|
ABC's "Nightstalker"
By Nicky Jones
I'm sure many of you horror or SCI-FI fans remember the old "Kolchak:The Nightstalker" series from the mid 70s which only lasted 1 year on ABC. The series starred Darren Mcgavin as a semi-goofy reporter named Carl Kolchak who was always out to uncover the truth about weird and mysterious stories such as people being drained of their blood, disapperances, hauntings, etc.
Even at the dismay of his boss/editor who sometimes wound up having to bail him out of some of the situations he got himself in to. The show ran from 1974 to 1975, but now here it is 2005, and ABC plans to bring the series back in an updated version simply titled "The Night Stalker". Stuart Townsend from the very forgettable vampire film "Queen of the Damned" will be playing the Kolchak in this updated version.
Another thing which separates this updated version from the original is that in this one, Kolchak will have a partner. Who will be played by the lovely and talented Gabrielle Union.The role of Kolchaks editor has yet to be cast.The pilot for the series is being produced by "X-Files" alum Frank Spotnitz. Thus hopefully were in for a real treat this fall with a former X-Fil-er behind the series. "The Nightstalker" will also try and take on a much darker/serious tone from the original 1974 series which had a healthy balance of humor and horror.
The only things left to ponder are...
NUMBER ONE: will ABC pick up the series for their 2005-2006 lineup? I for one hope so. The show sounds intriguing, and network television is lacking horror related shows these days.
NUMBER TWO:If picked up, will it make it past one season? Lets look at the track record for horror or horror related television shows recently."Tru Calling" only made it through one season before FOX axed it. "Point Pleasant" didn't even make it to hiatus before it was yanked, and if you want a blast from the past, "Freakylinks", yet another FOX show, and "The Others" NBCs first and only stab at a horror related tv series which aired back in the late 90s, were all sent packing after both their first seasons respectively. So with the given track record, this show could bite the dust really quick if it's picked up. Then again it could kick ass which I think it will, and find a home at ABC. Also, the fact that it isn't on FOX helps ALOT.
Mr. HoRrOr Horror Movies&stuff.com http://www.hms.notlong.com
A Christmas Story (DVD) Review
By Britt Gillette
Adapted from humorist Jean Shepherd's hilarious memoir In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, A Christmas Story has climbed the ranks of the annual holiday classic films list to claim its spot among the hallowed elite of the genre. If you’ve ever tried to lick a frozen telephone pole, or found yourself in a ridiculous bunny outfit on Christmas morning, then A Christmas Story is one comedy you won’t want to miss…
A Christmas Story focuses on one central character, fifth grader Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) and his all-encompassing quest to receive a Daisy Brand Red-Ryder BB rifle for Christmas, although I don’t think he realizes he could put an eye out with one of those things… Thwarting Ralphie at every turn are his mother (Melinda Dillon) and father (Darren McGavin) who seem absolutely oblivious to their young son’s dream.
Unable to come right out and say what he wants, Ralphie drops subtle hints around the house such as placing clipped-out magazine ads for the gun in his parents’ nightstand reading material. When prodded for his true Christmas wish, Ralphie blurts out that he wants a Daisy Brand Red-Ryder BB gun, but his mother’s only reply is, “You don’t want one of those. You'll shoot your eye out!”
A Christmas Story is filled with memorable scenes and highlights that have helped built a cult following around the life of a young boy obsessed with Christmas who is surrounded by a varied cast eccentric friends and family members. When Ralphie’s father beams with pride at his ability to win a newspaper contest, his proudly displays his prize in the front window of the family home, a three-foot lamp with a woman’s long, stocking-covered leg as its base. Embarrassed, Ralphie’s mother “accidentally” breaks it, sparking a war of words with her husband. Meanwhile, Ralphie dreams of saving the whole family with his Red-Ryder BB gun, thus earning the family’s undying gratitude.
One of the best sequences in the film involves a family trip to the local department store, where Ralphie and his little brother Randy meet with the store Santa Clause near closing time. Following a long, extended wait to reach the front of the line to see Santa, Ralphie is so brimming with anticipation to tell Santa what he wants that he can’t speak. So, Santa convinces Ralphie that he wants a football. But before Santa’s helper can push Ralphie down the North Pole slide, Ralphie blurts out his true wish, only to hear Santa’s reply, “You’ll shoot your eye out with that, kid!”
One of the best Christmas comedies ever made, although few come close to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story is a memorable holiday classic the entire family can enjoy. Much like It’s A Wonderful Life, the film has only grown in popularity in the years since its release. The timeless nature of its subject matter lends itself well to annual holiday viewing, and it remains one of a handful of “must see” films for the Christmas season…
About the Author
Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a movie review site where you can find more reviews like this one of the A Christmas Story (DVD) Review.
|
