Yesterday, I saw a documentary named «The Angel Effect», produced and aired of National Geographic Channel. I did not have so high expectations to be honest, after have been disappointed about the other documentaries from NGC lately (see other reviews, and you will see what I mean), but this one turned out to be one of the best documentaries – if not the best, from NGC I've ever seen.
A survivor of 9/11, an astronaut and a hole diver - all survived dramatically different traumatic events, only to tell shockingly similar stories: each had extraordinary experience, feeling a mysterious presence that they believe guided them to safety when they needed it the most. But what were these strange presence? Can they be explained? The devout call them guardian angels or divine encounters - others encounter a kind stranger. Could they have been angels? Phantoms? Or were their minds just playing tricks on them? Dubbed the "Third Man Factor," hundreds have reported this mysterious phenomenon - and now, science is taking a closer look, zeroing in on the location and the mechanism in the brain they believe may be responsible for these visions.
The documentary takes two different approaches to the phenomenon; a scientific explanation, delivered by a scientist who has done research on this field for several years, and a orthodox priest that I got the impression didn't had studied the phenomenon closely, but gave general answers to how angels are seen in orthodox Christian faith. In other words, I think the religiose approach suffered greatly from that it partly didn't get as much time as the scientific perspective, and partly from under-qualified interview objects. That is also the only bad thing to say about this documentary.
Because even if it was a little unbalanced, it was a great watch. It goes detailed in to the phenomenon and goes to great length to understand what is happening in the brain, and why. It also made me plunder on that if it's something that we have left behind from the pre-humans through the evolution; which else abilities have the majority of us lost?
The documentary had perfect length, was entertaining and very informative. Great combination, and if it hadn't been that it was a little unbalanced as previously mentioned, I would have given it a 6 out of 6, but I'm going for a very strong 5 out of 6, and I can without doubt recommend it.
I've heard about this, but also heard a lot of things explaining the phenomenon. Richard Dawkins had a lot to say, of course.
ReplyDeleteI think it's just their mind playing tricks, but still it's an interesting subject.
ReplyDeletenice review, thanks
ReplyDeleteI might have to check it out. This does seem interesting
ReplyDeleteive yet to be disappointed by a ngc program!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm interesting... spirit guide? mite have to check this doco out, thanks for the share
ReplyDeleteLooks totally cool, I want to see this now. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI gotta find this documentary, Looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really interesting documentary.
ReplyDeleteyes it always helps to watch movies with low expectations, that way you can be pleasantly surprised. this topic fascinates me in the same way mortality is fascinating
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. The human brain is capable of so many things and I don't doubt its ability to perceive a higher intelligence.
ReplyDeletei would love to hear the survivors stories
ReplyDeletenever heard about this before, will try and watch it of you say it's so good.
ReplyDeleteRight from the very beginning, they talked about it a visions. Blegh.
ReplyDeleteScience is learning and accepting the truth. Even unscientific ones.
Will see this.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm putting this on my "To Watch" list.
This is actually an interest to me- I'm going to have to check it out- thanks for the looking out/post!
ReplyDeleteFinally a good one
ReplyDeleteSounds really interesting, I'll watch it this weekend
ReplyDeleteI love these "Paranormal" kind of documentaries.. as long as they stay objective and tell the real information about happenings.. as soon as they start telling about ghosts and shit too much, I shut it down
ReplyDeleteThe degree of imbalance notwithstanding, this looks like a must see. I've always been fascinated by people's attempts to rationalize/theorize on the not-quite-scientifically-explainable.
ReplyDeleteThat seems like something I'd enjoy watching, however I have a habit of being too willing to believe! lol
ReplyDeletewhite noise 2 sounds like this kinda in a very round about way =]
ReplyDeleteSounds really interesting, thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteNational Geographic always has the best stuff. One of my favorites was that animal unlikely friendship show
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I'll have to look this up sometime.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting.
ReplyDeletethis one seems interesting :D
ReplyDeleteAh, The subjective experience, nothing else comes even close.
ReplyDeleteSounds pretty interesting, I think I'm going to have to check this out.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting show.
ReplyDeletedude. those kind of shows that go into detail about the human brain are so cool! I have like 3 of them on my DVR just waiting for me to have the time to watch them. The human brain under great stress . Going to watch that one. haha.
ReplyDeleteangels..meh
ReplyDeletei'm def. gonna check this one out :D
ReplyDeletehmmm might be interesting
ReplyDeleteThis is great!
ReplyDeletethanks, i'll look for this docu. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like my kind of documentary, actually. I'd be quite interested in seeing this. Definitely keeping an eye out for it.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the other NG Docs but im intrested enough to look into this one!
ReplyDeletesounds interesting. i do love me a documentary so i guess ill have to put this'n on the list
ReplyDeleteI need to watch more NGG. It seems like the old Discovery Channel before Mythbusters took over
ReplyDeleteWow, seems cool, gonna check it out.
ReplyDeleteIT sounds pretty interesting, is there any way to see it on the web? Following!
ReplyDeleteI love me some good documentaries.
ReplyDeleteYeah, could be something paranormal, or maybe a guardian angel? The world may never know...
ReplyDeletewill check Nat GEo for repeat. sounds good.
ReplyDeleteYou choose nice subjects! You don't meet that often.
ReplyDelete