The Letters to the Editor department is intended to be a forum for our readers to express their own opinions and ideas. While we appreciate the many complimentary letters we receive each day, you won't find them on this page. Instead, you will find letters that go beyond or even contradict what we have written, letters that offer a different perspective and provide a different view of science fiction. If you would like to submit a letter, please use our feedback form or send a message to scifiweekly@scifi.com.
-- Craig E. Engler, Editor
Battlestar Galactica Should Stay Dead
would think that we would have learned our lesson from
Lost in Space, The Beverly Hillbillies, Dennis the Menace, Wild Wild West
and The Mod Squad. Most TV shows don't deserve reincarnation. In fact
Battlestar Galactica died a season too late. If it had died before it
started resorting to Mormon theology disguised as SF it would have been fine by me.
I understand Richard Hatch's motives [in wanting to resurrect the franchise]. When I moved from Irvine, Calif., in 1995 he was
teaching classes for Learning Tree and still billing himself as "the star
of Battlestar Galactica." This is his only shot. I feel for him because
he's not a bad actor, though probably too pretty for prime time. I just can't imagine where he's getting the money to even make a run at doing a movie, but I wish they'd leave this one on the shelf.
We need more original work like Dark City, Gattaca and The Matrix, not
rewarmed mediocre space battle sci-fi. With all of the excellent SF
that's been written over the years there are other places to go.
Ronald Garrett
eusrong@am1.ericsson.se
Wrestling On Voyager Is Inevitable
would assume that unless TNT has bought UPN, the
guest appearances by pro wrestlers on Star Trek: Voyager are just the inevitable
dumbing down of TV. Perhaps, continuing the trend, a movie could be
made with Bill Goldberg or The Undertaker running around in the Pine Barrens of
New Jersey in the winter screaming for about two hours. Cyril M. Kornbluth was
absolutely right--pick up a copy of the "The Marching Morons."
fat_hamster@hotmail.com
The Sixth Sense Is Important
ow we deal with death is as important as how we deal with life. --James T. Kirk
To die...to sleep...no more. --Shakespeare
Amazing what a primal chord our musings on death strike within us. The
Sixth Sense plays this with a haunting O. Henry type ending and riveting
performances. In fact, I half expected Rod Serling to get a writing credit.
This is not only a well made film, but an important one that contrary to
one's expectations is a positive celebration of love and a common need that
binds humans beyond any separation, even that of the grave.
This film's sweet statement: that death shall have no dominion.
Mitch Maglio
mmaglio@rslusa.com
Imagination Makes Blair Scary
wo types of people come out of The Blair Witch Project: those that were scared by the movie, and those that weren't. I am proud to say that despite being 29 years old and relatively well adjusted to adult life, I was genuinely
frightened by the film, and once again find myself nervous in the dark, which I thought I had outgrown. Now, when I turn off my lights, my imagination fires up and starts filling up the dark with old images and sounds and things I feared when I was young. And therein lies the catch: The people who got freaked out by this movie were those whose imaginations allowed them just that.
If you walk into this movie skeptically, you'll get what you ask for: a lot of bumpy, black and white amateur camera work, no music, no special effects. But if your mind is open to the possibilities of the story, if you can suspend your disbelief enough to imagine that you're the one holding the camera, you're the one lost in the woods, you're the one surrounded by endless darkness with horrible sounds just out of sight, then this movie is for you. Some people need the "money shot." Some people need to see the gore. Some people need Freddy or Jason jumping out at them right when the music swells. But for some of us, all you need is some dark shadows and some well-executed, paranoic camera work and your imagination will fill in the rest. I loved the movie. But I don't like being afraid of the dark again.
Fred Ermac
fredermac@hotmail.com
The Rift Is Nominated For A Darrell Award
was pleased to note your coverage of Walter J. Williams' The Rift. Your readers may also find it of interest that this book has been nominated for the 2000 Darrell Awards for Best MidSouth SF Book. It is one of three (count 'em, three!) books out this year that feature the New Madrid fault line and an earthquake as the central element--The New Madrid Run and 8.4 being the other two.
Tim Gatewood, Chairman
Darrell Awards Committee
Memphis Science Fiction Association
memphen@aol.com
