Playground For Evil : A Retro Revamp Of A Classic That Keeps Its Charm

Playground for Evil By Broken Sea Productions

When I was really really little, I remember digging through my father’s old VHS tapes and ran across something called Kolchak: The Night Stalker. The dusty ancient tape, despite of its condition actually still played. And I found out it was this fantastic show about a investigative journalist who encounters monsters from the early seventies. And as old and dated as it was, it was a extremely fun show, that can still stand up to television today. But sadly it was something that lasted twelve episodes. But it was the show the set the mold for shows today such as X files, Miracles, Supernatural and Fringe. Nearly forty years later, I also found it has been brought back in a audio format. It’s a now a radio show, or audio book or audio drama. Take your pick. Call it what you will.

And yes. I know smoothie reviews typically are book reviews. But when I find myself on the computer for hours, editing, doing research or working on my website, it’s not all that different than a audio book is it? It’s a review on these audio stories or reviews on my favorite songs from my classic rock albums, which I think would be a big waste of your time to read. So like I said, this is a review on the audio drama on Kolchak: The Night Stalker- A Playground For Evil

Like I said before, the story centers on Carl Kolchak, a investigative journalist at the IBC newspaper who runs into monsters and such, as he gathers his story and Carl shows he is the somewhat self centered and charismatic character. He annoys those around him with his methods so much that people don’t want to even be associated with him. But he encounters a vampire in this story, that is killing people. And oh yeah. This tales place in the 1970’s.

So the good? It is such a tribute to the original show. The writing, the music and characters are fantastic. They didn’t have any of the original actors do the voice. But Monique, Mrs. Emily and his boss are as close as they could get it. And the guy who played the part of Carl Kolchak was close. Though he did not sound like Darren McGraven who originally in the TV show, he carried the character just as good as Darren did. The story is fun. Is it cheesy? Yes. In fact the whole story is dipped in cheese. But let’s admit it, the original had hints of the Scooby Doo cheesiness as well. But it will also make you crack a smile here and there as you hear one of the many jokes littered through out the witty writing. It is also a new story that is not part of the TV show.

The bad? Not much to say, other than I wish this was translated to television. I mean it was a great show and I miss it. It made me want to buy the complete series on DVD now. That and beyond the major four characters, the voice acting gets kind of flat, sounding nothing like the characters out of the original. But then again I think the listener cares for about the employees of IBC more than the chief of police or some doctor.

But overall if you loved Kolchak, you’ll love this. It had a lot of action, it’s fun, exciting, maybe a bit cheesy bit it’s something that doesn’t like itself seriously. And that’s what holds it together. It takes you along for the ride and says have fun.

Four smoothies out of 4

Overall rating : A retro revamp of a classic that keeps its charm

Find the audio drama at http://brokensea.com/kolchak/2009/09/30/episode-1/

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/

The Man In The Black Suit : King’s Experiment Involving a Fisher Boy And A Devil

The Man In The Black Suit By Stephen King Smoothie Review

Surprisingly enough I have actually kind have enjoyed Stephen King’s shorts more than the novels he written in the past. Maybe it’s because they are shorter, therefore giving him less of a opportunity to over use suspense, get off topic or escape to some kind of dreamscape before returning to the actual story. Or maybe it’s because his shorts share a trait with the early Stephen King books, I actually like. Those early books were his first works before whatever spark he had, faded away over time. Anyways I could write my Stephen King conspiracy theories all day, but you don’t care. You’re reading this for the book review. This time around, the review is on the Stephen King short story, “The Man In The Black Suit” that can be found in a collection called Everything’s Eventual

As far as explanation goes, there isn’t much. It’s about a boy named Gary who lives with his family in 1914. One day he decides to go fishing to help his family. He goes down to the river out a little ways with his fishing pole. He takes a seat to fish. As he sits there fishing, the devil walks up and sits beside him. He then holds a conversation with the boy.

So the good? Well it’s different. It doesn’t really seem copied from anything else. And even though it doesn’t have much detail, there is some imagery that puts a picture that is memorable.

The bad? Well I wouldn’t call it a bad thing, but I guess to some people it would be. This short story really plays out much more like a experiment with some new ideas than a actual short. It doesn’t have a climax. I can’t even say it has a beginning, middle, and end. But unlike some of his works, the imagination didn’t seem forced. Like he sat down one day and gone “Gee I wonder” and just explored the possibilities with pen and paper as the ideas flowed through his mind. Which (as a writer myself) I feel is where some of the best writing come from this method. But enough about my opinion. You got my point. If it’s not for you, then you know already.

Overall, it’s interesting. Not spectacular. But it is intriguing. If you just like to always try new things, this is for you. If you’re looking for some dark, horrifying, twisted horror, just look somewhere else because it may have a hint of creepiness, but does not go anywhere beyond.

3 smoothies out of four.

Overall Rating: King’s Experiment Involving A Fisher boy And A Devil

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website. Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/