WEB SITE REVIEWS

HBO

* Address: https://www.hbo.com

* What it is: A Web site sponsored by HBO to promote its cable programming. It’s so much a marketing tool that it doesn’t even use advertising to support itself. As Kevin Dowdell, an HBO executive, said: “HBO is not ad-supported, and many people who go to our site don’t want to be intruded upon [by ads].”

* How it is: Why bother, you ask? Three reasons. One and two are III:a.m. and Roadkill. Both are cyberdiaries in which ordinary (depending on your crowd, I guess) people talk about why they are either hanging out on the streets of New York at 3 a.m. or thumbing it on the nation’s highways. If you like “Taxicab Confessions” (How can you not?), then III:a.m. and Roadkill will be right up your alley.

The third reason to check out HBO online is for updates and a little original content based on some of the best shows and movies on television, including “The Larry Sanders Show” and “Mr. Show With Bob and David.” (We’re just going to overlook “Arliss” and “Dennis Miller Live.” . . . Nobody’s perfect.)

Dr. Daniel’s Movie Emergency

* Address: https://www.stairwell.com/doc

* What it is: A couple of guys in Georgia who like movies and like the Web put together Dr. Daniel’s Movie Emergency in their spare time. They get about $100 a month as part of an advertising cooperative, and that pays their monthly hosting fee.

* How it is: Dr. Daniel claims to be a doctor of movie-ology. Those in need of a movie fix can visit such theme areas as the Examining Room (reviews), Prescriptions (recommended rentals), the Operating Room (games), Panacea Picks (links), Time Release Capsules (quick movie picks), the X-Ray Machine (essays and opinion) or the Morgue (archives).

It’s not as cheesy as it sounds. Really. The reviews are funny, the games actually work and the site looks really good.

Please send comments and entertainment site suggestions to Krissy Harris at haringbat@mobsters.com