Cinefantastique Online

THE METAPHYSICS OF STAR TREK: Joshua Burton reports on a symposium at Cal State Fullerton that focused on the ties between science fiction and philosophy. Citing Plato, CSUF professor Ryan Nichols notes that using stories to illustrate philosophical concepts is a venerable tradition. And Associate Professor Amy Coplan points to BLADE RUNNER as an example of using science fiction for philosophical inquiry:

“Sci-fi acts as a thought experiment, but is more detailed and acts affectively,” Coplan said. “The difference between ‘E.T.’ and something like ‘Blade Runner’ is that with ‘E.T.’ you’re emotionally engaged. With something like ‘Blade Runner,’ you’re conceptually engaged.”

CLOVERFIELD CONTEST: Make a movie showing what happened to you when the Cloverfield monster attacked, and you could win $4,500 and a paramount DVD prize pack. Director Matt Reeves will select the winner from the Top Three user-voted videos.

WES BENTLEY IN LIGEIA: Esplatter reports that actor Wes Bentley has signed on to star in LIGEIA for director Michale Staninger. The film is inspired by Edgar Alan Poe’s story, which previously provided the basis for 1964’s THE TOMB OF LIGEIA, one of Vincent Price’s greatest horror movies.

CAT WITH THE EYES OF JADE: Keith Brown at Giallo Fever makes the case for re-evaluating this obscure giallo thriller, which owes an acknowledged debt to the work of Dario Argento.

SMALL SCREEN TREASURES: John W. Morehead offers an appreciate of “Two Gems of Seventies Horror Television”: THE NORLISS TAPES and SATAN’S TRIANGLE.