Common Sense Media Review
By Matt Springer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Spooky science-based series explains and debunks.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
Hosted by Fringe and Lord of the Rings star John Noble, DARK MATTERS: TWISTED BUT TRUE examines some of science's greatest unexplained mysteries and unnatural phenomena. Each story is told through narration, spookily-filmed reenactment clips, and interviews from scientists and historians who place the unusual tales within a more grounded context. Though the stories are occasionally left conspicuously open-ended, the show generally relies upon science to debunk these remarkable stories.
Is It Any Good?
TV has a long tradition of focusing on the unexplained, not just in the form of science fiction and The Twilight Zone, but in series such as In Search Of... and Unsolved Mysteries. Dark Matters is the latest iteration of this subgenre, and aided by the appropriately spooky hosting and voiceover work of John Noble, it manages to bring a somewhat fresh take to the format.
The stories may seem familiar to those who enjoy reading up on strange phenomena -- the Philadelphia Experiment, the whereabouts of Einstein's brain. Where Dark Matters sets itself apart is in how it tells those stories. Reenactments feature actors shot not only on real sets, but against distorted computer-generated backdrops; the effect is like watching old smeared photographs in motion. While younger kids will certainly be too confused and scared to appreciate the series, teens who enjoy sci-fi and other genre entertainment will get a big kick out of these (slightly) more real stories.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the show uses style and digital technology to create impact for the stories it tells. Did you notice any specific effects, and if so, how did they improve the show?
Are there any unexplained phenomena that you believe in? Why might you believe some phenomena but not others?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 31, 2011
- Cast : John Noble
- Network : SCIENCE
- Genre : Educational
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 21, 2019
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