Fire in the Sky

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1990's, Based on a true story, Bradley Gregg, Craig Sheffer, D. B. Sweeney, Drama, Fire in the Sky, Henry Thomas, James Garner, Mystery, Peter Berg, Robert Lieberman, Robert Patrick, Science Fiction

Inspired by the alleged alien abduction of Travis Walton, Fire in the Sky paints a mysterious yet very deep story of the impact of truth and whether people believe what is deemed extraordinary. Whether you believe the story or not, this film is bound to have an effect on you.

It is 1975 in Snowflake, Arizona and happy go lucky logger Travis Walton( D.B. Sweeney) has just started working on a job in the White Mountains. He is on the team headed by his more serious friend and future brother in law Mike Rogers, who is the kind of man who tries to keep everything running smoothly in life. Then there is the rest of the group; hot-headed troublemaker Allan Dallis( Craig Sheffer) , trustworthy and religious David Whitlock( Peter Berg) and jokers, Greg Hayes(Henry Thomas) and Bobby Cogdill( Bradley Gregg) . On the night of November 5th, they are travelling in their truck back home when they see a brilliant red light in the distance. Curious, they go to look at it and here is where events get sinister. They come across what looks like an alien spaceship, though they can’t be sure. Travis gets out to examine it and is struck by a light. Fearing him dead as he doesn’t move, the team in terror leaves. Later on, Mike returns to look for Travis but there is no sign of him. Returning to their town, they relay what they saw to the local police officer. The arrival of seasoned detective Lt. Frank Watters( James Garner) coincides with the investigation as he digs into the story. At first he doesn’t believe their tale and believes there has been foul play involved. The townsfolk get wind of events and most people are highly skeptical of what transpired. Yet when after five days, Travis turns up, disorientated and traumatised, it leaves things wide open for interpretation. Especially when he ‘remembers’ what happened to him, much to the shock of others.

Robert Lieberman is at the helm of this film and he effortlessly infuses it with a sense of time and place. He contributes a very human touch to what many will say is fiction by not going overboard with the alien aspects, keeping a certain sense of realism to things that many may sniff at. Fire in the Sky lets you make your mind up on whether the extraterrestrial encounter took place or not. It edges towards believing Walton’s claims, yet leaves a welcome ambiguity and mystery to it. What’s most impressive about Fire in the Sky is how it doesn’t go for an over sensationalised angle and instead concentrates on the pain of losing a friend and how it sends shockwaves through an uneventful small town. The film is pretty character driven, particularly by and is all the more human for it. Naturally, it has filmic elements to add to the story( which I’ll speak about later that are effectively used), and that’s what makes Fire in the Sky a strange beast. It’s a film about s science fiction subject that’s played entirely straight. Now it’s not flawless by any means( I find some parts of it don’t add up and the denouement could have been stronger), but for my money, Fire in the Sky is a very underrated movie that’s worth your time.

And when it gets to the scenes of what what happened to Travis, horrifying is taken up several notches as we witness the torture and dehumanisation of this man. Shot like a chilling horror movie, it’s a scene that genuinely makes you uncomfortable and disturbed. Many will claim that these sequences embrace science fiction too much, but I think it’s just following the story as Walton told it with an obvious bit of elaboration for the movie to chill you. And that’s not a criticism, I mean don’t all movies based on real life take some different avenues in the name of entertainment? If anything, it’s one of the best scenes in the film in terms of what it presents and just how scary it makes it. Up until that point, there has been definitely strange but these sequences that come later on in Fire in the Sky really go for the jugular. The music by Mark Isham, strikes the right chords of emotion, fear and when needed terror, to create something that plays along to the movie’s strength.

The cast assembled here is a very good one that add a lot to the film. D. B. Sweeney, with his likeable face and jovial manner is ideal for the part of the dreamer whose suddenly taken. It’s impressive because his appearance in the film is mainly in the first quarter and then the last parts, the rest of the time focuses on the other characters related to him. Sweeney manages to make Walton a full character in the time he’s on screen with just the right amount of sympathy and belief, especially after his traumatic experience which is where Sweeney really shines. Robert Patrick is given the most material and boy does he act his socks off. Embodying determination, a head full of guilt and being the boss in life, Patrick explores excellently by giving him layers and making him very relatable. It’s stellar acting from Patrick as the heart of the story. Craig Sheffer, Peter Berg, Henry Thomas and Bradley Gregg flesh out the other members of the team, with particularly good skill from Sheffer as the belligerent member and Berg as the one who tries to smooth everything into a positive. James Garner is a huge plus to the cast and he’s obviously relishing the role of old school lieutenant. Still bearing that twinkle in his eye and wit that balances with notes of grim seriousness, Garner is superb.

Involving, emotional and by turns very creepy, Fire in the Sky is an intriguing film that I think deserves a bigger audience, especially for its acting and aforementioned revelations. I think many will enjoy the mystery and very human drama within Fire in the Sky.

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The X-Files Season 9

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2000's, Annabeth Gish, Burt Reynolds, Cary Elwes, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Lucy Lawless, Mitch Pileggi, Robert Patrick, The X-Files, The X-Files Season 9

I thought it was about time I got back into my X-Files reviews again after a hiatus. So here is my review of last season of the original run. At this point in the show, it was running out of steam and becoming a bit stale. Season 8 was redeemed by an emotional finale, but I could sense that the show was running a bit low. With Season 9, there are obvious flaws here, but it still has moments that shine. Spoilers will be following in this review so be warned.

Mulder(David Duchovny) has gone into hiding after bring tipped off by Kirsch about the fact that he’s in danger. Meanwhile, Scully(Gillian Anderson) is taking care of her son William and is on maternity leave for the beginning of the season feeling she must protect her son from the possible dangers her work poses, before coming back slowly to work. Determined Doggett(Robert Patrick) is investigating Kirsch as he believes he has links to the conspiracy of creating super soldiers that has been referenced by many for a while. It turns out that Kirsch actually despite his own terse and shifty persona has been helping all the agents present even though those above him have been manipulating him. Doggett and good friend Monica Reyes(Annabeth Gish) continue investigating the X-Files and experience more strange cases, later being joined by Scully and often Skinner(Mitch Pileggi). There is also another new Assistant Director, Brad Follmer(Cary Elwes), who has history with Reyes and is something of an ambivalent character who you’re never quite sure what to make of. More evidence is discovered of the covert experiments to create indestructible beings within the darkness of the government. Scully’s baby begins exhibiting signs of powers far beyond logical explanation, that leads all the agents down into the conspiracy and how it holds links to baby William and the dangers that are posed to him. The main danger begins with a UFO cult who believe that William will lead the Super Soldiers and resort to kidnapping the child. Thankfully, Scully and Reyes manage to rescue him, but the experience leaves Scully having to make an important and painful decision.When Mulder comes out of hiding, more danger is sure to follow. So what will become of everyone in the story?

By this point in the scope of The X-Files, I believe it was obvious to many that the show had run its course. The absence of Mulder poses one of the biggest problems in Season 9. Season 8 can be forgiven because Mulder reappeared again in the middle and remained, but here his presence is limited greatly bringing incoherence and inconsistency to the mix. A lot of it has that disjointed feeling again that continues. Some Monster of the Week installments are good, but then there are those that start to feel dated and stale later. The various story lines vary in quality, with some very good and some sinking ships. The William story line was one of the better stories as it had some genuine emotion present. Plus, it led to some of the best episodes of this up and down season so it’s something to be grateful for. The Super Soldiers part of the story is good enough, but it never quite makes an indelible work where it really should have.

Despite mounting weaknesses and diminishing results, some shining moments of note can at least be gleaned. The two-part season opener has an excellent air of mystery and intrigue to it, that starts what becomes a very flawed season off very well. ‘Trust No 1’ in which a mysterious man who is in fact a Super Soldier plays on Scully desire to see Mulder in order to draw him out of hiding again is a nail-biting episode. This is an episode that really plays upon the fear of being observed without knowing it through black and white integration of camera footage prowling around the characters. It has a real flavour of The X-Files of old. Emotions run high in both ‘Provenance’ and ‘Providence’ as William is kidnapped and Scully is prepared to do whatever it takes to get her son back from the hands of the cult. It showcases Scully as a fierce matriarch going the distance and fighting with all she’s got to save her son. A comical highlight has to be ‘Improbable’ which guest stars Burt Reynolds as a most mysterious man whose card playing and numerology somehow chimes in with cases of murder revolving around the number three(luck, chance and fate play a large part too). Some of the situations in the episode are hilariously done with Reyes and Scully both having to play checkers with him before discovering something important. Reynolds has a blast in his part and steals the episode away from everyone with his amusing yet mysterious personality. ‘William’ provides sadness as Scully has to decide to give her son up for adoption as the powers of evil will never stop searching for him as long as he is with her. And I have to talk about the final two episodes ‘The Truth’ in which Mulder surfaces again after being accused of killing a military man, who was in fact a Super Soldier. A trial ensues with Skinner representing Mulder and a whole array of characters past and present being seen in various forms. An exciting getaway for Mulder and Scully is helped by those closest, where they must now ponder a unnerving future.  The use of flashbacks and past characters is a good touch to have as well as Mulder’s return. Yet while the finale answers some burning questions, it gives even more of them more convolution.  I just really wanted a bit more closure than anything in the finale, but as it was, the finale was pretty good albeit ambiguous.

Season 9 may be something of a nadir, but at least there is excellent acting to be found. Gillian Anderson once more provides the show’s emotional anchor as Scully and is as adept as ever portraying her as a maternal figure of determination. By this point, Anderson has fully embodied the character to such a degree that we believe every move she makes because we’ve been along on the same journey as she has over the course of nine seasons. David Duchovny is shortchanged this time around as Mulder, as he appears only twice and it is the finale. He’s still exemplary as Mulder, no one else could have played the character, but I just wanted more of him this season considering it was to tie up loose ends. Robert Patrick impresses as Doggett, whose skepticism brings out the stern yet sarcastic side to his character, even as he begins to come around to the idea of the paranormal. Doggett is a very by the book guy and Patrick captures this excellently, while revealing a vulnerability beneath his tough guy image. Partnering him is Annabeth Gish, who comes into her own as Reyes. Balancing logic with a curiosity towards things that defy natural laws, Gish plays Reyes as a determined yet caring agent. Doggett and Reyes are no Mulder and Scully, but then again I don’t believe there were meant to be. Mitch Pileggi is resolute as always playing Skinner, who finally added to the main cast. I liked seeing this touch as Skinner has proved a very good and purposeful ally to the show and the characters. Cary Elwes is a shifty presence as Follmer, whose loyalties are very much called into question during his time on the show. An underused Lucy Lawless manages to be intriguing and alluring as a renegade super soldier who passes on information to Doggett. The problem is I would have liked to have seen more of her character than what the show had.

 

1. Nothing Important Happened Today – B
2. Nothing Important Happened Today II – B+
3. Dæmonicus – C-
4. 4-D – D
5. Lord of the Flies – C-
6. Trust No 1 – A+
7. John Doe – B+
8. Hellbound – B
9. Provenance – A
10. Providence – A
11. Audrey Pauley – D
12. Underneath – C-
13. Improbable – A
14. Scary Monsters – C-
15. Jump the Shark – C
16. William – B+
17. Release – C-
18. Sunshine Days – D-
19. The Truth Part 1 – B+
20. The Truth Part 2 – B+

So the original run of The X-Files is a definite mixed bag, that sometimes over complicates itself. Still, there is some respite to be found, even though the show could have ended on a somewhat better note.

Though I must say I’ve enjoyed delving into the show and going to the beginning to full experience it after hearing so much about the show. I have found the show to be excellent and can see why it is so iconic, even if the quality slowly ebbs away as it goes on. And fear not, I will continue charting my X-Files watching with a review of the second movie and the six-part series from earlier this year.

The X-Files Season 8

Tags

2000's, Annabeth Gish, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi, Nicholas Lea, Robert Patrick, The X-Files, The X-Files Season 8

Season 7 represented something of a weak point within The X-Files, despite some very good episodes and a redeeming finale that left us with a good few shocks. Now I’m on to Season 8, which from what I’ve read is not exactly most well liked season of the show as newer characters are introduced but absences are felt in what was at the time the penultimate season of the original run. With David Duchovny in a reduced capacity, some of Season 8 flounders as it misses some of the snap it had before. Yet, there is still some good to be found, despite the mounting flaws. This season is very much one of two halves. Warning, spoilers will be following in my review of the penultimate season.

We pick up with a pregnant Scully(Gillian Anderson) as she searches tenaciously to find Mulder(David Duchovny), who was abducted by aliens at the end of Season 7. She has to work with Agent John Doggett(Robert Patrick), who leads a FBI task force in search of Mulder, despite Scully’s reservations about him and preference to work with loyal Skinner(Mitch Pileggi). The search takes significant twists and turns due to the shape shifting Alien Bounty Hunter and interference from superiors, but somehow no one can find Mulder. Meanwhile, Mulder is alive but not well at all, as aliens perform gruesome experiments on him. Doggett is eventually assigned to The X-Files and slowly strikes up a comfortable enough relationship with Scully. By this point, Scully is now a somewhat reluctant believer in the paranormal, in stark comparison with the rational and straight arrow Doggett, who is similar to what Scully was in the beginning of her work. As they delve into the paranormal and unexplained, strangeness is never far from view. An old friend of Doggett’s and fellow agent Monica Reyes(Annabeth Gish) appears and begins to assist them both. Mysteriously, Mulder returns deceased before being strangely brought back to life, which surprises everyone. While Mulder returns against orders not to, he is then fired as pressure from the head director gets personal and he ends up helping Scully secretly with the cases. Scully’s unexpected pregnancy begins to play an important part of the story, as it becomes apparent through sources such as devious Krycek(Nicholas Lea) that the child is a special one that is to be in great danger once born. The prospect of more alien invasion and long-buried government conspiracy become a lot more prominent and looming as the season reaches its climax. What lies ahead for all involved?

The biggest criticism I can aim at this season is the up and down quality of episodes. Whereas past seasons were filled with some really stellar moments, Season 8 is a bit of a let down. Granted there are moments of quality, none quite measure up with some of the iconic and very memorable work that the show has produced in the past. There are some episodes that recycle old ideas in an unsuccessful way and this is really a shame as the show is often one of innovation. The past two seasons showed signs of slowing down, but here there are points when it borders on lethargic. The fact that Mulder is absent for large chunks of the season is a negative, as the relationship between him and Scully is the driving force behind the show. Once Mulder is back in the picture, things pick up. Also, the absence of Cigarette Smoking Man is felt as he always brings the villainy to the table no matter how long he’s on screen for. I just get the feeling that the writers and producers were running a bit low on ideas here and it definitely shows in many instances.

On the positive side, some themes explored are very well observed and as I previously mentioned, the latter half of the season really picks up. Death and resurrection play a big part of this season, adding a bit more dimension to this at times underwhelming season. The arc of Scully’s pregnancy and that her child could be special but in great danger was very well executed and brought an emotional pull to this season, which some of the other episodes lacked. The moment when the baby is born at the very end of the season is a really heart tugger and filled with a real joy, plus we get a passionate and warm kiss shared between Mulder and Scully. And once Mulder comes back into the story, a lot of things start to go right as his absence has caused a void. That being said John Doggett is a good enough character to watch. Sure he’s no Mulder(as there can only be one) but he is still a good addition to the show.

There are still great episodes and moments to be found, despite the overriding feeling of running out of ideas and sometimes lack of coherence. One of the creepiest parts of the season is found in ‘Without’ as Mulder is subjected to horrific experiments from aliens that will have you squirming in your seats due to how unsettling they are and the way they are shot. Stomach-churning contents continue in the unnerving ‘Roadrunners’, in which Scully investigates a murder that leads her to a seemingly amiable town. Yet the people in the place don’t want her to leave as they are part of a cult that worships a parasitic form that they infect strangers with; Scully it would appear is their next chosen victim. Lets just say things get nasty very quickly. ‘The Gift’, featuring a creature that takes disease from the sick but is exploited for it has a definite tragic quality that strikes you. A real highlight of Season 8 is ‘This Is Not Happening’, in which former abductees are returned to Earth, with Mulder being one of them, albeit seemingly diseased. Scully’s reaction to seeing Mulder’s body is a real gut punch and you really just want to comfort her. The following episode ‘Deadalive’ is a tense fight against the clock to save Mulder as it becomes apparent that he’s alive again, there are still dangers posing. Luckily, Mulder is restored to fine health and the fans rejoice. And I loved the throwback to old X-Files with government conspiracy becoming prominent again, after an absence of too long. And the last two episodes of the season in ‘Essence’ and ‘Existence’ are gripping and nail-biting television, complete with memorable scenes of Krycek being terminated and Scully giving birth.

It must be said that the acting from the main principles is typically great. Major kudos to Gillian Anderson for showing Scully’s emergence as a reluctant believer, keeping the faith in the unknown burning. With her delivery of emotion and strength, Anderson is remarkably effective this season. It truly is great seeing Scully firmly in believer territory, as there is no other explanation. Her growth over the years has been so well-played by Gillian Anderson who has infused the part with a deep memorability. I’m guessing the introduction of John Doggett was more than met with a bit of contention, but Robert Patrick does a credible job. Essentially an honest, determined former cop and marine, Patrick makes Doggett reminiscent of how skeptical Scully used to be and shows us how his mettle is tested by his brushes with the paranormal. Combining a toughness, discipline and haunted look due to demons of his past, I liked that Robert Patrick didn’t try to just play another Mulder, as that wouldn’t have worked. When he does appear, David Duchovny is also excellent as Mulder. Despite the wrangles with the plots when he isn’t there, Duchovny makes his present felt as everyone’s favourite Mulder. And it’s great whenever he’s on screen as it adds to the emotion of the show, viewing his bond with Scully and then their baby boy. His absence is deeply felt when he isn’t on the screen, but when he is there everything starts to click. Stalwart star Mitch Pileggi is on cracking form as loyal and dependable Skinner, who begins to take things into his own hands, despite the hazards that could befall him. Skinner is featured heavily in this season and I am thankful for that as he has emerged as one of my favourite characters. Nicholas Lea is as slimy as ever as Krycek, who at times becomes a reluctant ally to Mulder and Scully but is really in it for himself as he always has been. When he gets whats coming to him, it’s a cathartic moment considering all the damage he’s done to everyone over the years. Annabeth Gish appears a handful of times as Monica Reyes, and while some of her character isn’t well-developed enough yet, Gish brings a kooky charm to the character.

1. Within – B+
2. Without – A
3. Patience – D
4. Roadrunners – A
5. Invocation – E
6. Redrum – D-
7. Via Negativa – B
8. Surekill – C-
9. Salvage – D-
10. Badlaa – C+
11. The Gift – A
12. Medusa – C-
13. Per Manum – B
14. This Is Not Happening – A+
15. Deadalive – A+
16. Three Words – A
17. Empedocles – B
18. Vienen – B+
19. Alone – B
20. Essence – A
21. Existence – A+

A significantly weaker season than most in The X-Files, Season 8 manages to just stay interesting and gripping enough thanks to some really great stand alone episodes, the excellence of the last half and performances, especially from Gillian Anderson.