[Trevor]

2009 Sci-fi Challenge Goals:

1. To do whatever it takes to not win.
2. To try to avoid "the checklist" monster.
3. To watch 31 unwatched sci-fi DVDs from my collection.
4. To watch 3 sci-fi themed MST3K episodes.
5. To watch all of Battlestar Galactica.

count number in red = first time viewing

Wednesday July 1st -

1 - Parasite (1982) - DVD - Hate to start with something silly like this, but I put this aside as I'm going thru my unwatched "P" films, and want to get it out of the way. It wasn't quite as bad as I feared it would be, but I have a feeling I'll only keep it because of my crush on the young Demi Moore, and this is her first lead role. I may never watch it again.
2 - Piranha (1978) - DVD - Trying to only watch new-to-me films, but halfway thru realized that I've already seen this before. I actually enjoy this Joe Dante film, decent cast.
N/A - Year One (2009) - Theater - Not sci-fi, but including here as a warning. Fairly horrible film. If you've seen the trailer, you've seen every funny scene.
3 - Star Trek (2009) - Theater - Again broke my recent rule of trying to stick to unwatched stuff, and snuck out to the theater to see this gem again. I'm a big Trekker, and was quite worried going into this film the first time. But JJ Abrams and the team did a great job, and I look forward to many sequels.
4 - Battlestar Galactica (2003) mini-series part 1 - HD DVD - After much debate, I've decided to focus on Battlestar Galactica this Challenge. I've seen most of the original 1978 series, none or little of the 1980 series, and most of the first two seasons of the recent series. So if I make it thru everything, it will be about half new to me, and I've been putting off watching it all for quite awhile. Put in my HD-DVD of the mini-series, and halfway thru realized that I totally forgot to watch the two original series first. My OCD would usually make me stop and start from the 1978 series, but I went ahead and finished this. I initially didn't like the mini-series when it came out, but was hooked on the new series at the first episode. On second look, the mini-series is quite well done. I'm looking forward to part two, after I finish the 1978 and 1980 series.
5 - Battlestar Galactica (1978) E1, E2 - Netflix instant - Lots of good memories of this show. Absolutely loved it as a kid, and always wanted to get the toys. I think I'm going to search ebay for some.
6 - Battlestar Galactica (1978) E3, E4 - Netflix instant - Wow, totally forgot that Ed Begley Jr. and Rick from Magnum P.I. were in this show.
7 - Battlestar Galactica (1978) E5, E6 - Netflix instant - Love the clone episodes. Just realized that Patrick Macnee does the uncredited voice over each episode. Cool how much of this series was re-imagined and expanded upon in the new series.

Thursday July 2nd -

8 - Battlestar Galactica (1978) E7, E8 - Netflix instant - Brett Summers from The Match Game, cool! Loved the Navarone-like story of episodes 6 & 7. And Barry Nelson, the first actor to play James Bond!
9 - Battlestar Galactica (1978) E9, E10 - Netflix instant - It's probably mainly nostalgia, but I'm loving these.
10 - Battlestar Galactica (1978) E11, E12 - Netflix instant - Nice Dirty Dozen homage in E11. Lloyd Bridges, sweet!
11 - Battlestar Galactica (1979) E13, E14 - Netflix instant - Again, surprised to see how the recent series stuck so close to the plots of this original series. Nicely done.
12 - Battlestar Galactica (1979) E15, E16 - Netflix instant - Nice two-parter with Patrick Macnee.
13 - Battlestar Galactica (1979) E17, E18 - Netflix instant - Wow, Fred Astaire!
14 - Battlestar Galactica (1979) E19, E20 - Netflix instant - Ray Bolger!
15 - Battlestar Galactica (1979) E21, E22 - Netflix instant - Ronald Reagan (ideology)!

Friday July 3rd -

16 - Battlestar Galactica (1979) E23, E24 - Netflix instant - Still enjoying this very much, and am looking forward to moving right onto Galactica 1980. Feldercarb! Had it in my Netflix instant queue, but the first three episodes are disc only. 5 days later they arrive, but the disc is cracked in half!
17 - Predator (1987) - DVD - One of my favorite films. Spent the evening with my sister and niece, and was able to convince them to watch some sci-fi with me.
18 - Predator 2 (1990) - DVD - Not as good as I remember, but still fun. My sister and niece fell asleep.

Saturday July 4th -

19 - The Madmen of Mandoras (1963) - DVD -
20 - They Saved Hitler's Brain (1963) - DVD -
21 - The Creeping Terror (1964) - DVD -
22 - Reptillicus (1961) - DVD -
23 - Repo Man (1984) - DVD -
24 - Futurama: Bender's Big Score (2007) - DVD - Glad to hear that the series is coming back, as I always enjoyed Futurama more than The Simpsons and the other recent TV animated shows.
25 - Independence Day (1996) - DVD - Totally corny line I know, but I actually got goosebumps during Bill Paxton's speech.

Sunday July 5th -

25 - Blade Runner (1982) - workprint - Blu-ray -
26 - Invasion from Mars (1953) - American version - DVD -
N/A - My Sister's Keeper (2009) - Theater - Not sci-fi, but wanted to point out that I was one of three men in a theater of 200+ women. Not bad for a tear-jerker chick flick.
N/A - Defiance (2008) - FIOS rental - Not sci-fi, but a decent rental.

Monday July 6th -

27 - Invasion from Mars (1953) - British version - DVD -
28 - Piranha Part Two: The Spawning (1981) - DVD - Ugh, a full-screen DVD, so only give me 70% credit here. James Cameron and Lance Henriksen, so it has to be great!
29 - Dinocroc (2004) - DVD - It was free. Not worth more than that.
30 - Blade Runner (1982) - US Theatrical version - Blu-ray -
31 - Blade Runner (1982) - International Theatrical Version - Blu-ray -

Tuesday July 7th -

32 - Terrarium (2003) - DVD - Called War of the Planets on the DVD release, not sure why, probably an attempt to get some of the War of the Worlds rental business, like an Asylum production; the original title fits it well. One of the lowest budget movies I've ever seen. But keeping that in mind, it could have been worse. Pretty bad acting and dialogue, but an interesting premise. This shouldn't spoil it for anyone, as it is written on the back of the case, and it happens in the opening minutes, but here is the beginning. Stop reading if you want to be surprised. A ship is sent into space to colonize another planet. After 15 years in suspended animation, they awake crash landed on that planet, with a malfunction that keeps them trapped inside their sleeping chambers. Their muscles are too weak to allow them to break out, and a monster gets into the ship and starts eating them one by one.
33 - Moon Zero Two (1969) - DVD -
34 - When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (1970) - DVD -
35 - The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985) S1, E1 thru E4 - DVD -

Wednesday July 8th -


36 - The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985) S1, E5 and E6; S2, E1 and E2 - DVD -
37 - Galactica 1980 (1980) E1, E2 - Netflix rental - Now I see why God was making it difficult for me to watch these episodes. They're crappy. Like, completely crappy. I don't see how anyone could have green lit this. Maybe the remaining episodes get better, but the first three are painfully bad

Thursday July 9th -

38 - Galactica 1980 (1980) E3, E4 - Netflix rental -
39 - Galactica 1980 (1980) E5, E6 - Netflix instant -

Friday July 10th -

40 - The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985) S2, E3 thru E6 - DVD -
N/A - The Naked Archeologist - TV/DVR - Just wanted to give a shout-out to one of the few shows I DVR.

Saturday July 11th -

41 - Galactica 1980 (1980) E7, E8 - Netflix instant -
42 - Galactica 1980 (1980) E9, E10 - Netflix instant -
43 - The Thing - HD DVD - One of my ten favorite films.

Sunday July 12th -

44 - Star Wars Episode 1 - DVD -
45 - Star Wars Episode 2 - DVD -
46 - Star Wars Episode 3 - DVD -
47 - Star Wars Episode 4 - DVD -
48 - Star Wars Episode 5 - DVD -
49 - Star Wars Episode 6 - DVD -

Monday July 13th -

50 - Dead and Deader (2006) - DVD - Fun B-movie.
51 - Bride of the Monster (1955) - DVD - Haven't seen many Ed Wood films, bought the box set to start changing that.
52 - The Rocketeer (1991) - DVD -
53 - Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) - DVD -
N/A - Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) - Theater 3D -
N/A? - Up (2009) - Theater 3D -


Tuesday July 14th -

54 - Return from Witch Mountain (1978) - DVD -
55 - Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959) - DVD - Lots of fun.
56 - The War of the Worlds (1953) - DVD -

Wednesday July 15th -

57 - The War of the Worlds (1953) - DVD - Watched again with commentary from actors Ann Robinson and Gene Barry.
58 - The War of the Worlds (1953) - DVD - Watched again with commentary from Joe Dante, film historian Bob Burns, and Bill Warren.
59 - Micronauts: Revolution - DVD - My first foray into comic books animated into film was quite mediocre. All it did was make me miss the classic Michael Golden and Bill Mantlo series.
60 - The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985) S2, E7 thru E10 - DVD -


Thursday July 16th -

61 - Battlestar Galactica (2003) mini-series part 2 - HD DVD -
62a - The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985) S2, E11 and E12 - DVD -
62b - The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981) E1 and E2- Netflix instant - One of my favorite books of all-time, finally getting around to watch this British series.
63a - Pluto's Dream House (1940) - DVD - On one of the Witch Mountain DVDs. Nice Disney short.
63b - The Eyes Have It (1945) - DVD - On one of the Witch Mountain DVDs. Nice Disney short.
63c - Hardware Wars (1977) - DVD -
63d - Thumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle (1999) - DVD -
63e - Battlestar Galactica (2004) S1, E1 - HD DVD - This episode, 33, is what hooked me on the new series, and holds up for me as one of the best hours in sci-fi television history.
64 - The Omega Man (1971) - Netflix instant - I've now seen all three versions of this story put to film, and not quite sure which I prefer. Although it is definitely not the mediocre Will Smith version.
65 - [Rec] - Netflix rental - Fantastic film. Quarantine is a total piece of crap compared to this gem.
66 - Mosura (1996) - DVD -
67 - Mystery Science Theater 3000, Future War (1999/1997) - DVD -
68 - Mystery Science Theater 3000, First Spaceship on Venus (1990/1960) - DVD -
69 - Mystery Science Theater 3000, Laserblast (1996/1978) - DVD -

Friday July 17th -

70 - A Boy and his Dog (1975) - DVD -
N/A - I'll Take Sweden (1965) - DVD - Couldn't convince my Mom to watch any sci-fi with me.
71 - Mosura 2 - Kaitei no daikessen (1997) - DVD -
72 - Red vs. Blue Season One (2003) - DVD - Watched on my PS3 to be ironic.
73 - Red vs. Blue Season Two (2004) - DVD - Watched on my PS3 to be ironic. Loved this series as it aired on the web, but think that it is perhaps best in small doses. Season 1 was easy to watch again, but watching another season all the way through was a chore. Planned to watch seasons 3-5 as well, but I think I'll wait until next year.
74 - Jericho (2006) S1, E1 and E2 - Netflix instant -
75 - Jericho (2006) S1, E3 and E4 - Netflix instant -

Saturday July 18th -

76 - Bride of Re-Animator (1990) - DVD -
77 - Blade Runner (1982) - Director's Cut - - Blu-ray - Only saw Blade Runner once in my life before this month, this version last year, and wasn't sure how much I loved it.
78 - Blade Runner (1982) - Final Cut - Blu-ray - But now, after watching five versions of it, Blade Runner is going into my top 20 films of all-time list.
79 - Beyond Re-Animator (2003) - DVD -
80 - Battlestar Galactica (2004) S1, E2 and E3 - HD DVD -
81 - Battlestar Galactica (2004) S1, E4 and E5 - HD DVD -
82 - Battlestar Galactica (2004) S1, E6 and E7 - HD DVD -

Slime Day Sunday July 19th -

83 - The Blob (1958) - DVD -
84 - The Blob (1988) - DVD -
85 - Slugs, muerte viscosa (1988) - DVD -
86 - Leeches (2003) - DVD - I think this may be the worst movie I've ever seen. Also, I think this may have been the edited version of a gay horror porno (not that I would know). I don't think the movie went more than 5 minutes without showing a slo-mo pan of a man in a speedo. I feel like I need a shower after seeing this crap. Turn all cameras off please.
87 - Battlestar Galactica (2004) S1, E8 and E9 - HD DVD -
88 - Battlestar Galactica (2004) S1, E10 and E11 - HD DVD - This series is frakking incredible.
89 - Battlestar Galactica (2004) S1, E12 and E13 - HD DVD - I'm glad my memory is bad, I was totally surprised by the season ending cliffhanger. Can't wait to start season two.
90 - Solaris (1972) - Netflix rental - Saw the near 3 hour runtime, know it is an intellectual slow-moving film, and am hesitant as I approach this. Wow, the time flew by. Great film! 99.9% of America would find it boring and unintelligible though.
91 - Solaris (2002) - DVD - Might be considered blasphemy by fans of the original, but this remake was pretty good.
92 - Ein Toter hing im Netz (1960) - DVD - The US title is Horrors of Spider Island, and watching it was a horror.

Monday July 20th -

93 - Bakterion (1976) - DVD - Working my way through the sci-fi films of my unwatched Mill Creek 50 movie Chillers, and have not been very impressed so far.
94 - The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981) E3 through E6 - Netflix instant -
N/A - Star Trek (2009) - Saw this for the third time, with my Mommy this time. Does watching it with her commentary make it able to be counted?
95 - Battlestar Galactica (2005) S2, E1 and E2 - DVD -
96 - Battlestar Galactica (2005) S2, E3 and E4 - DVD -
N/A - Psych - TV/DVR - Taking a sci-fi break with the second best show on television.
97 - Battlestar Galactica (2005) S2, E5 and E6 - DVD -

Tuesday July 21st -

98 - Virus (1980) - DVD - Very interesting history to this film, called Fukkatsu no hi in Japan. The producers wanted to make it an international hit, so added lots of known stars like Glenn Ford, George Kennedy, Bo Svenson, and Chuck Connors. But it never really got an international release, and a much truncated US cut is usually the only thing seen here, cutting out most of the real stars of the film. Kind of good actually, and I'll be seeking out the full version.
99 - Hulk (2003) - DVD -
100 - La guerra dei robot (1978) - DVD -
I'm going to slow down now, to make sure I meet my #1 goal.

Done counting.