Communion

Whitley Strieber's bestselling (third largest paperback sales for 1988) account of his abduction by aliens makes a very good transition to the big screen. On December 26, 1985, novelist Strieber claims he was visited by aliens, whisked away to a spaceship, and given a thorough examination. Whether one believes his story or not, Communion is top-notch scary entertainment. Christopher Walken is excellent in the role of the writer, and Lindsay Crouse is superb as his distraught wife, Ann. Director Phillipe Mora masterfully maintains the suspension of disbelief, as we watch the Strieber's struggling to cope with an experience that brings fear, mistrust, and confusion into a solid ordinary American family. Easily one of the more intelligent and provocative movies on the subject of extraterrestrials, Communion is a moody, atmospheric chiller, heightened by the ethereal guitar soundtrack by Eric Clapton. Recommended. (R. Pitman) [DVD Review—June 8, 2010—Hen's Tooth, 101 min., R, $19.95—Making its second appearance on DVD, 1989's Communion features a great transfer and Dolby Digital sound. DVD extras include two audio commentaries (including the original version by director Philippe Mora and William J. Birnes, publisher of UFO Magazine; the second a 2010 recording with Mora), outtakes (15 min.), behind-the-scenes footage (6 min.), an excerpt from 'According to Occam's Razor' featuring footage of an alien implant removal (2 min.), still photos, storyboards, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a decent supernatural thriller.]