Summer Sci-Fi Challenge 09 - Discussion Thread

[QuirkyMovieGirl]

Originally Posted by Mister Peepers

Since I blew it that way, would anyone really have any objections to allowing fantasy stuff? I'd still call it the sci-fi challenge but fantasy stuff would also be allowed?

I wouldn't have objections, mainly because there are too many question marks about what should be included and what shouldn't be in this challenge because of how broad the sci-fi genre really is. And when those question marks happen the film is usually classified as fantasy.

For example: Being John Malkovich is listed as fantasy both on allmovie.com and imdb. And the film is a fantasy, and yet when I think of portals opening the door to alternate perceptions I think sci-fi.

I think it would just be easier to let people list what they personally feel is sci-fi, and by doing that we should allow fantasy films too.

[Corey31]

Originally Posted by caligulathegod

IMDB is definitely a reference. Where we got into trouble was when we considered it absolute. We found some glaring exceptions. Austin Powers films come to mind.

Austin Powers is no longer listed as Sci-Fi though, I imagine if a movie is not properly tagged then sooner or later it will be fixed

[caligulathegod]

Austin Powers has cryogenics, time travel, spaceships, cloning, sharks with frikkin lasers, etc. If that's not Science Fiction, I don't know what is. Not sure why IMDB doesn't recognize it as sci fi.

[RobCA]

Originally Posted by Mister Peepers

would anyone really have any objections to allowing fantasy stuff? I'd still call it the sci-fi challenge but fantasy stuff would also be allowed?

No objections here, especially since I'd be able to count Pushing Daisies and Charmed.

Rob

[Chad]

The IMDB isn't always the definite authority. I've noticed a lot of inconsistencies with their genre classification when it comes to titles regarded as 'B' Movies. The most recent example I've come across is "The Giant Gila Monster" which isn't listed anywhere in the Sci-Fi genre.

If a film that contains a giant mutant reptile that grows to enormous proportions by whatever explanation isn't considered to be of the Sci-Fi persuasion, then I don't know what is.

[Mossy Plato]

So True Blood counts now?
If so will definitely help my count,as I have been watching it anyway lol

[naitram]

Originally Posted by Chad

The IMDB isn't always the definite authority. I've noticed a lot of inconsistencies with their genre classification when it comes to titles regarded as 'B' Movies. The most recent example I've come across is "The Giant Gila Monster" which isn't listed anywhere in the Sci-Fi genre.

If a film that contains a giant mutant reptile that grows to enormous proportions by whatever explanation isn't considered to be of the Sci-Fi persuasion, then I don't know what is.

Yes, I listed this in my viewing post as well- it wasn't on IMDB as sci-fi, but someone else mentioned that things like Godzilla should be included, so I took the liberty. It's sci-fi~ish I figure, and I'm certainly not in any position to win this "contest", so I threw it on.

I agree though, IMDB certainly shouldn't be the final authority and everyone should use their own discretion; most of us should know what constitutes at least science fiction elements as oppossed to science fact or reality or outright "magic"...but most of all, have fun with it.

[Darkgod]

Originally Posted by Trevor

How about a ruling on the various "Left Behind" sort of movies? I've looked a couple up, and at least one is listed as sci-fi, a couple more as fantasy/thriller or drama. I guess I think of all apocalyptic movies as sci-fi, but could see it argued otherwise.

I've only watched the first two, and read the books... but they are more..... Religious fantasy I guess... not really any sci-fi.

[Darkgod]

Originally Posted by Chad

The IMDB isn't always the definite authority. I've noticed a lot of inconsistencies with their genre classification when it comes to titles regarded as 'B' Movies. The most recent example I've come across is "The Giant Gila Monster" which isn't listed anywhere in the Sci-Fi genre.

If a film that contains a giant mutant reptile that grows to enormous proportions by whatever explanation isn't considered to be of the Sci-Fi persuasion, then I don't know what is.

I hope it counts, i picked it up especially for this

[caligulathegod]

True Blood is borderline. Generally Vampires are horror. It might slip in through Fantasy/Alternate Reality, I suppose. It's not a typical Vampire story. It posits a world in which a scientific advance (artificial blood) allows Vampires to live in the open amongst us.

[Jeffy Pop]

The problem with counting fantasy is that literally any work of fiction can be classified as such. With all due respect to previous posters, I think the definition of sci-fi is being stretched very thin as it is. There are so many sci-fi movies out there that there's really no reason to have to go outside the defined parameters. I'm all for everyone watching what they want to watch, but I think it defeats the purpose of a challenge if people are merely using it as an excuse to get through their unwatched pile. There is already an Unwatched Movie Challenge every month. The sci-fi challenge should be reserved for science fiction.

Back on topic: I just got back from seeing Moon. One of the best films I've seen this year. Very thought-provoking and fun. Everything a good sci-fi movie should be.

[caligulathegod]

I agree with you to a point. I would hope that participants would have some sense of the genre. If someone tries to foist off, say, King of Queens on the grounds that it is a fantasy that Kevin James could get a hot piece of ass like Leah Remini then they are missing the whole point. Science Fiction/Fantasy is a very nebulous genre, but it's not that nebulous. Alternate timeline stuff should have a real "hook" to it rather than just be creative fictional license. I would allow in something like CSA Confederate States of America but not something like The Patriot. CSA is an alternate timeline of an America where the South won the Civil War while The Patriot is simply inaccurate history.

[Giles]

Originally Posted by Jeffy Pop

Back on topic: I just got back from seeing Moon. One of the best films I've seen this year. Very thought-provoking and fun. Everything a good sci-fi movie should be.

it's opening here in DC on Friday - can't wait!!

[Giles]

we should give an aciliary award for Best List "design" - something that was done for the last Horror Challenge list.

[Corey31]

Need a recommendation. I own the 2002 E.T. Giftset but have never watched the movie. For my first viewing of this movie should I see the 1982 original or the 2003 re-release? Which one is better?

[brainee]

Originally Posted by Corey31

Need a recommendation. I own the 2002 E.T. Giftset but have never watched the movie. For my first viewing of this movie should I see the 1982 original or the 2003 re-release? Which one is better?

I vote for the original! The changes are pretty minor, so its hard to say you'll go wrong either way. My own preference, when seeing an older movie for the first time, is to watch the version that garnered all the acclaim in the first place. Not the "re-tinkered" version. Plus, the changes made in the name of "political correctness" just bug the hell out of me (even though they're small). You can always go back and just watch the added/changed scenes later to see what the Special Edition was all about.

[Trevor]

What special edition? The 1982 version is the only version.

[chris_sc77]

There is no way in hell True Blood should count. But I would like to know what the official ruling is so I can count it or not. If others are doing this for some strange reason I might as well also.

[Mister Peepers]

Originally Posted by chris_sc77

There is no way in hell True Blood should count. But I would like to know what the official ruling is so I can count it or not. If others are doing this for some strange reason I might as well also.

I've never seen it but caligula made a decent case for it. If there's a majority on it, it should count.

[Trevor]

With the exception of obvious oversights on IMDB's part, I think it would be best if we stuck to the original "rule" of it needing to be listed as sci-fi to count.

And fantasy should not be included imo, the two genres are far enough apart and well represented enough to not have to be clumped together. That was just a video store thing, no need for us to perpetuate it.

[Trevor]

Double feldercarb!

I am apparently destined to not watch Galactica 1980. I earlier complained about Netflix not being able to stream the first three episodes (a 3 parter). So I had to order them via mail. Holiday weekend of course, so they took like 5 days to get here. Open up the two discs, really only needing disc 1 since the other episodes are available online, and find it to be cracked and unplayable.

[Mister Peepers]

I'm actually surprised with The Sarah Conner Chronicles. I know people were saying it eventually goes downhill but it's not going down as fast as Captain Power. Every episode of that just makes it sink lower and lower. It also seems like they spent all their cgi funds up in the first few episodes since they pretty much got rid of the flying robots and switched it to one special cgi robot that isn't in the show that much.

[Darkgod]

I really don't think fantasy should count. Like trevor said, we should stick to the original ruling of on imdb.

[caligulathegod]

True Blood can be argued either way. I'm not sure I would count it, but I can see a justification if someone did want to count it.


As to Sci Fi/Fantasy being a "video store" construct, I would add that every professional sanctioning body of creators and fans considers them inseparable. The Hugo, presented by The World Science Fiction Society and The Nebula Award presented by The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), the major awards, don't even have separate categories for SF and Fantasy. I've never been to a SF Convention that excluded (or honestly, wasn't overwhelmed by) a Fantasy component.

No one is forcing anyone to watch Fantasy. If a participant chooses to keep his list pure, then he is welcome to stick to SF exclusively. For a handful of us who would like to include other Genre work, I don't see the harm in it. It's not like we're asking to include Westerns or something. These Genres have a long intertwined history.

[hindolio]

so who is gabbo again?