SIFF Sighting: MIRAGE MEN (Documentary; United Kingdom)

In the late 1940s, residents in the U.S. began reporting sightings of flying saucers—what would a few years later be referred to as Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). Some were frightened by them; others fascinated.

A few decades later when World War II Veteran Paul Bennewitz began talking up the things he was seeing from his home in New Mexico, the NSA cruelly began messing with his mind. They sent him "encrypted" messages supposedly from aliens; planted "evidence" of spaceship crashes on land nearby his house and flat out told him that aircrafts which belonged to the military were really vehicles from other planets. Their games drove him crazy, making him such a laughing stock amongst his peers that no one would believe a word he said.

This was all justified because of a "counterintelligence" campaign meant to preserve secret technology that was in development nearby at the USAF base. And of course, the believers think it was an elaborate cover-up of actual alien evidence, but this documentary has several folks from all sides of the fence going on record to share their truths.

Though the presentation is engaging (archive footage spliced in with talking head interviews), the reality that one of our veterans (and who knows who else) was used as a sacrificial lamb in our government's counterintelligence ruse is hard to digest.

MIRAGE MEN will be shown at the 40th Seattle International Film Festival May 20 and 21. For tickets, go here.

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Cinebanter #84 - AVATAR

The MP3 of Cinebanter #84 is available here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula venture into Pandora as they review James Cameron's AVATAR. In The Last Five®, they both recall their thoughts on INVICTUS and a few small documentaries. They also respond to a Listener Last Five and announce their next show. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 AVATAR Discussion
• Break
• 28:50 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 29:34 The Last Five®
• 53:04 Listener Last Five (Jordan in Greenville, SC)
• 1:03:09 Credits & Outtakes

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: ME AND ORSON WELLES, FLOWER SNAKE, INVICTUS, LAKEVIEW TERRACE and WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY? Tassoula's Last Five in this episode were: A CHRISTMAS STORY, A CHRISTMAS TALE, EVERY F-ING DAY OF MY LIFE, INVICTUS and UP IN THE AIR.

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here.

The show is also available on Podcast Alley, and blubrry. Please vote for us at any of those sites and leave comments if you like what you hear.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins for providing the original music in this episode.

Reviews and/or notes of every movie Michael sees can be found at his MichaelVox website.

Tassoula has reviews, musings and movie-related product links at Tassoula's Movie Review Blog.

Feedback is always welcome - you may leave comments here or e-mail the hosts at cinebanter@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #77 - DISTRICT 9

The MP3 of Cinebanter #77 is available here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula consider the moral and social implications of DISTRICT 9. In The Last Five®, Michael dislikes one of his partner's recommendations, while Tassoula suffers through a horrible chick flick. The hosts also respond to two Listener Last Fives. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 DISTRICT 9 Discussion
• Break
• 16:32 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 17:09 The Last Five®
• Break
• 42:36 Listener Last Fives (Dave in Baltimore; Jordan in South Bend)
• 57:02 Credits & Outtake

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: AXIS OF EVIL COMEDY TOUR, I LOVE YOU, MAN, THE BOURNE TRILOGY, ROSETTA and NOTHING IS PRIVATE. Tassoula's Last Five in this episode were: BETTY BLUE: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT, CHERI, A PERFECT GETAWAY, TOY STORY 2 and NIGHTS IN RODANTHE.

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here.

The show is also available on Podcast Alley, and blubrry. Please vote for us at any of those sites and leave comments if you like what you hear.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins for providing the original music in this episode.

Reviews and/or notes of every movie Michael sees can be found at his MichaelVox website.

Tassoula has reviews, musings and movie-related product links at Tassoula's Movie Review Blog.

Feedback is always welcome - you may leave comments here or e-mail the hosts at cinebanter@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!