ctor Jet Li has been making films since he was 16 years old, and a fair proportion of them have had at least a toe in the SF or fantasy genre. Now, with the visually gorgeous Hero finally enjoying wide theatrical release, interest in the already popular star is sure to increase. For curious fans seeking news or information on Li, there's only one place to start: his official site.
Two things make this Web page different from those of other celebrities. One is Li's extensive involvement in creating its content. He has written and posted no fewer than 14 autobiographical essays so far. These intriguing pieces tell the story of his early childhood and training in Wushu martial arts, various sports injuries, a 1974 U.S. tour that culminated in Li's meeting president Richard Nixon, and a 1979 tour of Great Britain. For readers more specifically interested in Li's films, there are equally in-depth articles about the movies and how they were made.
The other element that hoists this page a notch above its peers is the glimpse its essays give into areas beyond what moviegoers see on the screen: Li's life in 1960s Communist China, the nature of the filmmaking community, the evolution of martial arts films, even the actor's thoughts on spirituality.
Given his international fan following, it is no surprise that Li's site offers translations into French, Russian and other languages, all while building links to Jet Li fan organizations around the world. The page also has the beginnings of an online store, a few downloads—wallpaper, mostly—chat areas, discussion forums and a list of frequently asked questions. For visitors who don't want to spend their surfing time reading essay after essay, it provides a massive photo gallery and a long list of video clips.
This site shines with a genuine desire on Li's part to touch the fans who enjoy his work. As a result, it is comprehensive and intriguing, providing insights into his life, philosophy and—of course—his films.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—September 7, 2004
he Anime News Network is the obvious place to go for any Web surfer hungry for the latest details about a favorite anime or manga program ... or, of course, about the industry as a whole. New or old, obscure beyond knowing or freshly released on DVD—if it's about anime and it's worth knowing, ANN will have the facts.
Up-to-the-minute news and spirited editorials are only a fraction of the content available on this outstanding and informative site. There are convention write-ups, interviews, reviews and lots of features—pieces on everything from the future of anime to upcoming show lineups. Columnists with names like Ms. Answerman and The Encylopedist tackle topics like the Japanese storytelling style, best anime soundtracks, ethical fansubbing and what makes a good or bad voice actor.
ANN also provides an extensive reference section, complete with a lexicon of anime and manga terminology. Its encyclopedia of shows offers in-depth information (though the level of detail does vary from program to program) on hundreds of shows. A typical entry usually features episode titles, crew credits and listings of Japanese cast members as well as their voice-over counterparts in other countries. Some of the actor profiles go so far as to include birthday and blood type! There is also a calendar of events that covers conventions and film festivals across North America.
This is a highly interactive site, with polls, discussion forums, an IRC chat room and even the occasional contest. With its deep wells of information and the ANN's staff's steadfast devotion to all things anime, this is one web page that utterly deserves its cadre of loyal regular readers.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—August 30, 2004
orkshopping is an important aspect of SF writing culture, both in one-time convention-based gatherings and in more lengthy and intensive experiences like Clarion. Not everyone can travel, though, and putting together a local workshop can sometimes be daunting. For writers with limited face-to-face critiquing resources, an Internet writing group is the obvious answer.
The Other Worlds Writers' Workshop is a well-organized group of science-fiction and fantasy writers who are passionately committed to improving each others' work. Providing writing resources and useful links to beginning and more seasoned writers alike, the workshop's Web site is a thorough introduction to the group's rules and culture, a guided tour that gives prospective members a chance to figure out whether they will be a good match.
One of the strengths of this workshop is that it does not try to be all things to all writers. SF and fantasy subgenres are very clearly—even rigidly—defined on this site, and Other Worlds is up-front about which genres it does not handle. The site's creators take care to offer other options to anyone whose work doesn't fit their mandate, generously linking to a number of other possible critting locales. By being so specific about genre definitions, they reduce the chances for ambiguity and miscommunication.
For those not yet ready to join a workshop, Other Worlds has another impressive resource: an array of articles on writing by SF luminaries including Marion Zimmer Bradley, Suzy McKee Charnas and Harry Turtledove. It also has a lengthy index of references. These are books not only on writing but on topics of special interest to SF and fantasy writers: the workings of low and high technology, minutiae on weapons of all types, space travel, world-building and everything else imaginable. There are fiction recommendations too, and all the books come with quick minireviews. Readers and writers alike will find dozens of fantastic tips on great books here; the book list, by itself, is reason enough to visit this site.
For writers seeking the give-and-take of an active critique group, Other Worlds is worthy of serious consideration.
— A.M. Dellamonica
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