I agree that lots of HORROR isn't SCI-FI, and zombie films are often more HORROR (or comedy) and not really all that SCI-FI; but I've always thought it's safe to count any unreal monster film as SCI-FI.

And zombies, like aliens, aren't real.

Next you'll be telling me Santa Claus isn't real.

Whoa whoa whoa. That would mean Ancient Aliens isn't real and wouldn't count as historic.

We all know that any civilization not in contact with the white people and had any technology more advanced than one rock hitting another rock could only have achieved such advancements from aliens.

Considering zombies originated from Vodou, and are (or were if we stopped making them), an actual thing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clairvius_Narcisse, we can only conclude that you have, indeed, proven that aliens are real.

I suggest alien and zombie movies now be regulated to only the Historical Challenge from this point on.

Ancient Aliens is eligible for two reasons. One, it's a documentary. Two, it originated on History Channel.

Well dear, your mother and have been meaning to talk to you about that.
As long as Alien Zombie Massacre and its sequels stay in the Academy Award Challenge, ok.

What about Toxic Avenger and Nuke Em High in the Criterion Challenge?

I've never enjoyed a Troma film, but I'd buy those in a heartbeat.

Anybody get a good start yet? Just about to start my first one, "Divergent." Have not read the books but the previews for this one looked interesting so I taped it when we had a free HBO weekend.

I'm still trying to decide what to start with.

I finally decided to start with an episode of MASK, the show from the 80s about masked heroes and villains operating vehicles with special powers, and able to transform into other modes.

I've decided to revisit (and in two cases watch for the first time) the Harry Potter films and started with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Most of the beginning setup is flat and shot uninterestingly, the film picks up when Harry arrives at Hogwarts. I enjoyed the film, but it doesn't quite capture the awe of the book. Still, it's a good start to a series that spanned many years, directors, and stylistic choices.

Several of the set pieces are nicely done, especially the troll attack (despite CGI Harry Potter) and the chess match. The film's main fault is rewriting Ron Weasley, changing him from capable and relatable friend to mere comic sidekick.

I'm still awake so I may pop in a television series and watch a couple episodes before going to bed.

I started with a nice episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, an appetizer if you will, and then watched The Flying Saucer (1950), which failed pretty miserably as a sci-fi flick, but succeeded reasonably well as a Alaskan travelogue circa 1950-ish.

This comment makes me sad.

I've actually thought over the years that the movies did a lot better over all than the actual books. It's been way too long since I've watched them...if I get a chance this month, I'll have to do a little marathon of them myself. It'll be interesting to see how they've aged for me.

I've heard of this but not seen any. Hope you enjoyed them! I ended up liking Divergent. I'll definitely try to hunt down the sequel (can't remember if it's on BR yet) but I don't think I'll end up actually buying them. May be tempted to read the books but I have two already from the library I've been putting off on reading and I really need to finish them before I have to return them.

Not sure what I'm watching next. I actually need to get to sleep soon. Going berry picking (yes, I said berry picking) with my nephew and a friend tomorrow early. I really want to watch Metropolis but I doubt my nephew would be able to actually sit through it (he's 7 and silent movie...um, not his thing!). Maybe tomorrow night after he's in bed...

I thought I'd get a chance to see Jurassic World with him but he's already watched it. Instead, we're going to Inside Out which doesn't count this month. Oh well. I do plan on seeing Jurassic World sometime in the next couple weeks, though!

Not as good as I'd wanted... The grandkids left a bit later than I'd expected last night so I didn't get to The Tudors in time to finish the series for the Historical Challenge before it got late (10ish). Because it was too late to start a movie (I'd have fallen asleep on it) I began with S1 of My Favorite Martain (1963) since I felt a episode or two would be possible before sleep took over. It must have been a longer day than I'd thought as I dozed off during the first one! I *did* wake in the middle of the night and finished that episode before sleep took over again...

I was tired, so only got one episode in before bed, but the episodes I saw was enjoyable.

I hope you enjoy picking berries today, and have better weather than here. . Already raining today.

I woke up early and decided to get an early start on the challenge. I watched The Cult of UHF presentation of Devil of the Desert Against the Son of Hercules
. So, I guess some peplum is eligible. I've always enjoyed those movies.

You all might appreciate this, or maybe just shadokitty, but I had a sci-fi dream last night.

I was at some sort of a campground, in an RV I think, when strange lights started appearing. All of a sudden a sleeping woman floating about 5 feet off the ground came moving down the road past us. We started our vehicle and followed, trying to keep up with her as she started moving faster and faster down the windy wood lined road. My driver was Steve Carrell, and he rolled down the window each time we neared her yelling "Hey Lady" (think Jerry Lewis) trying to wake her up. Eventually she zoomed out of sight and we followed the light trial. I woke up when we saw the space ship.

I checked Samantha's room and she was still there thank God.

It was aliens. You were abducted I think. Can you count real alien abductions?

I just watched the first episode of Battlestar Galactica, but on the fence about continuing the series. I don't know if I just wasn't in the mood for it, or if it just doesn't hold up, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

It sounds like Trevor doesn't need to watch movies, what he sees in his head is entertaining enough!

I started off the month with Angry Red Planet. It was what I expected for a 1959 film but I guess you could call it comfort food. It was a great way to start but I'm thinking of something a little newer for the next movie. I've got a lot of 1980's films picked out this year....

I've been depressed and out of it today. Hoping that some sci fi/fantasy helps my mood. Just watched the fourth episode on Disc 1 of MASK, 'Highway to Terror, in which VENOM built an earthquake machine.

Started the sci-fi month with Terminator Genisys.

Can I just pretend that there are only 2 films in the Terminator franchise?

That's what you get for insisting that aliens aren't real in an earlier post. Someone--or some thing--is trying to send you a message.

Earlier this year I purchased the original BSG in spite of having given up on it during its original airing. I found I enjoyed it far more now than back then. I still don't like it as much as the remake but it's not nearly as bad as I gave it credit for being in the 80s. In all fairness, the reasons I gave up on it back then still hold for me today - the "kid" factor done with the robot dog and kid. Didn't like it then... still don't... but now I can look past it and make it through the episodes in which they're featured (which I found are fewer than I'd remembered).

I know I've liked it before. Perhaps I just wasn't in the mood for it this morning. Just finished an episode of another old, classic series, Lost in Space on Hulu. I skipped the unaired pilot for now, and started with 'The Reluctant Stowaway'. At least in my opinion, Dr. Smith made a great villain. They never should have made him the comic relief.

I started off today with Robotech: The Macross Saga. I have the old ADV Legacy Collection DVDs.