This short doc provides a warped twist that only explains itself in the last 5 min, but you need the other 11min to lead you there. It's really quite a nice watch and I'm my opinion very well made. Extra credit goes to the music. It really carried the story along to its highest point. Well done
39 Reviews
Feel Good
nebohr7 September 2020
Apparently he's never had a job and has duped his grandparents into supporting both himself and his obviously fake "search" for aliens. In order for any signal he might actually transmit to be heard over the ambient noise of space for a distance of several light-years his junkyard / 1950's Hollywood props collection would consume enough power to run a small city and that's if the beam were kept as tight as a laser. I don't see it happening. The dead giveaway is the "transmission tower" we see at 03:37; it is obviously fake.
6/10 -- NEAT!
Analog_Devotee8 June 2021
A dedication to endless wonder
triasmoodley21 August 2023
This way-too-short non-fiction autobiography is truly inspirational. Not many children get to live out their childhood fascinations at the level and magnitude of one John Shepherd and to do it with so little . From a rough childhood and an early infatuation with science fiction to becoming a famous name in space cult pop culture John is both likeable and inspiring . The story is not just about how far imagination and dedication to ones craft can produce amazing things but also reminds us that whilst we may search the universe for answers , we are most likely to find them right here at home on Earth.
Cheesy and uninteresting
don_nazarino22 August 2020
Boring and misleading
climbermand27 August 2020
Compensation
conalltoal24 August 2020
I'm giving it ten to compensate for the heartless, cynical, tasteless, idiots that somehow garnished a 1 or 2 star rating for a genuinely beautiful short. Ticks every box if you're a fan of short films. Hopeful, heartwarming, genuine, fulfilling. Worth every minute of the 16 provided.
Disingenuous and manipulative
info-5028310 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Some people think, "Aw, how heartwarming. He didn't succeed in contacting aliens but he managed to find his gay love in the middle of nowhere." But that was 27 years ago in 1993, so why tell his story now? His partner doesn't even look pleased to be on camera. And is his story really worth bringing up again? The notion that just because he's gay and found a partner justifies a documentary is patronising to gay people.
This man is delusional if he thought he could contact aliens. Humans have been transmitting signals into space long before he was even born. And the very first radiowaves from 100 years ago are barely just reaching the second closest star in our galaxy. If there's extraterrestrial life out there, they would receive his broadcasts long after he is gone from this planet. The truth is that he hasn't done anything worthwhile with his life. This would have been clear if the documentary was any more than skin deep.
This man is delusional if he thought he could contact aliens. Humans have been transmitting signals into space long before he was even born. And the very first radiowaves from 100 years ago are barely just reaching the second closest star in our galaxy. If there's extraterrestrial life out there, they would receive his broadcasts long after he is gone from this planet. The truth is that he hasn't done anything worthwhile with his life. This would have been clear if the documentary was any more than skin deep.
Sorry for the grandparents and the audience
saldirai26 August 2020
Can't believe people loving the storytelling of this short film. The title is OK, it catches the audience but the rest was not connected to this catch. It's like anybody's story, nothing interesting here. (OK not anybody but anybody who is obsessed)
BTW this movie made me feel sorry for the grandparents, they must have gone through hard times while "John Was Trying To Contact Aliens".
BTW this movie made me feel sorry for the grandparents, they must have gone through hard times while "John Was Trying To Contact Aliens".
I really loved this title. There could have been more but what it had was really nice
valentinepagesteven25 August 2020
I started the documentary thinking it would be 2 hours of some guy who loves aliens, some interviews with experts on both sides, a slide real of pictures to an oldies or techno sound track and then an ending with john not finding aliens. What I got was a real human story about a unique person who was searching for something to prove he wasn't alone. I feel like the shortness was really different and i'm not sure if it's what I would have expected. I would really hope that any piece of media could at least fit in a 1/2 hour slot and I think this documentary is no exception and wouldn't have drawn it out too far. I really have to think about weather me wanting more of this movie is a negative or not but I know it did leave me enriched from what I saw.
Seriously.....
aniceguy198821 August 2020
Short and very sweet
circusjelleman-6067620 August 2020
This is a well spent 16 minuten of my time. It doesn't give you much but for me it peaked my interest just enough to decide to want to know more about this exceptional man and his project.
I'm very happy for you John...
I'm very happy for you John...
Bizarre, a fault ir respect
lamv2 September 2020
Don't waste 16 minutes of your life
julikaf31 August 2020
The Human Condition we all Need!
keithbarry-9357122 August 2020
John was trying to contact aliens!!! What would you expect with that title? So, Much more than a title, It's 16 minutes of Live,love,eccentric personalities and so much more! Im so Happy I watched this and I have only one complaint, I WANT TO KNOW MORE!!!! John you have such an awesome story to tell! I hope you make it to where you dream of!
In search of gayliens
SpacemanBob23 August 2020
Short and Sweet
walkonthered21 August 2020
John is not the shiniest spanner
GrahamsMovies19 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't watch the full clip as I'm a sci-fi fan. Obviously the title was attractive, but checking the reviews I find it's about a gay bloke who maybe isn't firing on all cylinders - if you know what I mean. Some people may find it a nice film, but it's really nothing more than click bait for me. I stopped watching 3 mins in as it's not really my cup of earl grey.
Good for what it is
gavinshirey20 August 2020
John was trying to contact aliens is a 16 minute mini documentary. It's a basic telling of John's life and his craft. However do to its length they cant get that much into detail. What they do provide is interesting though, but it leaves you wanting to know more.
Delightful and unexpected
alexfiles31 August 2020
This is not a documentary about extraterrestrials. It's more a story about someone who for many reasons found it more logical to reach out to space for communication and understanding - and then found it on earth anyway. Utterly charming.
What a nice guy...
karlmartin-473523 September 2020
Although the usual assumption would be to think this guy is a complete fruit loop & a bit bonkers, Netflix have handled this with great sensitivity and I really warmed to the guy. A basic tale of a guy who feels 'different' and is just trying to find meaning not only in the world but spreading cultural love beyond the stars. A lovely little film focusing on a really sweet guy.
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