5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
#251
Senior Member
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
So my Internet took a dump today (bad modem, router not marrying with the new modem, yada yada) so haven't been able to update my post today. Dang it. And do you know how hard it is to update a post on an iPad? Decided screw it, and wait for an IT guy to come and trouble shoot. Especially after I lost all my information three times!
Hubby hooked me up to his work's MyFi router so I wouldn't go through Internet withdrawals. I need a life!!
Hubby hooked me up to his work's MyFi router so I wouldn't go through Internet withdrawals. I need a life!!
#252
DVD Talk Gold Edition
#253
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
So I've decided to watch the LOTR trilogy this challenge. I've only seen the first one, and when it was in theaters so I barely remember any of it, so basically these are all first time viewings. Would you recommend starting with the regular cuts or just going for the extended?
#254
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Watching Species I was starting to wonder why I didn't watch it/like it more. Good action, beautiful woman, hell this was when I still took Michael Madsen seriously too. Then you get to the end and the CGI just really lets it down.
Part two has better effects (and then some) but still seemed weaker overall. Cast wise especially.
Part two has better effects (and then some) but still seemed weaker overall. Cast wise especially.
#255
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Ruling needed... do James Bond movies count as Sci-Fi due to the gadgets... I'd say no but I have seen people put up less closesly Sci-Fi movies
#256
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
So I've decided to watch the LOTR trilogy this challenge. I've only seen the first one, and when it was in theaters so I barely remember any of it, so basically these are all first time viewings. Would you recommend starting with the regular cuts or just going for the extended?
#257
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
#258
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
IMDB example:
Dr. No - Action | Adventure | Thriller
Moonraker - Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller
So Dr. No doesn't qualify, but Moonraker does.
Generally if IMDB doesn't have Sci-Fi listed as a genre look at Allmovie.com. On occasion they differ in opinion as to specific genre for a film.
#259
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Watching Species I was starting to wonder why I didn't watch it/like it more. Good action, beautiful woman, hell this was when I still took Michael Madsen seriously too. Then you get to the end and the CGI just really lets it down.
Part two has better effects (and then some) but still seemed weaker overall. Cast wise especially.
Part two has better effects (and then some) but still seemed weaker overall. Cast wise especially.
#260
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
IMDB is your friend. Not all Bond films qualify as some have Sci-Fi listed as a genre and others do not.
IMDB example:
Dr. No - Action | Adventure | Thriller
Moonraker - Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller
So Dr. No doesn't qualify, but Moonraker does.
Generally if IMDB doesn't have Sci-Fi listed as a genre look at Allmovie.com. On occasion they differ in opinion as to specific genre for a film.
IMDB example:
Dr. No - Action | Adventure | Thriller
Moonraker - Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller
So Dr. No doesn't qualify, but Moonraker does.
Generally if IMDB doesn't have Sci-Fi listed as a genre look at Allmovie.com. On occasion they differ in opinion as to specific genre for a film.
YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE is definitely sci-fi. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER and MOONRAKER, too. Don't recall the post-Moore ones well enough to determine, although I can't think of any sci-fi elements in them. Oh, wait! Didn't DIE ANOTHER DAY have an invisible car in it?
#261
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Any derelict ship/spaceship movies where it does turn out to be a good idea to check it out?
#262
#263
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Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
It would be an issue if you don't like decimals. Thinking on it a little more, if I continued on with it, I'd keep it strictly optional. Personally, I'm not even going to bother with it unless I'm hitting something that's around 2 hours.
Maybe I just have to much time on my hands, thinking about rules like this. If nobody finds it at all useful, I'll drop it for next year but there's no harm in letting it ride out the rest of the challenge since it's completely optional.
Personally, I'd rather not have numbered lists before going that route. I don't agree that watching a 2 hour movie should count the same as watching a commercial for a movie.
Maybe I just have to much time on my hands, thinking about rules like this. If nobody finds it at all useful, I'll drop it for next year but there's no harm in letting it ride out the rest of the challenge since it's completely optional.
Personally, I'd rather not have numbered lists before going that route. I don't agree that watching a 2 hour movie should count the same as watching a commercial for a movie.
Finished watching Immortals. It was... Ok. Visually it was like a weekend-long threesome with blonde twin gymnasts but narratively it was like dryly beating off to Elle magazine, sitting on the toilet seat while your girlfriend keeps banging on the door trying to get in and put on her makeup.
So I've decided to watch the LOTR trilogy this challenge. I've only seen the first one, and when it was in theaters so I barely remember any of it, so basically these are all first time viewings. Would you recommend starting with the regular cuts or just going for the extended?
I'd go with the extended versions. Each contains quite a bit of additional material that fleshes out the story in sometimes significant ways. The open for Fellowship of the Ring is vastly improved over the theatrical as it shows how Sméagol came to posses the One Ring. If you can swing it I'd also recommend setting aside a full day to watch them all in a single sitting.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Watching Species I was starting to wonder why I didn't watch it/like it more. Good action, beautiful woman, hell this was when I still took Michael Madsen seriously too. Then you get to the end and the CGI just really lets it down.
Part two has better effects (and then some) but still seemed weaker overall. Cast wise especially.
Part two has better effects (and then some) but still seemed weaker overall. Cast wise especially.
I think all 4 films are somewhat underrated, *but* I love 50s "B" Sci-Fi/Horror films and that somewhat colors my opinion as this series has a distinct flavor of the films of that period. I simply look at the cheesy effects as an extension of what would have been done in the 50s on such "B" films had the technology existed. Of course they're not truly "good" films but they *are* good cheesy fun of the variety that appeals to that 10-12 year old inside.
I would call DR. NO sci-fi because of the whole plot where they use sophisticated nuclear technology to disrupt the rockets taking off from Cape Canaveral. That's science and it's fictional, since no one--that we KNOW of--was using that technology for such purposes back in 1963.
YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE is definitely sci-fi. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER and MOONRAKER, too. Don't recall the post-Moore ones well enough to determine, although I can't think of any sci-fi elements in them. Oh, wait! Didn't DIE ANOTHER DAY have an invisible car in it?
YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE is definitely sci-fi. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER and MOONRAKER, too. Don't recall the post-Moore ones well enough to determine, although I can't think of any sci-fi elements in them. Oh, wait! Didn't DIE ANOTHER DAY have an invisible car in it?
#264
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
#265
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
There must have been plenty of Star Trek episodes that fit, although I can't identify them. As for movies--well if it were a GOOD idea to check out that spaceship then you wouldn't have a movie!
#266
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Thread Starter
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
So my Internet took a dump today (bad modem, router not marrying with the new modem, yada yada) so haven't been able to update my post today. Dang it. And do you know how hard it is to update a post on an iPad? Decided screw it, and wait for an IT guy to come and trouble shoot. Especially after I lost all my information three times!
Hubby hooked me up to his work's MyFi router so I wouldn't go through Internet withdrawals. I need a life!!
Hubby hooked me up to his work's MyFi router so I wouldn't go through Internet withdrawals. I need a life!!
I've been updating on my iPad as well, which hasn't been bad but I also have a real keyboard. Makes it a lot easier.
Your idea was something else I was considering. I was even thinking of doing .25 extra if you hit 2 hours and then .25 for each half hour after that. You get a little extra when you hit 2 hours but on the other hand, you're getting an extra if you watch a 45 minute film from the 50s.
#267
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I started with a healthy dose of Star Trek: The Next Generation, finishing up the third season and starting the fourth. All of the episodes were fairly strong (even the one with Deanna's annoying mother), and my favorite episodes had to do with the Borg invasion. I've always found the Borg to be extremely creepy with their passionless assimilation.
I also watched Fantastic Voyage and Soylent Green, two films from box sets that I didn't get to last year. Fantastic Voyage had some great visuals, and I love that white submarine. I wish that the characters had been a bit more developed, though I realize that the film works with the stock characters in place. I am glad to get Soylent Green off my "to watch" list and thought it had a great atmosphere. I'm always a fan of science fiction and speculative fiction that deals with a world made dismal not by a great catastrophe, but by prevalent social problems. Of course, I just cannot imagine the world getting to the point that it does in the film. Perhaps, I'm just too optimistic.
I am trying to figure out if my experience and emotional response to Soylent Green would have been different if I hadn't already known the solution to the mystery Heston is investigating. The film has been so engrained in your pop-culture consciousness with endless parodies and references. I've never been one to get overly upset over spoilers (except when people announce major character deaths in conversations where it is obvious not everyone knows) and have thus watched quite a few films where I knew the twist or the ending. This has never bothered me, but I wonder if I'm not missing some emotional punches. Of course, this is moot with Soylent Green which was "ruined" for me by an AFI special I watched even before I really got into watching film.
I also watched Fantastic Voyage and Soylent Green, two films from box sets that I didn't get to last year. Fantastic Voyage had some great visuals, and I love that white submarine. I wish that the characters had been a bit more developed, though I realize that the film works with the stock characters in place. I am glad to get Soylent Green off my "to watch" list and thought it had a great atmosphere. I'm always a fan of science fiction and speculative fiction that deals with a world made dismal not by a great catastrophe, but by prevalent social problems. Of course, I just cannot imagine the world getting to the point that it does in the film. Perhaps, I'm just too optimistic.
I am trying to figure out if my experience and emotional response to Soylent Green would have been different if I hadn't already known the solution to the mystery Heston is investigating. The film has been so engrained in your pop-culture consciousness with endless parodies and references. I've never been one to get overly upset over spoilers (except when people announce major character deaths in conversations where it is obvious not everyone knows) and have thus watched quite a few films where I knew the twist or the ending. This has never bothered me, but I wonder if I'm not missing some emotional punches. Of course, this is moot with Soylent Green which was "ruined" for me by an AFI special I watched even before I really got into watching film.
#268
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I started with a healthy dose of Star Trek: The Next Generation, finishing up the third season and starting the fourth. All of the episodes were fairly strong (even the one with Deanna's annoying mother), and my favorite episodes had to do with the Borg invasion. I've always found the Borg to be extremely creepy with their passionless assimilation.
I also watched Fantastic Voyage and Soylent Green, two films from box sets that I didn't get to last year. Fantastic Voyage had some great visuals, and I love that white submarine. I wish that the characters had been a bit more developed, though I realize that the film works with the stock characters in place. I am glad to get Soylent Green off my "to watch" list and thought it had a great atmosphere. I'm always a fan of science fiction and speculative fiction that deals with a world made dismal not by a great catastrophe, but by prevalent social problems. Of course, I just cannot imagine the world getting to the point that it does in the film. Perhaps, I'm just too optimistic.
I am trying to figure out if my experience and emotional response to Soylent Green would have been different if I hadn't already known the solution to the mystery Heston is investigating. The film has been so engrained in your pop-culture consciousness with endless parodies and references. I've never been one to get overly upset over spoilers (except when people announce major character deaths in conversations where it is obvious not everyone knows) and have thus watched quite a few films where I knew the twist or the ending. This has never bothered me, but I wonder if I'm not missing some emotional punches. Of course, this is moot with Soylent Green which was "ruined" for me by an AFI special I watched even before I really got into watching film.
I also watched Fantastic Voyage and Soylent Green, two films from box sets that I didn't get to last year. Fantastic Voyage had some great visuals, and I love that white submarine. I wish that the characters had been a bit more developed, though I realize that the film works with the stock characters in place. I am glad to get Soylent Green off my "to watch" list and thought it had a great atmosphere. I'm always a fan of science fiction and speculative fiction that deals with a world made dismal not by a great catastrophe, but by prevalent social problems. Of course, I just cannot imagine the world getting to the point that it does in the film. Perhaps, I'm just too optimistic.
I am trying to figure out if my experience and emotional response to Soylent Green would have been different if I hadn't already known the solution to the mystery Heston is investigating. The film has been so engrained in your pop-culture consciousness with endless parodies and references. I've never been one to get overly upset over spoilers (except when people announce major character deaths in conversations where it is obvious not everyone knows) and have thus watched quite a few films where I knew the twist or the ending. This has never bothered me, but I wonder if I'm not missing some emotional punches. Of course, this is moot with Soylent Green which was "ruined" for me by an AFI special I watched even before I really got into watching film.
Last edited by Ash Ketchum; 07-02-12 at 02:49 PM.
#269
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Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I used to do a holding area but then it's not really accurate as to what day I watched stuff. I don't mind decimals.
Your idea was something else I was considering. I was even thinking of doing .25 extra if you hit 2 hours and then .25 for each half hour after that. You get a little extra when you hit 2 hours but on the other hand, you're getting an extra if you watch a 45 minute film from the 50s.
Your idea was something else I was considering. I was even thinking of doing .25 extra if you hit 2 hours and then .25 for each half hour after that. You get a little extra when you hit 2 hours but on the other hand, you're getting an extra if you watch a 45 minute film from the 50s.
#270
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
i really need to check genres hen watching on netflix. put on nazis at the center of the earth and is about scientific experiments but checked it on imdb and lists it as horror/thriller so just gonna use it as a wildcard.
however i must be the only person who randomly picks a movie on netflix and gets excited hen I see "an Asylum Presentation"
however i must be the only person who randomly picks a movie on netflix and gets excited hen I see "an Asylum Presentation"
#271
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Thread Starter
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Here I am watching Ancient Aliens again. Where the last episode said that gods like Poseidon obviously don't exist, the next episode claims that he's extraterrestrial. In the last episode, they didn't need him to make the link to whatever conclusion they had but now they need it to make the jump to Atlantis.
#272
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I do find it outrageous and am terribly pissed off about it... probably because of anger management issues I should really deal with. In all seriousness, I think it's an interesting idea and may try it out. I do like that it does promote watching longer films instead of padding numbers with films simply because they are short.
#273
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I was scanning everyone's lists and I noticed this from Gobear (while talking about Mirror Mirror):
Well I have happy news, Gobear, there have been 3 live action adaptions, Hogfather, The Color of Magic, and Going Postal. They are all available.
...if there is ever a live-action production of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels.
#274
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I finished Season 3 of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. I'd started this during the MYO Challenge but didn't complete S3. Those last 7 episodes were *rough*! The "Irwin Allen Effect" was in full force with cheesy costumes and the monster-of-the-week themes. One of those I watched should have been considered a "clip" episode due to all the stock/reused footage. The series really went downhill during that season. I have a copy of S4 but don't know if I'll attempt it during the challenge as I have too much other films and TV series I'd like to watch first.
I followed that with: The Day It Came to Earth. Based on reviews I'd put off purchasing that one for a couple of years. I shouldn't have! Yes, it's a "bad" film but while watching I got the impression it was *intended* to be "bad". It was filmed in the late 70s but the cars were all mid-late 50s vintage. The acting is so far over the top it *had* to be deliberate. It is a very funny film if watched with the mindset of it being a camp homage/spoof of all those late 50s teen "B" Sci-Fi/Horror films. I have to believe that's what was intended simply because it *looks* like a late 50s "B" flick of that genre. Unlike another film that attempted to pull this off (Attack from Mars - a truly horrible film in almost every way) *this* one works. I'll be watching it again.
Then came Deathstalker and Deathstalker II. Deathstalker is a somewhat genric sword and sorcery flick with *lots* of skin. It was OK but nothing special. It *does* have a somewhat humourous scene where an evil henchman is transformed into the Barbi Benton character. I might watch this again but I'd really have to be in the right frame of mind.
Deathstalker II is another matter. It's *fun*, done very tongue-in-cheek. I got the impression it may been written hoping to attract Bruce Campbell. The lead actor *looks* a lot like Campbell and the delivery is much the same as I'd imagine from Campbell. It has some skin as well but it doesn't feel as gratuitous as that in Deathstalker. It also has a more cohesive plot. The "bloopers" during the credits were also lots of fun. This is one I'd watch again.
I followed that with: The Day It Came to Earth. Based on reviews I'd put off purchasing that one for a couple of years. I shouldn't have! Yes, it's a "bad" film but while watching I got the impression it was *intended* to be "bad". It was filmed in the late 70s but the cars were all mid-late 50s vintage. The acting is so far over the top it *had* to be deliberate. It is a very funny film if watched with the mindset of it being a camp homage/spoof of all those late 50s teen "B" Sci-Fi/Horror films. I have to believe that's what was intended simply because it *looks* like a late 50s "B" flick of that genre. Unlike another film that attempted to pull this off (Attack from Mars - a truly horrible film in almost every way) *this* one works. I'll be watching it again.
Then came Deathstalker and Deathstalker II. Deathstalker is a somewhat genric sword and sorcery flick with *lots* of skin. It was OK but nothing special. It *does* have a somewhat humourous scene where an evil henchman is transformed into the Barbi Benton character. I might watch this again but I'd really have to be in the right frame of mind.
Deathstalker II is another matter. It's *fun*, done very tongue-in-cheek. I got the impression it may been written hoping to attract Bruce Campbell. The lead actor *looks* a lot like Campbell and the delivery is much the same as I'd imagine from Campbell. It has some skin as well but it doesn't feel as gratuitous as that in Deathstalker. It also has a more cohesive plot. The "bloopers" during the credits were also lots of fun. This is one I'd watch again.
#275
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Thread Starter
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I do find it outrageous and am terribly pissed off about it... probably because of anger management issues I should really deal with. In all seriousness, I think it's an interesting idea and may try it out. I do like that it does promote watching longer films instead of padding numbers with films simply because they are short.
2 hour film = 1.25
2.5 hour film = 1.5
and so on?