Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Alien Valley’

Written by Scott Edwards

​My, how reality television has changed over the years. I remember when it was just a camera crew and someone talking into the camera about their experiences, but now it is so much more, now it resembles a drama. Knowing that most of the reality shows are scripted, I quickly drew away from the programming since the twists that are being shown are not real and the shows are just trying to market on my ignorance. There might be a couple of shows that are still real, but the more you watch and listen to some of the lines, you know deep in your soul that it is nothing other than just a cheap drama that is meant to keep you glued to your television set.

The Paranormal Mysteries television show has not been honest with its audience over the years, even the main producer admits to it when the team’s last footage was found. Being ridiculed for adding jump scares during the editing of the show, none of the legit shows are willing to give it an ounce of credit for what it does. Even when the final footage was found after the team mysteriously disappeared during an investigation, it just seems like something that they have done before. But getting more experts on the subject of aliens and animal mutilations to chime in, they find out that there might be more of a cover-up than they have ever seen in previous years.

While getting set for their investigation in the San Luis Valley to find out who or what is behind all of the cow mutilations that have taken place over the years, the Paranormal Mysteries team has left nothing to chance. Being able to get a local rancher to tell his story on camera, along with having him keep a camera on him at all times just in case something happens again, they know that there will be some great footage either way. The team of Eric (the talent), Dave and Matt (camera men), Andrea (talent and gag specialist), Claire (researcher) and Rob (the producer), have some ideas on how to make the final shot something special for their viewers, but little do they know that they are entering a place unlike anywhere they've been before.

With the assistance of Rose, a local officer liaison to police their actions, the group has been given more access to the area than anyone has ever had before. Conducting interviews with the locals, the Paranormal Mysteries team has made themselves noticed and they are not too well received in the small community. Sneaking around to get the shots that they need, Dave starts to develop feelings for his liaison and lucky for him, she is feeling the same way. Not being granted access to the main ‘commons’ area where all the mutilations take place, Dave is able to get the group a little extra access with his new relationship, but what they find in the dead of night will change everyone’s outlook on the mutilations for the remainder of their days. Trying to make up a gag UFO, the group stumbles across a cow that has been carved up by a strange invader and they quickly find out that they are not the only ones roaming around the off-limits area.

This was just a fun look at a paranormal show that is only looking for ratings and gets burned because of it. With all of the hatred towards the group for what they have turned into a mockery, their final footage has been seen by many and while there is doubt that it really happened, the lack of the crew making it back to L.A. to get paid speaks volumes. The group dynamic is fun and watching as some of them have feelings for one another, the stars always get what they want without question. Dave is really the main character of the movie and while he goes from girl to girl to find a happiness, Rob was really the character that I could see being the true to life producer on a reality show to make sure they get all of the shots necessary to get the ratings that they need to go on. With some fun fake group scares, and then the alien actually hunting them down, you will be left wondering if this is just another episode of their show or did something really happen to them. Stay Scared.

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