Dark Skies
Dark Skies is based on a mid nineties television series originally designed to go head to head with the then monstrously popular X Files. That mission was not quite accomplished as NBC barely let it survive two seasons. Here Lacy and Daniel Barrett (Keri Russell and Josh Hamilton) are having a tough time making ends meet for their suburban family - that includes two sons Jesse (Toronto’s Dakota Goyo) and Sam (Kadan Rockett) – on the one income from Lacy who as a Realtor is mediocre at best. All of a sudden money problems pale in comparison to the sudden onslaught of paranormal activity that climaxes with Lacy flashing on a grey gangly interloper in Sam’s bedroom. Reluctantly putting their scepticism aside Lacy and Daniel seek council from Edwin Pollard (J. K. Simmons) who allegedly is an expert on what they are going through. Unfortunately his explanation for their plight is terrifying and he offers them little hope for salvation. Sure Charlie’s Angels was successful in the ongoing regurgitation of the small screen on the big screen, but Dukes of Hazard and Starsky and Hutch prove that reincarnating old TV shows is no guaranteed formula for success. And these were popular programs! Who thought resurrecting disappointments would be a good idea? Especially when the pretty cool elements of sixties nostalgia and aliens vs. aliens from the original are brushed aside. Maybe these will surface next time as clearly the brain trust responsible here has left the back door of this film wide open for re-entry.