In A World Without Infomercials

We're living in a world with two kinds of people. Those who remember that there was a point late in the evening when television stations actually stopped broadcasting shows and those who had no idea.

In conversing with my younger brother, who is 8 years younger than me, I came to the realization that he had never seen a station sign off because most tv stations had moved to a 24 hour format (many complete with infomercials instead).

Here's an example of one from my hometown - and it feels really familiar. Are we better off now to have infomercials? Are you under 35 years old and remember these? If so, you're going to be in the minority soon. Anyone else remember these?

X-Files: I Want To Believe (That This Movie Will Be Good)

So, if you are the average moviegoer, you're probably reading this blog post in between your 3 and 4th viewing of The Dark Knight. Maybe you're waiting in line to see it in IMAX. Regardless, believe it or not, there are other movies out there right now.

X-Files: I Want To Believe actually opened on 7/25/2008. Thats over 6 years since the final X-Files series episode and 10 Years since the first X-Files movie came out. Now, I was an X-Files fan as much as anyone, and like most I started to lose interest around the same time David Duchovny did (and then shortly thereafter left the show). An introduction of new lead agents (one of them that used to be the T-1000) and at the very end bringing back Mulder in the last episode to try to help explain and wrap up all the mythology that had more or less already been revealed was about as satisfying as the final episode of Seinfeld.

So, with a release date one week after the movie with the highest grossing weekend of all time and existing fan base that is mostly disillusioned with the show, how could this movie possibly do well? And why now? Why release this movie so many years later?

Well, I saw the movie last night - and to be honest, I liked it a lot. Not more than the Dark Knight, and it isn't the greatest film of the year. But to be honest, it is a well written, generally good episode of the X-Files. If you go in with the expectation that Chris Carter and crew had another good, well produced and funded, non-mythology episode set 6 years later than the final episode of the series, you'll be pleased. Parts of it are fun, there are surprises, no major explosions. Fans of the show will be pleased, and it is a good thriller even if you aren't a major fan. As Wendy put it: It was nice to have our friends back again and see them together.

I think its just unfortunate that with the Dark Knight taking everyone's attention that this will be ignored by most people. Granted, we went to an 11:30pm showing, but the other 5 people in the theater seemed pleased. Oh, and apparently there is something after the credits according to what i've read - I didn't stay around and watch, but let me know if you wait for it. :)

The Dark Knight - IMAX

Yes, I know I haven't posted in a long time. I'm still alive.

I saw The Dark Knight at IMAX today. Wow, that was pretty awesome. If you haven't seen it yet, go.