiring as the chief of police in the small town of Lone Crow.

From the described premise,  I expected a typical horror thriller story a touch of mystery thrown in.  Never would I have existed a money into cosmic horror with references to the Mandela Effect and CERN. That right there was the book that drew me in.  While the movie isn't perfect and never reaches its full cosmic horror potential, the storyline and subject matter is interesting and informative and definitely adds to the overall feel.  The performances are solid, the effects alright, and the scripting works,  there are some technical elements between the different characters and filming locations that felt disjointed. Especially with what was supposed to be a FaceTime encounter.  However,  those elements did nothing to ruin the entertainment factor.  And the fact that the filmmakers actually made reference to CERNs stated goal of opening a portal to see what comes through made me applaud. No one ever discusses the rituals and craziness that is CERN and ignore the fact that they are attempting to rip into the fabric of reality.  Personally, I believe it has already happened and we are living in ripples created by their created by their contact with the other side I f the veil. I would definitely recommend this one.  It may not be perfect but it's informative and entertaining.  

Synchronic (2019)

After a few busy days with the yard and watching social media for updates on the UFO thing in Las Vegas and the real-lide scene from Night of the Comet taking place in New York, I decided to relax and catch up on some movie watching.  The first flick I watched today was the 2019 Sci-Fi film,  Synchronic.

Plot: Two New Orleans paramedics' lives are ripped apart after they encounter a series of horrific deaths linked to a designer drug with bizarre, otherworldly effects.

I had never heard of this one before it popped up on my Amazon page and the premise sounded different so i gave it a shot. What i fiund was an interesting storyline, that while a touch confusing at times, kept me engaged. There was some pretty good cinematography, decent performances, and some intriguing moments. Yes, there were some pacing issues and there were some major plot holes to navigate, but those did not totally ruin the experience for me. Of course, with those elements, i am sure some casual viewers will be totally turned off. In the end, this may not be groundbreaking or a movie that you should knock diwn the door to see, but if the air quality has you secluded, it will definitely be an interesting film to help you pass the time. 

Millennium (1989)

After watching the boy, I attempted to go back into Arthurian mythology, but I couldn’t sit through my low budget selection. Instead, I turned to some sci-fi from my formidable days, the 1989 time travel flick Millennium.

Plot/ An NTSB investigator seeking the cause of an airline disaster meets a warrior woman from 1000 years in the future. She replaces the people from airplanes before they crash with corpses with the same features.

Time travel movies can often be a mixed bag, and this one is no exception. A low budget sci-fi gem from the 1980s, this one actually has an interesting storyline and takes on time travel in an intriguing manner. The performances are solid, that cast is a fine mix, the scripting thought-out and layered, and for the era and budget, the effects are not that bad. Yes, there is some campiness and some of the elements are a touch over-the-top, the ending leaves a bit to be desired, and at one glance, you can tell the movie was shot in the 1980s, but those flaws do not bring the movie down. In the end, this is a good but not groundbreaking or memorable time travel film. Sure, it could have been better and the ending does hurt the overall feel, but for what it is, the movie is better than most of the low budget stuff that is forced upon us today.

The Time Travelers (1964)

After spending some time in an Art House Cinema mood, I decided that it was time to venture into something mindless and fun. Having searched all of my streaming services, I decided on the 1964 sci-fi entry, The Time Travelers.

Plot/ In 1964, a group of scientists creates a portal that takes them to a barren, mutant inhabited, Earth in the year 2071.

After watching this low budget gem, I am glad that I stumbled upon it. Coming from the great low budget era, this one has many elements that make it an entertaining and fun watch. The scripting is amazing, with both imagination and intelligence to ask poignant questions (especially from that era). The performances are solid, the effects work (even if they feel somewhat dated today), and the storylines allow the movie to grow and stay relevant all these years later. Yes, there are some obvious budgetary constraints that are visible and you will have to suspend belief, but that is one of the things that make sci-fi flicks so fun. In the end, this is a film that any fan of classic sci-fi should see. Sure, it isn’t Oscar worthy, but for its budget, it is better than many other entries from that era.

Lost in Space (1998)

After a mixture of serial killers and creature features, I decided to venture into something with more of a sci-fi edge. After some thought, I decided on the 1998 reboot, Lost in Space.

Plot/ The Robinson family was going into space to fight for a chance for humanity. Now they are fighting to live long enough to find a way home.

I remember when this one came out and like many fans of the original series; I found it a bit disappointing. After re-watching this earlier in the week, I think my first impression was way off. While this is not a perfect film, it does have more positives than flaws and the storyline is closer in tone and depth to some of the initial episodes of the series than it is given credit for. The effects were solid, the cast was fun and their performances were decent, and the cinematography was spot on and created an entertaining feel. Unfortunately, the scripting felt forced and the dialog was choppy with too much focus put on trying to be clever and there were more than a few clichéd moments. In the end, this was an entertaining science fiction adventure suitable for the entire family, and a movie that is better than it has been given credit for. If you have a chance, give it a shot, you could do much worse.

Displacement (2016)

Earlier, I was having a conversation today about the Mandela Effect and time travel. While I am not going to go into detail about the theory that I postulated involving these elements and the potential Antichrist, I do believe that I may be onto something and will have to start doing some more research. Ironically, while I was at Family Video, I stumbled upon a new time travel/ temporal disturbance film, 2016s Displacement.

Plot/ A young physics student must find a way to reverse a deadly quantum time anomaly and solve the murder of her boyfriend while battling short-term memory loss and time slips caused by the event.

I had no idea what I was in for with this one when I picked it up at Family Video but was a nice one to gamble on. While it starts off in a confusing manner, once things begin to fall into place the storyline definitely draws you in. Overall, the scripting is outstanding, the technical aspects especially the cinematography and editing work, and the performances are solid. Yes, some of the actual quantum physics theory may be a stretch, the confusion from the time slips may not be for everyone, and there may not be enough true science fiction for the diehard fan, but those aspects do not really bring this one down. In the end, this one may not be for everyone, but it is an interesting film that does create some thought provoking moments. If you are like me and fascinated by the idea of time travel, give this one a shot.

Assassin's Creed (2016)

After suffering through two movies that did nothing for me, I decided to roll the dice for some action. After some debate, I decided to breakdown and check out the 2016 video game inspired Assassin's Creed. 

Plot/ When Callum Lynch explores the memories of his ancestor Aguilar and gains the skills of a Master Assassin; he discovers he is a descendant of the secret Assassins society.

Not being a gamer, I decided to give this a shot with no idea of what to expect. What I found was something that was confusing and disjointed. The character development was uneven to non-existent making it extremely difficult to relate to the characters, the scripting was difficult to understand, and for me, there was not enough of the movie taking place inside of the historical eras that drew me in from the box/trailers. Yes, the effects were solid and some of the performances worked, but those were not enough to save this one. In the end, this is a movie that I could have passed on. Maybe it was more for fans of the game, but it wasn’t for me.

Arrival (2016)

One of the best things about hanging out and relaxing over my birthday weekend is that I got full run of the television and was able to absorb a few different flicks in different genres. One of the first films I picked up at Family Video is the 2016 sci-fi entry Arrival.

Plot/ When twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world, linguistics professor Louise Banks is tasked with interpreting the language of the apparent alien visitors.

This movie will definitely be polarizing. More of a drama than sci-fi flick, this story dives into many elements that make it interesting and thought-provoking. While this one is not perfect, there are certain points that will stick with you long after watching it. The cinematography is amazing and captivating, the performances are believable and natural, the atmosphere is tense, but not overwhelming, and the storyline is an intriguing look at how a situation like this would likely occur with the differences between cultures and governments that exist in the world today. Yes, the pacing is a bit slow at times, some of the actions with the alien creatures are odd, and the scripting does have some uneven moments, but those do nothing to take away from the power of the story. In the end, if you are hoping for a flashy, action-packed invasion movie, this one is not for you. However, if you are looking for an alien film carrying a deeper non-linear meaning, you should definitely check this one out.

ARQ (2016)

Yesterday, I took a night off to deal with a miserable cold; I felt the need to find something different tonight for my evening entertainment. After some searching, I decided on the 2016 NETFLIX Original ARQ.

Plot/ Trapped in a lab and stuck in a time loop, a disoriented couple fends off masked raiders while harboring a new energy source that could save humanity.

ARQ may sound like a clichéd Sci-Fi interpretation of a loop film, but in many ways, it is much more than that. This is a solid, well thought out, and intriguing Sci-Fi thriller that is definitely worth watching. The acting is sound, the storyline has enough twists and turns to keep your attention, the scene progressions are logical, and the overall atmosphere offers some suspense. Yes, it may be a touch confusing to the passive viewer and some of it may seem a bit off, but that does very little to bring this one down. In the end, this may be one of the best time travel flicks to come out in some time, and it is a movie that solidifies NETFLIX as a viable studio in the Sci-Fi community. If you have not seen it, you should!  

Dark City (1998)

Sometimes, I regret some of my choices, since they are journeys deep into the bowels of misery. Of course, that is my fault, as I tend to be impulsive when I see something instead of searching out something better. Fortunately, there are times when I decide to dig deeper, and find a movie that is worth watching, and at times, even inspirational. That was the case tonight, with the 1998 Sci-Fi entry, Dark City.

Plot/ A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun and run by beings with telekinetic powers who seek the souls of humans.

After suffering through that very forgettable Hellraiser installment, I was happy to break out Dark City. This is both one of the best, and one of my favorite Sci-Fi films of the 1990s. Honestly, I have no idea why it never reached anything other than cult status, it is worthy of so much more than that. Cold, dark, atmospheric, and complete with outstanding performances, a layered and complex script, and most importantly, a thought provoking storyline that leaves you inspired by what can be accomplished with originality within a Sci-Fi landscape. Even the ending, which still feels a touch out of place, can do nothing to derail the impressive gothic world created in the entertaining feature. In the end, Dark City is one of the most underappreciated Sci-Fi movies in the genre, and is cinematographically above many films that many place above it. If you have not seen this brilliant entry, search it out and give it a shot. You will not be disappointed.

Infini (2015)

While I try to keep my excitement tempered as I prepare to check out Star Wars: The Force Awakens tomorrow, I was definitely in a Sci-Fi mood as I worked on some paperwork for school. To help quench my mood, I decided to check out the 2015 entry Infini, a darker flick from that genre.

Plot/ An elite 'search and rescue' team transport onto an off-world mining-facility to rescue Whit Carmichael, the lone survivor of a biological outbreak.

As I sat down to watch this one, I really had no expectations. What I found was something much better than I would have expected featuring a tremendously atmospheric and claustrophobic Sci-Fi flick that I wish I had watched earlier. This one has a lot to like, with outstanding sets, solid production values, enjoyable characters with decent performances, and a nice blend of special effects. Yes, the scripting was a touch wordy in spots and there were a few head scratching moments, but those were minor in comparison to the rest of the movie. In the end, this one is well worth watching and a movie that much better than some of the other Sci-Fi entries that populates the market. If you are a true fan of science fiction, give it a shot; you should enjoy it.

41 (2012)

Having taken my final quiz in my class, I decided that I wanted to watch something with a medieval feel. While searching for something in that genre, I stumbled on a time travel flick that I had never heard of. While this film did not take me back to the era that I had hoped for, it was one of the better indie flicks that I have seen in some time. That movie, and my next review, is the 2012 low budget entry 41.

Plot/ A young man discovers a hole in the floor of a local motel that leads to yesterday.

When I stumbled upon this one, I had no idea what to anticipate. What I found was definitely different than what I would have expected, as this one did not play out like any of the typical time travel movies that I have come across. Personally, I love the subject, and believe that we today are living inside some type of time ripple, because that is the only thing that can explain the strange occurrences that are plaguing society. This is an excellent film, that features an intriguing storyline that is both layered and thought provoking, as well as some solid cinematography and a perfect soundtrack the creates an outstanding atmosphere. Yes, the dialog was uneven in spots and some of the scenes felt forced (especially the ones centered on the police), but those flaws were easily overlooked. In the end, this low budget flick was a joy to watch and a movie that should have definitely received more fanfare than it did. Check it out!

Sphere (1998)

As I continue to push through this transmedia project that is a modern adaption of the H.P. Lovecraft classic Haunter of the Dark, I find myself spending more time on it than I ever imagined I would. In doing so, I have been spending time a lot of time with a variety of movies on as background inspiration. The last flick I watched was the 1998 Sci-Fi/Mystery/Thriller Sphere.

Plot/ 1000 feet below the ocean, navy divers discover an object half-a-mile long. A crack team of scientists is deployed to the site in Deep-sea Habitats. What they find boggles the mind as they discover a perfect metal sphere. What is the secret behind the sphere? Will they survive the mysterious 'manifestations'? Who or what is creating these? They may never live to find out.

This was a difficult movie to review. I watched it again the other night after not seeing it for over a decade, and honestly, I found it better than I thought. As was the case the first time I watched it, this is really the tale of two different movies: a first and a second half. The beginning is awesome and touches on some intriguing topics and is entertaining. Unfortunately, with all the promise, the unlikable characters and uneven performances make it difficult to truly digest everything that they were trying to say within the movie. Personally, I liked it because it made me think, and presented some ideas that have always captivated me in a way that was both entertaining and challenging. Of course, this Sci-Fi thriller is not for everyone, but it is definitely worth watching.

Interstellar (2014)

Yesterday, I found myself stuck at the softball field for the first scrimmage of 2015. Of course, I realize that was the first of what will be many more over the next couple of months, and I am OK with that. Now it is time to get back to the blog. Next up, is a movie that I had waited to see for some time, 2014s Sci-Fi epic Interstellar.

Plot/ In the near future, Earth has been devastated by drought and famine, causing a scarcity in food and extreme changes in climate. A team of explorers travels through a wormhole in an attempt to ensure humanity's survival.

Interstellar was one of the few movies that I was disappointed to miss in the theatre. Now, having viewed it, I definitely want to kick myself in the ass for not making more of an attempt. This Sci-Fi epic is one of the more thought provoking movies I have seen in some time, and in many ways will stand the test of time. Not only is this movie well made, with beautiful cinematography and a brilliant soundtrack, the acting, directing, and effects create a perfect atmosphere. More importantly, the storyline is layered in such a way that the arcing love story is woven into the darkness is tremendous and full of emotion. In the end, this is a movie that must be seen and embraced. Yes, there are some I believe moments, but those are definitely easy to overlook and should be. If you have not seen it, what are you waiting for? Find it, and check it out!