Mothman TNT Area - Investigation Pictures

Having stopped by Point Pleasant,  WV for a day of exploring the myth of the Mothman, I was extremely excited. Not only do I love the story of the Mothman, this makes the first time since my transplant that I was able to venture out into the wild.  Sure,  I didn't go crazy. Hell, I didn't even make it a night expedition, but I did get va shall hike in and go check out one of the famous sighting locations: the TNT Area.

Now part of the McClintic Wildlife Management Area, the TNT bunkers may be run down, but I will say they still hold a creepy energy.  It did send chills down my spine. Of course,  whatever small animal that was stalking me from the treeline helped with that.  But oh well.  

If you aren't familiar with Mothman or the sightings in and around Point Pleasant,  this is a great rabbit hole and a tremendous amount of lore. This area,  known then as the West Virginian Ordnance Works, was reported to be the home of this game red-eyed cryptid from late 1966 until early 1967. In fact,  to many researchers,  the first recorded sighting of Mothman took place near the gate of one of the abandoned munition shortage facilities. 

While there were also many other strange phenomena that took place during this period in and around the area,  it was the Mothman, not Indrid Cold, or the Men in Black, or even the ultraterrestrials, that wove its way into the fabric of the region.  A 7-to-10 foot-tall winged entity with glowing red eyes has become part of the folklore and at one point America's most famous cryptid. 

Here are some pictures from that area and some motivation for me to get back into the field.  

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.

Kong: Skull Island (2017)

After watching Awakening the Zodiac, it was time to change genres. Having felt such a connection to Caesar, I decided to grab another flick with some Simian heritage. That movie was the 2017 blockbuster Kong: Skull Island.  

Plot/ A team of scientists explore an uncharted island in the Pacific, venturing into the domain of the mighty Kong, and must fight to escape a primal Eden.

I am sure that this is going to be a polarizing film split between the love or hate communities. Personally, I loved this one and think that this is one of the better blockbuster creature features to come out in some time. I will admit that there were a ton of plot holes and the characters were not only flat, but their decision making was unfathomable, but I was able to look past those elements. All of the creatures were amazing, with this representation of Kong being one of my favorites. The fight scenes were fierce and at times gory, and the performances were solid. Overall, this was exactly as advertised a blockbuster creature feature that brought one of the all-time greats back from the dead. In the end, the film will likely disappoint some hardcore Kong fans. Yes, it has some flaws, but if you are in the mood for a mindless creature feature with some tremendous fight scenes this one is for you.

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.

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.  

Subconscious (2015)

As a former Navy Chief, I am drawn to Sci-Fi movies that involve the best service branch in the world. In fact, because I have moments where I miss the camaraderie and the duties, I often jump at a chance to pick these up when I see them. That was the case with my next review, 2015s Subconscious.  

Plot/ An investigation into a retired WWII sub plunges a research team into a supernatural journey across the dark abyss of time - with history hanging in the balance.

This was an uneven film to review, and it actually went in a different direction than I imagined when I picked it up at Family Video. Yes, it is not a traditional WWII based Sci-Fi flick, which could turn some people off, it does have an interesting storyline that was unexpected. As a low budget flick, it does have it share of flaws; but, as is the case those are somewhat expected. In this one, the storyline was a touch unbelievable, but it worked, the setting was amazing, and it did have an interesting twist at the end. Of course, there were some uneven performances, the lighting was all over the place, and there were a ton of preposterous ideas being thrown around, but again, as a low budget flick, those flaws are to be expected. In the end, this is not a perfect movie and will have to find its niche audience, but it does have some entertaining moments. If you love the stuff from the SyFy Channel, you will likely enjoy it; give it a shot.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Over the past few days, my cold has finally subsided and I have been able to get back into some movies. While I was going to do the last horror flick I watched, yesterday, I watched something that I could not shake all day because of its message. A message that many in the world must wake up and understand as all of humanity is being attacked by a rogue globalist agenda (Agenda 21). That move was the 2014 Sci-Fi blockbuster Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

Plot/ A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species.

After missing this in the theater, I had to watch it as soon as I could, and honestly, I am pissed to have missed when it came out. While there are some predictable moments and some of the pace was uneven, this movie was one of the better entries in the series I have seen. The cinematography and effects were amazing, especially the CGI, which was incredibly accurate and created something special. Everything else works as well, with solid performances, tremendous scripting, and a perfectly matched score to carry it throughout. However, what stood out to me was the true look at mankind, and the rise of hatred toward war. As the world rages around us, one could substitute the apes for another culture, and this could be a drama worthy of discussion. This could truly be a science fiction trip into our world of conflict and show humanity how fragile our societies are. In the end, this was an amazing film and a movie that must be watched by everyone.

Aftermath (2012)

With many people talking about end times prophecies, or thinking that Ebola will kill us all off in the name of the United Nations or Agenda 21, I thought that it would be nice to venture into a more traditional view of the apocalypse: nuclear war. Of course, I already know that nothing I choose will live up to Jericho, but I did prepare myself for that. My next selection for the blog is 2012s Aftermath (AKA Remnants). 

Plot/ Searching for a happy ending to a tale of unimaginable disaster and horror, nine strangers find themselves holed up together in a farmhouse cellar in rural Texas. The United States has hastily become embroiled in World War 3.

I am sure that people will have mixed feelings about this movie, and it is easy to see why. The slowly paced post-apocalyptic set entry does have some head scratching moments, but to me, that was fine. There was something about the storyline that lent a touch of believability inside that balanced out the depressing overtones. The scripting works, the visuals are solid, and the soundtrack helps set a dark atmosphere. Yes, some of the performances were uneven, and as I mentioned there were some parts of the overall story that made little sense, but that does little to bring it down. In the end, this brooding look at the human reaction to strife is entertaining and interesting. Sure, some will not like it, but to me, it is one of the better post apocalyptic entries to come out in some time and one that should be seen.

Chariot (2013)

After a long weekend, it was nice to get back to work. Unfortunately, my knee started to hurt some before the end of the day. Hopefully, it lasts a little longer tomorrow as I have to pull the late night. Next up on the review docket is the 2013 thriller Chariot. 

Plot/ Seven strangers find themselves unwitting participants in a U.S. government evacuation program gone horribly wrong. 

This was a movie that really surprised me, especially considering the low budget used. While not perfect, the majority of the acting, the claustrophobic atmosphere and an interesting storyline kept me entertained throughout. I love the conspiracy theories being thrown about, it was definitely a high point. Sure, there are some pacing issues and some uneven moments, but those were expected with the low budget. In the end, this was an entertaining thriller that was a lot better than I expected going into it. Revolution is coming and it is not out of the realm of possibilities that a program like this could exist. Give it a shot, it was an interesting 90 minutes.

Frankenstein's Army (2013)

Every once in a while I stumble upon a flick that has an interesting look and draws me in. That was the case with my next selection Frankenstein’s Army. Honestly, who would not want to see Dr. Frankenstein creating some steampunk creatures supported by Hitler’s Naziwar machine…  

Plot/ Toward the end of World War II, Russian soldiers pushing into eastern Germany stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and begun experimenting with the journal of one Dr. Victor Frankenstein. The scientists have used the legendary Frankenstein's work to assemble an army of super-soldiers stitched together from the body parts of their fallen comrades -- a desperate Hitler's last ghastly ploy to escape defeat.

As a found footage flick, it is one of the better ones, and it actually works well with the storyline. While there are some clichéd moments, there was a lot to like with the movie, especially with the steampunk influenced creatures that were lurking around every corner. To me, that was the entire draw to the film, the costuming and make-up effects were incredible and the idea behind the storyline works. Yes, the acting is so-so and the movie would have been much better without the first-person hand-held camera perspectives (especially the imitation WW II era film effects) utilizing traditional camera techniques instead, but those facts do not totally sink the flick. In the end, this is not a perfect flick, but it is creative and has a visually intriguing feel and it is entertaining. It may not be for everyone, but it is one interesting take on the story of Frankenstein, Hitler and his Nazi monsters that were a plague on society.  

The Omega Man (1971)

Last night, I was trying to decide what to watch after Army of Darkness and I was struggling. Sometimes, I cannot get into the right mindset for anything in particular and struggle deciding on what genre I want to venture into. That is when I stumbled onto the classic Sci-Fi flick The Omega Man from 1971, a movie I have not seen in years.

Plot/ Robert Neville, a doctor, due to an experimental vaccine, is the only survivor of an apocalyptic war waged with biological weapons. The plague caused by the war has killed everyone else except for a few hundred deformed, nocturnal people calling themselves The Family.

Richard Matheson is one of the greatest Sci-Fi writers ever and one of his all-time best works is the classic I Am Legend. While there have been many adaptations of this classic on the big screen spanning multiple decades and generations, the storyline stands tall. In this adaptation, film icon Charlton Heston takes the lead and runs with it with a great performance. While I will admit, I am more a fan of Vincent Price and Last Man on Earth, this interpretation holds its own. While there are some flaws in this flick, which appears dated and full of the signature camp of the 1970s, it is engaging. Overall, the performances are solid, the soundtrack works and the post apocalyptic atmosphere is realistic. Of course, the change in the vampiric nature of the creatures is still a bit hard to accept, one of the reasons I think I am drawn to the Price version, but it is still entertaining. In the end, this adaptation is a classic piece of 1970s Sci-Fi and must be seen. Sure, it has some flaws, but it remains one of Heston’s better performances and a trip into a dark time.

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!