There’s a great little exchange between the screen hosts Aaron Deese and Shannon LeGro in the final moments of The Dogman Triangle: Werewolves In The Lone Star State that crystallizes the existential struggle facing our cultural grasp into the study of cryptids.
LeGro – an author, researcher, podcaster, and producer regarding matters of High Strangeness – has been living a life dedicated to pulling back the layers of confusion surrounding unexplained phenomena, so perhaps there’s no one better than she is to offer an informed opinion on the subject of what many would call the Texas werewolves. (FYI: that’s not a sports team, people.) So when she speaks up and suggests that she’s not seen enough evidence to convince her that these things – whatever they’re called – are “flesh and blood,” I’m entirely willing to take her learned word for it.
But then Deese – a Texas-based researcher and podcaster who has spent an incredible amount of time investigating the Lone Star’s sightings of the Dogman and related occurrences – counters wisely that perhaps these creatures require a definition that explores alternate dimensions somehow interacting with our own. Breaking that wall – if that’s what’s happening – must have an explanation, and perhaps that’s where our search efforts are better focused. If such a scenario were true, it would mean that living, breathing, tangible proof will possibly lay beyond our reach for some time. It’s a bold position, but it isn’t without merit.
Now, I’m right back where I was when the documentary started, unsure of what to believe and probably just as befuddled as those who’ve seen one of these elusive monsters and lived to talk about it.
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you’re the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last few paragraphs for the final assessment. If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
From the documentary’s IMDB.com page citation:
“Do real werewolves exist in the lone star state? Dozens of terrified witnesses have recounted seeing something that seems to defy our own understanding of the animal kingdom. Something primordial and horrifying. A massive, upright-walking canid. Now, author Aaron Deese joins investigator Shannon LeGro (On The Trail Of UFOs) on a road trip across the state of Texas in search of pieces to a puzzle that Deese is slowly assembling …”
To be fair, there’s a bit more to the published synopsis, but what I’ve provided works just fine to represent the particulars that get some much-needed face time in this well-made documentary focusing solely on what Deese’s research has led him to conclude: there’s a huge ‘triangle’ of territory within the Lone Star state replete with sightings on the famed Dogman. Part wolf and part man, he/she/it/they/them has/have terrorized residents within this triangle for quite some time, and sightings continue from the distant past to this day. While the film concludes as mentioned above – that we’re currently short an acceptable explanation for not only what these witnesses have sighted but also a plausible explanation as to how the monster got there – I think it’s safe to say that there’s definitely room for more scholarship and study … especially if scientists can set aside their preconceived notions and actually do some legwork in the field.
In this case … I do mean field. The popular television phenomenon that was The X-Files assured us that the truth is out there … not in some test tube.
LeGro – an author, researcher, podcaster, and producer regarding matters of High Strangeness – has been living a life dedicated to pulling back the layers of confusion surrounding unexplained phenomena, so perhaps there’s no one better than she is to offer an informed opinion on the subject of what many would call the Texas werewolves. (FYI: that’s not a sports team, people.) So when she speaks up and suggests that she’s not seen enough evidence to convince her that these things – whatever they’re called – are “flesh and blood,” I’m entirely willing to take her learned word for it.
But then Deese – a Texas-based researcher and podcaster who has spent an incredible amount of time investigating the Lone Star’s sightings of the Dogman and related occurrences – counters wisely that perhaps these creatures require a definition that explores alternate dimensions somehow interacting with our own. Breaking that wall – if that’s what’s happening – must have an explanation, and perhaps that’s where our search efforts are better focused. If such a scenario were true, it would mean that living, breathing, tangible proof will possibly lay beyond our reach for some time. It’s a bold position, but it isn’t without merit.
Now, I’m right back where I was when the documentary started, unsure of what to believe and probably just as befuddled as those who’ve seen one of these elusive monsters and lived to talk about it.
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you’re the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last few paragraphs for the final assessment. If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
From the documentary’s IMDB.com page citation:
“Do real werewolves exist in the lone star state? Dozens of terrified witnesses have recounted seeing something that seems to defy our own understanding of the animal kingdom. Something primordial and horrifying. A massive, upright-walking canid. Now, author Aaron Deese joins investigator Shannon LeGro (On The Trail Of UFOs) on a road trip across the state of Texas in search of pieces to a puzzle that Deese is slowly assembling …”
To be fair, there’s a bit more to the published synopsis, but what I’ve provided works just fine to represent the particulars that get some much-needed face time in this well-made documentary focusing solely on what Deese’s research has led him to conclude: there’s a huge ‘triangle’ of territory within the Lone Star state replete with sightings on the famed Dogman. Part wolf and part man, he/she/it/they/them has/have terrorized residents within this triangle for quite some time, and sightings continue from the distant past to this day. While the film concludes as mentioned above – that we’re currently short an acceptable explanation for not only what these witnesses have sighted but also a plausible explanation as to how the monster got there – I think it’s safe to say that there’s definitely room for more scholarship and study … especially if scientists can set aside their preconceived notions and actually do some legwork in the field.
In this case … I do mean field. The popular television phenomenon that was The X-Files assured us that the truth is out there … not in some test tube.
Ardent experts are not going to prove the existence of Bigfoot, werewolves, demons, or any one of any nation’s unexplained wildlife from the laboratory. This kind of research is predicated on both eyewitness accounts as well as a comprehensive examination of the landscape (for footprints, samples, and other evidence); and, sadly, that’s something most brainiacs feel is beneath them. In one respect, this is precisely why stories involving cryptids and the like continue to find life – almost like a new form of Americana – with regular folks: you’ll never convince them to ignore what’s right in front of their own two eyes! Still, because those of us out here are a long way from being expert on anything, researchers all too frequently dismiss our experiences as either misunderstanding, hallucinations, or exaggeration, a tactic that’s been handily employed by the CIA, the FBI, and any other governmental agency since the 1940’s.
And, yes, I do find that very sad.
Still, so long as rumors persist, I’m thankful that there will always be folks like LeGro and Deese who are willing to risk their own blood, sweat, tears, and reputations to give these stories the life and attention I think they’re owed if not long past due. Alternative media has pushed open the door to the land of opportunity for a whole new generation of watchers, readers, and listeners hungry for content that more adequately asks questions about who we are and (maybe even) what we’re doing here. Let’s hope that their presence continues to put pressure on the mainstream media if for no other reason than the corporate suits will eventually help provide greater resources to examine a few of these enduring mysteries.
The Dogman Triangle (2023) was produced by Small Town Monsters. The film is presently available for streaming on such platforms as iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and FandangoNOW. As for the technical specifications? While I’m no trained video expert, I found the sights and sounds to this documentary to be exceptional from start-to-finish. It’s clearly a humbly produced affair, but it looks solid. As this was a streaming opportunity, there were no special features to consider.
Recommended.
What I’ve found refreshing about the work from Small Town Monsters that I’ve had the good fortune to screen – including The Dogman Triangle – is that these are clearly labors of love assembled both by and for folks who are into this sort of topic. High strangeness abounds across the Big Blue Marble – whether we’ll admit that singular truth or not – and I’m forever thankful that LeGro, Deese, and producer Seth Breedlove aren’t afraid to go where their work and interests take them. It’s a refreshing portrait of a subject rarely covered.
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Small Town Monsters provided me with complimentary streaming access to The Dogman Triangle: Werewolves In The Lone Star State by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review. Their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.
-- EZ
And, yes, I do find that very sad.
Still, so long as rumors persist, I’m thankful that there will always be folks like LeGro and Deese who are willing to risk their own blood, sweat, tears, and reputations to give these stories the life and attention I think they’re owed if not long past due. Alternative media has pushed open the door to the land of opportunity for a whole new generation of watchers, readers, and listeners hungry for content that more adequately asks questions about who we are and (maybe even) what we’re doing here. Let’s hope that their presence continues to put pressure on the mainstream media if for no other reason than the corporate suits will eventually help provide greater resources to examine a few of these enduring mysteries.
The Dogman Triangle (2023) was produced by Small Town Monsters. The film is presently available for streaming on such platforms as iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and FandangoNOW. As for the technical specifications? While I’m no trained video expert, I found the sights and sounds to this documentary to be exceptional from start-to-finish. It’s clearly a humbly produced affair, but it looks solid. As this was a streaming opportunity, there were no special features to consider.
Recommended.
What I’ve found refreshing about the work from Small Town Monsters that I’ve had the good fortune to screen – including The Dogman Triangle – is that these are clearly labors of love assembled both by and for folks who are into this sort of topic. High strangeness abounds across the Big Blue Marble – whether we’ll admit that singular truth or not – and I’m forever thankful that LeGro, Deese, and producer Seth Breedlove aren’t afraid to go where their work and interests take them. It’s a refreshing portrait of a subject rarely covered.
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Small Town Monsters provided me with complimentary streaming access to The Dogman Triangle: Werewolves In The Lone Star State by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review. Their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.
-- EZ
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