You know you've thought about it: how would my life be different if I went this way instead of that?
We've all toyed with such notions, both in our waking daydreams as well as those we suffer in our sleep. This isn't even to mildly suggest we're unhappy in our respective current predicaments; rather, I think it's just a human exercise -- a creative flight of fancy -- to wonder about how our lives could've ended up differently given a wildly alternate set of variables placed before us. It isn't so much about ruminating on crossroads: it's just ... well ... perfectly natural for it to slip into our conscious thoughts ... if not from time-to-time then perhaps once a year.
And there have been a few good television programs that have kinda/sorta toyed with the premise. The last two seasons of Fox TV's stellar Fringe explored a world directly parallel to our own, and the character crossovers from one reality to the other made for some incredibly interesting story ideas. Starz Network's interesting Counterpart took the same basic idea -- two separate universes bridged by a single door -- and, largely, kept the drama going for two good seasons until it ran its course. Lastly, Netflix's very very good Dark wasn't so much about parallel worlds -- though its subject matter really bled into similar territory -- but kinda/sorta tinkered with the idea of how the present and the future would be altered -- even by the smallest historical changes -- and did so to the delight of audiences around the world.
In any event ...
It looks like audiences are getting another cinematic exposure to the idea of alternate universes, this one coming from what looks to be the independent movie scene: The Alternate is set to tease viewers along with its characters in that 'what if' scenario ... what if you found yourself living a very different life? Publicity materials indicate this one is going the Video-On-Demand route starting on September 6th.
Here's the premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Upon unlocking a portal to an alternate dimension where all his dreams have come true, struggling filmmaker Jake is forced to confront his idealized self."
We've all toyed with such notions, both in our waking daydreams as well as those we suffer in our sleep. This isn't even to mildly suggest we're unhappy in our respective current predicaments; rather, I think it's just a human exercise -- a creative flight of fancy -- to wonder about how our lives could've ended up differently given a wildly alternate set of variables placed before us. It isn't so much about ruminating on crossroads: it's just ... well ... perfectly natural for it to slip into our conscious thoughts ... if not from time-to-time then perhaps once a year.
And there have been a few good television programs that have kinda/sorta toyed with the premise. The last two seasons of Fox TV's stellar Fringe explored a world directly parallel to our own, and the character crossovers from one reality to the other made for some incredibly interesting story ideas. Starz Network's interesting Counterpart took the same basic idea -- two separate universes bridged by a single door -- and, largely, kept the drama going for two good seasons until it ran its course. Lastly, Netflix's very very good Dark wasn't so much about parallel worlds -- though its subject matter really bled into similar territory -- but kinda/sorta tinkered with the idea of how the present and the future would be altered -- even by the smallest historical changes -- and did so to the delight of audiences around the world.
In any event ...
It looks like audiences are getting another cinematic exposure to the idea of alternate universes, this one coming from what looks to be the independent movie scene: The Alternate is set to tease viewers along with its characters in that 'what if' scenario ... what if you found yourself living a very different life? Publicity materials indicate this one is going the Video-On-Demand route starting on September 6th.
Here's the premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Upon unlocking a portal to an alternate dimension where all his dreams have come true, struggling filmmaker Jake is forced to confront his idealized self."
Also, I'd be remiss if I failed to mention that this one appears to have been almost universally embraced during its run on the film festival circuit. IMDB.com reports (at present) that The Alternate has scored an impressive 15 nominations and 12 wins from a variety of festival appearances. While some folks live and die by that trend-setting environment, I've found it a bit dubious (not intending that as an insult) as flicks enjoying great returns there more often than not do tend to be 'geared' more toward that network. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this one has legs when it gets to the masses-at-large.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
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