5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
#151
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
#152
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
The script deserved a director who understood the material and a star with some talent, charisma and a martial arts background. This film had neither. (By star, I mean the actor in the leading role, Jeff Cooper, who was a surfer by trade.)
#153
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Anyone have any opinions on Battle Royale? I just got a copy from the library just in time for this challenge, and was wondering how good it actually is. I'm not a huge fan of gore, but read the book and wanted to see how the movie stacked up.
#154
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
It's good and there's not much gore to speak of; plenty of blood though.
#155
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
On the non-reading side, I'm really excited to start this challenge. Hoping to get through some television seasons!
#156
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Are we talking about the same Circle of Iron? I always think of David Carradine as the star of it. As someone who does not have a single graceful bone in her body, I love how he just flows when he does his martial art moves. I first saw him in Kung Fu: The Legend Continues and from there, hunted down movies he was in to watch. So, to me, him being in it makes it worth watching. Like I said earlier, I'm in no way making this out to be a great movie, but even in it's badness there is something that makes it watchable to me.
Anyone have any opinions on Battle Royale? I just got a copy from the library just in time for this challenge, and was wondering how good it actually is. I'm not a huge fan of gore, but read the book and wanted to see how the movie stacked up.
Anyone have any opinions on Battle Royale? I just got a copy from the library just in time for this challenge, and was wondering how good it actually is. I'm not a huge fan of gore, but read the book and wanted to see how the movie stacked up.
RE: BATTLE ROYALE - it opened here in New York last month in its belated theatrical premiere. I went to see it. It was the extended director's cut. I prefer the shorter cut which came out in 2000, which I've only seen on VHS.
I like the film a lot, although I liked it better when I originally saw it. It's definitely an important film, esp. in the context of its director's career, and as a critique of the extraordinary social, cultural and academic pressures placed on the youth of Japan. The director made the film as a response--some 55 years after the fact--to the way his generation (those too young to fight, but old enough to work) was treated by the military government during the war. He was 15 when the war ended.
Last edited by Ash Ketchum; 06-29-12 at 10:06 AM.
#157
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
But anyway, it'll be interesting to see how the movie plays out compared to the book and I think it qualifies for the alternate history category which I was having trouble thinking of a movie I wanted to watch for.
#158
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
The flowing certainly stops dead when he speaks though - he always sounds like he's bored and/or stoned, which may very well be the case. I consider David Carradine as a more affable Chuck Norris, in terms of unchanging and indifferent line delivery.
#159
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
For those looking for viewing material, The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) has dropped back to $9.99.
#160
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Less than 24 hours till the sci fi challenge starts and I am getting really excited. I may have dabbled a little in sci fi here and there to wet my appetite, but I have been holding off on sci fi for the most part till the challenge starts. Then it is on.
#161
DVD Talk Legend
#162
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Thread Starter
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
It started out that way but then we changed it to start a day early, so we get a day of overlap with the Historical Appreciation challenge. So you have a day of time machine movies and Ancient Alien shows. Possibly some costume dramas that take place around the time of King Arthur but also include Merlin casting some spells. I think Sucker Punch might count since it's WWII but that movie was beyond awful and nobody should watch it.
#163
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Hmmm, I think I'll go for Sword 'n' Sandal for the overlap or demonic ninjas from Feudal Japan.
#164
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Circle of Iron probably would have been better if Bruce Lee and/or McQueen/Coburn had co-starred in it as intended. Though I think Carradine's lazy vibe suits a martial arts teacher well.
And let me get this 100% straight...we are starting tonight? 6/29/2012 tonight?
And let me get this 100% straight...we are starting tonight? 6/29/2012 tonight?
#165
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
It started out that way but then we changed it to start a day early, so we get a day of overlap with the Historical Appreciation challenge. So you have a day of time machine movies and Ancient Alien shows. Possibly some costume dramas that take place around the time of King Arthur but also include Merlin casting some spells. I think Sucker Punch might count since it's WWII but that movie was beyond awful and nobody should watch it.
#167
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I have the much maligned, but never seen (by me) Alien 3 on tap to kick this mother off. I whet my sci-fi appetite this month by reading 11/22/63 (75% done). Pretty good tale so far.
#168
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Thread Starter
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Ash brought up the sword 'n' sandals and demon ninjas but there's also all the other martial art fantasies, which count as a checklist item for this challenge and also count as history films. I can't think of very many other types of things that count but that isn't to say they aren't out there.
#169
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I'd think it would be just about perfect for overlap. There are only a few episodes that do not deal with or take place during some historic event.
The questionable episodes are:
One Way to the Moon
Secret Weapon
Visitors from Beyond the Stars
Chase Through Time
The Kidnappers
Town of Terror
All of those pretty much deal solely with events having to do with Time Tunnel issues/malfunctions or fictional stories with no ties to any historical event. That still leaves the bulk of the series. If I weren't starting with Ancient Aliens I'd consider using The Time Tunnel myself.
The questionable episodes are:
One Way to the Moon
Secret Weapon
Visitors from Beyond the Stars
Chase Through Time
The Kidnappers
Town of Terror
All of those pretty much deal solely with events having to do with Time Tunnel issues/malfunctions or fictional stories with no ties to any historical event. That still leaves the bulk of the series. If I weren't starting with Ancient Aliens I'd consider using The Time Tunnel myself.
#170
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
With those guidelines, this looks like my viewing schedule for tomorrow (subject to change, of course!)
Jason and the Argonauts
Mysterious Island
The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad
John Wyndham - Invisible Man of Science
Pioneers of Television - Science Fiction
Fantastic Voyage: The Evolution of Science Fiction
40 Years of Sci-Fi Television
Time After Time
The Time Machine (1960)
Any other 50's recommendations that would fit?
Jason and the Argonauts
Mysterious Island
The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad
John Wyndham - Invisible Man of Science
Pioneers of Television - Science Fiction
Fantastic Voyage: The Evolution of Science Fiction
40 Years of Sci-Fi Television
Time After Time
The Time Machine (1960)
Any other 50's recommendations that would fit?
#171
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Thread Starter
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Does alternate history count for the history challenge? If so, there's one of the Planet of the Apes films where they travel back in time to right before they start to take over, if I'm remembering the plot right. Is that too much of a stretch? If not, then wouldn't Hellboy count?
If I'm too far out there with my thinking, my excuse is that I'm half asleep. I had a nice filling lunch and I'm about ready to crawl under my desk and take a nap.
A couple other things that do count are Puppet Master 3 and Puppet Master: Axis of Evil.
If I'm too far out there with my thinking, my excuse is that I'm half asleep. I had a nice filling lunch and I'm about ready to crawl under my desk and take a nap.
A couple other things that do count are Puppet Master 3 and Puppet Master: Axis of Evil.
#172
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
As the sci-fi documentaries are relatively short, I'll try to squeeze in a first-time viewing of The Philadelphia Experiment. Then, I've got a big stack of new Blu-rays to spin on Sunday.
#173
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
call me slow but i just noticed the start time changed but just making sure does this start tonight at midnight or tomorrow night at midnight
#174
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Thread Starter
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
#175
Re: 5th Annual Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
My month has been so busy with work it took your question to make me realize that June 30th is *tomorrow/Saturday*! I've been working all week thinking I'd be watching Ancient Aliens on Sunday! Gotta work out a whole new strategy... still have lots of stuff I wanted to watch the day before the overlap... arrrggghhhh!