It was a mixed week for websites this time around. Not as many new releases didn't have a website, and most were a cut above average quality. However, none jumped out as award worthy. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem - Official Site has the best game, but The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep - Official Site has the best overall features. But like I said, neither wins the Weekly Website Award.

Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem - Official Site
All of the usual features are here, but is the game that will be the highlight for most people. After building an predator / alien hybrid, you get to play a isometric action game. (The predator's cannon has a better range than the cannons in the game, so it makes certain parts of the game much too easy. This might be a pro or a con, depending on your personal opinion.) Outside of this addicting game, on the other hand, the site is merely average and overall can't stand out.

The Bucket List - Official Site
Just the basics with a music video as the only extra.

The Great Debaters - Official Site
All of the usual features are here (synopsis, bios, image gallery, and trailer) and each section starts with a clip from the movie as an introduction. (However, these clips are much quieter than the background music.) There are also several clips from the soundtrack, and not just songs but clips from the debates.

Honeydripper - Official Site
A lot of information, but not much style. YouTube is not the bets place for a trailer.

Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust - No Official Site
Nothing to review.

The Orphanage - Official Site
All the usual features are here, mostly under the section called About the Film and include plenty of production notes. Strangely, two of the five children are not associated with a section, which makes me think for was going to be added. Perhaps something with more visual style, which is sadly lacking here.

Persepolis - Official Site
I like the menu system with the perspective on the waves. Mostly the site only has the usual features, but there are text based interviews, a making of featurette, and the soundtrack that includes Eye of the Tiger in its entirety. Overall its works very well, but doesn't have the flash needed to be a contender for the Weekly Website Award.

There Will Be Blood - Official Site
Feels like an overstuffed placeholder site. The usual features are here, but no real style.

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep - Official Site
There are several extras on this site, including three games, a video featurette, s section on the growth of the creature, etc. The usual features are also here, but there's not enough sound and animation outside the extras. Given the nature of the movie, there should be more background animations to help draw in its target audience. Without background animations, the site feels a lot smaller than it is.

- C.S.Strowbridge

Date posted: 2007-12-29