Letters

Quote of the Month: "Thank God you're back! Please, please, please, since we gave you time off, how about rewarding us with a review of the new Sly Stallone film? I know it's not Sci-Fi but no one's going to be able to do it justice like you will! PLEASE!!! I'll even send you money for the ticket! Say you will!" -- Chris Bell

Dear Chris: No. Not under circumstances. Not for all the money in the world. Not for James Marsters shirtless and naked and --

Okay, well, maybe.

Bribery aside, it's been another uneventful month in the genre world, and our readers shared their pain with thoughts on the state of horror and fantasy today, what happened to Buffy, Angel, and The X-Files, and oh, merciful God, Highlander 4. Hopefully, next month will provide a change of pace, what with the release of Blair Witch 2 and Lost Souls and a few more rollicking episodes of Dork Angel and --

Hey, quit laughing!

Endgame Over

Dear Lisa,
I guess it might be hard for both of us to be completely objective about Highlander Endgame since we are also fans. I wrote my review for my fansite quite differently though. Is it possible that somewhere in between there lies a more objective view? I try to talk to fans whenever I go to see Endgame and I have heard only one disparaging remark and the rest of the criticism was not that harsh. Some of them had other expectations and preconceived ideas but they talked about things they liked about it and disliked about it. Admittedly, it is not a perfect movie but I honestly don't feel the movie deserves the trashing it has gotten from the critics.
-- Gemma Mac
(Barbara Louviere)

Just wanted to tell Lisa Kincaid I'm glad I'm not the only Highlander fan who thought this movie reeked. What a pity! What a waste of three fine (and sexy) actors! The only redeeming factor was the gratuitous shot of Adrian Paul's naked backside... *sigh*
Back to fanfic...
-- Elizabeth Stewart
Piscataway, NJ

Thank You Lisa Kincaid for turning my pain into words. I am also a huge fan of the movies and the series. To say I was disappointed in this movie would be a gross understatement (rip-roaringly pissed off beyond all comprehension would be a little closer). I love Adrian Paul (*yummy*) and Peter Wingfield (*mmmm*) and would gladly pay 9.50 to just see both of them walk around in tight, wet, clinging shirts eating ice cream... sorry, I got distracted. $9.50 for this dreck? I am having flashbacks of Schumacher and that is never a good thing. So right on sister! Preach!
-- Confessor Tee
(Tara Jefferson)

Seeing the Light

Thank you Sarah, for your intelligent tell-it-like-it-is style. I am also a closet Millennium fan and mourn the loss of such a dark and brilliant program. I also admit to mourning the demise of Doyle (the best part of Angel) so much I haven't watched the program since. Thanks for your article, as you have again put everything into proper perspective.
-- Colleen Scott

Did this article make me nod like mad and mutter some rather... er, unprintable things about Hollywood and censorship to my computer? Oh heck yeah! I've been a self-confessed horror genre addict for a long while and this article is filled with everything I feel about the lack of quality films (There is only so much spoofing I can take before I end up under my bed whimpering.) Here's hoping that something great comes along to save us from the hell of "Scaring you with a smile" films been shoved down our throats.
-- Nightbird

Just writing a brief note regarding Sarah Kendzior's phenomenal and poignant article "Don't Be So Dark." A brilliant assessment of the current state of the horror genre. It was truly a wonderful read. From the world's biggest Millennium fan surely you can't expect anything but praise regarding the article's content, references, and style. The fact of the matter is, however, that I couldn't agree more with each of the points made.
Three cheers for the 11th Hour team. Keep up the good work.
-- Brian A. Dixon
Fourth Horseman Productions
http://www.fourthhorseman.com

Wow.. what a brilliant article. I too, am an avid Millennium fan. I'm 46 and say without doubt that the show was the best thing EVER on TV and Lance Henriksen the best actor ever on TV. But, moreso, the author is right, because the show did have a moral center that was evident in every episode. I mourn Millennium terribly... even moreso now, because as she says.... 'There will never be anything like it on TV again."
-- David Salidor

First time I heard of and read your ezine, will not be the last. Found it intelligent and enjoyable. Particularly found the "Don't be so Dark" article to be fascinating. More than likely because I am both a former hardcore Millennium fan and I agree with the author's take on the horror genre point for point, and the closing summary is both correct and brilliant. Just thought I would let you know. Excellent reading and thank you.
-- Ed Eccles

Final Fantasy

Great story on the state of fantasy in film. I agree with most of what was written by Ms. Brzustoski. I'm sure you will be getting other letters regarding films and other properties left out of the story. Conan the Barbarian, Conan the Destroyer and Dragonslayer are big ones that come to mind. I'm sure this piece will spark interesting feedback and debate.
One thing Ms. Brzustoski did not mention in her story is the budget concerns studios and production companies have. In my opinion, if they are going to make an epic fantasy tale on film then they need to go balls-out with the cash and do it right. I believe Dungeons and Dragons has a $30 million budget (give or take a few mil). That tells me the movie is pretty much going to suck. Even if a story is there, it requires a lavish production. Fantasy tales involve more than just a good story. They involve scope. Why the studio didn't invest more is beyond me. Dungeons and Dragons is pretty much a brand name that could sell itself, so why not make it good. The Lord of the Rings production certainly isn't skimping on budget. That is also a name-brand title and it looks like they are going to do it justice. Harry Potter is the same way. People would go see it if it was made with shadow puppets, so why not invest a few dollars and make it good so people will want to come back for sequels.
-- Lon Mills

Enjoyed the piece on fantasy films and agreed with much of your commentary. I was surprised though that you only included fantasy films that were mainly made for younger audience (not including Bakshi's LotR -- soooooo dreadful!!) This is why this genre isn't viewed seriously - 'cause kids don't count .... well, not until recently. Go Harry, Go Harry!!
I thought perhaps The Princess Bride would rate a mention too... I felt that film worked quite well. Compared very favourably to the book. Some of the acting was a bit laboured -- but the charcters of Iñigo Montoya and the evil prince Humperdinck were great. No prize for Andre the Giant though -- man did he bite!!
-- Louise Pearce

Wow, we're like, positive and shit

Buffy, season 4, not only was lacking in story content, but fell into some bad stereotyping (girl + witch + college = lesbian), and some of the worst makeup jobs I've seen on TV outside, or even inside, soap operas. And what was with the hand transforming into a gattling gun? It worked in The Mask as comedy. In Buffy it looked stupid. Angel is just Forever Knight transported from Toronto to LA -- the acting, the story, and FX. Typical of what happens when US takes over a series started in another country.
X-Files looked dopey from the start. I stopped bothering after episode 6. Why the series became successful was/is a complete mystery to me. It's a show designed to make sci-fi fans look bad.
-- Michael Mueller

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.