TekTek

TekTek is the online nickname of Mark, a 13-year-old Internet addict who stays awake most nights chatting away with his online friends. Writer- producer-director Rich Samuels' made-for-video dramatic vignette opens badly with stock clichés (dad left, mom's out on the town every night, junior's a victim) as Mark and his mother square off over Mark's spending too much time online ("just stay offline today!" Mom yells at one point in a voice that would sound right at home on Days of Our Lives). Just when you're sure exactly where the story is headed--Mark is going to run into trouble with his online chat--Mark runs into trouble with his online chat (though in a surprising--if not entirely credible--way). TekTek wants to be two things: a cautionary parable about the dangers of Internet chat and an artsy Twilight Zone-type brain tickler. Ultimately, it's a flawed, if ambitious, short. Optional. Aud: I, J. (R. Pitman)