ebzines about the film industry aren't exactly rare, but sometimes a site takes thoroughness and in-depth coverage to a wonderful new level. CHUD.com is such a place, lavishing dedication and sheer affection for the movie genre on every well-written paragraph of content it posts.
CHUD offers all the basics a movie fan might expect—reviews of new releases and DVDs, film industry news, interviews with actors and directors and—for interested participants—chat rooms and discussion forums. As always, though, it is the extras that give this site its individuality. A section called "Fetal Films" is dedicated to movies in such an early and tenuous stage of production that they might never be made. Another somewhat esoteric offering is CHUD's coverage of film-related print magazines. From Cinefantastique to Starlog, these follow a full stretch of subjects—broad topics like anime or video games and narrow ones like the Star Wars movie franchise. The CHUD DVD review section also includes "Ten Grabs," whereby screen captures from various films are presented with humorous captions.
This site does everything it can to involve its readers in the fun. In addition to bringing fans together with its forums, CHUD regularly runs contests for film-related merchandise and goodies. The site also hosts advance screenings of movies in a number of U.S. cities, offering its readers a chance to get away from the computer and out to the big screen—which is, after all, the point.
CHUD's true means of hooking Web surfers into visiting regularly, though, is the all-around quality of its articles. Serious in intent, this site never loses its delicious sense of fun—a combination that explains its growing and loyal following.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—August 18, 2003
he folks at Romantic Science Fiction & Fantasy know there's more to their subgenre than Princess Leia saying "I love you" and Han Solo replying "I know" before being encased in carbonite.
They endeavor to prove that fact to the rest of geekdom with a Web site that covers the genre from multiple angles. There are regular updates—sometimes weekly, sometimes biweekly—on what staff members are reading, lists of upcoming romantic fiction from a variety of publishers, and a wealth of links to related genre and author sites. Additionally, those looking to talk with like-minded individuals can do so two ways: via the site's online discussion boards and its e-mail-based Yahoo discussion group.
Those new to the genre should check out the site's "Features" section, which includes a six-book list entitled "Romantic Fiction 101" designed to introduce people to romantic SF (it would've been nice if these books were linked directly to reviews). The section also holds a
handful of interviews with genre authors.
By far the site's strongest offering is its reviews section. It lists dozens upon dozens of authors, and easily more than 100 books. Each book entry notes which of the site's contributors liked and disliked it, as well as short reviews by the self-same moderators. It would be nice if the section had a search feature, but it's still useful as is.
— Ken Newquist
Site of the Week—August 11, 2003
ince embarking on his Periodic Table of Science Fiction, Michael Swanwick claims that other writers "turn pale and cross themselves" when he enters a room. And for good reason—with four Hugo nominations in three categories in 2003 alone, he has made himself an acknowledged powerhouse of the SF field.
Created by a handful of dedicated fans with the author's full cooperation, Michael Swanwick Online assembles everything a Web surfer might want to know about this prolific and scarily talented writer. Like most author sites, this one has plenty of data on his fiction and other work: bibliographies, links to reviews, snapshots of book covers and biographical essays. There is an article on the chameleonic nature of Swanwick's writing by Gardner Dozois (other contributors include James Patrick Kelly, Roz Kaveney and Nick Gevers) and links to several interviews the author has given over the years.
It would be easy to think that, with such a large volume of factual information on offer, a reader could come to know this author rather well. But the site does not restrict itself to the formality of biographies and interviews: It also has a number of sections where Swanwick answers mail from fans directly—sometimes seriously, sometimes with tongue firmly in cheek. The responses he gives to questions about writing and his work are not sugar-coated; they show Swanwick's sharper edges, as well as a great sense of fun. One reader asks: Is Swanwick a cyberpunk? Visit the site to get the answer from the person who knows best.
— A.M. Dellamonica
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