Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

You're correct about the Godzilla "kid era" movies. The early 70s was about when I stopped watching them as they'd devolved to the point of Saturday Morning Cartoon level. I'm OK with that for a cartoon but not a Godzilla movie. They just got too silly and I just wrote off the entire franchise at that point. I almost didn't purchase that set because of that but it was very cheap (I paid $14) and had good reviews. I'm glad I made the purchase as they've been uniformly good.

So far all are from 2000 and later: Godzilla 2000 (1999), Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000), Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001), and Godzilla against Mechagodzilla (2002).

The last 3 in that set are: Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003), Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993). Seems odd to have an early 90s movies on a 2000's Godzilla set. So, yeah, it's the 2000 series of movies.

I also discovered after watching that one is out of production/date order. Godzilla against Mechagodzilla (2002) is on the disc with Godzilla 2000 (1999) while the 2000 and 2001 movies share a disc. If I'd realized that I'd have juggled the viewing order. I really don't know if it truly matters though...

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Just watched Space Station 76, I think I liked it?

Weird that a movie that came out so recently has no HD release, only DVD. Perhaps to go with the ascetic?

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Went on a slight tangent last night. Wasn't in a mood for reading subs so put the Godzilla movies on the back burner and pulled out my new BR of Conan the Barbarian (1982) and Conan the Destroyer (1984), a couple of old favorites, cheesy though they are.

They look pretty good on Blu - can't say a significant improvement over the DVDs but a noticeable improvement no less. I can't say the same about the 5.1 remixed audio. Those are horrible with the typical over-loud music and aural effects with voices far too low in the mix. Again, the original audio track(s) were not provided. Bummer. I was forced to watch with subs anyway just to know what was being said without waking everyone whenever music or sound effects hit.

It's been quite a while since I last watched these and I'd forgotten how "svelte" Schwarzenegger was back then (on... he's never really been svelte but in comparison to some later work he's much slimmer).

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I get that. I'm having trouble getting into the mood myself. I am enjoying staring at the lake and not being online as much this week. I've read 2 1/2 books, actual books! One more day and I'll be back home with more time to watch but until then, enjoying spending time with my nieces.

I just saw an article on the Picard series, talking about Trek. I am interested to see what they focus on. I like Patrick Stewart as an actor in general but grew up on him as Picard so it will be nice to see him in that roll.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I have been watching the last two "seasons" of X-Files and they've been pretty good so far. Much better than seasons 8 and 9 (I have blocked out season 9 totally). But last night I saw an episode from seasons 11, The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat, and it's one of the best episodes I've ever seen. It's a comedy one and very political, and I loved it. This one episode makes the entire revival worth it for me.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Yesterday was the best... and worst...

I watched the Olive Signature Edition BR of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), one of my all-time favorite SF movies. They did a superb job on this one. It looks and sounds better than I've ever seen. I have a BR upgrade of the later 70s remake in the wings. I like it too but not quite as much as the original. I also enjoy the 80s version. But I never want to see the 2007 film again if I can help it...

Then one of the worst movies of the 50s - From Hell It Came (1957) - and a BR no less! See a man turned into a walking tree stump! Watch in awe as it lumbers along with its victims, unable to be stopped! As they said in the movie: "And to hell it can go!" Bad and cheesy. Just needs a horror host to make it perfect. :)

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Awesome! :D
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/dvdtalk...a45d4c147e.gif

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Just turned on:


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/dvdtalk...58d9b82178.jpg

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I watched Starship Troopers: Invasion (2012) and Allegiant (2016) last night. Neither were particularly good.

I didn't realize "...Invasion" was animated until it started or may have held it for the end of the challenge. I've seen all of the movies in this franchise, live action, CGI, and animated. The Animated ones tend to be the best but none are close to the book from which the franchise gets its name. They generally take the "bugs," character names, and some terminology but leave behind the time dilation and social aspects of the novel - and those issues are a major portion of the book. Oh well... at least they tend to have good visuals and deliver on the cheese/action aspects.

Allegiant was a truly weak ending to a middlin' franchise. Much of it was quite laughable with huge lapses in logic.

I followed those by starting Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda on BR. I'd watched S1 on DVD some time back and really liked it but the rest of the seasons were OOP and it looked like the best option was a region free BR set from Amazon UK. Of course as soon as it comes in the series gets a re-release on DVD in a complete series set. No matter... the BR was the same price as the new DVD set so there's that. I'm a few episodes in and it's still enjoyable.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I watched Love, Death, & Robots over the last couple of days and really enjoyed it. It was like the tv equivalent of a really good multi-author sci-fi/horror anthology book. Lots of different styles and story types. And if I didn't care for one story it wasn't long until the next one. So much of tv storytelling these days is filled with bloat ... stretch out a short story idea to a movie and stretch out a novel's idea to a season (or multiple seasons). It was very refreshing to have ideas condensed to 10-15 minutes (even if it left you wanting more from the ones you liked). I knew about David Fincher's involvement, but I didn't realize how many of the episodes were based on short stories by authors I was familiar with (like Peter Hamilton, John Scalzi, Joe Lansdale, Alastair Reynolds). Considering all of the great stories out there (and how well-done the animation was) I'm definitely excited at the prospects of a second season.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Hope you survived! I know there was one in Appleton area a few hours ago, so I hoped it passed! We got hit last night, have a bit of a tornado warning party in our basement with the neighbors, but other than some trees down, no damage.

Back home now so I hope to ramp up the watching again. Only saw one last week. Going to put in The Invisible Man here in a minute. Have to admit that it's a first time watch for me. The set I rented is the Legacy Collection, so there are at least 2 or 3 other movies too, so I'll likely watch those as well.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

We've been blessed with absolutely no warnings this year. Spring brings as many as 1 per week many years. My daughter lives across the street from me so if things get bad she and the kids come over and hang out in the basement. At least now they have to rely on my computer for "news" as my TV is no longer connected to anything but a game system and BR player so there's no having to watch live weather people and their typically alarmist reports.

The Invisible Man is absolutely the best movie in that collection. It's a classic. You'll be amazed at the quality of the visual effects.

It's worth watching the other movies but, IMHO, they're mostly forgettable and are not true sequels. The best of that lot is The Invisible Man Returns which, in spite of the name, has nothing to do with the first movie. It stars Vincent Price who does the voice of The Invisible Man at the end of Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein.

If you got the SS disc version of The Legacy Collection it'll include Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man. It's a pretty good installment in the "A&C Meet" series of horror/comedy movies.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Today brought another odd mix of stuff. I started with a few more episodes of Andromeda and followed them with a first time viewing of Space Battleship Yamato (2010). I'm not a fan of anime at all and really purchased this one due to reviews and some trailers which showed the incredible visuals. Visually it's excellent and frequently over-the-top with what's on the screen. Script wise it's a bit of a standard story. Guy who seems to be a slackard is really a former fighter pilot and squadron leader who rejoins to go on a special mission with a special ship that's been constructed in secret to get a device they hope will save the planet. The Earth has been under attack from aliens and is radioactive with people being forced to live underground to escape the radiation. It's a rather standard, cliche',' redemption story. It's acted well, looks very good, and generally works well enough. I'd hoped to like it better.

The Exterminators of the Year 3000 (1983) was next. It's a rather standard "Mad Max" ripoff movie. This time it's a battle for water. A small community knows where there's a secret cache and a group of renegades wants it. Typical chases and battles ensue. There's a kid... with a cybernetic arm... Some of the actors and costumes look like they were lifted directly from a "Mad Max" movie. It's enjoyable enough but doesn't really offer anything new.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

We didn't have TV news in the basement either and upstairs is satellite, so that was out either way. We made due with our cells, but were starting to get bad reception too. We usually bring a little weather radio but forgot it this year. I would have to disagree about alarmist reports though...2 tornadoes went through to the east of us and we had really bad winds that could have easily turned on us. I wonder if more people listened to the warnings and actually took shelter, if they would tone down the alarms.

I did enjoy The Invisible Man. Was a nice watch. Enjoyed the bicycle going and the log going in. Was prepared for some wire sightings, but didn't spot any. I was impressed with that! Unfortunately, the set I have does not have the A&C movie. I do own the Frankenstein set that has the one you mentioned and had hoped it was on this one, but it has: The Invisible Man Returns, The Invisible Woman, Invisible Agent and The Invisible Man's Revenge. It does make sense they had to get a different actor since they did make it hard for the original one to reprise his role. I'll see how good/bad these "sequels" are before I decide to watch the rest, I guess. But I like to finish a series when I can.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I wouldn't call any of them "bad" - just rather forgettable. Bland if you will. Nothing really stands out. In spite of that they're mostly enjoyable with The Invisible Woman more of a comedy and has several well known actors in roles. I'd put it as my #3 with Returns being #2.
IIRC, that's the only time it'll make any attempt to make it a sequel to the first movie and it's tenuous at best. Griffin is their last name. The "Invisible Man" in the first movie is Dr. Jack Griffin (but they call him John here).


I didn't mention about the first movie that it was Claude Rains' first American film appearance. The producers had wanted Boris Karloff for the role but he withdrew after Carl Laemmle Jr. attempted one too many times to reduce his contracted salary. James Whale, the director, wanted, and got, Rains. I think Rains is better in the role than Karloff would have been.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I eventually figured out who was what. I must have missed something right in the beginning. I'm almost finished with Invisible Woman and the original is pretty good, but I'm actually kind of enjoying the silliness of Woman. That bent shot gun! The butler is a bit annoying, just too over-the-top, but it's definitely made me laugh a few times.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

working my way through the four film set of Indiana Jones. I forgot just how much fun Raiders of the Lost Ark is.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Glad you made it and the flights worked out!

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

It's been over a year since I last watched Returns but I don't think you missed anything. IIRC it's intentionally rather confusing to help make the connection to the first movie feel more plausible (the "brother" wasn't mentioned in the first at all...).

Woman is quite a bit of fun.

In spite of my comments about the supporting movies in this series being "rather forgettable" I'd still prefer to watch any of them over many SF movies made in the last 20 or so years (maybe even longer). But that also plays into my general preference for older, pre 1970 SF movies over post 1970 SF movies.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

IMHO all 4 movies in that series are great fun.... I tend to forget just how annoying Kate Capshaw is in Temple of Doom. I get the impression Spielberg's direction to her for almost every scene was "scream and don't stop until I say cut." But I forgive it as the rest is just so much fun!

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Good to know. I tend to multitask watching films, but I always focus on the first part so I know the setup for sure. Honestly, I've seen less effort tying movies together so at least they tried...

I mentioned earlier that I'm not a horror fan, but over the last 5-8 years of doing these challenges, I've discovered the older horror films (40s-60s) are ones I enjoy. I'm sure I'm generalizing, but more modern ones that I've watched are all about the jump scares, blood and gore. None of which I truly enjoy. But older ones are much more my speed. There is usually at least some plot. There are sometimes scares, but they are more designed to be mental then visually gross. So I totally agree with you about preferring these Invisible Man films over anything more modern!

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

My last viewing yesterday was Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978). While I enjoyed it I didn't feel the love for it this time as I have in the past. I wonder if that had anything to do with the close proximity of viewing to the original film. I *do* like the original better but this one is very, very good (IMHO one of the best remakes ever produced).

One of my favorite scenes in this remake is Kevin McCarthy's cameo running down the street, slamming into the car carrying Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams, yelling "They're here already! You're next! You're next!" and running off.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

how do we count short films or videos that are under TV 30 min. shows?

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Everything is 1:1, no matter the length. Watch a 13 min. silent film? It counts as one watch. 23 min. TV show? One watch.

The exception is for sci-fi/fantasy radio/audio content which is described fully in the rules. That was there before I took up hosting the challenge, though, so I'm willing to change them for next year if people would like.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

oh thanks, I have a DVD audio only version of 'The War of the Worlds' I'm meaning to listen to at some point this coming week.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

So I'm going to do a little cross promotion here...just posted the threads for next month's Animation Challenge. Year 10!

List thread here.

Discussion thread here.


You're welcome!

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Finished the last two films in the Invisible Man series. The first one was pretty farcical, Invisible Agent. It didn't know if it was a horror/mystery film or a comedy. Peter Lorre was in it very recognizably. It was, however, better than the next one, The Invisible Man's Revenge. This one made no sense. It was the worst of the five. Overall, it was watchable, but I doubt I'd ever want to watch it again where I would watch The Invisible Woman again.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

It's more comedy... but not all that good. I've always felt Lorre and Cedric Hardwicke are present mainly to add more box office draw. The movie *does* benefit from their presence. Otherwise it's a rather stock WWII story with the Invisible Man grafted on because that's what everyone was doing (the WWII connection bit that is) in those years.

Did you spot Keye Luke? (I tried switching to the "enhanced editor" to embed the image but it broke... badly... - and I can't get any editor to display the photo using the IMDB link so it's on his name)

I'd absolutely put Revenge at the bottom of the group. No true hero, sub-par visual effects, just another run-of-the-mill story with invisibility thrown in for box office appeal.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I agree, they were a benefit to the movie! I think you nailed it saying that it was a stock film since everyone was doing it and let's support the war type of thing. Pulled out the nearest script and tweaked it. I saw the actor in the movie, yes, but until I looked at his filmography, didn't realize who he was. I've watched a lot of his performances and probably went, huh, he looks familiar, without realizing why!

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Revisited Ghosts of Mars. The Indicator Blu Ray is nice and the film has some entertaining moments, but I have to ask the question, "was this just a paycheck film for Carpenter?". Sure felt that way. If the director's name was left off the credits i would be hard pressed to identify this as a Carpenter film.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I don't know if he just did it for the paycheck, but Carpenter was certainly on the decline at this point in his career (and would only direct one other feature). I only watched it once when it was new. Was this the movie with the ludicrous flashback structure (flashbacks within flashbacks within flashbacks)?

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Yes. I prefer to think of it as Carpenter's Rio Lobo (1970) to his El Dorado (1966) (Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)), though that may still be giving both movies and Carpenter too much credit.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Thoughts for next year's challenge:

Actors to Add:
Dwayne Johnson (16 titles)
Josh Hutcherson (10 titles)

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

THANK YOU! I always love suggestions and appreciate you offering them! I'll add these to the first post so I don't forget next year.

Anyone else think of actors/directors/changes to add?

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

300: Rise of an Empire (2014), Zach Snyder's followup to his 2006 300 feels like more of the same with a script and story in need of work. I liked 300 but felt it needed less of the slow-mo battle sequences. Well... they're back with a vengeance in the sort-of sequel. It's visually interesting, frequently looking like a comic come to life, but suffers from a story that's just a bit too much comic come to life. It was OK but not something I see myself revisiting as much as anything because I've never rewatched 300.

Tonight I finally opened and watched the "Director's Cut" of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. A Spielberg SF outing from 1977 that I've always found to be a rather overblown, turgid, affair with a wholly unsatisfying ending. I didn't care for the movie when it came out and still do not. The "Director's Cut" does nothing to change my opinion of the movie. It's one of the "SF" movies Spielberg's done that has convinced me he needs to be kept away from the genre and stick to what he truly does best - biographical/historical drama and Indiana Jones movies. SF is not his forte.

Re: 12th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Was going through my movies, trying to figure out what to watch (still going back and forth between Raiders of the Lost Ark and Fellowship of the Ring) and saw my collection of Avengers movies. I'm thinking next year, we should add watch a "superhero movie" to the subgenre list. Yeas or nays?