Friday, January 15
The real story behind The Fourth Kind
"The Fourth Kind" is an alien abduction film 'somewhat' based on real life events, with an out-of-this world twist. The story, set in Nome, Alaska, is loosely based on the mysterious disappearances of 24 people in the town. The FBI did investigate the disappearances, which took place between the 1960s and 2004, and concluded in 2006 that "alcohol" was common factor in most of the disappearances. Before the FBI concluded the investigation, it was believed that the deaths and disappearances were the work of a local serial killer.
The movie is based on the theory that the missing-persons cases were actually alien abductions. "The Fourth Kind" hit theaters on November 6, 2009 and featured "archival footage" of the "most disturbing evidence of alien abduction ever documented." The 'footage' is that of hypnotherapy sessions between a "Dr. Abigail Tyler," played by Milla Jovovich, and patients who claimed they were abducted. The aliens in the movie spoke the long-lost Sumerian language.
True Story: The FBI and Missing Villagers in Nome Alaska
In 2005, the FBI sent homicide detectives to investigate a series of unsolved disappearances and deaths in Nome, Alaska. Most of the victims were Native villagers. Between the 1960s and 2004, over 20 people mysteriously died, or vanished. In 2006, the FBI concluded that "excessive alcohol consumption and a harsh winter climate" were to blame for the disappearances.
Dr. Abigail Tyler and the "Alaska Psychiatry Journal"
In the movie "The Fourth Kind," Milla Jovovich plays Dr. Abigail Tyler, the Nome, Alaska, psychiatrist who stumbles upon the 'alien abduction' link between her patients, during clinical hypnotherapy sessions. If you search for Dr. Abigail Tyler, Nome Alaska, a website called "Alaska Psychiatry Journal" provides a "biography" of Dr. Tyler with "related articles" on the topics of sleep disorders, emotional issues, hypnotherapy and regression therapy. However, the website does not have a homepage or contact information. The website was registered on GoDaddy in August 2009. A real online-medical publication would have such information, so this leads to the conclusion that the website is a viral marketing ploy, much like the promotion for the upcoming "2012" movie and the for "Institute for Human Continuity." Sorry to burst your bubble, but this doesn't rule out that Dr. Tyler 'could' have been based on a 'real' doctor; but if there were, the true account would have made for a much more interesting find.
Overall, I love a good horror/sci-fi flick whether it is true or not. This one looks promising. Check out the trailer below.