The New Blood

By: Stephen Lackey
Date: Monday, October 09, 2006

I thought I'd just take this opportunity to introduce myself. I'm happy to be the "new blood" here at Cinescape and am excited to write for and interact with Cinescape readers. I've been a freelance writer and filmmaker for the last six years. So, yes I put my money where my mouth is, although to this point I've only created documentary projects. As a writer I've written theatrical film and DVD reviews, previews, and commentary. I have a feature film, about my people really, called FANS AND FREAKS: THE CULTURE OF COMICS AND CONVENTIONS that is getting mainstream distribution worked out as I type this. I also have a new short film called A CHEAPER WAY TO GO about the wholesale funeral industry hitting film festivals now. So I do look at film and TV critically but I also understand what it is to be a creator and have my own projects looked at critically. That doesn't mean that I'll go soft on my reviews. I'm actually pretty hard on films and series that are directed to our demographic. Often filmmakers and series producers think if they wink at the fanboys enough that we'll eat their new film or series up even if it sucks. A perfect example is the SMALLVILLE season premiere I recently reviewed here. They went from a wink, beyond a nudge, to punching SUPERMAN II fans in the face and it didn't make the episode any better.

So, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section of my articles here at Cinescape. I'll be reading and commenting myself. I look forward to talking to you all.

I love the TV Wasteland weekly schedule and will continue to do them, but I do plan to make some adjustments. I'm planning to focus the schedule on sc-fi/fantasy/horror series rather than just everything the networks are playing. It's hard to get good genre TV so I want to make sure you guys know about what's out there so we can all support those series and actually keep them on TV. Here are this week's shows of note:

Monday

HEROES (NBC, 9 PST) "One Giant Leap"

Do the heroes become heroes this week? I hope that last weeks zinger ending is a sign that the series will finally start to pick up speed. Hiro, back at home in Japan sets out to prove to his buddy that he is meant to save the world. All the other heroes deal with their individual stories too. Based on the description there won't be much momentum in the overall story. Can we just get the X-Men together and start kicking ass already?


Tuesday

VERONICA MARS (The CW, 8 PST) "My Big Fat Greek Rush Week"

Veronica investigates a rape on campus while Keith runs for his life in the desert.

Wednesday

JERICHO (CBS, 8 PST) "Walls of Jericho"

A man with radiation burns brings a mysterious warning for the inhabitants of Jericho. This Hawkins guy has always seemed to know a bit too much throughout the first few seasons and now a spotlight is put on that in this episode.

LOST (ABC, 8 PST) "The Glass Ballerina"

More cliffhangers and unanswered questions are sure to be the name of the day for this crack-like series. This week Sawyer and Kate are forced to work in harsh conditions, Sayid's plan to save his friends may put others at risk, and Jack gets an offer he may not be able to refuse.

GHOST HUNTERS (SCIFI Channel, 9 PST) "Tombstone"

This week finds the ghost hunters investigating alleged hauntings in a theatre in Tombstone Arizona.

Thursday

SMALLVILLE (The CW, 8 PST) "Wither"

OK, now we're back to no plot monster of the week stuff it sounds like. Chloe and Clark chase a monster while Lex throws a charity ball to make up for the horrors he brought down on Smallville and Metropolis. Chloe likes Jimmy Olsen but she reluctantly agrees to go to the ball with someone else. What's this sound like to you?

SUPERNATURAL (The CW, 9 PST) "Bloodlust"

Sam and Dean meet another hunter who might be more dangerous than they think and they learn about a new group of vampires.

Friday

GHOST WHISPERER (CBS, 8PM PST) "The Ghost Within"

Melinda communicates with a ghost through a box of ornaments.

DOCTOR WHO (SCIFI Channel, 8PM PST) "School Reunion"

The Doctor investigates a modern London school that's haunted by bat creatures.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SCIFI Channel, 9PM PST) "Exodus"

The first of a two parter with humans facing a Cylon firing squad on New Caprica

Saturday

HAUNTED PRISON (SCIFI Channel, 8PM PST)

A Movie about a group of filmmakers and thieves that must work together to survive in an abandoned island prison when the haunted prison itself becomes a death trap. I know it's a movie on SCIFI, but pickings are slim on Saturday night.

Sunday

Nothing, nothing, we normally would have a few series but the networks are hiding from baseball.