Don’t Have Time To Read Novels? Try These Excellent Short Stories
While many of us simply do not have the time to read a full-length novel, we do have the time to read short stories. The following is my list of the top 5 short stories (some are well known while some aren’t). Let me know your thoughts about them:
I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream, Harlan Ellison: This futuristic short story tells the story of humans trapped inside the belly of a machine. Not to give anything away from the plot of the story, it does have subtle inuendos of life, religion and politics. Reported to have been written in only one day, Ellison does excellent work in focusing on the depravity of man and the reliance of something higher.
The City, Ray Bradbury: This chilling story is pretty short; roughly 4,000 words. It’s haunting and will leave you breathless at the shocking conclusion. This is different from Farenheit 45. It’s scarier and much more complex in its makeup. The city runs amok and the soldiers sent in are in for a surprise.
Dagon, HP Lovecraft: Dagon was adapted into a movie and surprisingly the movie was just as good, if not better than the story. It explores the Cthulu Mthos and was the first short story to implement the mythos and feature the creature itself. The story centers on a man who is addicted to drugs and wants to end it because of something that happened in World War I.
Johnny Nmemonic, William Gibson: You might be more familiar with this as a movie starring Keanu Reeves. The story focus on a data trafficker and his role with various clients. This is a very high tech story and concentrates on the theme of nanotechnology and future technologies (some that have been explored after the story was written). Nmemonic can seen as a short story that could very well be the most underrated short story of our time with huge future implications.
“Repent, Harlequin!” said the TicToc Man, Harlan Ellison: The story focuses on a man who chooses not to be controlled by the “Man” and becomes an individual in a dystopian society. It is very satirical, but it takes a close look at what a dystopian and totalitarian society is like and the dangers of falling into it if we are not careful.
Two new reality shows air on SciFi channel
The new SciFi reality show Chase has proven to be a hit amongst the masses. The host of the show, Trey Farley, releases personnel called the Hunters one by one to tag out runners. The runners are chosen like any reality show. As the time runs out on the runners the challenge gets more and more difficult as more and more hunters are released, new rules are applied, gadgets that keep the Hunters at bay are released, and the quadrants of the playing board are cut in half to make it interesting for the unsuspecting runners. Chase closely resembles an action-based video game where it mixes reality show concepts with an antagonist and protagonist. The producers of Chase created a new environment of the reality show genre adding in an aspect of paranoia and fear. Only time will tell how long the show will last. There are three completed episodes in lineup. The show airs on Tuesdays 10/9 C.
Another new show that’s come out for the SciFi channel in recent days is Estate of Panic. In this claustrophobic reality show, a group of contestants enter a house full of booby traps and strange happenings. The contestants are forced to play in three challenges where two get eliminated. The final player left standing faces a challenge in the Vault Room. Scott Valentine hosts this show that also puts a new spin to reality shows. While Chase and Estate of Panic air on the SciFi channel and not on the big four networks, the chance of competition to stay afloat is slim, however, its uniqueness should stand on its own. Survivor, Amazing Race, and Big Brother maintains their popularity, but the same premise stands season after season in those shows and the many that are in syndicated television. At least Chase and Estate of Panic brings something new to the table. The SciFi channel attempted a reality show three years ago with Mad House in 2005. The show lasted one season, but many of the aspects of the show emulated those of Survivor, Amazing Race, etc. Perhaps Chase and Estate of Panic can exceed the expectations, but it’s up to the public to understand it. Estate of Panic airs Wednesdays 10/9 C.
Horror movies take new direction
The 2008 After Dark 8 Movies to Die For series is slated for a January release in select theaters. The Horrorfest series, since its inception in 2006 has had mixed reviews due the content and nature of the films presented. In 2006, over $15 million was invested to promote and show the movies. The investment proved a worthy investment as the ‘fest of 2006 netted over $50 million in ticket and DVD sales. Those numbers have risen in it’s sophomore venue and it expects to grow for its third. So, why are the Horrorfest movies so popular anyway?
Many of the movies in the horrorfest are either too graphic for theater release or the budgetary limits of the movies don’t make it a necessarily pleasing movie to watch, aesthetically speaking. Over half of the movies in the fest are independently made movies that have no major producers have taken, but has made waves with After Dark Productions founded by Courtney Solomon, who produced, wrote, and directed the 2000 film Dungeons & Dragons. Its popularity extends beyond the budgetary production limitations that are presented. In a society where big budget horror movies with “A” list actors and directors overwhelm the big screen independent movies are given the same recognition.
Its popularity has developed amongst younger viewers, allowing them a chance to see horror and science fiction from another perspective. The predominant age range of watchers of the After Dark Horrorfest is between the ages of 18-32. How influential is it?
Ghost House Pictures, a new movie label created by director Sam Raimi was created this year with eight movies on slate that are in the same vein as the After Dark movies. In 2009 Raimi will attempt to bring out eight more movies to compete with the success of the After Dark Films.
While independent horror films are far and few between, the inception of these movies are growing at an alarming rate. Soon, very soon, you will be able to see a wide range of horror movies that will test the proverbial MSRP ratings. While I do not condone or favor all the movies that are released through the After Dark or Ghost House series, I will, however, give them kudos for at least attempting to bring n a different, albeit sometimes strange twist to the genre. All movies can be purchased as a box set at your local video store.