Too Scary 2 Watch!: 4. The Fourth Kind

Title: The Fourth Kind

Year: 2009

Genre: Supernatural Thriller

Type: A-Movie

Run Time: 98

Theatrical MPAA Rating: PG-13

Cast: Milla Jovovich, Elias Koteas, Will Patton

Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi

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IMDB Movie Link

Amazon Movie Link

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Watch Movie

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Trailer

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Synopsis

In remote Alaska, citizens have been mysteriously vanishing since the 1960s. Despite multiple FBI investigations, the truth behind the phenomena had never been discovered—until now.

While videotaping therapy sessions with traumatized patients, psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler (Milla Jovovich) unwittingly exposes terrifying revelations of multiple victims whose claims of being visited by alien figures all share disturbingly identical details. Based on actual case studies, The Fourth Kind uses Dr. Tyler’s never-before-seen archival footage alongside dramatic reenactments to present the most disturbing evidence ever documented in this provocative thriller critics are calling “terrifyingly real…The most shocking alien abduction movie to date.” –Tim Anderson, BLOODY-DISGUSTING.COM

Alternative Synopsis

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1220198/plotsummary

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Personal Thoughts

"May Contain Spoilers"

Well, I got off of work, grabbed a bite to eat, and began looking over my movie collection in search of the next movie to recommend (Trying to find good movies to recommend can be a bit of an exhausting process).

After about ten minutes of indecision, I ended up settling on The Fourth Kind. The Fourth Kind is a 2009 supernatural thriller (alien abduction themed film) based on the alleged case files of Dr Abigail Emily Tyler. The movie, which is set in Nome, a small town in Alaska (a place where strange, unexplained disappearances and encounters with extraterrestrial beings are said to have occurred), bears striking resemblance to that of the X-Files -- think Mulder and Scully as they investigate the unknown.

Is The Fourth Kind Based on a True Story?

This appears to be the million dollar question. The quick and short answer is, no it is not. Although the film makes outright claims of being based on real events, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to do some research prior to seeing it. So when I saw the movie for the first time, I did so soberly, being fully aware of the fact that it's a fictional story meant to invoke controversy, mystery and fear (think The Blair Witch Project).

Most people won't dispute the fact that The Fourth Kind is a nerve-wracking and unsettling film. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that it got under my skin at times. It had its share of disturbing moments that blurred the line between abduction and possession. Unlike many others, I wasn't upset over how the movie made claims of being based on real events. I also didn't mind its claims to contain real-life archive footage from some of the actual case files of Dr Abigail Tyler. Real or not, to me it made the film unique. Though I didn't mind any of that, I did however feel the film could have done without director Olatunde Osunsanmi and actor Milla Jovovich's cliche attempts to try and convince the audience of its authenticity, which may have been the very reason why the film spawned so many negative reviews.

Is The Fourth Kind Scary?

The "fabricated" archive footage shown in the film was disturbing to say the least, and the movie, real or not, doesn't help ease the thought that people out there somewhere, may be experiencing these types of things for real. The Fourth Kind left me disturbed for days, and if I had to crown one movie as "The SCARIEST movie of the 2000's", The Fourth Kind would probably get my vote.

In closing, this is one of those movies that you just have to see for yourself. "In the end, what you believe is yours to decide" ... is a punchline from the film. The Fourth Kind hinges on the premise that what you're viewing may be real, which can leave a person very disappointed when he or she comes to grip with the fact that it's not real. But if you can separate fact from fiction, and get over the obvious ... that the movie is just a fictional story, a film trying to pass itself off as real in a rather clever manner, then you may find some entertainment in it, which is why I'm making this my fourth movie recommendation.

Movie Recommendation Number 4 - Overall Recommendation Number 4

Review

http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/2009/the-fourth-kind/

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What I liked:

- The "supposedly" real footage side by side with the movie footage
- The creepiness. This movie "in my opinion" had a few really disturbing moments
- The cinematography (shots, camera angles) were absolutely amazing (I'm sure nobody cares)

What I didn't like:

- The directors (Olatunde Osunsanmi) attempt to try and convince us the movie is based on actual events

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My Ratings