11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
06-14-18, 10:55 PM
#1
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
It's that time again! Time for the
11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge 2018!
List Thread for 2018 here
Dates: Dusk June 30-Dawn August 1st
Rules
Movies/TV shows should be labeled sci-fi or fantasy from either imdb.com or allmovie.com. Other labels don't matter as long as there is at least a sci-fi or fantasy label from one of those sites. Action/Sci-fi would be fine.
If anyone has a problem with something someone watches or just wants an opinion on if it's sci-fi or fantasy or not, ask here.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy documentaries are allowed but not DVD featurettes/interviews. Documentaries include UFO and alien abduction type shows.
As with the other challenges, the lists must be numbered or it won't count.
Use any counting method you prefer, as prize determination does not depend on number of items watched.
3 wild cards for all. Use for those shows you want to watch but know they really don't count but they're pretty close or borderline to counting.
Watching the movie with the commentary will count as an entry.
Watching multiple versions (theatrical and director's cut) of the same movie will also count.
How to win a prize
There's 1 way to get an entry:
Participate by watching at least 1 item (please number your lists!)
Audio:
Sci-fi/Fantasy Radio
I'm treating audio harshly since this is primarily a movie/tv challenge. That being said, one episode, 4 hours with commercials, of Coast to Coast counts as one entry. It's the same format for TV, only doubled. The topic of the show has to be sci-fi/fantasy related, so it shouldn't be that much of a problem with Coast to Coast.
If you're listening to something without commercials, or can skip them, you're looking at 3 hours of audio for one entry.
1/4 entry = 45 minutes without commercials and 60 with commercials.
1/2 entry = 90 minutes without commercials and 120 with commercials.
3/4 entry = 135 minutes without commercials and 180 with commercials.
1 entry = 180 minutes without commercials and 240 with commercials.
*Exceptions:* 1: The Tarzan films are eligible to watch and count for the watch list, but not for the check list.
2. Superhero films. If they do not have a sci-fi/fantasy tag, they count for the watch list, but not for the check list.
Checklist:
2017's Discussion list.
2018's updated checklist:
Prizes: Thank you to GoldenWheels and HamiltonBooks for sponsoring prizes this month! Please note you do need a postal address in the United States to be eligible.
11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge 2018!
List Thread for 2018 here
Dates: Dusk June 30-Dawn August 1st
Rules
Movies/TV shows should be labeled sci-fi or fantasy from either imdb.com or allmovie.com. Other labels don't matter as long as there is at least a sci-fi or fantasy label from one of those sites. Action/Sci-fi would be fine.
If anyone has a problem with something someone watches or just wants an opinion on if it's sci-fi or fantasy or not, ask here.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy documentaries are allowed but not DVD featurettes/interviews. Documentaries include UFO and alien abduction type shows.
As with the other challenges, the lists must be numbered or it won't count.
Use any counting method you prefer, as prize determination does not depend on number of items watched.
3 wild cards for all. Use for those shows you want to watch but know they really don't count but they're pretty close or borderline to counting.
Watching the movie with the commentary will count as an entry.
Watching multiple versions (theatrical and director's cut) of the same movie will also count.
How to win a prize
There's 1 way to get an entry:
Participate by watching at least 1 item (please number your lists!)
Audio:
Sci-fi/Fantasy Radio
I'm treating audio harshly since this is primarily a movie/tv challenge. That being said, one episode, 4 hours with commercials, of Coast to Coast counts as one entry. It's the same format for TV, only doubled. The topic of the show has to be sci-fi/fantasy related, so it shouldn't be that much of a problem with Coast to Coast.
If you're listening to something without commercials, or can skip them, you're looking at 3 hours of audio for one entry.
1/4 entry = 45 minutes without commercials and 60 with commercials.
1/2 entry = 90 minutes without commercials and 120 with commercials.
3/4 entry = 135 minutes without commercials and 180 with commercials.
1 entry = 180 minutes without commercials and 240 with commercials.
*Exceptions:* 1: The Tarzan films are eligible to watch and count for the watch list, but not for the check list.
2. Superhero films. If they do not have a sci-fi/fantasy tag, they count for the watch list, but not for the check list.
Checklist:
Spoiler:
2017's Discussion list.
2018's updated checklist:
Spoiler:
Prizes: Thank you to GoldenWheels and HamiltonBooks for sponsoring prizes this month! Please note you do need a postal address in the United States to be eligible.
Last edited by LJG765; 07-30-18 at 11:32 PM.
06-14-18, 10:56 PM
#2
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I have two checklists in the opening post. Please take a look at the 2018 one and post any suggestions to add to it! Anyone I should add to the "He's dead, Jim" list?
There's just over 2 weeks before the challenge begins so plenty of time to give suggestions!
There's just over 2 weeks before the challenge begins so plenty of time to give suggestions!
06-15-18, 12:44 AM
#3
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I look forward to this Challenge every year, as Sci-Fi and Fantasy are some of my favorite genres. I also like the fact that I can listen to Coast To Coast AM and have it count. I'm a Coast Insider, and listen to at least one episode a day.
06-15-18, 05:25 AM
#4
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I am looking forward to watching some sci-fi/fantasy other than The X-Files which I'm watching now.
06-15-18, 08:13 AM
#5
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Wow! This year is flying by so fast! This year's exploitation challenge was a bunch of fun but gave me movie-fatigue. I made it half way through the MYO challenge before abandoning it and skipped the historical challenge, so I'm ready to jump back into things. I've got a large number of SF/F films lurking in my unwatched pile and on my streaming queues!
I've got a couple of suggestions for the checklist. The first is to make it mandatory and ruthlessly police this new rule. (I'm kidding!)
Suggestion 1: In the "He's dead, Jim." section, we could switch out Rickman and Lee for Margot Kidder and David Ogden Stiers who both recently died. Kidder was part of a big superhero franchise, and Stiers was one of Disney's lucky charms since the Renaissance. Both were in a ton of SF/F television.
Suggestion 2: Also in the "He's dead, Jim." section, we could refresh the dead authors by switching two out for H.G. Wells and J.R.R. Tolkien or C.S. Lewis. (I researched including Octavia Butler and Ursula Le Guin, but none of Butler's extensive works have ever been adapted and le Guin's only have a handful adaptations - most of Earthsea. But that's a conversation for another time.)
Suggestion 3: Include Duncan Jones in the director list. He only has four SF/F feature films in his filmography, but they are all pretty accessible and fun.
Suggestion 4: In the Misc. section, upgrade "laser blasters" to "laser into/from the sky".
Also, fascism is making a major political comeback so transitioning the SF/F challenge into a police state obsessed with participants completing the checklist isn't necessarily outside the realm of possibility - just saying!
I've got a couple of suggestions for the checklist. The first is to make it mandatory and ruthlessly police this new rule. (I'm kidding!)
Suggestion 1: In the "He's dead, Jim." section, we could switch out Rickman and Lee for Margot Kidder and David Ogden Stiers who both recently died. Kidder was part of a big superhero franchise, and Stiers was one of Disney's lucky charms since the Renaissance. Both were in a ton of SF/F television.
Suggestion 2: Also in the "He's dead, Jim." section, we could refresh the dead authors by switching two out for H.G. Wells and J.R.R. Tolkien or C.S. Lewis. (I researched including Octavia Butler and Ursula Le Guin, but none of Butler's extensive works have ever been adapted and le Guin's only have a handful adaptations - most of Earthsea. But that's a conversation for another time.)
Suggestion 3: Include Duncan Jones in the director list. He only has four SF/F feature films in his filmography, but they are all pretty accessible and fun.
Suggestion 4: In the Misc. section, upgrade "laser blasters" to "laser into/from the sky".
Also, fascism is making a major political comeback so transitioning the SF/F challenge into a police state obsessed with participants completing the checklist isn't necessarily outside the realm of possibility - just saying!
06-15-18, 03:46 PM
#7
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I have had no time for watching anything this year, but i'll to get into this one. I love sci-fi/horror.
06-15-18, 05:58 PM
#8
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Wow! This year is flying by so fast! This year's exploitation challenge was a bunch of fun but gave me movie-fatigue. I made it half way through the MYO challenge before abandoning it and skipped the historical challenge, so I'm ready to jump back into things. I've got a large number of SF/F films lurking in my unwatched pile and on my streaming queues!
I've got a couple of suggestions for the checklist. The first is to make it mandatory and ruthlessly police this new rule. (I'm kidding!)
Suggestion 1: In the "He's dead, Jim." section, we could switch out Rickman and Lee for Margot Kidder and David Ogden Stiers who both recently died. Kidder was part of a big superhero franchise, and Stiers was one of Disney's lucky charms since the Renaissance. Both were in a ton of SF/F television.
Suggestion 2: Also in the "He's dead, Jim." section, we could refresh the dead authors by switching two out for H.G. Wells and J.R.R. Tolkien or C.S. Lewis. (I researched including Octavia Butler and Ursula Le Guin, but none of Butler's extensive works have ever been adapted and le Guin's only have a handful adaptations - most of Earthsea. But that's a conversation for another time.)
Suggestion 3: Include Duncan Jones in the director list. He only has four SF/F feature films in his filmography, but they are all pretty accessible and fun.
Suggestion 4: In the Misc. section, upgrade "laser blasters" to "laser into/from the sky".
Also, fascism is making a major political comeback so transitioning the SF/F challenge into a police state obsessed with participants completing the checklist isn't necessarily outside the realm of possibility - just saying!
I've got a couple of suggestions for the checklist. The first is to make it mandatory and ruthlessly police this new rule. (I'm kidding!)
Suggestion 1: In the "He's dead, Jim." section, we could switch out Rickman and Lee for Margot Kidder and David Ogden Stiers who both recently died. Kidder was part of a big superhero franchise, and Stiers was one of Disney's lucky charms since the Renaissance. Both were in a ton of SF/F television.
Suggestion 2: Also in the "He's dead, Jim." section, we could refresh the dead authors by switching two out for H.G. Wells and J.R.R. Tolkien or C.S. Lewis. (I researched including Octavia Butler and Ursula Le Guin, but none of Butler's extensive works have ever been adapted and le Guin's only have a handful adaptations - most of Earthsea. But that's a conversation for another time.)
Suggestion 3: Include Duncan Jones in the director list. He only has four SF/F feature films in his filmography, but they are all pretty accessible and fun.
Suggestion 4: In the Misc. section, upgrade "laser blasters" to "laser into/from the sky".
Also, fascism is making a major political comeback so transitioning the SF/F challenge into a police state obsessed with participants completing the checklist isn't necessarily outside the realm of possibility - just saying!
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll update the checklist when I get more than a few minutes to putter at it later tonight. Though, I really like Alan Rickman so he'll be staying! Hey, hosting has to have some benefit! lol! I have to admit I totally forgot about Stiers...I have loved watching/listening to him since M*A*S*H.
I think I may skip the dystopian/fascist/Orwellian type of governance over the challenge and checklist and just recommend we stick to that type of film rather than try to conduct a real life experiment!
You have been hitting the X-Files pretty hard! Feel free to post your reviews in here if you'd like to switch threads or even double post if you want to keep posting in the MYOC thread as well...
06-17-18, 11:03 AM
#9
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
One possibility for an additional actor is Chris Hemsworth. Besides some Marvel movies that qualify he has some Star Trek and others.
06-17-18, 04:07 PM
#10
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm not sure how much viewing content I will get in next month. A lot of my time will be taken up by preparing for my annual vacation to Airventure Oshkosh in the last week of July. I've already started to prepare for it, and when I'm not working, a lot of the last few days has been spent listening to interviews from past years on the EAA Radio app.
06-17-18, 06:22 PM
#12
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm not sure how much viewing content I will get in next month. A lot of my time will be taken up by preparing for my annual vacation to Airventure Oshkosh in the last week of July. I've already started to prepare for it, and when I'm not working, a lot of the last few days has been spent listening to interviews from past years on the EAA Radio app.
06-17-18, 06:32 PM
#13
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I just updated 2018's checklist with the suggestions. I did add Chris Hemsworth into the actor list but may take him out before it goes official. It does seem odd that the other two Chris's (Evans and Pine) are there but not him!
I did make one of the "He's Dead, Jim" into a one or the other just to point that out!
I did make one of the "He's Dead, Jim" into a one or the other just to point that out!
06-17-18, 09:02 PM
#15
DVD Talk Special Edition
06-17-18, 11:45 PM
#16
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Something that may be of interest to Twilight Zone fans. MeTV now airs the 1 hour episodes on Sunday nights at midnight, EDT.
06-19-18, 10:09 PM
#17
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
About a week and a half to go...Hope everyone is getting ready!
06-20-18, 04:59 AM
#18
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm ready. Though it's kinda counter-intuitive given the topic of the challenge, I'll be excited to NOT be watching The X-Files anymore.
06-20-18, 09:44 AM
#19
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm excited. I've thought about sci fi documentaries for the current challenge, since they count, to wet my appetite.
06-20-18, 12:26 PM
#20
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
06-20-18, 12:36 PM
#21
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I cannot wait! I've organized my unwatched pile, prioritizing the checklist, and I've added items to my queues on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and kanopy. Unfortunately, there are a few major SF/F films that I've never seen but are not accessible via any streaming service. I'll have to hit up the local libraries.
I've started rewatching Babylon 5 and Pushing Daisies and will probably continue those next month.
I've started rewatching Babylon 5 and Pushing Daisies and will probably continue those next month.
06-20-18, 03:08 PM
#22
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm going to re-watch Pushing Daisies for this challenge too. I am ready for some light-hearted whimsy.
06-21-18, 12:04 AM
#23
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I cannot wait! I've organized my unwatched pile, prioritizing the checklist, and I've added items to my queues on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and kanopy. Unfortunately, there are a few major SF/F films that I've never seen but are not accessible via any streaming service. I'll have to hit up the local libraries.
I've started rewatching Babylon 5 and Pushing Daisies and will probably continue those next month.
I've started rewatching Babylon 5 and Pushing Daisies and will probably continue those next month.
I've never watched Pushing Daisies though I've heard of it. With two people watching it, I may have to see if I can find season one to watch sometime in July...
06-21-18, 06:07 AM
#24
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I haven’t seen it, but that show on AMC with James Cameron looks good LJG. There’s always Ancient Aliens, and I enjoy most of the UFO documentaries on Amazon Prime. Not sure if it is still on there, but there also used to be a show on Prime called A Century Of Science Fiction. That’s a show that covers a different subject every episode.
06-21-18, 09:01 AM
#25
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Same here. I'd heard of the program but never really looked at/into it before those two commented they're watching it for SF/Fantasy this year. SecondSpin had a copy of S1 so I threw it and a few other titles together to make an order large enough to take advantage of a coupon. It came out to ~$4 for S1 so that's coming for me to watch. I really need to stop reading such stuff as it often piques my curiosity, I look up the mentioned title, often wind up purchasing a copy, and the piles grow... I have enough piles and truly need to concentrate on what I have that's still unwatched rather than add more... When it comes to SF/Fantasy titles I have little willpower to not make the purchase if it even marginally sounds interesting.