10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
07-23-17, 11:11 AM
#277
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
The 1979 animated series from Filmation, "Flash Gordon," is available on Amazon Prime under the title, "The New Adventures of Flash Gordon." I watched the first three eps. and I was pleasantly surprised. Good writing (by veteran TV writer Samuel Peeples) and imaginative graphic design bolster a cliffhanger format, clearly inspired by the 1930s serials, but also very much in tune with the original comic strip and 1930s pulp traditions.
What I don't understand is why I'd never heard of this series before. Why didn't I watch it when it was on? Was it not aired in New York? Did it simply not cross my radar for some reason? How could I have missed it? Well, better late than never.
And it's eligible for both this challenge and the next one (Animation).
What I don't understand is why I'd never heard of this series before. Why didn't I watch it when it was on? Was it not aired in New York? Did it simply not cross my radar for some reason? How could I have missed it? Well, better late than never.
And it's eligible for both this challenge and the next one (Animation).
07-23-17, 12:00 PM
#278
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I hate when this happens. I took my Blu-ray of TRANSFORMERS: DOTM off the shelf, opened it, popped out the only disc visible, put it in the machine and, over the course of two protracted viewing sessions (with a long nap in between), watched all 154 min. of it. It didn't quite look like Blu-ray quality and I wondered if that was because it was a no-frills release (costing me only $5 when I bought it). So when I popped the disc out of the machine and put it back in the case, I noticed that under the coupon on the opposite side of the case was another disc--the Blu-ray! It was one of those Blu-ray/DVD combo editions and I had watched the DVD. What a wasted opportunity. I enjoy the movie, but I'm not keen on watching it again any time soon.
07-23-17, 12:36 PM
#279
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
The 1979 animated series from Filmation, "Flash Gordon," is available on Amazon Prime under the title, "The New Adventures of Flash Gordon." I watched the first three eps. and I was pleasantly surprised. Good writing (by veteran TV writer Samuel Peeples) and imaginative graphic design bolster a cliffhanger format, clearly inspired by the 1930s serials, but also very much in tune with the original comic strip and 1930s pulp traditions.
What I don't understand is why I'd never heard of this series before. Why didn't I watch it when it was on? Was it not aired in New York? Did it simply not cross my radar for some reason? How could I have missed it? Well, better late than never.
What I don't understand is why I'd never heard of this series before. Why didn't I watch it when it was on? Was it not aired in New York? Did it simply not cross my radar for some reason? How could I have missed it? Well, better late than never.
I just looked up the series on disc - Holy cow! Like much of the old, OOP, BCI/Eclipse stuff it's stupidly expensive! This is one that really should see a reprint/re-release by someone. It's absolutely worth streaming at least once.
07-23-17, 01:03 PM
#280
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
...I see that out of 37 participants (41 including myself and 3 people with no lists), only 9 (10 including myself) are actually working on the checklist. I know that could just be preference but when I took a look at the lists, only one person had completed it (go alyxstarr!). 3 had marked off a few and 6 of us have a pretty good start, though a ways to go before completing it. I know I've slowed down my watches this year because of time constraints, but it's a pretty hard list to complete no matter how you look at it.
07-23-17, 01:04 PM
#281
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
The 1979 animated series from Filmation, "Flash Gordon," is available on Amazon Prime under the title, "The New Adventures of Flash Gordon." I watched the first three eps. and I was pleasantly surprised. Good writing (by veteran TV writer Samuel Peeples) and imaginative graphic design bolster a cliffhanger format, clearly inspired by the 1930s serials, but also very much in tune with the original comic strip and 1930s pulp traditions.
What I don't understand is why I'd never heard of this series before. Why didn't I watch it when it was on? Was it not aired in New York? Did it simply not cross my radar for some reason? How could I have missed it? Well, better late than never.
And it's eligible for both this challenge and the next one (Animation).
What I don't understand is why I'd never heard of this series before. Why didn't I watch it when it was on? Was it not aired in New York? Did it simply not cross my radar for some reason? How could I have missed it? Well, better late than never.
And it's eligible for both this challenge and the next one (Animation).
I stumbled across that one a few years back when, after purchasing another Filmation series, I scrolled through the "People who purchased xxx also purchased yyy" Amazon list. I'm a huge fan of Flash Gordon and when I saw that one for ~$10 I jumped on it! It's a fun series, and one of the better ones from Filmation, but suffers a bit from the Filmation animation studios penchant for reusing animation sequences and audio queues. I just ignored those as best as possible.
I just looked up the series on disc - Holy cow! Like much of the old, OOP, BCI/Eclipse stuff it's stupidly expensive! This is one that really should see a reprint/re-release by someone. It's absolutely worth streaming at least once.
I just looked up the series on disc - Holy cow! Like much of the old, OOP, BCI/Eclipse stuff it's stupidly expensive! This is one that really should see a reprint/re-release by someone. It's absolutely worth streaming at least once.
07-23-17, 01:04 PM
#282
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I can certainly go to 10 out of 12 (or 14 if I add the 1800s decades). How do other people feel about this one? I kind of feel like making the harder decades a requirement may make people watch things they wouldn't normally have watched. I know that I've found some treasures this way myself. Made me get out of my comfort zone. That being said, I will go with the majority on this.Oh, meant to also ask which ratings would you add as well...I know of Approved and is it Pre-Approved? I can never remember what it is called before there were ratings. Think those are the only two not on there unless you wanted to add TV-ratings or other countries ratings...
Oh yeah, I have done this with the ones where the BR is under the ads. Though, at this point I do double check. I flip them to the other side once I'm done watching so it's the first one I see. I don't mind that setup as much as I mind the ones where the discs are stacked on top of each other. I feel like it's so much easier for them to be stacked and it's harder to get them off the spindle. I worry about cracking a bit too.
Last edited by LJG765; 07-23-17 at 03:52 PM.
07-23-17, 04:51 PM
#283
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Just started HBO's Westworld, two episodes in and I really like it. Now I want to watch the original (been yearsssss since I've seen it) and Futureworld (never seen it).
07-23-17, 06:22 PM
#284
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I guess there are only 14 decades, and here are (probably) all the ratings:
Watch a film for each rating:
--- Unrated (pre-MPAA) -
--- Approved -
--- G -
--- GP -
--- PG -
--- PG-13 -
--- M -
--- R -
--- NC-17 -
--- X (not porn; several films were rated X) -
--- Unrated (post-MPAA) -
A nice thing about using x of y for every category is that you satisfy two camps. The hardcore completist who will try to completely finish it, and the casual participants are more inclined to even look at the checklist.
Watch a film for each rating:
--- Unrated (pre-MPAA) -
--- Approved -
--- G -
--- GP -
--- PG -
--- PG-13 -
--- M -
--- R -
--- NC-17 -
--- X (not porn; several films were rated X) -
--- Unrated (post-MPAA) -
A nice thing about using x of y for every category is that you satisfy two camps. The hardcore completist who will try to completely finish it, and the casual participants are more inclined to even look at the checklist.
07-23-17, 08:16 PM
#285
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Home of 2013 NFL champion Seahawks
Posts: 52,612
Received 1,015 Likes
on
839 Posts
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I saw that was on Amazon Prime myself, and have been meaning to watch it. I think I may have seen it on reruns on Saturday mornings in the 80s, as I was only 5 in 1979, so unless it made a huge impact on me, I doubt I'd remember watching something at that age. I do remember enjoying the show though. Oddly enough, I don't think Defenders Of The Earth was ever on in my area.
07-23-17, 11:30 PM
#286
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
How're these changes looking:
Spoiler:
07-24-17, 12:57 PM
#287
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I saw this one after Flash Gordon was mentioned so I added it to my queue. I decided to see if physical was available and found I'd purchased it, too, a couple of years ago. I'm sure I've never gotten around to watching it so I guess I need to pull it out for next month, eh?
07-24-17, 01:04 PM
#288
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Home of 2013 NFL champion Seahawks
Posts: 52,612
Received 1,015 Likes
on
839 Posts
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I saw this one after Flash Gordon was mentioned so I added it to my queue. I decided to see if physical was available and found I'd purchased it, too, a couple of years ago. I'm sure I've never gotten around to watching it so I guess I need to pull it out for next month, eh?
07-24-17, 01:11 PM
#289
07-24-17, 01:19 PM
#290
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I watched Wargames last night for the first time in a couple of decates. It's a much better film than I gave it credit for being when it came out. Sure, it's highly improbable, even more so now than then, but it's a fun ride and moves fairly quickly.
I have a coworker who keeps trying to get me to watch HBO's Westworld but I keep putting her off due to my dislike for the movie. Maybe I'll watch an episode or two since I currently have HBOgo for Game of Thrones.
I have a coworker who keeps trying to get me to watch HBO's Westworld but I keep putting her off due to my dislike for the movie. Maybe I'll watch an episode or two since I currently have HBOgo for Game of Thrones.
07-24-17, 03:07 PM
#291
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm hoping that with it reduced and cleaned up, more people will want to do the checklist. I know I would have taken a second look at it if it was this long when I started! I think I have enough films to do the checklist just from what I own, but I kind of hope people branch out and leave their comfort zones a little each challenge rather than just watching the same olds.Don't get me wrong, I watch some favorites every July, but I also try to fit in new watches. This month's was Fellini's 8 1/2. Not something I will likely re-watch but it is one that I've had on my list for years to get to. Won't say that I totally enjoyed it, but I am glad to have seen it.
Checklists in these challenges have really made me branch out and go for things I wouldn't normally watch or even think that I'd enjoy. Enough of them have been worth the time invested that I do try to watch at least one new movie every challenge that I would normally never watch. As a host, I hope that everyone has that experience-finding a new favorite that you're surprised that you love!
I've also watched some newer movies for the first time this week, Oblivion with Tom Cruise, Snow White and the Huntsman and Super 8. As much as I'm not a fan of Cruise personally, he does make a good action flick. Snow White was kind of what I expected. I enjoyed everyone except for Kristin Stewart. She just doesn't have enough facial expressions. I have heard she's been better in the last couple movies she's done, but having not seen them, I can't vouch for that.
Super 8, though, was a good one and one I might watch again. I loved the whole feel of it, though I do agree with some reviews I've read about the ending, that it feels a bit rough and somewhat out of sync with the majority of the movie. I would recommend it if anyone hasn't watched it though!
07-24-17, 07:49 PM
#292
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I've also watched some newer movies for the first time this week, Oblivion with Tom Cruise, Snow White and the Huntsman and Super 8. As much as I'm not a fan of Cruise personally, he does make a good action flick. Snow White was kind of what I expected. I enjoyed everyone except for Kristin Stewart. She just doesn't have enough facial expressions. I have heard she's been better in the last couple movies she's done, but having not seen them, I can't vouch for that.
Super 8, though, was a good one and one I might watch again. I loved the whole feel of it, though I do agree with some reviews I've read about the ending, that it feels a bit rough and somewhat out of sync with the majority of the movie. I would recommend it if anyone hasn't watched it though!
Super 8, though, was a good one and one I might watch again. I loved the whole feel of it, though I do agree with some reviews I've read about the ending, that it feels a bit rough and somewhat out of sync with the majority of the movie. I would recommend it if anyone hasn't watched it though!
Snow White... Yep. Not bad, but not that good, enjoyable enough to rewatch, but nothing all that special. I don't think it was as "bad" as many reviews I read indicated.
Super 8 is one I have no desire to watch simply because of certain participants. Specifically J.J. Abrams and Spielberg. Other than Minority Report I've not seen a SF film directed by Spielberg I felt was worth the effort of repeat viewings. He has a slightly better track record for me with his efforts as Producer of SF films, but I can still fit those I truly like on one hand. J.J. Abrams is also pretty mixed for me. I like a couple of the TV shows he's produced but, for me, the movies he's directed are all pretty average efforts, and I'm mostly unimpressed with what he's written. His updated Star Trek, for me, is nothing but a series of rather generic outer space action films with Trek names grafted on to pull in audiences. His Star Wars effort was nothing but a poor rewrite of the original trilogy. Put the two together and it's a recipe for my avoiding the result.
Last edited by BobO'Link; 07-24-17 at 07:55 PM.
07-24-17, 07:54 PM
#293
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Home of 2013 NFL champion Seahawks
Posts: 52,612
Received 1,015 Likes
on
839 Posts
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I saw Super 8 in theaters and liked it quite a bit. As I tended to do at the time, I bought the BD but still haven't watched it. 
07-24-17, 09:41 PM
#294
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm reading this week's EW and there's an article/interview with Sigourney Weaver discussing Sci-Fi and women in Sci-Fi movies. Not totally in-depth but had some good thoughts in it. There's also an article right after about The Fifth Element but I haven't read that one yet.
Really? I guess it takes all kinds! I have to agree to disagree though! I thoroughly enjoy most of Spielberg's catalog. Not all of them. A.I. and 1941 spring to mind, but I rewatch quite a few of his movies. Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, Jurassic Park... just those alone I've watched multiple times each.
J. J. Abrahms I'm more "eh" on but I did appreciate the Star Trek reboots for their own merits. Ok, will spoiler here just in case someone hasn't seen the Trek movies.
I don't know that I'll buy it, but I have access through the Vudu group I belong to. I'm regularly impressed with the fairly diverse movies that we've all accumulated.
Super 8 is one I have no desire to watch simply because of certain participants. Specifically J.J. Abrams and Spielberg. Other than Minority Report I've not seen a SF film directed by Spielberg I felt was worth the effort of repeat viewings. He has a slightly better track record for me with his efforts as Producer of SF films, but I can still fit those I truly like on one hand. J.J. Abrams is also pretty mixed for me. I like a couple of the TV shows he's produced but, for me, the movies he's directed are all pretty average efforts, and I'm mostly unimpressed with what he's written. His updated Star Trek, for me, is nothing but a series of rather generic outer space action films with Trek names grafted on to pull in audiences. His Star Wars effort was nothing but a poor rewrite of the original trilogy. Put the two together and it's a recipe for my avoiding the result.
I have to agree to disagree though! I thoroughly enjoy most of Spielberg's catalog. Not all of them. A.I. and 1941 spring to mind, but I rewatch quite a few of his movies. Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, Jurassic Park... just those alone I've watched multiple times each.J. J. Abrahms I'm more "eh" on but I did appreciate the Star Trek reboots for their own merits. Ok, will spoiler here just in case someone hasn't seen the Trek movies.
Spoiler:
I don't know that I'll buy it, but I have access through the Vudu group I belong to. I'm regularly impressed with the fairly diverse movies that we've all accumulated.
07-25-17, 04:32 AM
#295
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Really? I guess it takes all kinds! I have to agree to disagree though! I thoroughly enjoy most of Spielberg's catalog. Not all of them. A.I. and 1941 spring to mind, but I rewatch quite a few of his movies. Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, Jurassic Park... just those alone I've watched multiple times each.
I have to agree to disagree though! I thoroughly enjoy most of Spielberg's catalog. Not all of them. A.I. and 1941 spring to mind, but I rewatch quite a few of his movies. Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, Jurassic Park... just those alone I've watched multiple times each. I like the Indiana Jones films very much, even the much maligned Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, although a recent rewatch of TOD had me cringing and becoming annoyed at the frequency of Kate Capshaw's characters screaming and whining. I also like most of his drama and documentary work. It's mostly his SF and Fantasy output that I find lacking. His work in those 2 genres, at least for me, seems to be "for the masses," "safe, family" oriented material, formulaic summer blockbuster films, and/or rather generic. It may not be fair to include "summer blockbuster" in that as I've grown tired of all such films. They're mostly highly formulaic and generic, designed to make you feel good and not regret paying the ticket price, but generally lacking in story, and are very predictable. It partly goes back to that "There are only 7 basic plots and everything is simply a variation on them" posit. That, in itself, is not that bad as long as you have at least some originality but most of that variety do not.
E.T. is "SF" for the pre-teen group. I know without a doubt I wouldn't have liked it even when I was in that group. My daughter loves the film, her son does not, and her 2 girls haven't yet seen it. My son's kids aren't old enough yet but I doubt they'll see it, unless I show it to them, as he doesn't like it either. I remember it more for the then controversial, and obvious, product placement of Reese's Pieces candy as Mars wouldn't go for the offer for them to use M&Ms. Well... and the horrible Atari 2600 video game tie-in.
Close Encounters... is overlong, boring, with an overblown and unconvincing conclusion. In all fairness, I've not seen any version of that one other than the original theatrical, although I own a copy of the "Ultimate Edition" (it's still sitting here unopened).
His War of the Worlds is just another rather generic, loud, summer blockbuster action film with SF trappings. It bears little resemblance to the superior 1953 George Pal version and contains just enough of the Wells novel to keep the name. There is lots of running, screaming, narrow escapes, more running, screaming, and not much else. It did not need "modernization" to tell the story and would have been better without this change.
My dislike of Jurassic Park has more to do with Creighton's story than Spielberg, but when it comes right down to it that's my main complaint on all of his films I don't care for. His skills as a director are very good but without a truly good script that skill's rather worthless. It's like the old saying: "You can't make a silk purse out of a sows' ear."
I've never seen A.I., but have no desire to, mostly due to Spielberg and that he was involved in the screenplay. However it's based on a story by Brian Aldiss, a SF author whose work I like, so there might be some hope. After all, Minority Report is based on a story by Philip K. Dick and it turned out very well. But then he pretty much butchered War of the Worlds and did write Close Encounters so it bears more consideration...
For the record, I like 1941, I do not like Jaws.
Yes, it takes all types.
07-25-17, 01:44 PM
#296
DVD Talk Special Edition
07-25-17, 02:13 PM
#297
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
His War of the Worlds is just another rather generic, loud, summer blockbuster action film with SF trappings. It bears little resemblance to the superior 1953 George Pal version and contains just enough of the Wells novel to keep the name. There is lots of running, screaming, narrow escapes, more running, screaming, and not much else. It did not need "modernization" to tell the story and would have been better without this change.
So... you're, like, one of those hipsters?
07-25-17, 05:13 PM
#299
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Bob! You don't like Jaws?! I thought we were like twinsies! Jaws is the greatest film ever made. /end thread. See you all next Challenge.
07-25-17, 05:57 PM
#300
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Careful there... ROTLA and TOD are not SF. I like the Indiana Jones films very much, even the much maligned Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, although a recent rewatch of TOD had me cringing and becoming annoyed at the frequency of Kate Capshaw's characters screaming and whining. I also like most of his drama and documentary work. It's mostly his SF and Fantasy output that I find lacking. His work in those 2 genres, at least for me, seems to be "for the masses," "safe, family" oriented material, formulaic summer blockbuster films, and/or rather generic.
It may not be fair to include "summer blockbuster" in that as I've grown tired of all such films. They're mostly highly formulaic and generic, designed to make you feel good and not regret paying the ticket price, but generally lacking in story, and are very predictable. It partly goes back to that "There are only 7 basic plots and everything is simply a variation on them" posit. That, in itself, is not that bad as long as you have at least some originality but most of that variety do not.
I like the Indiana Jones films very much, even the much maligned Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, although a recent rewatch of TOD had me cringing and becoming annoyed at the frequency of Kate Capshaw's characters screaming and whining. I also like most of his drama and documentary work. It's mostly his SF and Fantasy output that I find lacking. His work in those 2 genres, at least for me, seems to be "for the masses," "safe, family" oriented material, formulaic summer blockbuster films, and/or rather generic. It may not be fair to include "summer blockbuster" in that as I've grown tired of all such films. They're mostly highly formulaic and generic, designed to make you feel good and not regret paying the ticket price, but generally lacking in story, and are very predictable. It partly goes back to that "There are only 7 basic plots and everything is simply a variation on them" posit. That, in itself, is not that bad as long as you have at least some originality but most of that variety do not.
I still like blockbuster films. I like to pop them in and enjoy the explosions. I don't really go into them thinking I'm going to get a great experience out of the plot. As long as it's semi-coherent, I'm good. Not that I don't like and appreciate films that are all about depth and making you think deep thoughts, but there are definitely times when all I want is a popcorn flick.