11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
#151
Senior Member
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Class of 1999 was wildly entertaining. Teacher Cyborgs vs High School Thugs. Stacey Keach and Pam Grier are at their cheesy best.
#152
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I just found out that Commander USA (Jim Hendricks) died March 17, 2018.
A lot of his shows are on YouTube so I'm gonna watch a few today.
A lot of his shows are on YouTube so I'm gonna watch a few today.
#153
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
#154
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I know it's not a good movie, but I just finished one of my favorite movies, Alien vs Predator. Call it kind of a guilty pleasure. I love the Alien movies, having the first four original ones on DVD. I also love the Predator movies, so when I first heard about a movie starring both, I was very happy.
#155
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I know it's not a good movie, but I just finished one of my favorite movies, Alien vs Predator. Call it kind of a guilty pleasure. I love the Alien movies, having the first four original ones on DVD. I also love the Predator movies, so when I first heard about a movie starring both, I was very happy.
#156
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
And there's no accounting for taste. I'm incredibly hard on "new" (essentially anything made after Kubrick's 2001) SF/Fantasy films, often rating them several stars lower than what's on IMDB, but will typically rate the "B" movies from the 50s/60s higher-than-average.
#157
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
That's very true! I tend to like random movies and hate ones really beloved by everyone else. Heck, half the time I don't know when I'm going to like or hate something.
#158
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
B-Movies are some of my favorite movies. Especially when they are sci-fi or fantasy.
#159
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Last night I watched Colossal on a first time viewing. It was a blind buy based on good reviews and I was expecting a rip-roaring good time. Whatever those folks saw it wasn't in the movie I watched. I was expecting a comedy/sf/horror type film and got a rather bland film about nothing. It wasn't funny, scary, and had little sci-fi on display (mostly the "monster"). Was it supposed to be a waking dream? A projection of self? Maybe I was just in the wrong frame of mind - I *had* just finished Blade Runner: The Final Cut, a film I love. I really can't quite put it into words other than I didn't like it and won't watch it again.
#160
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Last night I watched Colossal on a first time viewing. It was a blind buy based on good reviews and I was expecting a rip-roaring good time. Whatever those folks saw it wasn't in the movie I watched. I was expecting a comedy/sf/horror type film and got a rather bland film about nothing. It wasn't funny, scary, and had little sci-fi on display (mostly the "monster"). Was it supposed to be a waking dream? A projection of self? Maybe I was just in the wrong frame of mind - I *had* just finished Blade Runner: The Final Cut, a film I love. I really can't quite put it into words other than I didn't like it and won't watch it again.
Anyone else the Netflix movie Psychokinesis? It's my the director of Train to Busan. Very different kind of movie though, being a superhero comedy about a middle age schlub who gets powers after drinking water contaminated from a meteor. Nowhere near as good as Busan, and not particularly original, but I enjoyed it for some light weight entertainment.
#161
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
You went into Colossal with exactly the worst expectations. Though I don't think it's fair to say that it was a movie about nothing just because you didn't like it (or it didn't give you the kind of movie you were expecting). There's some good discussion of the movie in its own thread here. However, I clearly see how this isn't a movie for everyone (and for every person that loves there's at least one, if not more, that hate it).
#162
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I watched Westworld (1973) last night. I've stated several times that I generally don't care for the books or movies based on the books from Michael Creighton. I saw Westworld during its original theatrical run and didn't much care for it. I thought it was too full of plot holes and improbabilities. Over the years I've seen it a handful of times, each time thinking maybe I'd see why people think it's so good. Nope. Never happened.
So... I recently purchased a BR ($5) to give it a better look. After all, he did rewrite the premise as Jurassic Park which is better realized as a movie and doesn't have all the plot holes. Never mind that I don't much care for it either, but do think it's the better of the two films. Surprisingly I found a better film than I recalled, although marginally. I enjoyed it a bit better and have a higher appreciation for Yul Brynner's gunslinger character. I'd never noticed before that he's essentially playing the same character he did in The Magnificent Seven, and wearing the same costume, which makes that part more enjoyable. But the plot holes, at least for me, are almost insurmountable.
I think most of my issues are "safe" but am going to spoilerize them just in case. FWIW, I've had these issues since that first viewing:
The computer/control room was fairly authentic for its time. I also liked how they just turned the androids off at night and then picked up where they left off the next morning.
The directing was serviceable but I often felt like it was a TV movie. One case in particular is the saloon fight which was too loosely timed. People duck over a second before some piece of furniture comes flying by or pause to wait for a punch to hit. While that's mostly choreography, the director is ultimately responsible for making sure it's properly tight or using camera angles to hide such errors. One of the major things that, to me, screamed "TV Movie" was that most of the actors were primarily known for their TV work. IIRC, Brynner was the only one who was a movie actor. I've often wondered if he took the role due to its use of his The Magnificent Seven character coupled with a "Would be a fun way to make a quick buck" attitude.
I watched the "Behind the scenes" special feature on the disc and had to laugh when Creighton claimed such technology was possible at the time (this was in 1972 - the best available was Disney's limited animatronics at their theme parks). He also claimed "I tried the idea... as a novel and it didn't work... It doesn't work on paper at all. It only works as images." He also claimed people get their images and fantasies of Rome, Medieval times, or the Wild West from movies, not books. He must not have read the books I'd read at the time. They were far more visual than most movies. Frankly, I think it'd have made a far better book than movie, as was "Jurassic Park." I liked the novel far more than the movie.
I've read the first cut was longer and Creighton found it long and boring so re-cut it. Small favors...
Anyway... I liked it better than I'd remembered but, based on ratings/scores, not nearly as much as others. It's yet another example of how I'm hard on post 1969 SF/Fantasy movies.
A co-worker who got me into Game of Thrones keeps trying to get me to watch Showtime's Westworld series. Based on my feelings about the movie, I just can't work up any enthusiasm for such a task.
So... I recently purchased a BR ($5) to give it a better look. After all, he did rewrite the premise as Jurassic Park which is better realized as a movie and doesn't have all the plot holes. Never mind that I don't much care for it either, but do think it's the better of the two films. Surprisingly I found a better film than I recalled, although marginally. I enjoyed it a bit better and have a higher appreciation for Yul Brynner's gunslinger character. I'd never noticed before that he's essentially playing the same character he did in The Magnificent Seven, and wearing the same costume, which makes that part more enjoyable. But the plot holes, at least for me, are almost insurmountable.
I think most of my issues are "safe" but am going to spoilerize them just in case. FWIW, I've had these issues since that first viewing:
Spoiler:
The computer/control room was fairly authentic for its time. I also liked how they just turned the androids off at night and then picked up where they left off the next morning.
The directing was serviceable but I often felt like it was a TV movie. One case in particular is the saloon fight which was too loosely timed. People duck over a second before some piece of furniture comes flying by or pause to wait for a punch to hit. While that's mostly choreography, the director is ultimately responsible for making sure it's properly tight or using camera angles to hide such errors. One of the major things that, to me, screamed "TV Movie" was that most of the actors were primarily known for their TV work. IIRC, Brynner was the only one who was a movie actor. I've often wondered if he took the role due to its use of his The Magnificent Seven character coupled with a "Would be a fun way to make a quick buck" attitude.
I watched the "Behind the scenes" special feature on the disc and had to laugh when Creighton claimed such technology was possible at the time (this was in 1972 - the best available was Disney's limited animatronics at their theme parks). He also claimed "I tried the idea... as a novel and it didn't work... It doesn't work on paper at all. It only works as images." He also claimed people get their images and fantasies of Rome, Medieval times, or the Wild West from movies, not books. He must not have read the books I'd read at the time. They were far more visual than most movies. Frankly, I think it'd have made a far better book than movie, as was "Jurassic Park." I liked the novel far more than the movie.
I've read the first cut was longer and Creighton found it long and boring so re-cut it. Small favors...
Anyway... I liked it better than I'd remembered but, based on ratings/scores, not nearly as much as others. It's yet another example of how I'm hard on post 1969 SF/Fantasy movies.
A co-worker who got me into Game of Thrones keeps trying to get me to watch Showtime's Westworld series. Based on my feelings about the movie, I just can't work up any enthusiasm for such a task.
#164
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Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I watched Colossal for one of the challenges and didn't care for it. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood or it was overhyped, but I couldn't get into it.
I've watched part of the first season of Westworld and need to start again from the beginning. I want to love it, but it hasn't really grabbed me yet.
I've watched part of the first season of Westworld and need to start again from the beginning. I want to love it, but it hasn't really grabbed me yet.
#165
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Sci-fi, fantasy, and horror are centainly genres where the age you are for a first time viewing can have a huge impact. I think I'm about 15 years younger than you, so for me my generosity cut-off year is mid 80s.
I certainly agree that the practicality of a real Westworld doesn't hold up to much scrutiny. Especially today where advancing technology of VR and MMORPGs seems to be where things are going if people were looking to provide this kind of entertainment (instead of building a gigantic park full of robots). Though Season 2 did provide a couple of major plot revelations that addressed why so much effort would be put into making something like Westworld [beware ... gigantic Season 2 spoilers follow]:
Spoiler:
#166
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Yeah, I love these books so I was excited to see them on the screen but I felt both the first and second film really didn't capture anything I really enjoyed about the series. I was honestly bewildered how they managed to get a 2nd film out of it and then ruined it anyway!
#167
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
If anyone is looking to watch the Harry Potter films, both USA and SyFy are running a marathon of the entire series this weekend.
#168
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Highly recommend the best Norwegian film of 2017, Thelma. Fantasy, horror, drama that is wonderfully shot and full of pathos.
It’s on Hulu, and my favorite film of last year.
https://www.hulu.com/watch/1256927
It’s on Hulu, and my favorite film of last year.
https://www.hulu.com/watch/1256927
#169
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
A friend posted a link to this short cartoon:
. It's fairly short, 8ish minutes though almost a minute of it is credits.
Plot: Superman vs a T-Rex.
I have so many questions...so many questions!
Spoiler:
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this one! lol!
Plot: Superman vs a T-Rex.
I have so many questions...so many questions!
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this one! lol!
#170
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Highly recommend the best Norwegian film of 2017, Thelma. Fantasy, horror, drama that is wonderfully shot and full of pathos.
It’s on Hulu, and my favorite film of last year.
https://www.hulu.com/watch/1256927
It’s on Hulu, and my favorite film of last year.
https://www.hulu.com/watch/1256927
#171
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I just finished a double-feature viewing of Jack the Giant Killer (1962) by first watching the original film, newly remastered on BR from Kino, followed by the musical re-edited version. They did a very good job on this minor stop-action classic. It's pretty much a rip off of Harryhausen's The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad right down to borrowing the director and principal cast members. Still, it's a fun little fantasy outing - if you're in the right mood. I usually am for these 50s/60s fantasy films.
The primary bonus/special feature on the new BR is the re-edited musical version of the film. Apparently this version was created due to Columbia studios, owners/distributors of Seventh Voyage..., suing the producer of Jack... for its too close for comfort resemblance to the Harryhausen film and it being deemed too "intense" for its intended kiddie audience. It's kind of confusing so I don't know if that's 100% correct - one article I read seemed to indicate it was the distributor for Jack... who sued the producer and not Columbia. It *did* receive a short theatrical release before this happened and it was pulled from distribution. For the musical, they took out some of the "violent" action sections and put in the music with generic singers performing the new singing voice over parts. It's quite a different movie this way. I'd never seen the musical version before and only recently discovered it existed *and* was the only way to see the film for decades. How did I not catch this on cable at some point? No matter... It was quite creatively done and interesting as a curiosity but frequently quite humorous due to the coming-out-of-nowhere music running with ludicrous lyrics and tunes that just don't fit the film. It's nowhere as good as the original, non-musical, version but worth a viewing, especially if you've never experienced the film this way.
The primary bonus/special feature on the new BR is the re-edited musical version of the film. Apparently this version was created due to Columbia studios, owners/distributors of Seventh Voyage..., suing the producer of Jack... for its too close for comfort resemblance to the Harryhausen film and it being deemed too "intense" for its intended kiddie audience. It's kind of confusing so I don't know if that's 100% correct - one article I read seemed to indicate it was the distributor for Jack... who sued the producer and not Columbia. It *did* receive a short theatrical release before this happened and it was pulled from distribution. For the musical, they took out some of the "violent" action sections and put in the music with generic singers performing the new singing voice over parts. It's quite a different movie this way. I'd never seen the musical version before and only recently discovered it existed *and* was the only way to see the film for decades. How did I not catch this on cable at some point? No matter... It was quite creatively done and interesting as a curiosity but frequently quite humorous due to the coming-out-of-nowhere music running with ludicrous lyrics and tunes that just don't fit the film. It's nowhere as good as the original, non-musical, version but worth a viewing, especially if you've never experienced the film this way.
#172
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I was browsing the Dish Guide and saw that Astro Boy was on Encore Family, so I figured, 'Why not?'. I used to watch the 80s version of the anime when I was growing up, and it was one of my favorite shows. As far as reboots go, the 2009 movie did a decent job, I thought. It seemed to be pretty faithful to the earlier series. I've never seen the original from the 60s, so can't make any comparisons to the original.
#173
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
I just watched Deadpool for the first time. It is a fun film. Predictable at times, well... most times, but fun. I liked many of the throw-away lines. IMHO, they were the best parts of the film.
#174
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
My sister is letting me use her Netflix to watch Stranger Things. On the second episode. Liking it so far!
#175
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 11th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
Season 2, I watched for the horror challenge last year and I can't be certain I showered or even ate while I watched every single episode of that season. Best day I had all year.