Letters

Quote of the Month: "Every month you manage to entertain, excite, inform, and piss me off. But I guess it's a good thing to learn that my view is not the only one that counts. Thank you." -- Ryan O'Hara

Like the thundering footsteps of creepy-ass aliens on a trisolar planet, they came. Quietly, at first, but then so loud they could not be ignored:

Hello. I would like to know if you guys have any information on Vin Diesel. Like a web page with nothing but his pictures or his email address or something that me and him could talk. Please he is my favorite actor, and very handsome and strong.

Often their cries grew feverish. Witness 'Misty from Mississippi':

I recently saw the movie Pitch Black and it was an amazing film! What was even more amazing was the absolute hunk of a man who stole my heart and probably every other woman's heart in the world who saw the movie too! This man's name is Vin Desiel. After my boyfriend and I got home from the movies I got on-line and tried to find every picture of this man I could! To my disappointment, I only found five or six. To anyone who reads this letter! SEND ME PICTURES OF VIN DESIEL!!!! I was telling my friend about him and she said "You would really want a man like that?" and I said "No, I'd like to just have him for a couple of hours though!"

Here's hoping Misty's boyfriend doesn't read this website! Onto the musings of Michelle Browning:

The scene where our hunk of the year Vin has the blond chick cornered in the escape ship was (purr) delicious! I was definitely aroused there. Raw animal power, and the way that man's body shone when he moved, woo!

"Woo" indeed. Not going to argue that one. But then things started to just downright frightening...

Vin, how long did it take you to get your body in shape for this movie? And are you really able to dislocate your shoulders like you did in your movie? Your role was very demanding, and I love the voice. You also have a pretty smile. NEVER STOP SMILING. Always let it shine and listen to your dad, (never give up on your films). Do you think you could give me some tips on weight lifting, cause that's what I like to do. Your fanatic fan, supporting you all the way. Please e-mail me personally and tell me how I can become an actor, and writer like you because I like to write.

Ohhhh-kay. Well, after being inundated with dozens of letters concerning the wonders of Vin Diesel, Pitch Black, and various aspects and parts of Vin Diesel's body, we at The 11th Hour have four words for you (and no, they're not "You are completely insane".) They're "I told you so." Little did we know that way back in November when we gave the first word of the future of hotness that we would, in fact, be mistaken for this very object of lust, or receive numerous requests for his residence, email address and -- oh yes -- pictures on a daily basis.

So, to start off -- we are not Vin Diesel. We have no access to Vin Diesel, although we'd be lying if we hadn't thought about the glories of, um, "access". Sarah has only met him once, she does not know him personally, and yes, he's as droolworthy in real life. We do not have personal information about the whereabouts and ways to contact Vin Diesel, nor would we give it out if we did, because as every genre girl learns at some point in her life, stalking is wrong. That's W-R-O-N-G, people. Leave this man be. It's bad enough you frightened us in last issue's letters section by referring to him as a giant testicle with legs. We recommend you all just admire Vin from afar, support his films, lust in private, and visit these great Vin websources below:

Vin Diesel Articles
The Vin Diesel Estrogen Brigade
The Unofficial Vin Diesel Fan Club
The Cult of Vin

So go, prosper, and drool. As for the many other fans who sent in your Diesel and non-Diesel fueled thoughts on Pitch Black (yeah, there actually were some), we thank you immensely for writing in; 11th Hour received a record amount of mail this issue thanks to you! For mail which doesn't venture into the scarily obsessive, read on below:

We Know What Boys Like...Us.

I would just like to congratulate you on a great site. It's very nicely put together, full of interesting news, and written very well. I especially like the vein of humour all your articles seem to have throughout. If only all internet sites could be like this!
-- Keith Lewis

To the creators of 11th Hour: I recently found your webzine (I don't even remember how) and started clicking through it. I was blown away! You do a quality job! The writing is brisk, refreshing, informative and ... well ... just plain good. It hits on all the stuff I'm interested in and keeps my attention to the very end. And your website design is mega cool. Whoever puts it together does a bang up job! I read somewhere that this is a science fiction/horror online magazine for chicks? Well, I'm a guy and I love it anyway. Keep up the good work. I'll be reading, that's for sure.
-- Trent Knuckles

Sarah responds: The 11th Hour is run by women, but is produced for anyone who wants to read it. (And that includes cool guys like Trent who send us such great email.) We never intended to be a magazine catered towards one gender or the other, and we welcome men, women and anyone in between to partake in the insanity that defines The 11th Hour. Now go buy something from our store!

Well, the other suggested subtitle was "Why Hollywood Can't Do Anything Right to Save Their Ass"...

I just got done perusing David Rosiak's "Artistic Endeavors". Wow! I think the subtitle "Why is Hollywood Killing the Comic Book?" says it all. The sad truth of the matter is that major comics corporations simply look at comic books as franchises to make movies off of, not as viable artform in and of itself. The stuffed suits who run these corporations make movies that reflect what they *think* comic books are like; movies that bear little to no resemblance to what the source material is actually like. All in all, a fantastic article, one I wish I had written.
-- Katherine Keller
Staff Writer, Sequential Tart

I was very impressed by the article "Artistic Endeavors" -- I've long wondered why film adaptations of comics were either changed drastically (Punisher) or, ahem, ruined (Doc Savage). I think it's the money machines that run the studios looking at a project and saying, "How can we make this character appeal to a wide audience?" when instead they should be saying, "What about this character appeals to a wide audience?" I know on the surface they may sound similar, but the first results in a wholesale re-writing of characters, while the second looks at that which attracted an audience in the first place and marketing that.
Another point: Animation may be an easier sell when it comes to superheroes because people are more willing to suspend their disbelief when it's "just a cartoon." I don't know why, but people find it easier to believe that mermaids, candlesticks and crabs can talk than they can that Bruce Willis can defeat a group of world terrorists with just his wits and a T-shirt. And now there's word that Ah-nold is looking to portray Doc Savage. I ain't holding my breath. Thanks for reading and keep up the good work...
--Paul DeGeorgio

My friend hipped me on to your website. Being someone who grew up on comic books (and has dreams of starting his own one day), I thank you guys for telling it like it is. If Hollywood realizes that they HAVE to please the comic book fans first, everything else (including box office revenue) would fall into place. You can't dis the hands that go out and collect the books, y'know? You'd think it was brain surgery the way these morons in Hollywood act.
-- Rob T.

Now and Again and Again and Again!

I loved your commentary about Now and Again. On a night which is usually filled with teen fare, it is a refreshing change to see a show with a plot, character development, and a realistic view of life.(Even though it is essentially a scifi/drama/comedy.) Sure baffles the imagination...but hey, it's fun! My family loves it, and it actually makes Friday night viewing bearable. Thank you for your entertaining article. I truly hope it returns next year. There is so little good programming available.
-- Cheryl Gall

I can't agree strongly enough with your review of this terrific show. I admit, I tuned in at first only because Eric Close was going to be the star. That was the premiere. The second week I tuned in for the show itself. The style is incredible. I can't think of another show that would devote almost 20 minutes of the premiere to setting up a terrorist plot and ignoring the regular characters. I think that's what hooked me first -- the indication that this wasn't going to be another $6 Million Man knockoff or The Incredible Hulk with vaguely drawn secondary characters who drift on and off in 30 second cuts. Then, as the show continued, I kept waiting for the inevitable slide into case after case with Lisa and Heather showing up for little catch-ups at the beginning or the end of the episode. To my utter amazement, I found week after week of shows which, if not focusing on the women, at least granted them equal time to carry out their lives. Incredible. Thanks for a very interesting, insightful review.
-- Deb Rowland

Thank you, oh thank you for devoting space to this amazing show. After reading a newspaper article about the premiere I was intrigued enough to watch. I was hooked from the opening scenes and haven't missed an episode yet. Your eleven reasons to watch list was right on target! I hope it works and gets more genre fans like myself to watch Now and Again. We can't afford to let this one slip away.
-- Tonya Cox

Curse you, 11th Hour. And curse Linda Najera--- I wasn't going to watch Now and Again. I had Stargate and Farscape for Friday nights, I didn't need to mess with my VCR even more in order to tape another show. It didn't matter that several friends were already watching and liking it (a lot). It didn't matter that I've always liked Margaret Colin, or that Eric Close is very yummy. No, no. I didn't need this! No! Then Linda had to write a really great article on the show, and I had to tune in, just to prove to myself that Eric Close couldn't act and it wasn't worth my time and I could stop worrying that I was missing something. <snarl> And I was wrong. And now I'm stuck having to beg, borrow, or appropriate tapes for Now and Again. @#$%! Thanks a lot, Linda!
I love your work, ladies. Ep reviews, book reviews, behind-the-scenes stuff, upcoming movie news... everything a fangirl could want. Plus, of course, heavy doses of James Marsters and other delicious men. I'm only sorry you're not a weekly publication; and if you weren't on-line, I'd be paying good money for this. But I'm glad I don't have to! Wonderful, wonderful stuff.
-- Christina Kamnikar

Praise the Lord

Great article on Lord of the Rings. I discovered the books later in life and certainly lack the depth of knowledge of so many of its faithful readers, but I do think it will transfer to film with great beauty. Cast, as is, will be great despite any previous missteps by some of its members. As far as the movie impacting the book's ability to engage and entrance a new generations of readers, well, that's subject to debate anyway. Getting today's quick-fix kids (let's be honest, they have more things to distract them than any generation before) to read anything longer than a comic book is often a chore anyway. True fans of fantasy won't be deterred by the film, and maybe, just maybe, some will actually see the movie and be curious enough to read the books.
I've bookmarked your site. It's very well done.
-- LAN

Thanks to everyone who wrote in; although we can't publish every letter we do read all of them and greatly appreciate your input. Responses to this issue can be sent to letters@the11thhour.com