10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
#176
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
One thing I enjoy about this Challenge is that even though the Animation Challenge isn't till next month, there is plenty of animation to be able to watch this month.
#177
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I think both genres are tied pretty closely together. If you're watching animation, quite likely it's going to be sci-fi/fantasy themed. If you want to watch something fantasy, there's tons to pick from that are animated and the same for fantasy as well. Someone probably could do both challenges just watching animation both months...
#178
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I think both genres are tied pretty closely together. If you're watching animation, quite likely it's going to be sci-fi/fantasy themed. If you want to watch something fantasy, there's tons to pick from that are animated and the same for fantasy as well. Someone probably could do both challenges just watching animation both months...
There is enough stuff out there to easily do every monthly Challenge all animation. Not sure if this month would be the most represented, or maybe comedy, oh, TV!
#179
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I do agree that comedy and TV would probably be up there as well as the most represented in animation. Hmm, makes me wonder what genre is most represented in animation?
#180
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Okay, I am so confused. Just finished watching The Garbage Pail Kids Movie. I have no idea what I just watched. I have so many questions...like who even thought that this was a good idea?
#181
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
If anyone is interested, a friend on Facebook pointed out some things of interest for this Challenge last night. VUDU has all of the Showa Gamera movies, the Japanese versions available to watch for free with ads. Also Crunchyroll not only has Destroy All Monsters and Godzilla vs Megalon, but also many different Ultraman series, including the most recent one that is currently airing in Japan.
#182
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
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#183
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I always thought The Cosby Show episode with the Gross Out Gang movie was just them renaming the Garbage Pail Kids Movie, then I found out there was a Gross Out Gang. I guess that was their way of trying to unsuccessfully get their product known.
#184
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I can't believe I almost forgot about the annual event that's happening in my town this weekend. (To be fair, I only moved here last fall, so this is my first chance to attend.)
But I did remember literally just in time to (quickly!) walk downtown to my local arthouse theater and catch the re-enactment of this "run out" scene. (Actual running occurs at about the 2-minute mark. The theater absolutely still looks like that, inside and out.)
And I bought a ticket for tomorrow's double feature of The Blob and It Came from Outer Space.
But I did remember literally just in time to (quickly!) walk downtown to my local arthouse theater and catch the re-enactment of this "run out" scene. (Actual running occurs at about the 2-minute mark. The theater absolutely still looks like that, inside and out.)
And I bought a ticket for tomorrow's double feature of The Blob and It Came from Outer Space.
#185
Senior Member
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Yeah, Blobfest is a fun time. I know people who go every year. I live up in the northern suburbs (Bucks County). If you are new to the area entirely or just haven't heard of them, I would recommend some Exhumed Films screenings in the future. They are often very good oddities. They do some major events throughout the year like a 24 hour horror fest around Halloween and a 6 or 7 movie Exploitation fest usually which coincides with the Exploitation challenge here. Sunday for instance they have a 5 movie 3-D marathon. They do screenings at the theater in the International House near UPenn in the city and up at the Mahoning Drive-in up in Lehigh County. I am still undecided if I am going since I am unsure my brain can take 10 hours of 3-D without exploding since one 3-D movie usually leaves me with a headache. I will say it was pretty amazing watching an old HK martial arts movie in 3-D at one of their events a few months ago though! It is probably way too late notice for a 10 hour event, but if you are so inclined, here are the details on Sunday's screenings.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1557240570954108
https://www.facebook.com/events/1557240570954108
#186
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Thanks for the info! Won't be able to make it on Sunday (and don't think my brain could handle that much 3-D either) but I will definitely be checking out future events.
(Grew up in the area but moved away a couple decades ago. Bucks County, eh? That area has had some... excitement the last week or so.)
(Grew up in the area but moved away a couple decades ago. Bucks County, eh? That area has had some... excitement the last week or so.)
#187
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I've been meaning to dig out my VHS copy of the 1967 British sci-fi film, FIVE MILLION YEARS TO EARTH (aka QUATERMASS AND THE PIT) to watch for this challenge so I can included it in a 50th Anniversary blog piece on the Best Films of 1967, but now I don't have to because it's showing on TCM tonight at 6PM (EST). I first saw it in 1970 on the lower half of a double bill and had no idea what it was about going into it and it turned out great, a film of ideas not just action. It's possibly the first sci-fi film I saw that was about alien visitation to Earth in ancient times.
Here's the rather hyperbolic American poster for the film:
Here's the rather hyperbolic American poster for the film:
#188
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I like all the Hammer Quatermass films but that one's my favorite. I discovered it was on DVD after the Anchor Bay releases had gone OOP and were commanding very high prices. I recently purchased a region free BR player and picked up a copy of the UK release.
#189
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I just finished a viewing of Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings. It's been decades since I last saw this one and only own a copy because I stumbled across it at BL for $3. I've had it for a few years and kept putting off watching it because of my recollections from that viewing loooong ago. It was a well founded delay and I'm not likely to repeat the viewing any time soon.
The story is competent enough, it is mostly Tolkien's dialog after all, but the animation is... lacking. While I didn't care for the way the Hobbits are drawn, it suffers mostly due to overuse of Bakshi's love of rotoscoping rather than doing actual animation. It just doesn't blend, or fit, well with the traditional animation portions and is often poorly acted and staged. In all fairness, I have that same complaint with all of Bakshi's work which involves that process. It could also do with some tighter editing on many of those rotoscoped scenes. Whenever a rotoscoped scene would appear I'd be completely taken out of the film. In spite of all that, I saw several scenes which seemed to be the inspiration for almost identically staged and plotted scenes in Peter Jackson's film.
The story is competent enough, it is mostly Tolkien's dialog after all, but the animation is... lacking. While I didn't care for the way the Hobbits are drawn, it suffers mostly due to overuse of Bakshi's love of rotoscoping rather than doing actual animation. It just doesn't blend, or fit, well with the traditional animation portions and is often poorly acted and staged. In all fairness, I have that same complaint with all of Bakshi's work which involves that process. It could also do with some tighter editing on many of those rotoscoped scenes. Whenever a rotoscoped scene would appear I'd be completely taken out of the film. In spite of all that, I saw several scenes which seemed to be the inspiration for almost identically staged and plotted scenes in Peter Jackson's film.
#190
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
The story is competent enough, it is mostly Tolkien's dialog after all, but the animation is... lacking. While I didn't care for the way the Hobbits are drawn, it suffers mostly due to overuse of Bakshi's love of rotoscoping rather than doing actual animation. It just doesn't blend, or fit, well with the traditional animation portions and is often poorly acted and staged.
I like Bakshi's other films like Fritz the Cat, Heavy Traffic, and Coonskin, and I love Wizards, but LOTR was a massive failure on every level for me.
Last night I watched my new Blu of It Came From Outer Space, and then the 1951 GOOD version of The Day the Earth Stood Still and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. When you make a good movie, it still holds up even if the effects have dated.
I lucked out and bought the DVD of Quatermass and the Pit for $10 when Suncoast was having their going out of business sale back in 2006 or so. I know the US rights to Hammer films are hard to nail down, but it would be great if Shout Factory or Kino would release them on Blu, especially The Devil Rides Out.
I would love to see Guillermo Del Toro tackle a remake of a Quatermass film.
Last edited by Gobear; 07-15-17 at 12:17 PM.
#191
Senior Member
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
If you like the Quatermass and the Pit you guys should look into the BBC original TV show version. The Quatermass Collection is still available for about 15 pounds. I just finished watching all three stories.
#192
Senior Member
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I watched Star Trek the Motion Picture. Back when i was a 20 something and saw this I was bored silly. I hoped it would be different but it still bored the hell out of me.
#193
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
While I've grown to like this one over the intervening years, I still like the S2 episode, from which it obtained much of its inspiration, "The Changeling" better. It also pulls from a couple of other, better, TV episodes. I felt somewhat ripped off when I left the theater following the viewing. IMHO that overly long journey into the cloud to be one of the more boring sequences in movie history. In spite of that I like it better than any of the Next Generation movies or the recent reimagined universe reboot films.
#194
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I just finished a viewing of my BR upgrade for Ladyhawke. It's an excellent transfer and not as dark as I remember the DVD being. I still don't care for Alan Parson's 80s synth/pop score which dominates, and detracts from, the first half or so of the film. Once it settles down and is pretty much replaced with a more traditional, and natural sounding, score the film improves. Every time I watch this one I feel the same about the score and wish those scenes with it could be viewed without music.
I followed that with a surprise first time viewing of a 1964 film, The Brass Bottle, starring Burl Ives, Tony Randall, and Barbara Eden. I thought I'd seen it as a kid but, if so, don't remember a thing about the film. It was a fun little romp and somewhat a precursor to I Dream of Jeannie, although Eden doesn't play the Djinn part in this film. I'd wanted a copy of this ever since it appeared as a MOD release but avoided it for that reason. Patience paid off as it just received a pressed release and I picked up a copy for ~$6, a steal!
I followed that with a surprise first time viewing of a 1964 film, The Brass Bottle, starring Burl Ives, Tony Randall, and Barbara Eden. I thought I'd seen it as a kid but, if so, don't remember a thing about the film. It was a fun little romp and somewhat a precursor to I Dream of Jeannie, although Eden doesn't play the Djinn part in this film. I'd wanted a copy of this ever since it appeared as a MOD release but avoided it for that reason. Patience paid off as it just received a pressed release and I picked up a copy for ~$6, a steal!
#195
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I have to say that FIVE MILLION YEARS TO EARTH held up beautifully. I love the way it builds slowly and carefully to a spectacular finale that had way more action and mayhem than I remembered.
I have a question about the James Bond films. Starz Encore offers a dozen or so Bond films on their On Demand channel (free to some subscription tiers, including mine). Not all of them are listed as sci-fi on IMDB. There's a few I haven't seen in years and I'd like to use them for this challenge. MOONRAKER is definitely sci-fi but not LIVE AND LET DIE. Do all the Bond films get a blanket pass? Or do we keep it only to those listed as sci-fi?
Thanks.
I have a question about the James Bond films. Starz Encore offers a dozen or so Bond films on their On Demand channel (free to some subscription tiers, including mine). Not all of them are listed as sci-fi on IMDB. There's a few I haven't seen in years and I'd like to use them for this challenge. MOONRAKER is definitely sci-fi but not LIVE AND LET DIE. Do all the Bond films get a blanket pass? Or do we keep it only to those listed as sci-fi?
Thanks.
#196
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I have a question about the James Bond films. Starz Encore offers a dozen or so Bond films on their On Demand channel (free to some subscription tiers, including mine). Not all of them are listed as sci-fi on IMDB. There's a few I haven't seen in years and I'd like to use them for this challenge. MOONRAKER is definitely sci-fi but not LIVE AND LET DIE. Do all the Bond films get a blanket pass? Or do we keep it only to those listed as sci-fi?
#197
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Has anyone else seen the movie Evolution (2015 French art-house sci-fi/fantasy/horror, not the 2001 David Duchovny sci-fi/comedy). Just watched it on Netflix and trying to digest what I just saw. Looking at general comments online, it doesn't seem like anyone has any good answers. Which may very well be what the filmmaker intended.
Like the filmmaker's previous film, Innocence, there's the sense of a metaphorical look at puberty within the trappings of a mystery/fantasy/horror/sci-fi story (this time focusing on young boys instead of young girls). Like Eraserhead, there's a nightmare-like non-logic dealing with body horror. And at only 80 minutes, I can forgive the experimentalism and lack of plot cohesion. What I could make out of the story was [don't read if you haven't seen it, unless you want to be massively spoiled]:
Like the filmmaker's previous film, Innocence, there's the sense of a metaphorical look at puberty within the trappings of a mystery/fantasy/horror/sci-fi story (this time focusing on young boys instead of young girls). Like Eraserhead, there's a nightmare-like non-logic dealing with body horror. And at only 80 minutes, I can forgive the experimentalism and lack of plot cohesion. What I could make out of the story was [don't read if you haven't seen it, unless you want to be massively spoiled]:
Spoiler:
Last edited by brainee; 07-16-17 at 02:15 AM.
#198
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I can't believe I almost forgot about the annual event that's happening in my town this weekend. (To be fair, I only moved here last fall, so this is my first chance to attend.)
But I did remember literally just in time to (quickly!) walk downtown to my local arthouse theater and catch the re-enactment of this "run out" scene. (Actual running occurs at about the 2-minute mark. The theater absolutely still looks like that, inside and out.)
https://youtu.be/GODDLgM1gKo?t=114
And I bought a ticket for tomorrow's double feature of The Blob and It Came from Outer Space.
But I did remember literally just in time to (quickly!) walk downtown to my local arthouse theater and catch the re-enactment of this "run out" scene. (Actual running occurs at about the 2-minute mark. The theater absolutely still looks like that, inside and out.)
https://youtu.be/GODDLgM1gKo?t=114
And I bought a ticket for tomorrow's double feature of The Blob and It Came from Outer Space.
[QUOTE=Ash Ketchum;13114141I have a question about the James Bond films. Starz Encore offers a dozen or so Bond films on their On Demand channel (free to some subscription tiers, including mine). Not all of them are listed as sci-fi on IMDB. There's a few I haven't seen in years and I'd like to use them for this challenge. MOONRAKER is definitely sci-fi but not LIVE AND LET DIE. Do all the Bond films get a blanket pass? Or do we keep it only to those listed as sci-fi?
Thanks.[/QUOTE]
Think I'm going to go with what IMDb.com says on these. Like brainee mentioned, these are mainly gadget based and while not probable, most of them are possible. The action/adventure challenge would be a better place to watch them for credit.
#199
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Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
You could argue for the Bond films as fantasy... adolescent male fantasy.
Yeah, I never saw Bakshi in theaters, but I remember when they did the Rankin-Bass Return of the King to close the story loop and return to the style of The Hobbit. I do like the creepiness of some of the rotoscope effects, and revisit the film every five years or so.
I was a high school Tolkien nerd when I saw Bakshi's LOTR back in the day, and oh, was that a disappointment! It's not just the poor animation, or that so much from the books is omitted, or even that the character designs were all wrong, but that the movie ends at the Battle of Helm's Deep! Where's the rest of The Two Towers and all of Return of the King? Teenage Gobear was steamed!
#200
Re: 10th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
If you really have a hankering for secret agent thrillers, James Coburn's "Flint" movies (Our Man Flint and In Like Flint) count for the challenge