Does Anybody Know About FearNet?
FearNet, a free on-demand service provided by some cable companies offers a collection of Science Fiction, Horror or Fantasy movies for free. They range from old classics such as Night of the Living Dead and Evil Dead to current horror like Saw III or a collection of all the movies in the After Dark Horrorfest. Whatever suits your fancy, they offer at least 15 movies to choose from. They do filter in movies often so because a movie is in the queue does not mean that the movie will be there for long. For more information on FearNet, check out fearnet.com. Most likely, if your cable offers the option of on-demand, FearNet is included with that, however, because some cable companies have barriers on FearNet, it is best to check with the cable provider first to see if it is included. If it is not, you can add that to your cable package. Movies in the past have been Night of the Creeps, Nightwing, Prince of Darkness, Warlock, Resident Evil and Leprechaun.
Haunting in Connecticut, Chilling, Artistic
Contrary to what others believe, Haunting in Connecticut is not a remake nor a sequel to An American Haunting. Rather, the movie is based on the true story of an actual haunting in Connecticut. It is one of the most haunting stories of this generation and has been made into documentaries and the like. If you’ve seen Discovery Channel or Travel Channel, you might have seen a special on that particular house or family. The details of the real life facts are portrayed in a very real, scary fashion. Not only do viewers get a good idea of the happenings at the house, it captures a glimpse of human depravity, realizing that no matter our species or positions in life, we’re all fallable. The movie is chilling, adding tense moments to the scene. Though the movie focuses on the family at large and their struggles with this paranormal event, the underlying story, the story of the diseased boy, played by Kyle Gallner, delivers a delightful performance and one that is artistic, haunting and memorable. There are few plot holes that were left unanswered, however, those are acceptable because of the lack of involvement with the story line; perhaps an indescretion by the writer and director. Viewer beware: there are slow parts of the movie that make it tiresome in spots, but it does make up for itself toward the end. A Haunting in Connecticut is a cleverly crafted, well-written story. On a scale of 1-10, I give this piece an 7.5.
You won’t “Know” what to expect
Nicolas’ Cage new movie, Knowing, is surprisingly good. The movie focuses on Cage’s character finding the truths to disasters through numbers. While the premise of the movie isn’t unique by any stretch of the means, it does weave a fairly good, unpretentious storyline. If you have seen Alex Proyas’ other directed movies, such as Dark City, you will know the tone of the movie. The movie is not inundated with non-hysterical one-liners, nor does it try to stand on star power alone. The story slowly unravels little by little in the movie which leads to a very surprising ending. The ending, I will warn, if not watched carefully, can be confusing. There is much dialog that needs the proper attention paid to it. To go with a well crafted storyline, prepare your mind to analyze many aspects of the movie, particularly the ending. This isn’t just an ordinary Scifi/Thriller/Action-Adventure. It’s philisophical, haunting, thought-provoking. I never thought I’d say that for a Nicolas Cage movie. On a scale of 1-10, I give it an 8.
Two Stargate movies to air on SciFi Channel in back-to-back weeks
Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum will air on the SciFi Channel. Ark of Truth will air on Friday, March 27 at 9:00 ET, and Continuum will air on Friday, April 3 at 9:00 ET with a replay of Ark of Truth airing before. Both movies, having to do with the SG-1 series will tie up loose ends left behind during the duration of the show. While I will not spoil those for the viewers, I am confident that you will be pleased. Both movies will include referenes to past characters of SG-1 and Atlantis, but Atlantis will not be a vital factor in either movie. Look for both movies on Scifi Channel in the coming weeks.
Friday, March 20 will mark the end of Battlestar Galactica
With practically none of my predictions coming true in the nine episodes leading up to the finale, I shouldn’t be writing what I think will happen in the two-hour finale. Instead, I will offer my condolences to the show. The two-hour finale will air on Scifi Channel at 8:00 ET. A Battlestar marathon will take place starting at 8:00 AM ET leading up to the series finale. The finale promises that no extra surprises to extend the show will exist and that it truly will be the end. A sad day for BSG fans, DVD’s of the ultra popular show will come out shortly after the finale. Reruns of the show will continue to air on SciFi Channel and tentative arrangements for the show to be aired on local networks are in the works. Whatever the case may be, BSG did something for Science Fiction, particularly the SciFI Channel by creating a new culture within the genre. Battlestar gave life back into the SciFi channel, and ultimately the station and fans are grateful. Though the show never made it to 100 episodes, it left its impression on society and culture as we see it. Don’t be sad, Battlestar fans. You were treated to something special. Whether you see a return of the classic series or not is yet to be seen. Bid farewell to the series on March 20.
Review of Last House on the Left
The Last House on the Left came into theaters on March 13th, 37 years after the original. Wes Craven’s sadistic slasher flick was remade by director Dennis Iliadis. While Iliadis is no Craven, there are some similiarities to the remake as there was in the original. So as my usual mantra, I will not spoil anything from the movie. The movie similarities are few and far between, but some scenes remain virtually the same like the torture scenes from the original. As disturbing as the original movie was in that regard, the remake tones it down, probably much to the liking of the audience if they have seen the original. Craven’s version had much more suspense involved and could make you love and hate the antagonists all at the same time. Iliad’s failure in the remake was to make the antagonists hatable and leaves nothing to the imagination. Pure evil was their intention. The unsurety of an antagonist (again, not to spoil anything) was nothing too extraordinary as far as the emotional standpoint is concerned. The remake should be seen on face value. You know exactly what you’re getting. There is no suspense involved because it was written with cliche upon cliche. However, Tony Goldwyn’s character was the only redeeming quality of the movie. Dare I say, he played a better Dr. Collingwood? On a scale of 1-10, the remake gets a five. On a gore level, you won’t be disappointed. That’s about all the movie has going for it.
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SciFi Channel attempts another reality show, WCG Ultimate Gamer
Despite the failures of Chase and Estate of Panic, SciFi has decided to take on another reality show, this time relating closely to those who like video games. The premise of the show pits contestants who think they are the best gamer in the world by going through gaming competition. Many of the aspects of the show resemble that of other reality shows that deal with modernity: living together in a loft or apartment, drama, alliances, hatred toward one another, swearing, etc. The prize? $100,000 and being a representative for WCG (World Cyber Games) across the world and an electronics package. This show looks to be around far longer than Chase or Estate of Panic, but it has to for the fact that each week, at least one gamer gets eliminated. The series of games the contestants will go through range from real video games to simulated video games. This show will at least air 12 episodes with the possiblity for more for another season. It is possible the popularity of this show will surpass the others because it is dealing with a subject matter that’s close to “kids” of all ages. The first show has already aired on Tuesday, March 10, however, a repeat show can be seen on the SciFi Channel Sunday, 9:00 AM ET.
Video Games shouldn’t be adapted into Movies
What possessed movie directors to create a movie out a video game, popular or not. Case in point, Super Mario Brothers. Sure, there is some leeway in what you can or can’t do in a movie verses a video game, however, has anyone ever decided to keep the premise, location, characters and action the same in a movie instead of diluting it with the hottest actor, plot twists, terrible dialog and a director’s twist? I haven’t seen one. Some movie adaptations that fell well short of the mark: Resident Evil, Dungeons and Dragons, Mario Brothers, Doom, Alone in the Dark. Halo, if it ever gets out of pre-production has the possibility to ruin itself with the movie as well with no official cast, production issues, monetary issues and the like. I’m not too hopeful about the prospects of the movie if/when it comes out. Splinter Cell and Siphon Filter also have possiblities to be good, but judging by the string of video game-turned-movies, I’m not too hopeful. If anyone can suggest a video game that turned out to be great movie, by all means let me know. The trend has reversed itself in recent years because ultimately, you can stretch video games further than an approximately two-hour long movie. It’s no secret that directors and writers try to make success by bringing a video game to the big screen, but come on, do it right.
Fans of the Watchmen graphic novel will love the movie
Fans of the graphic novel will love the movie. Even if you’ve never read the graphic novel, fans will love the movie. There are those that state you have to read the book first in order to watch the movie, but that’s simply untrue. Not to spoil anything from the novel or the movie for those who haven’t read or seen Watchmen, but if you’re a general fan of the genre, it will please you. Zach Snyder does an excellent job in capturing both the superhero motif coupled with a realistic world. Unlike 300, the backdrop is set in “real” locations. The movie’s story arc is inredible and the acting, though some may be bigger actors than others, produce great, compelling roles for their characters and match, essence for essence, their character in the graphic novel. Surly, those who are fans of the graphic novel will be treated to a whirlwind of surprise and further, the ending shouldn’t surprise in the least bit. However, one minor twist will be left in the movie to throw off the readers. The twist, minor as it is, will throw the perception of the movie off just a bit. On a scale of 1-10, i give Watchmen a 9.5. If you go to the movie early enough, you might catch the new Wolverine trailer or GI Joe.