Site of the Week -- Feb. 21, 2000
here's something about speculative fiction that makes possible the
evolution of thrilling and provocative films from the merest slip of a short
story in Astounding magazine or from an overlooked novel by a forgotten
author. Often audiences are surprised to learn, if they ever do, that the
summer's blockbuster SF hit--or, conversely, a word-of-mouth fantasy art-house film--is based on anything other than a director's vision or a
screenwriter's whim.
The Fiction into Film List is a useful and apparently exhaustive
effort to marry science fiction, fantasy and horror films to the works on
which they are based. There is some attention to detail and chronology: So,
for example, under 2001 are listed both the short story on which the
film is loosely based and the later novelization. Each film in the fully
searchable catalog is linked to the invaluable Internet Movie Database,
allowing instant access to its production details. Currently available films
and books are also linked to online retailers for easy purchase.
The site makes no attempt to analyze the success with which these stories
were converted into film. It merely uncovers the interesting and sometimes
surprising roots of our favorite movies--or the fact that our favorite
stories were filmed after all--and allows readers and audiences to decide
for themselves.
-- Mark Wilson
Site of the Week -- Feb. 14, 2000
olden Age science fiction is reborn for the 21st century in the daily Internet comic strip
Astounding Space Thrills. Argosy Smith, the main
character, has all the makings of a 1950s superhero: genius-level
intelligence, snappy one-liners, awful puns and cool toys.
Creator Steve Conley's first-rate artwork is better than that of many comic
books on the market, and his stories are energetic and fun. The site's only major downside is its archive's
navigation. Each day's strip loads individually and can't be displayed on a
weekly or monthly basis. This makes catching up on several weeks of strips
a time-consuming process.
Can AST be silly? Corny? Maybe even a little tired? Yes. But the
style is right out of the '50s, and it's nice to see folks doing something
besides the dreary "serious" SF that mainstream print science fiction
seems to be obsessed with.
-- Kenneth Newquist
Site of the Week -- Feb. 7, 2000
rtist John Marshall isn't one of those starry-eyed optimists who expect
social equity will be an automatic byproduct of the invention of the warp
drive. Space Station Homeless is his well-set-up, tongue-in-cheek
look at those who lag behind in a spacefaring society, illustrated with
cleverly executed mock-ups, paintings, and composite images.
And because it's in the form of a nonexistent science fiction show's
official Web site, it's got a second level of parody as well. It hits all the
stops, from the run-down of the characters to a tour of the decrepit space
station. There's even an episode guide and a genuine gift shop with T-shirts
and posters.
The site takes an unusual idea--projecting today's underclass into the final
frontier--and runs with it. Its chief appeal lies in the excellent and
numerous images of the unfortunate astronauts and their cobbled-together
equipment. Some are inspired, like the ex-cosmonaut holding up a sign that
says he'll work for food and air, or the depictions of space "gangstas" and
debris collectors with rocket-powered shopping carts. Overall, this witty
and iconoclastic site encapsulates a side of space travel that only visitors
to Mir have given much thought.
-- Mark Wilson
