Not on the DVD but episode 3 deals with that. I read the episodes were originally aired out of order so it's quite possible that was the "pilot" when it came out. The ship's pilot (Monaghan) controls things by laying down forward on a couch-like affair as if the front of the ship is too small to sit up properly. The way she pilots the craft makes it look rather small but other interior shots make it seem far larger then the pilot's perspective.
Yes, it does! While I don't yet own a BR player I *have* been making a few isolated purchases of titles for when I break down and purchase one (probably after my CRT finally dies and I replace it).

I found another problem with buying used DVDs being a crap shoot. I ordered a used copy of Resident Evil: Afterlife, I think from one of the Goodwills, and it turned out to be R2. There was no mention of it being an R2 DVD when I ordered it, and since I don't own a region free player, the DVD is completely useless to me.

I'd bet *they* didn't know it was R2, or just what R2 is, when they purchased and subsequently listed the disc. I'd contact them. The one time I received the wrong title from a Goodwill vendor they refunded me (item + shipping) and had me keep the incorrect title.

Good idea.

Watched The Peacock King (1989) tonight. What a gonzo flick. It's a live action manga adaption, which are always a dicey proposition. Still, you gotta love the stop motion animation. I noticed influences from Alien (19790, The Thing (1982) (or maybe An American Werewolf in London (1981)) and possibly The Keep (1983); I think that one's a stretch, now that I think about it. Still, it moves at a brisk pace, the actions decent and the girls (howabout that Hell Virgin!) cute. Next up is the sequel Saga of the Phoenix (1990).

Actually in the mood to watch sci/fi today, so plan to watch at least a few things. On another note, looks like I'll miss Sharknado 2, as it airs next Wednesday, while I'll be on vacation, and away from TV.

Started my sci-fi watching today with a passable TV movie on SyFy, Locusts: The 8th Plague. Now I'm watching He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

Just finished Disc 1 of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Season 1.

That's one of my son's all-time-favorite programs. I purchased the BCI sets for him as a Christmas gift one year. When he recently did a de-clutter project and got rid of most of his DVDs (or the cases) that's one of the few he kept intact. Oddly enough he *doesn't* care for She-Ra.

The TV station I worked for in the 80s ran He-Man and She-Ra so you would have thought I'd have made good copies at that time but I didn't because I pooh-poohed the series as being just another long commercial. I've since changed my mind as I recently (in the past couple of years) watched a few episodes with him and my grandson. I found they aren't too bad after all in spite of the toy tie-in. One of the Master Control operators at the station thought Teela was "hot" so we gave him all kinds of grief - "You *do* know she's a *cartoon* character don't you?"

Just watched a decent anime movie on the Manga channel on Roku, Dead Space: Aftermath. It was based on the Dead Space series of video games, which I know nothing about, and never heard of going into the movie. Therefore I can't compare accuracies, but still a decent movie. Perhaps it could have been the method of telling the story, using flashbacks to unfold the events of the story.

My dad on Batman Forever: "Wow, that's some writing and acting. It had to win some Oscars."

I had forgotten just how bad this film is. It's a jumbled mess of ideas muddied by incomprehensible sets and wooden acting. Almost every choice is a bad one from the big ones (the plethora of bowing man statues in Gotham) to the small details (Robin's absolutely terrible earring). The charm and quirkiness of Tim Burton's films is completely gone, replaced by big budget camp (the worst kind of camp) and gaudiness. One of the film's biggest disappointments is the mishandling of Bruce Wayne. Val Kilmer's Bruce is devoid of any personality; his favorite pastime seems to be standing and staring at people as they ask him questions. Now I have to stomach Batman & Robin, but at least it will be out of my unwatched pile.

For those feeling nostalgic for old-school Disney Channel movies, they are showing all 3 "Zenon" movies tonight and the next 2 nights (early Saturday/Sunday/Monday at 2:30am pacific). I remember the first one, directed by Kenneth Johnson, was pretty entertaining.

Batman & Robin qualifies as so-bad-it's-good, for me. Plus, Uma Thurman is super-fine in it.

did anyone see that SyFy doc: Aliens on the Moon: The Truth Exposed? that was utterly loopy and bonkers. I kind of believe the whole UFO culture but this show took it one step further and was pulling theories out of it's ass

When was it on? I never even heard of it?

it premiered last Sunday, but I recorded a repeat that aired last Wednesday.

Ah, I've not seen much on SyFy this month.

I pretty much gave up on the SyFy channel when they added wrestling and increased the non-science fiction fare on their schedule. I don't think I've watched anything on that channel in the past 2-3 years.

Just watched The Hunger Games on Epix HD on Roku, due to being curious about the movie as I remember a big deal being made about it. Boy was I let down. It was just nothing more than a survival movie set in the future it seemed to me.

That's too bad, I really like this one. The sequel was okay too. If you're a reader, give the first book a chance. I put it off and put it off till finally, I read it just to say I've read it and I really enjoyed it. Thought it was well written. The 2nd one is just a repeat of the first and the 3rd book is worse than the 2nd, but the first book is worth the read.

I've not been able to watch a lot in the last day or two, and probably won't get a chance again till tomorrow night. This month has been flying by. I still have a couple movies on my watch list. "Zokomon" a Bollywood type movie that I picked up from the DMC and "Pacific Rim" plus a couple other random ones. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to finish the checklist-the actors are just too diverse for me this challenge. I'm one away on the directors, maybe two, if I remember correctly and 2 or 3 away on the sub genres, though, so should be able to finish those.

I do plan to read the books, as well, as giving the movie another chance. I'm not one to say, 'Well, I didn't care for it, so the movie must suck.'

I won't be completely stopping the challenge on vacation next week, as I put Netflix on my IPod this morning, so when I'm in my tent at night, I can watch movies.

I gave The Hunger Games a second watch after my mood improved, and found it to be an enjoyable movie after all, so you are right LJG.

I agree. After your original comment I got out the one I purchased last BF and watched it for the first time. I only made the purchase because it was cheap (I think ~$3 or less) and it had good reviews. I went into it expecting something like The Most Dangerous Game, The Running Man, The 10th Victim, and others of that type. While it *generally* fits that description it's a very good and somewhat different take on the genre/trope. I *did* feel that it was somewhat slow to finally take off but that character development really helped the 3rd act play better so I had to revise that opinion.There were *several* heart-breaking moments in the film, something I didn't expect at all. It was a far better film than I expected and one I'll watch again.

I *did* expect to see

but it didn't happen. I'm guessing not in the second film either since there's going to be (already out?) a third film in the series.

Did you know that "panem," the name of the nation in the film, is Latin for "bread?" In association with the film it seems to go with the Roman phrase "Panem et circenses", meaning "Bread and Circuses" or "Bread and Games." The Roman formula for creating a docile population - give them something to eat and provide games for them to watch and they'll be happy, non-troublesome and approving of the politicians. Much like the film, provide just enough to eat and distract the people with a national game to win approval. In the modern US can you say "Fast Food" and "Reality TV/Sports?"

It's pretty similar here. I currently need 6 directors and 18 actors to get the minimums. I know for sure I have at least 4 more actors in the queue and possibly 2-3 more films in the unopened pile with qualifying actors or directors. If I'd not watched almost exclusively from my unopened pile the checklist would have been fairly easy. I've watched 6 films that were *not* in the unopened pile. All were ones few my grandson wanted to watch or I thought he should see. Several times I almost let the compulsion to finish the checklist cause me to pull from my library but came to my senses and forced myself to stick to the unopened pile. I'm really glad I did, but having that unfinished list when I *know* I could have completed it at 100% kind of stinks.

One film I *really* hope to get to is Fritz Lang's Die Nibelungen. I picked up a copy of the Kino release that contains both films: Siegfried and Kriemhild's Revenge. If anything stops me it will be the running time of 4hrs 51min (they are ~2 1/2 hr. each) as I really want to watch them back-to-back. It's been pretty hard to have that long a time span to devote to a single film this year. Being a silent film it requires a bit more concentration making it even more difficult. Then there's that checklist thing... I can watch 2 or 3 more "normal" length films in the time it would take to watch that one. Sigh... I just need to break down and commit to it, eh?

I'm glad that you're going to read the books. Like I mentioned, the first one is really good, the 2nd ok, and the third, well, it finishes the trilogy. I almost didn't read them thinking they were going to be usual tripe (like Twilight) that got popular but I ended up really getting into the series. I was also a bit miffed thinking they were going to be a total ripoff of Stephen King's "The Long Walk" or "Battle Royale" but while similar themes run through it, they are really different and I didn't get that feeling with the series.

I did know about the Bread and circuses. The author really did bring in some themes that have been done before, but I think she adds to the genre rather than just repeating it. As for the comment about the uprising, well, I can't really comment unless you want spoilers! Watch the second movie if you get a chance for the answer or let me know and I can say more!

I kind of feel the same way. I pretty much could have completed the checklist with only the movies I have but I would have watched several repeats when I was trying to focus on my unwatched pile or something I haven't seen in a long time. I only rented 2 or 3 from the library and I usually rent 10-20 in a challenge so that limited me as well. But my focus really was on reducing the unwatched pile so the checklist definitely suffered. I think I'll be able to finish all but the actors portion. I don't think I actually have enough time to finish it, honestly. Oh well, that's what makes this a challenge!