Focus on Aint it Cool News

[Tim_Fleming]

Harry Knowles, The guy who runs Aint it Cool News has shown in the past that fans can affect casting issues (I believe the Superman Returns movie may be a recent example). Studios see his site as representative of the collective fan voice. If the Warner Bros is expecting fan anger over possible re-casting then Aint it Cool News would be one place that I'd expect them to look.

Because of this, I would like to suggest that we Email Harry and let him know what is going on. I have already done this but I'm not sure if my Email alone will make an impact.

It is important that other popular Science fiction web sites carry this story. I was happy to see that "Dark Horisons" covered it today. However we need SciFi Wire and Cinescape.com among others to cover this as well.

Imagine the affect we could have if Aint it Cool News covers this story and then we can post on his talkback site?

Harry appreciated B5 and his site was of considerable help during the Crusade Campaign.

[Michael Malloy]

I'm not convinced Harry and his web page are the way to go.

Remember how JMS reacted to AICN's blurb following the tragic death of Richard Biggs.

I'm also not so sure how such a slob as Harry and his messy looking web site could influence anyone past the fifth grade in school. He's immature.

On the other hand, in total war unlikely enemies join briefly! Bester said "Your war is now my war."

[Tim_Fleming]

Good Starting point

Aint it Cool News is a good starting point. His site has been instrumental in affecting studio decisions on genre productions. This is exactly what we want to do. And, like I mentioned above, this is where a studio might look to see if there is a controversy over a plot or casting decision.

Remember public outcry from LOTR fans on AICN concerning Arwen's appearance at Helm's Deep was the basis on which Peter Jackson removed that scene from "The Two Towers".

Regardless of how you feel about Harry and his site, it would be useful for us to get his help.

[Michael Malloy]

About AICN:

Has he been a friend or foe of B5 and JMS?

It is difficult to take Harry seriously.

What real credibility does he have?

I visit his page sometimes. It's very difficult to read because every word on the page is SCREAMING at the reader. Too many signs make the message invisible. Too much SCREAMING make the reader/listener turn away.

I could go into my philosophy regarding styles of music and the SCREAMING issue, but I would rather not cloud the important issue here.

Sometimes subtlety speaks louder than a SCREAM.

[frulad]

Let me step up and say a few positive words about Harry and his site.

(In the interest of full disclosure, I have contributed a few scoops and script reviews to the site over the years under the name RenoNevada and still post in the Talk Backs as RenoNevada2000)

Harry has always been a champion for the love of film. He wants to see a film made right. Keep in mind that his early noteriety was built on getting reports on test screenings for TITANIC that were raves (at a time when most regular press were predicting a flop) and some scathing early review of Schumacker's last BATMAN film.

More recently, think about the furor that errupted following co-editor Moriarty's review of the JJ Abrams script for SUPERMAN. (Which I've read BTW, and it is as every bit as wretched as it sounded.)

I firmly think that once he gets wind of this story, Harry and/or Moriarty would be glad to post it.

Sure the site design isn't the greatest, but I can get past that. (Probably has something to do with the years of putting up with crappy FX to enjoy the well crafted stories on Doctor Who. )

[Doktor]

Originally posted by Michael Malloy
I'm also not so sure how such a slob as Harry and his messy looking web site could influence anyone past the fifth grade in school. He's immature.

Immature? As criticisms go, I can think of far worse! I have nothing but respect for the guy. He may not be the most enlightened human being on the planet, and his website might not be about to win any design awards, but he's obviously someone with a genuine love for genre fillms and television. More than that, he speaks from the heart. If he's immature, then credit to the guy for showing it and not worrying about his image. Are personal attacks against potential allies really the way forward at this point in time?

[Capt.Montoya]

I don't like AICN that much, but I support that some fans will look for their support.
I rarely read AICN anymore, but I know that many read it. I don't know if it has that much influence in the industry but it reaches many fans.
At this stage we need all the support we can get.
(I just hope Knowles/Moriarty will be supportive of the fans and not reciprocate JMS's dismissal of them.)