User reviews

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.

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

I enjoy these short, straight-to-the-point, no filler documentaries. This feels more like something you'd stumble upon on YouTube than Netflix, but I'm not complaining. I wish these were more common!

The main character is nice, but why avoid all his life dedication on mystery, aliens, space and sound techniques? All neglected for a cheesy love story with a boring and over treated bias.

Well made short doc (16 minutes) on one man's passion, his search for the unknown, and discovery of something he wasn't looking for. Nicely crafted music. Professional editing and camera work. Good job

A movie about an interesting guy gets over shadowed by a love story that has nothing to do with the subject.

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.

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.

The short Is really a gay love story. Nothing to see with alliens and contacts. I lost 16 minutes ir my life. Ir Is a fraud. A fault ir respect.

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!

16 minutes of pure weirdness! I can't believe Netflix paid for this.

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".

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.

Really sucks, basically at the end you realised it's all about a love story, although...what about the aliens?

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...

One of the sweetest shortest docs I've ever seen. This one is worth the 16min.

Your confused the whole time and then it ends at 16 minutes, you look at who your watching it with in shock then laugh till you cry because no one understands what just happened.

This movie was the wack attack. I couldnt even make it through 16 minutes of this uninteresting fluff.

I love John, like his mission, and adore his mission, but I do not love his movie.

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.

I've never said this about a Neflix production before, but there needed to be more if this lovely story! John is one of the coolest cats out there and was a visionary, DJing an eclectic radio station for potential alien observers. I was incredibly moved in just 16 minutes and wish they had gotten into his technology more (as well as heard more of his space jazz). I do appreciate Nelflix trying a different format.

I didn't know anything about this man before watching this short. I did want to know more and am glad that I am wanting to research more thoroughly, because the short was so intriguing. This could easily be a full length film. This really moved me. Bravo!

If you didn't find this mini-doc heartwarming and charming you're most probably dead inside. I think looking at some of the garbage Netflix have scraped the bottom of the barrel to create a series out of (Tiger King) this would be a refreshing change. Like others have said I'd love to know more about John's backstory, his relationships and the challenges life has thrown at him. Coupled with an excellent soundtrack of weird and wonderful esoteric music what more could you need?