Ejecta

To make a successful and original science fiction film seems to be no easy task these days. Just take a look at Shout Factory's latest Blu-ray "Ejecta" as an example. It has all the elements of a bona-fide sci-fi hit: an eerie alien premise, scads of genuine paranoid moments, and scenes filled with tension.

But then this IFC Films release resorts to the tried-and-true found footage approach, as well as a documentary-style filmmaking. Ugh.

"Ejecta" basically has a three-fold premise to the screenplay. William Cassidy (a creepy-looking Julian Richings) has been living through years of alien sightings and other-worldly encounters. The audience learns this through constant flashbacks that involve bright, vivid lights and foggy atmosphere.

On the eve of a forthcoming alien encounter, a researcher (Adam Seybold) decides to follow William on his latest adventure; this is where the documentary feel to the film comes into play.

In between all of this, annoying government agents taunt William and torture him to get to the bottom of his real story. Is he lying to gain fame?

So how does "Ejecta" play out as a whole? There are bits and pieces that are enjoyable and truly unsettling. I liked the actress who plays a bitchy government official; she spews hatred and one-liners, sometimes all in the same scene. But Shout Factory, in conjunction with IFC Films, gives viewers only one small bonus feature: the theatrical trailer for "Ejecta." This sci-fi Blu-ray gets the thumbs down.

"Ejecta"
Blu-ray
www.shoutfactory.com