Review of Contenders and Dark Horizon
BY CHERISE RYAN

Published: NOVEMBER 17, 2006

This coming Monday night, Streaming Media Network will release the first episodes of its two new shows: The Contenders and Dark Horizon.

Flimed in classy black and white, the first episode of The Contender, titled Idiot Wind, immediately impresses one with its stylistic opening credits.

Although almost the entire eight minute episode passes before viewers have a reason to come back for the next one, and it never explains the ambiguous title Idiot Wind, the episode shows potential by the end.
Ben Sayre and Corrie Fahrenbruck play the leading roles of Josh and Katie, but there is not enough time to develop their characters beyond a political nerd and a mousy library-dweller. Classes, papers, and dining hall arguments fill the majority of the show, until a sudden twist promises this is more then just a college soap opera.

The everyday “so, what classes are you taking?” conversation begs for better dialogue, while shorter cuts and a quicker plot-line are in demand, but the artistic camera shots and inside jokes help keep it moving until the elusive ending implants just enough of an interest to set the stage for the next show.

Striking performances by Nathan Curby and Nathan Martin steal the show, the former as your friendly neighborhood RA and the latter as an ominous trench-coat wearer with the best lines in the show.
In striking contrast to the bloodless Contenders, guns appear within the first few seconds of Dark Horizon’s first episode, Crisis.

Echoing Hitman with black coats and poised air soft guns, the ever popular story line of a criminal investigator/secret agent starts fast and keeps moving. Hostages, dead bodies, and hints of treachery fill the twelve minute show.

This episode also demonstrates great camera shots and has a fantastic original sound track, written by a mysterious Justin Durban. Unlike most other campus productions, Crisis actually gets off campus, with several incredible artistic shots in an unnamed parking garage. Even the scenes filmed on campus are shot up close in an angle that makes it not blatantly familiar.

The fast-paced, quick cuts keep the show interesting, but leave no time for character development; the show ends and the viewer hardly knows the main characters’ names.

Overall, Dark Horizon brings new life to the Hitman tradition, with a surprising “horror element” at the end. Though the futuristic genre it promised was hard to find in this first episode.

Directors Bradley Roy, Jacob Holt, and Peter Schellhase have done a good job taking on the mantle of Streaming Media. Their first episodes show striking photography skills, previously untapped acting skills, as well as old favorites, and promise that PHC will continue with its fun filming.

Also keep your eyes open for cameo appearances revealing that John Anderson can fly a helicopter and Dr. Gruenke is up to date in more than just Biology.