Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Yeah, there are many themes that get direct repeats or slight variations in SF and horror, especially in anthology TV programs. By the time I was ~15 I'd read and seen so many SF books/movies/anthology programs that most of the new anthology programs seemed like wannabe rehashes. I felt that I was not getting anything "new" or "different" with the vast majority of the output and pretty much avoided those type programs. There are several highly regarded series from the late-60s on (Night Gallery is one) that I found so cliche with overused tropes I couldn't watch them and don't see what others who rave about them see. In all fairness I've not watched *any* of them since then and might actually like them now.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

As someone who loves the trilogy, I can't say that the criticism in this thread is wrong.

While I believe everything is subjective, I've been one of the few that enjoyed The Dark Knight Rises more than the other two upon rewatches.

Each films has its flaws, but overall I enjoy them, warts and all.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Sad Confession #249 - I've always loved anthologies and watching shows like the old Outer Limits (repeats) are some of my earliest TV memories. I've owned the complete Outer Limits sets on DVD since they were released and have never watched a single minute of them.

Changing that tonight.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I finished up my MST3K Gamera box set tonight, but have to admit, the last one was a slog to get through. I'm glad to finish it off though, rather than have it bug me till next year that I didn't make it through the whole thing.

I finished tonight off with Jupiter Ascending. I had DVR'd it awhile ago, but finally felt like watching it. It was a first time watch, didn't go into it with much hope as the reviews were all fairly negative that I saw. I thought it was alright, I don't know that I'd watch it again but it was fairly entertaining in a summer blockbuster, big explosion kind of way. I had to laugh at the wedding scene though. I kept on expecting Titus to yell at the priest, "man and wife! Say man and wife!" ala The Princess Bride.

I would have to say that it was not my favorite movie of Eddie Redmayne's. He almost seemed like a parody of an evil sci-fi guy than an actual baddie.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I *hate* leaving off with a set like that. I have a special place on top of my entertainment center for those and it really bugs me for stuff to start piling up there! For that very reason I've pushed forward watching Science Fiction Theatre in spite of it really starting to drag down in the last part of S1. S2 has been a bit better with stories that *are* more SF than melodrama with light SF/science trappings to satisfy the requirements. I've watched the first 9-10 (? - first disc of the BW season but didn't count episodes) S2 episodes and several have been fairly good. They seem to be stretching quite a bit to make the "science" demonstration opens match the episode theme(s). There was one where they linked reincarnation to genetic inheritance of memories - tenuous at best - for a rather weak episode.
I watched that one a few days back and wasn't quite sure what to make of it. It felt like it *wanted* to be "campy" at times but would then shift gears and get all serious about things. I should watch it again to get a better feel for it but it didn't resonate with me much so maybe not, or wait a few months. I think part of it was that I felt Mila Kunis was a bit miscast and frequently seemed out of place. Many of her scenes were where I got a lot of the campy feel. That wedding scene was drug out *waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay* too long, but very laughable in tone. Stuff like that is what makes me wonder just what the film makers were going for.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I finished Killing Joke last night. I didn't think it was as bad as everyone was making out to be but I also get the impression they set standards really high because of the comic. I'd say it's worth a rental at best and if you do get it, you might as well skip the Batgirl deal at the beginning. You aren't missing anything later on by skipping it.

I might reread it again because I get the feeling I may not have been into it as much because I took a few days to read it during lunch breaks.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I try not to leave things hanging too much too. It just bugs me. I've been slowly going through season 1 of ST:TNG this year, but at least I'm getting a disc a month or so watched. I do hope to finish it off either tonight or tomorrow, though, just so I can finally be done. I had another TV Box set that took me 3 years to go through (It was 8 or 9 seasons) and I totally had plans to finish it each challenge it qualified for, but then I'd watch one season, get od'd on it, then switch and never go back. So...I guess what I'm saying, is I hate when I don't finish a set, but often do? lol. No one ever called me consistent!

But yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head about Jupiter Ascending. I didn't mind Kunis that much, but after I read that Natalie Portman was supposed to have her role originally, I got why she seemed not to fit quite right. The campiness vs the seriousness of the film just made it a hot mess in places. The action scenes were all well done and kept my interest but then they'd flash to Jupiter's family or the royal family. Also, they never explained how Jupiter spontaneously got the genes in the first place. Just it happens? They just didn't flesh out the back story enough for me.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

OK... Good! It *wasn't* just me! I thought I'd missed something and kept wondering just *how* she was related to the "royal family" and why she wound up on earth with such a history. We see her being born but nothing to connect the dots.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I have an issue where I know I've watched some of my MST3K sets but I don't know which ones.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Many of the comments I've read lambast it because of that 30 minute "Batgirl" lead up story. That it's unnecessary, not part of the original GN, and mainly tacked on to get a "feature length" run time. I can safely say, based solely on what I've read about that segment, I have issues with it and will likely skip that segment when/if I watch the film. What I read indicates the actual "Killing Joke" portion is very well done and true to the book.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

1. Brian Azzarello.
2. Bruce Timm (one of the two men behind most of the DCAU as was, including Batman: The Animated Series) & Azzarello added a new prologue to fill time.

Good eye! :)

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I've done that too with some film sets *and* TV seasons. I normally put a sticky note on the outside of the box with notes on what I've watched but occasionally don't make the time thinking I'll "do it later" and "later" never comes so I find myself re-watching stuff.

It's really annoying when it's something I'm familiar with but just don't recall for sure exactly where I left off. If it's something I've never seen before I'll usually figure it out a few minutes into the film/episode but if it's something I'm familiar with then all bets are off. OK... that reads weird. Hmmm... I've seen it but only once and forgot where I left off. Watching that film/episode will cause me to go "Oh! Yeah! I've already watched this one." But if it's something I've seen several times before I'll occasionally not know if the memory is from watching that disc or from a time I watched the film/episode *before* the disc was purchased.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I tend to agree completely, albeit after a similarly-small number of attempts. Don't see the appeal (as yet).

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Just read an interview with Timm about The Killing Joke here.

Elsewhere, Azzarello was quoted as saying that, since TKJ was already controversial, they decided to add more. Which is odd on all fronts. Here, Timm denies they chased an 'R' rating from the get-go and reiterates that the Batgirl-less nature of the original was why they added a Batgirl prologue. To try and address the 'prop' nature of her minor role. To confront and dispell the sexism. To give balance to her 'woman in a refrigerator' status.

...

It doesn't sound like they succeeded.

(Also, everyone seems to misunderstand a key point: it's NOT "Batgirl" who gets shot. It's Commissioner Gordon's daughter. Her minor role is because she is literally a tool - the Joker is after Gordon, and hurting his daughter is a logical way to acchieve his aims. That's the irony and one of the punchlines of the scattered 'jokes'. If he'd known who she was, she would't just have been a minor casualty on his road to Gordon.)

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Oh yeah.

I use DVDProfiler which really helps with box sets as you can profile down to the list level or even just the movie level if there are 2 movies on one disc. For TV shows it really helps as I do tend to watch a disc at a time, so I know where I've stopped quite easily. I mark it as watched and the next time I know right where to stop.

The harder part for me is location...where did I put it as I don't shelve until something is watched!

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I've actually been wanting to watch Stargate SG-1 since it's on Amazon Prime, but I've been struggling to even get started. I know it's a great show, as I used to watch it in syndication, but I haven't been able to even get through 'Children Of The Gods'.

On another note, due to rainy weather keeping me in my tent most of the day, I missed the Star Trek forum.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Yeah, there's been quite a few storms here lately. Last night it really came down hard and you probably got it a couple hours later. Up north there was even hail warnings, so I'm glad you (and me!) didn't get that!

As I mentioned earlier, I've wanted to finish off Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 1. I just had 7 or 8 episodes left, so I popped in the disc. For all that people hate Wesley Crusher for being too big of a presence in the show, I don't think he's actually in season 1 all that much. I know I watched as a kid as avidly as I did because of him and was expecting him to show up a lot more. There are definitely episodes where he doesn't show up at all or if he does, he just has a few lines. I have to admit, I'm a bit disappointed!

But honestly, overall, these episodes are holding up better than I imagined they would. There are definitely some very obvious plots but I've enjoyed them quite a bit.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Ugh. Just finished watching ST:TNG: s. 1. Conspiracy. I have to say it is the grossest episode so far. It also seems the least Star Trek like. Out of all of them, this was definitely my least favorite.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Thanks for the kind words! I don't a;ways add comments, but I try to make this and the Horror challenge more entertaining by adding some mini-reviews.


I've been derailed this week, but I want to finish strong this weekend with some classics. I probably won't finish the checklist.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Last year I broke down and purchase the series in spite of not caring for it much. That completist thing coming out. I was surprised to find Wesley wasn't in as many S1 episodes as I'd remembered. He was a driving force, but not the sole one, for my stopping watching the series during the original syndication run. I watched S1-S6 and found that, overall, it's better than I'd remembered based on watching S1, half of S2, and occasional episodes I'd seen when "there was nothing on that was better." It's still my least favorite Trek series but better than I'd expected. I just purchased a copy of the UK region free "Complete Series" on Blu-ray based solely on watching a half-dozen or so examples of the improvement in PQ over those original DVD releases. The online examples are simply amazing and I'm curious to see if it actually *does* look that good. I plan to open the set and start watching just as soon as I finish Science Fiction Theatre, which I've been "burning through" it the past couple of days so I can finish it by end of the month. Only 7 episodes left on that one which means I should have all day tomorrow and Sunday to watch something else.
I don't recall that one at all... but there's lots of that season I truly don't remember. I started it on Amazon Prime video at work to see if it rings a bell and so far, no. But it looks quite good. It's HD and hopefully a indication of how the Blu-ray discs will look - the DVDs are "dark" soft and just look "old" - especially so after recently watching TOS on BR in its restored version.

One thing that *always* gets me on these early episodes is how "odd" Worf looks. He just looks "wrong" as they tweaked his makeup over the years and got it looking much better.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I'm always a bit impressed by you guys who include comments. I often struggle to just keep the listings updated with just the rating stars. Adding comments would take more time than I'd want to allocate.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

yesterday i watched Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau. I have the three disc Blu Ray set. It is an incredible back story to the movie and if you are on the fence about buying this blu ray i can whole hardily recommend it!

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I think your comments in the discussion threads more than make up for any perceived lack of content in your lists.

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I use Movie Collector but the trick for me is to actually update it after I watch something.

Not being a huge Star Trek fan, I had to read up on all the hate against him but as I was watching the series, I wasn't seeing what everyone else was. Lots of other cast had their own special episodes. I didn't see him taking over or anything.

I got that part. I didn't get what she was supposed to be doing on the computer in the credits scene. Some sort of remote control robot to take her place after Joker did a LT Dan on her?

Re: The 9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

The biggest issue I had with Wesley was he was a *kid* and *allowed almost full access on the bridge* of a *military/exploration* starship.

I wasn't too keen on the whole "we have our families in part of the ship but the saucer can break away to fight if there's trouble" concept. As it turned out the fx to separate the saucer was so expensive that they only did it a few times over the course of the series. I always posited that if they were truly "military" then the families should have stayed "at home" but if they were a "exploration" ship then *the families should have stayed at home* as well. Either can be a very dangerous situation and having "civilians" aboard can compromise decisions and situations significantly.