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  • #2181969

    Favorite Sci-Fi Films

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    by gralfus ·

    Most of these are the old ones that the Sci-Fi channel won’t show (in favor of their own tripe like “Python”, “Anaconda”, “Python vs Anaconda”, etc.), but many of us grew up with. I’m sure there are some I’ve overlooked.

    Most of these are available on Amazon.

    War of the Worlds
    This Island Earth
    The Thing
    Earth Vs. the Flying Saucers
    The Crawling Eye
    The Day the Earth Stood Still
    Forbidden Planet
    Invasion of the Body Snatchers (original)
    Quartermass and the Pit (aka “Five Million Years to Earth”)
    The Day the Earth Caught Fire
    The Blob
    Fiend Without a Face
    The Monolith Monsters
    Island of Terror
    The Brain from Planet Arous
    The Power (hard to find this George Hamilton flick from 1968)

    The Terminator (1 & 2, 3 was a joke)
    The Matrix (only the first)

    I saw one years ago called “The Flesh Eaters”, which was a B&W about a nazi scientist who develops sparkly little creatures that live in water and consume all flesh. Can’t seem to locate it anywhere.

All Comments

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    • #3170026

      Star Wars, hands down

      by j j k ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      The creation of an entire space’fairy tale’, the invention of concepts,technologies and worlds just like Jules Verne did many years before, the development of special effects used in the films,and,finally the ability to have squillions of people anticipating the next release of the saga over a period of almost thirty years and multiple generations, all puts Star Wars into a league of its own.

      • #3170499

        Stars Wars is about

        by tony hopkinson ·

        In reply to Star Wars, hands down

        the worst science fiction I’ve ever come across. The first film was excellent though. I still remember, queuing outside the local cinema for the first screening in our town. Empire Strikes Back was better in some ways, except for those stupid furry things. The rest of them, absolutely pathetic.

        • #3169885

          My sentiments precisely ….

          by jardinier ·

          In reply to Stars Wars is about

          My opinion is that the Star Wars series was aimed at children under 10 years of age.

          Because I find the previews so boring and infantile, I have never felt inclined to endure a whole movie in this series.

        • #3169849

          Well I was a very young chap

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to My sentiments precisely ….

          when it first came out, in fact it was the first time I ever went to the cinema by myself.
          Cinematically Star Wars the film was a masterpiece, in terms of sci-fi it sucked big time.

        • #3171081

          Julian!!!!!

          by jkaras ·

          In reply to My sentiments precisely ….

          Hey I thought you were gone. I havent seen a post from you in ages, or at least the threads that I have been participating in at least. Glad to see you still kicking.

        • #3171420

          Hello again

          by jardinier ·

          In reply to Julian!!!!!

          Thanks for the welcome back. I guess I just got so sick of the bad blood that erupted in certain discussions that I felt I needed a break.

          I have been using the extra free time developing my new website: http://www.gardening4pleasure.com

        • #3171194

          A bit harsh

          by jkaras ·

          In reply to Stars Wars is about

          They were great movies that captured people’s imagination that you could be more in a hard world/universe, a coming of age that was it’s message. It always was aimed at kids, even the kid at heart in most adults.

          There is no way of telling what is or isnt scientifically correct. Most of our knowledge about space/time is all theory, not 100% accurate, until we actually set foot on another planet, or develop true space exploration, or actually time travel it’s just entertainment. Sci fi is so important to our evolution that people dont really understand it’s impact. Every gadget we have today was inspired by some kid who saw it in a movie and made it a reality later in life.

          We know there isnt really any sound in space due to a vacuum. ME, I want sound in my movies during a fight scene. Imagine how lame the fights would be just seeing lasers and people screaming, wait no sound just mouths agape. I’m sure the mime community would love the opprotunity for work. I liked the fact that shields took a beating, Destroyers couldnt steer fast, military tactics, just to name a few. It was space samuri’s against gun toting technology! The old ways were better, rather than progress being superior.

          What I do hate in sci fi movies is messing up time paradoxs like Paycheck. I hate a whole movie about the fagility of messing with time only to have the “hero” at the end cheat to advance their desires without any consequences for some odd reason. The character caused the downfall of man through his invention, had to sacrifice his fortune to get the things he needed to right the wrongs, get the girl, cheat death, and oh yeah got his fortune back by buying a lottery ticket that equaled the fortune he should of gotten for his invention, yeah that blew dog. There are other movies without a doubt that infringe on this travesty, but you get my gist.

          I go to a movie to be entertained, not learn life’s lessons, that’s my job or my parents, an $8.50 movie ticket just isnt going to make it happen. I try to suspend disbelief and look at a picture overall, I’m not looking for absolute true life, just imagining a different reality that could be reality if I lived in that environment. I admit I pick apart a movie afterwards on the “holes” witnessed, but only bag on it if the ending blew. A movie could be mediocre through most of it, but if it nails the ending, then its a keeper. Some have the idea so perfect, but horrible “hollywood” ending that they made from their focus groups. This is what kills movies, they need to stick with the ending that was written originally. The problem is that it is big business, not art, and the more happy people the more successful it will be. I want movie magic, that’s what I’m paying for, I want the hero to win, but there always should be a price to be paid (a death/loss of money), and unfortunately todays movies are missing that vital componant

        • #3171190

          Sound in space

          by neilb@uk ·

          In reply to A bit harsh


          Yet 2001 was absolutely stunning because Clarke wouldn’t allow sound. As no one else has had the balls to follow his example we get whoosh crash bang wallop zip zap bdoyyyng in every film.

          You might like it but there are those of us who wince at what Hollywood does to good stories to satisfy the lowest common denominator. Put your popcorn down and use your BRAIN!

          (Not personally aimed at you, j)

        • #3192354

          Could n’t agree more

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to A bit harsh

          Time travel into the past does me in completely. Ok it’s a grate basis for some plot lines, but it’s utterly stupid, sot of a Marty McFly idea on a bad day.

    • #3169989

      My List of Favorites

      by bfilmfan ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Being a B movie fanatic, I’ve developed a very ecletic list.

      12:01 PM (30 minute short)

      Myron Castleman (Kurtwood Smith, who is on That 70’s Show as Red) is stuck living in the same 59 minute loop of time. Absolutely unnerving lil gem of terror.

      The Quiet Earth

      Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) wakes up alone, as the last man in the world. The film has generated a large amount of contoversy over the exact meaning of the end of the film, which has generated reams of messages in the sci fi flick oriented discussion groups about the net.

      Blade Runner

      ‘Nuff said on this one all over the net.

      The Andromeda Strain

      While starting to look a bit dated, this one is a masterpiece at the study of the interaction of characters in a pressure cooker situation.

      Primer

      What happens when you play God abd you are but mortal.

      Primer won several awards at Sundance this year, and though it is a new film, it is a definite keeper.

      You can see a trailer for the film here:

      http://www.primermovie.com/trailer-Large.html

      2001

      ‘Nuff said on this one too!

      A Clockwork Orange

      I am torn on deciding if this film is science fiction or a horror movie in science fiction trappings or social commentary wearing horror and science fiction cloaks. One of the classics.

      A Boy and His Dog

      Vic and Blood have interesting adventures in Harlan Ellison’s very dark look at post-nuclear America.

      Donnie Darko

      This is one really strange mind-bending look at what passes for reality in one teenager’s head.

      • #3170770

        Donnie Darko!

        by jamesrl ·

        In reply to My List of Favorites

        Have you seen the director’s cut with the added footage? I have only seen the original which I loved. According to some of the reviewers though, the added footage takes away some of the schizoid mystery which helps make the film what it is…but I am really curious.

        Love Andromeda Strain, 2001

        Just about anything based on Philip K Dick novels.

        James

        • #3169631

          Director’s Cut

          by bfilmfan ·

          In reply to Donnie Darko!

          Yes, I picked that up and obviously the director and I have totally different opinions of the 2 films. I prefer the original release since it does leave the whole thing as a clouded lens through which we view Donnie.

        • #3171143

          Andromeda Strain

          by jbaker ·

          In reply to Donnie Darko!

          Was not based on Philip K. Dick, it was based on a Micheal Crichton book.

          However, most of the PKD stories that have been turned into movies have been excellent. (Bladerunner, Minority Report, Screamers, Imposter, Total Recal, Paycheck)

        • #3170951

          Wasn’t saying that

          by jamesrl ·

          In reply to Andromeda Strain

          It was a list – obviously 2001 wasn’t Dick either.

          My wife collects Philip K Dick books. Most of the movies don’t do them justice. Blade Runner set a pretty high bar.

          James

    • #3169978

      Great a person who likes

      by zlitocook ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Great old movies and some of the new ones. Evil dead and any thing like that I love to watch. I will have to review my saved VHS movies, I have alot of great old movies that I like to watch. Roger Corman was a great B movie maker, I have alot of his movies on VHS and DVD. I just rented a movie called Devil at the door from Hollywood video, it was a great campy DVD and was a hoot to watch.

    • #3169977

      My List

      by jmgarvin ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Plan 9 from Outerspace
      Santa Clause vs the Martians
      This Island Earth
      The Day the Earth Stood Still
      Them!
      Conquest of Space
      It!
      War of the Worlds
      The Giant Gila Monster
      The Hideous Sun Demon
      Kronos
      Star Wars
      The Leech Woman
      Attack of the Leeches
      Alien Nation
      They Live

      • #3170644

        They Live!

        by gralfus ·

        In reply to My List

        I forgot that one. I love the “Put the glasses on!” scene.

        • #3170607

          Yep

          by jkaras ·

          In reply to They Live!

          What made that scene even better was South Park’s direct copy of the dialog/fight during the cripple fight in an omage to the scene. When I saw that scene on South Park something kept hitting on the back of my head then it hit me and I fell off the couch laughing so hard I couldnt breathe. Timmy is my favorite, then butters.

          What made that movie for me was the subliminal projections on everything on the money, magazines, and billboards. The best line was ” I am here to chew bubblegum and kick some @$$,….and I’m all out of bubblegum.” I have this little gem in my collection!!!!

          If you like that movie then “Vampires” by John Carpender that has James Woods and one of the Baldwins will have you rolling the entire time. James is the biggest a-hole in the movie and everytime he opens his mouth it is so funny.

        • #3170576

          Longest fight scene ever!

          by jmgarvin ·

          In reply to They Live!

          “I’m here to kick ass and chew bubble gum…and I’m all out of gum.”

    • #3169973

      “Charlie”

      by deepsand ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Based on the short story [i]Flowers for Algernon,”[/i] it was the 1st (and only?) SF movie to land the Oscar for Best Actor.

    • #3169957

      My psycho list

      by jdclyde ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Empire of the Ants
      Outland ***
      Saturn 8

      B movies

      The Stuff
      Hell goes to frog town (rowdie piper, too funny!)

      And while not Sci-fi, I picked up tonight the COLLECTORS EDITION of MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL!. lots of extra goodies, in high def wide screen! Comes with the screen play book and a slide copied from the original film. comes with the following warning.
      Warning: The Senitype* is a limite edition art graphic and not a laxative although frequent viewing of monty python & the holy grail may help keep you regular. If symptons persist, please consult a doctor.

      Collectors edition, number 137387.

      Can you believe that was from 1974?

      • #3172510

        Outland!

        by roger99a ·

        In reply to My psycho list

        Good movie. I picked up the DVD. For those that don’t know, Sean Connery is the sherrif on a deep space mining colony full of meth addicts.

        • #3172473

          Has something for everyone

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Outland!

          like the manager with the video golf, long before they became big in the US.

      • #3169632

        Roddy Piper and THEM

        by bfilmfan ·

        In reply to My psycho list

        Considering the really good work he did in They Live, which was a lot better than the directing efforts of Carpenter, but I digress; they should give him another shot at a role in a remake of Them.

        I would buy him being the state patrolman role.

    • #3169902

      Is this counted as a SCI-FI

      by black panther ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Starship Troopers! 🙂

      • #3170808

        I think it is

        by j.lupo ·

        In reply to Is this counted as a SCI-FI

        But the 2nd ST movie was horrible. I like Richard Burgi as an actor, but they really blew it making the 2nd movie. Didn’t fit in the theme of the first movie.

      • #3171958

        Despite the fact that it is less than faithful to the book, yes.

        by deepsand ·

        In reply to Is this counted as a SCI-FI

        [i]Starship Troopers[/i] is an SF classic, written by Robert Heinlein.

      • #3170497

        They ruined that

        by tony hopkinson ·

        In reply to Is this counted as a SCI-FI

        the book was far better.

        • #3170462

          Books? Most people can’t be bothered.

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to They ruined that

          The movie [i]Charlie[/i], based on the short story [i]”Flowers for Algernon”[/i], spawned a book by the same title as the movie.

          In the theaters were bill boards touting the book that was “based on the movie!”

          Despite that, most people thought it the other way around, as was usually the case.

        • #3170354

          Well reading seems to be a dying art

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to Books? Most people can’t be bothered.

          some of the drivel I’ve read recently, so is writing unfortunately.

          You can count movies that stay to the spirit of a book, on the fingers of one hand. For those of us who enjoy a read, attempts at visualising a favourite story are always going to fail in some way, once it’s been made more spectacular for Hollywood, in general they are going to fail miserably.
          Even two people who read the same book can both enjoy it very much and still get very different things out of it when they internalise the story are relate it to their own personal experiences.

          Chuck in the visually richer, but conceptually shallower medium of image and they could both hate it. For someone who hasn’t read the book though, it could be considered very good.

          Stands for films as well. Compare a Fistful of Dollars with Last Man Standing for instance.

        • #3170272

          Agreed

          by jmgarvin ·

          In reply to Well reading seems to be a dying art

          Reading AND writing are dying. Most of the crap that comes out is no better than the typical hollywood farces.

          What really kills me is that there are plenty of good writers (Timmothy Zahn comes to mind), but they seem to be ignored for some reason.

        • #3169788

          Sad, but true.

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to Agreed

          Given the direction we seem to be going, we might yet see the world of [i]Fahrenheit 451[/i], without need of the Fire Company.

    • #3170805

      Ok, I have a lot too but can never remember their titles

      by j.lupo ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Space 1999 is one that I sort of remember. I love sci-fi, but titles can never remember any of them. 🙁

      Battlestar Galactica (the original not the new one)
      The Sentinel (not really sci-fi, but SF channel did play it)

      The thing with 2 heads
      Mars Attacks
      Land of the Lost
      Land of the Giants

      Can’t think of the others. Could tell their plots, but that is it. I’ll add more if I can think of them.

      • #3172002

        Whle I watched most of them

        by jdclyde ·

        In reply to Ok, I have a lot too but can never remember their titles

        I think they were looking for Movies, not TV shows.

        YES, I LOVED space 1999. Used to make their phaser out of legos all the time!

        • #3172325

          Yeah I think they were looking for movies

          by j.lupo ·

          In reply to Whle I watched most of them

          I just can’t remember titles and I think some of these started as movies and then became TV shows.

          Space Above and Beyond I think was another one.

          Time Bandits
          Planet of the Apes 😉
          Farenheit 451 (I think that was one, may have the title wrong)

    • #3170796

      Stargate

      by house ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      I’ve got a weakness for Egyptian mythology.

    • #3170784

      Soylent Green is People

      by roger99a ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      I have to mention Charlton Heston’s contributions, like Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green and The Omega Man.

      Also anything done by Harry Harryhausen. Remember Clash of the Titans? And the Sinbad movies with a 19 year old Jane Seymour. Yum.

      You mentioned The Thing. Is that the original or the John Carpenter remake with Kurt Russell as a bad actor?

      • #3170642

        Oh yeah

        by gralfus ·

        In reply to Soylent Green is People

        I saw all of those Heston movies in the theatre when I was a kid. Great stuff! I still remember the shock at the end of Planet of the Apes where the camera is just behind the Statue of Liberty looking down on the beach.

        “Earth vs. the Flying Saucers” is a Ray Harryhausen film also. I love the Sinbad films too, but I think of them more as fantasy than sci-fi.

        Original “The Thing”, with James Arness as the…thing.

      • #3169828

        Old Heston Flicks

        by house ·

        In reply to Soylent Green is People

        Soylent Green and Omega Man rock… I forgot about those movies. Thanks for that one. Now I’m going on the hunt to try to find those two. I haven’t seen them in years.

    • #3170777

      Does this one count as “sci-fi”?

      by jck ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Heavy Metal

      Loved that film…kick ass soundtrack…great animation…a vocal cast of incredible talent.

    • #3170762

      movie favs

      by afram ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Star Wars is top of my list.
      Aliens and Alien are next.
      Independence Day was cheesey, but I liked it.
      And how can you not love Bomb#20 from Dark Star?

      • #3170639

        Dark Star

        by gralfus ·

        In reply to movie favs

        “You’ll have to use Phenomonology”
        And the beachball alien… “Guys, how could it live if it was full of air?”

        • #3171951

          So i wasn’t the only one…

          by black panther ·

          In reply to Dark Star

          who watched that movie! 🙂

      • #3171952

        thanks I was trying to think of that movie

        by black panther ·

        In reply to movie favs

        Dark Star – the bomb who talked – the robot who died ( and i almost cried ) – what a classic!!! 🙂

    • #3170747

      ahem…

      by jkaras ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      No particular order
      Star Wars even the new ones but the originals were the best.
      Terminator/T2
      Total Recall
      Evil Dead II/Army of Darkness
      The Last Starfighter (cheesy I know but still was fun)
      Aliens (the perfect blend of action, great one liners, and scary moments, the other movies never cam close)
      The Cube (not sure this is actual scifi but a great movie of survival, a must see)
      Primer (imagine how much better it could have been with a budget a must see)
      Any Godzilla movie from the 70-80’s they rocked!!!
      They Live
      Invasion of the Body snatchers
      Communion (this was where I became a fan of Christopher Walken)
      Starship Troopers (the first one only, mad funny)
      Original Robocop
      Time Cop (you have to admit it was a great idea)
      Predator
      XMEN/X2/Spiderman and II/Batman
      Blade/II
      Highlander (great idea and the tv series did a great job, too bad the follow up movie blew)
      Battle Beyond the Stars (Johnboy from the Waltons, George Peppard as “Space Cowboy”) man it was a silly movie but I watched it all the time.
      Cocoon (interesting idea wasnt great but entertaining and poked the question of tolerance)
      Close Encounters
      Starman
      Jurassic Park (it made the right dinosaur movie too bad they couldnt continue the quality)
      Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan (Star Trek finally got one right, great villian great story, great action, great character development. The only other Trek movie that comes close was Generations and First Contact, they were good)
      The Matrix, (and even the follow ups werent too bad but not great.)
      Pitch Black
      Logan’s Run
      The Abyss
      Escape from New York
      Dune
      Enemy Mine (hatred vs. survival)
      Deep Impact (the correct Armageddon)
      Alien Nation (great paralell of racism)
      Scanners
      Death Race 2000 (stallone and Carridan this was a joke of a movie that will have you rolling)
      Mars Attacks (if you dont find this funny your dead)
      Superman (best represntation of a comic hero fantastic casting)
      Existenz (very trippy)
      All Mad Max
      there are so many more I’m just drawing a blank right now, I am ashamed.

      • #3170724

        What he said…

        by Jay Garmon ·

        In reply to ahem…

        I’d agree with pretty much everything on the jkaras list, but also throw in The Fifth Element, for reasons I can’t quite explain, and maybe Minority Report.

        • #3170636

          Yowsa

          by gralfus ·

          In reply to What he said…

          Fifth Element is great. I can watch it repeatedly and not be bored. Still haven’t seen Minority Report, something to look forward to I guess.

      • #3170631

        cube

        by itgirli ·

        In reply to ahem…

        have you seen cube squared?

        • #3170619

          No

          by jkaras ·

          In reply to cube

          I saw a review on http://www.chud.com (great site btw for movie reviews, upincomings, rumors and dvds. Their reviews and interviews are really funny and quite accurate if you might like a certain film.)about it and it said it ws ok. I did unfortunately saw Hypercube, man that blew. Interesting idea just got rather silly having the the guy from Forever Knight turn into a cannibal in under 24 hours eating all of his past selves. It should not have been produced by SciFi channel. What did you think of squared? I cant find it at my local Blockbuster and I dont have Netflix and dont want to open an account just for a few movies. I defintely wont buy it sight unseen, but I am curious.

        • #3170609

          I wasn’t overly impressed

          by itgirli ·

          In reply to No

          I mean, really, how much can they do with it? I would just wait until it comes on SciFi. usually at 3 or 4 a.m.

        • #3170598

          Original cube

          by gralfus ·

          In reply to cube

          I thought the original cube movie was very interesting, though the one guy that went mad did so pretty easily. The other cube movie had an interesting premise, but wasn’t nearly as intriguing as the original.

      • #3171902

        Dune? NO WAY!

        by neilb@uk ·

        In reply to ahem…

        Absolute shite! As an adaptation of a [b]classic[/b] book it was criminal and as a movie in its own right it was pathetic. The only thing that was mildly OK was the baroque styling but that palled after a while.

        It so missed the point of the book.

        You might want to rethink MM Thunderdome as well? Matrix was OK – good FX – but Matrix Bollocks and Matrix Balls? Gah!

        Neil

        Mars Attacks? Sublime! When I’m calling you-ou-ou-ou[Splat!]-ou. 😀

        • #3172467

          Huh?

          by jkaras ·

          In reply to Dune? NO WAY!

          Dune was pretty good for special effects and the idea of the story. It was confusing to understand all the political intrique in that version. When I saw the SciFi channel’s made for tv movie it explained the hows and the whys better. I did want to read the books but their are soo many and the story it appears from people that I know say it will never end. I am frustrated with a series already called The Wheel of Time which is a medival version of Dune. I might pick up the books but doubt it. Books have an advantage over movies to properly explain everything, that will never change, I just look to see if they get the visual aspect correct and the proper ending. Can you think of any book made to a movie that got it right? Jaws was different, Fight Club was different, I am sure there are more I just cant think of any more titles becase most books that I have read havent been made into movies.

          Thunderdome was entertaining and had some great one liners. I am a big fan of Mel even if he has recently gone off the deep end. He isnt the greatest actor, but very charasmatic in just about anything he does. Was it a masterpiece? No, but it had some really good parts. My favorite was the speech from the MC in Thunder dome “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, dying times here.” Man that guy nailed that speech, it was cool and scary. I actually caught The Road Warrior on the other night and I was laughing at how low budget it looked. WHen I saw that movie for the first time I thought it was the coolest thing I ever saw. I will always love the movie because of the nostalgia remembering where and when and whom I have seen that movie with that I no longer am in contact with.

          The Matrix had a great idea of reality and the showing the prison of life that many experience today. The scene where Mr. Anderson is in a sterile white cubicle basically chained to a desk forced into conformity like a drone depressed then gets to live life hit home with many people. It wasnt all special effects it appealed to the dreamers. Cypher wanting to back into the womb afraid to face the reality of life wanting a storybook ending rather than hardship. Hope verses despair in a world gone crazy. I think it was very well written and should have stopped the story there leaving imagination to the people to determine everyone’s fate. The special effects were amazing, the story unfortunately had to take a backseat in the sequels.

          I am suprised that you not being American wouldnt find Mars Attack really funnny? The whole movie poked fun at our superficial flaws, greed, stupidity at times, and our politics. It had sick humor and really neat props that is Tim Burtons signature in all his movies. Tell me you didnt laugh at the Washington Monument being knocked over to crush a boyscout group? Slim Witman’s music killing the aliens? The Kennedy room at the White House? The first lady only caring about the Nancy Reagan chandelier? The mother saying as she loaded teh shotgun that the aliens wouldnt get her small junky tv in a mobile home? His props always have a blend of old time trickets fused with futuristic qualities, its an omage to classic movies that he grew up wanting to be a director. If you pay attention to the little things you like his style more despite the genre of his odd movies. The only movie by him that I didnt like so far was Big Fish, I never saw Monkeybone and doubt I will, but Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Batman, Sleepy Hallow, Edward Sissorhands, in my book were quite decent.

          Lastly I love your avatar who is that guy? Everytime I see it I roll.

        • #3172277

          My avatar

          by neilb@uk ·

          In reply to Huh?

          Hilary Briss, the Butcher of Royston Vasey – ask for the Special Stuff.

          “Fear is the best insurance money can buy”

          This is perhaps the most imaginative comedy in the UK in recent years. Hilary is – by far and away – not the weirdest character. All of the main characters are played by three actors. There are bits of the comedy that I find quite wonderfully sinister…

          Check out: http://www.lunacynet.com/league/ for the characters and http://www.leagueofgentlemen.co.uk/newepisodelist.shtml for the scripts.

          Series One is available in region 1 DVD should you like the look of it.

          Back to the subject. Books to films? The one I thought that they’d never do – The Lord of the Rings – was a pretty good try!

          In Dune, the Movie, they missed most of the significant stuff that was the point of the story! It was, and is, one of my favourite books and I thought the TV series of Dune&Messiah&Children was much better.

          Seems like we agree on Matrix.

          Thunderdome? I just couldn’t take TinaT seriously!

          Mars Attacks. We do get exposed to enough American culture over here that I got enough of the jokes to make that movie priceless. I’ve seen it twice and it gets better.

          Neil 🙂

        • #3171536

          Many across the pond don’t get Mars Attacks?

          by jmgarvin ·

          In reply to My avatar

          From your comment I would guess the folks “over there” don’t get Mars Attacks? Is it the American humor or the pokes a pop culture/cold war culture?

          I love that movie…Man, it was dead on on so many levels!

        • #3171533

          Quite the reverse!

          by neilb@uk ·

          In reply to Many across the pond don’t get Mars Attacks?

          What I said was that we get exposed to enough American culture for Mars Attacks to come over as funny.

        • #3171534

          My Hero (the TV Show)

          by jmgarvin ·

          In reply to My avatar

          Is it out on DVD? I loved the show and I can’t seem to find it anywhere! British comedy at its worst (best?)…

        • #3171527

          No accounting for taste

          by neilb@uk ·

          In reply to My Hero (the TV Show)

          I absolutely hated that one. Especially the later series where they had a kid. 😀

          My Hero series 3 is available on DVD for our region. Not sure whether it’s in Region 1, yet.

        • #3171486

          I only saw the early-mid part of the series

          by jmgarvin ·

          In reply to No accounting for taste

          When they had the kid is when they stopped playing it here. I did get a chance to see a couple of episodes with the kid and they seemed funny…

        • #3170479

          Dune.

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to Huh?

          I’ve got to completely agree about Dune though, the film possibly stands up by itself sort of maybe, but compared to the books, it’s just utter shite.
          Might be a social thing but Baron Harkonen’s indicator of depravity was not having heart plugs fitted to guys dressed in bin bags, he was a pederast
          Get the books, there’s only six
          Dune, Dune Messiah, Children Of Dune, God Emperor, Heretics and Chapter House. Steer well clear of those follow ups by that other prick, he couldn’t write out shopping list.
          de ja vu eh Neil.

        • #3170253

          and yet,

          by jaqui ·

          In reply to Dune.

          Frank Herbert was happy with what was filmed.

          he stated in an interview that what was filmed was perfect. what was released was only about 25 to 30 percent of what was filmed.

          apparently there is talk of releasing a dvd with nothing cut, putting the entire book into it instead of limiting to a 2 hour block.

        • #3169847

          True but what

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to and yet,

          Frank was trying to communicate and what I recieved are two different things. May be I completely misunderstood the guy, still read the books every now and then, and some of his others.
          Watched the film once, won’t ever do it again, though if said DVD came out I would be tempted I suppose.

        • #3171133

          Wheel of Time

          by jbaker ·

          In reply to Huh?

          I do not think that Robert Jordan’s series can be called a medieval Dune. It does share a couple of character similarities, but other than that, no comparison.

          Yes, there are about 70 Dune books (only a slight exaggeration), but they are all excellent. They have been called “thinking man’s sci-fi”, and they really do fit that description well.

        • #3171110

          Yes and no

          by jkaras ·

          In reply to Wheel of Time

          I know they are quite different genres, but the character mapping is quite simular. Both main characters are a demigod to much power for a mortal man to carry, forced to war to unite all for the greater good bound by prophecies and everyone trying to use them for their agenda. Both stories have a witch class society of women who use their magic/influence to allow certain societies to rise and fall, a more female driven society rather than male. Both have a society of peace loving that became the fiercest most tough fighters. Well ok a bit of a strech, the Fremin were always fighters, just were enslaved, compared to the Wheel of Time characters, but a simular principle.

          Are they quite simular yes in a general sort of way not in its intended direction. I never read the Dune books because their are so many apparently. Thats what has turned me off to Wheel of Time. The story has gotten too muddy and it appears it will never end. Instead of continuing the story he is publishing the prequels like he is George Lucas or something. I love the series, the ideas, the societies, not everyone is whom they appear to be,and the understanding of the power, but come on and lets progress.

          I feel that if I start on the Dune books I will feel the frustration of a never ending saga. Its the same reason why I never read the Star Wars books. Everyone says they are a great read, and horrible by other ghost writers that confuse the direction. Some one else reccommended certain books of the series and I might pick them up, I’m dying for a good read after George R.R. Martin has failed to complete another book in like three years. OUt of all the Dune books which are the ones you reccommend and which author?

        • #3192347

          Frank Herberts

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to Yes and no

          are all good and best read in order I feel.
          Whatever you do don’t read the dune books that weren’t by Frank, they are absolute drivel. Aside from the fact that the completely break the chronology, spirit and character base of the original universe they would be crap all by them selves.
          So thats
          Dune
          Dune Messaiah
          Children Of Dune
          God Emperor Of Dune (His best in my opinion)
          Heretics Of Dune
          Chapter House Dune

          I’m waiting for George to finish off A song Of Ice and Fire as well. Other good reads though are CJ Cherryh, Steven Erikson, Orson Scott Card and the inimitable Stephen Donaldson.

        • #3171042

          70 dune Books? No No No No

          by neilb@uk ·

          In reply to Wheel of Time

          Tony has already posted on this! Frank Herbert wrote SIX novels. It reached it’s real conclusion at #4 – God Emperor but he wrote two more and that’s OK because he’s the author and it was his universe. Then he died. That’s it. End of story.

          The prequels and add-ons and other crap are all just fluff. I just wish those “authors” would sod off and invent their own universe but I suppose that’s asking for some form of literary talent.

        • #3171085

          I have to agree jkaras

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Huh?

          I think Neil not “getting” some of them is the equivilent of many here in the US not “getting” Monty Python. Hard to understand, but it happens.

          (accept Thunderdome was the weakest of the MM stories.)

          I LOVE the matix, and it was the first DVD I ever broke down and bought.

          Mars attacks, THAT is a funny show. But you just have to be “a little off” to “get it” I guess.

          (captain kangaroo, right neil? LOL! Bloody wrong!)

        • #3171504

          Mars Attacks is brilliant!

          by neilb@uk ·

          In reply to I have to agree jkaras

          Misread my post! Matrix was a ground-breaker and good but the sequels were a pretentious waste of space – except for my leather fetish with Trinity.

          And we agree about Thunderdome.

          Lots of Brits don’t “get” Monty Python (I’m not one of them, though) and I think the nice thing is that not eveybody’s taste is the same.

          The best current sitcom in the World is The Simpsons. It gets better and better.

          😀

        • #3171445

          Then I retract my disagreement with your agreement

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Mars Attacks is brilliant!

          As yes, the “other” matrixies were just a way to pull additional revenue. And question, how did it go from an almost all white cast to a almost all colored cast? Woo Woo! Trinity peals the leather OFF! And the best part is they didn’t show enough to ruin my fantacies!

          Futurama is catching up to Simpsons fast.

        • #3171239

          But Futurama has ended, hasn’t it?

          by neilb@uk ·

          In reply to Then I retract my disagreement with your agreement

          I agree that it’s good but, to me, Simpsons it’s not. I don’t know the current status of Futurama being “on hold”. I’ve heard it “may come back” but if the writers have gone off to other projects then it’s dead.

          Agree with you about the Matrix and the change of racial mix. Weird?

          I’m having trouble with this thread – Trinity AND Jenny Agutter.

          BRRRRRRRRRRR! :p

      • #3170487

        ARRGH

        by tony hopkinson ·

        In reply to ahem…

        Dune. I waited for that. Finally watched it and I was so disappointed. Some of the imagery was brilliant, but why did they have to f**k with the story, and if you are going to give the fremen glowing blue eyes, try to have their eyes in their sockets.
        Coccoon, I enjoyed.
        Alien Nation was classic scifi
        The Abyss is one of my favourite ever movies.
        Predator II I enjoyed more than the first, but the first one was good as well.
        Deep Impact was very good
        Enemy Mine, even though the messed with the ending is probably one of the best true sci-fis ever made.
        I liked all the Alien films particularly Aliens, the Marine Corp is just great, on top of that Miss Weaver is visual viagra as far as I’m concerned.

        Got to add now because they seemed to have been skipped by all of afficionados, but three of my favourite sci-fis
        THX-1138 (shameless rip off of 1984 and Brave New World) The Quatermass experiment and the masterful Silent Running.
        2001 and 2015 weren’t bad either
        Also my favourite Science-Nonfiction movie Apollo 13.

      • #3171135

        Dune

        by jbaker ·

        In reply to ahem…

        The first Dune movie was a decent movie, but having read the books it ticked me off when it rained at the end….skipped several books. I think the Sci-Fi channel’s mini-series (Dune and Children of Dune) were much better at following Frank Herbert’s vision. That being said, David Lynch’s vision of the Dune universe was very good…and the visions, etc fit right into his trippy kind of film making.

    • #3170741

      Fave Sci-Fi?

      by jellimonsta ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Has to be Blade Runner. There are others that I like but BR is a classic! 🙂

      • #3170635

        Yep, that’s another

        by gralfus ·

        In reply to Fave Sci-Fi?

        Do you like the voiceover version or the director’s cut?

        • #3172327

          DIRECTOR’S CUT!

          by Jay Garmon ·

          In reply to Yep, that’s another

          The tacked-on voiceover and the hideous “happy ending” from the studio cut destroy the whole film. The Director’s cut restires the dystopia, and hits home the premise that even in a future where technology has made so much possible, so many are still trapped by who and what they are.

    • #3170630

      MST3K

      by itgirli ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      sorry, but those are my favorites. Any Mystery Science Theater 3000.

      I also liked Photographing Fairies.

      • #3171696

        Don’t tell me I’m the only one who likes

        by itgirli ·

        In reply to MST3K

        Mystery Science Theater 3000!!!!
        Are you people crazy?
        It was great. with Tom Servo and Gypsy and Crow and Cam-bot!!! Crow was always my favorite.
        I always wanted a job like MST3K.
        You people suck!

        • #3171681

          shouldn’t you say it more like…

          by jck ·

          In reply to Don’t tell me I’m the only one who likes

          CRROOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!

          hehehe…I watched MST3K long before it was popular on satellite when SciFi was a brand new network.

          hope that doesn’t ruin it for you. 🙁

        • #3171671

          nothing could ruin it.

          by itgirli ·

          In reply to shouldn’t you say it more like…

          That was the greatest show ever. I started watching it when it came on SciFi. I’ve been watching SciFi for a long time. There was no cooler show ever made. I want to do my own stuff like that. One of my favorites was shown back in 92 or 93, before I moved to Virginia, and there was this guy in it who was a scientist and he was with some girl who was in a white lab coat and he tied her to an examination table and she made this weird sound, And then the MST3K guys were all making fun of the sound, but you had to be there and see it. It was hilarious!

        • #3171630

          Mitchell !

          by afram ·

          In reply to nothing could ruin it.

          MST3K -now THAT’S funny.

          Mitchell wasn’t quite scifi, but “any movie with Wakachika in it is ok by me….wakachika wakachika wakachika wakachika”

        • #3171556

          Yes dear

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Don’t tell me I’m the only one who likes

          oh, sorry! When I got yelled at I had a flashback! AHHHH! Will take years of therapy to undo the training…..

          Yes, a most enjoyable show. Just never got much chance to watch it as I had lost control of the TV and was living with a dominearing bitch with no sence of humor. So I missed most.

          But yes, the editorials MADE otherwise mundane shows roll-on-the-floor funny.

        • #3191197

          comedy

          by itgirli ·

          In reply to Yes dear

          I have a tendency to watch only comedies or historically based action. And westerns.

          There is something seriously wrong with me.

        • #3191177

          tv and controlling beeeeatches

          by jck ·

          In reply to Yes dear

          I can relate, jdclyde.

          I grew up with 3 women that made me watch soap operas.

          God that sucked.

          My TV consists mainly of Discovery Networks television line-ups (Discovery, Discovery-Times, Science Channel, History Channel, History International), soccer fixtures, Comedy Central, Fox channels (locals, F/X, Fox Sports Net) or E! television

          I got little use for the “major” networks anymore. Most of their shows are horrible. You get a gem about once every 2-4 years that is good and lasts. Otherwise, it’s cable all the way for me.

    • #3170593

      Creature

      by awalt ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Creature from the Black Lagoon
      Any Twilight Zone episode (especially the old ones)

    • #3172072

      The Toxic Avenger!

      by jdclyde ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      That one always made me laugh it was so stupid.

      • #3172067

        Wow

        by jellimonsta ·

        In reply to The Toxic Avenger!

        Toxic Avenger, you are going to be reeling off Revenge of the Nerds and Weird Science next I bet! 🙂

        • #3172005

          Not even in the same class!

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Wow

          Revenge and weird both tried to be semi-serious comedies.

          toxic was right out of left field and stayed there! Definitely a show that was so bad it was good.

          Are you going to spurn the toxic avenger???

          Come to thing of it, I DID love when Booger said that he had already combed the highschools and there weren’t any babes to be found!

        • #3171068

          ?????

          by jkaras ·

          In reply to Not even in the same class!

          Did Troma film company go under? I remember last seeing them on that one “Geeks” game show. They were one of the prizes for the winner to star in a movie as a bit part. I liked that show if that what it was called. It was scary that I knew so much music/movie/tv trivia that I almost tried to be on the show. It was a shame it got cancelled, but then again just about every show i like gets dumped. Either I have bad taste or people just want stupid reality tv smut. Man those movies were bad but oh so funny, bimbos with switch baldes.

        • #3170883

          I have the same problem

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to ?????

          Both with movies AND music.

          I have come to the conclusion that I am perfectly normal! It is everyone else that is messed up.

          Thats my story and I’m sticking with it.

    • #3172000

      Anyone remember old Japanise fighter movie

      by jdclyde ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      It was called either inframan or enframan.

      Saw it at the drive-in theater when I was little, but could never find it ANYWHERE! Cure you internet for letting me down!

      Off topic, but I also loved [b]the Nude-bomb[/b]! A “Get Smart” movie.

      • #3172324

        Inframan aka Super Inframan

        by gralfus ·

        In reply to Anyone remember old Japanise fighter movie

        http://www.lovehkfilm.com/reviews/super_inframan.htm
        Retroflicks.com says they carry this. I can’t find any user feedback on them to know if they are good to do business with or not.

        I dunno, the Japanese monster flicks were fine for killing an afternoon when I was a kid, but the plots were often too weird to “get”. Godzilla would march into town and destroy it, everyone runs screaming. At the end he would march back into the sea and the kids would be crying “come back Godzilla!”.

        • #3169682

          He was just misunderstood

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Inframan aka Super Inframan

          And it is GodZirra!

          Cheesy, but at least I don’t have to worry about swearing or someones t!ts falling out when I watch it with my boys!

          Thanks for the link. Should get me on track.

    • #3171940

      Logan’s Run.

      by deepsand ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      By the way, are we talking about SF or Sci-Fi?

      It’s a subtle, but important, distinction.

      • #3171937

        Both :)

        by black panther ·

        In reply to Logan’s Run.

        Both 🙂

        science fiction
        n.
        A literary or cinematic genre in which fantasy, typically based on speculative scientific discoveries or developments, environmental changes, space travel, or life on other planets, forms part of the plot or background.

        3 entries found for Sci-Fi.
        sci-fi ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sf)
        n. Informal pl. sci-?fis
        Science fiction.

        adj.
        Of, relating to, being, or similar to science fiction: a sci-fi movie; a sci-fi weapons system.

        🙂

        • #3170537

          Sci-Fi is not SF

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to Both :)

          Sci-Fi is best described as a blend of SF ([i]science[/i] fiction) & fantasy.

          SF is grounded in the hard sciences; Sci-Fi introduces speculatory elements for which there is no empirical basis, such as mystical powers.

        • #3169636

          The Clarke Maximum

          by bfilmfan ·

          In reply to Sci-Fi is not SF

          “A sufficiently advanced culture shall have technology which may be viewed as magic.”

          I have yet to see a show really take that idea and run with it, although, the X-Files did use that to explain how the aliens could manage to get away with all kinds of “magical effects” such as stopping time.

        • #3171336

          Mission Impossible

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to The Clarke Maximum

          The early series depicted scenarios which, no matter how incredible they seemed, where all possible using then known technology. Several of my friends and had held regular [i]MI[/i] viewing parties, at which we tried to think of alternative means to accomplish the actions depicted.

          Later on, with the change in cast, it all got too mystical.

          PS. I think you meas the Clarke “Maxim.”

      • #3171903

        Jenny Agutter. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

        by neilb@uk ·

        In reply to Logan’s Run.

        I’m afraid she’s not aged as well as some others, though!

        • #3170541

          Stop ogling my women!

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to Jenny Agutter. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

          You’ll just have to make do with your Essex girls.

        • #3169872

          Jenny Agutter in “Walkabout”

          by jardinier ·

          In reply to Jenny Agutter. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

          The Australian movie “Walkabout” (available from Amazon) will give you a different perspective on Jenny Agutter.

          She is shown starkers, at her real age (then) of 19.

          Awesome !!!!!

        • #3169862

          Thanks for the memories!

          by neilb@uk ·

          In reply to Jenny Agutter in “Walkabout”

          I saw that one uncut a few years ago – Ch4 rarely cut. JA swimming in an outback pool. They showed it on the BBC relatively recently and that scene had been trimmed right back to just a few hints and “through the water” shots. I suppose it was because she was playing a schoolgirl and school uniform -> naked doen’t fit in these paedophile-phobic days.

          Nice to see you, J! You haven’t posted for a while.

          Neil 🙂

        • #3169789

          Clips & Pics

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to Thanks for the memories!

          [v]http://www.celebritymoviearchive.com/tour/name.php/492[/v]

          [v]http://www.celebguru.com/gallery-JennyAgutter-1.htm[/v]

        • #3169689

          Sorry, but ….

          by jardinier ·

          In reply to Clips & Pics

          Go see the film. She has such a lovely bushy growth where it counts.

        • #3171129

          Hey Deepsand

          by jbaker ·

          In reply to Clips & Pics

          Your second link tries to download trojans and spyware to my machine!

        • #3171339

          No problem here or in the office.

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to Clips & Pics

          Are you not behind a firewall?

      • #3172331

        Saw that the other day

        by gralfus ·

        In reply to Logan’s Run.

        It is still a pretty good story, though with 70’s overtones (like Farrah’s hair…sigh). Most of them would have starved after the city blew up.

        I remember Harlan Ellison making his exit speech from the Sci-Fi channel (he used to have a regular blurb on that channel) where he ranted against “sci-fi” as not being science fiction because it wasn’t even related to science. I see his point, and haven’t seen much science fiction in my whole life (outside of books, and a few classrooms in public school).

        • #3170534

          Star Trek vs Andromeda.

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to Saw that the other day

          These are excellent examples of the difference between Science Fiction & Sci-Fi.

          Unfortunately, too few understand the difference, let alone make the distinction.

        • #3171187

          Whch is which?

          by jkaras ·

          In reply to Star Trek vs Andromeda.

          I admit I’m not a “trekkie”, but never really missed much of any of their series. I tried a couple of times to watch Andromeda, but man that show blew. Horrible stories, really bad and I mean really bad acting. The Trek series had their moments and their really bad moments too. I loved the adage of you knew a bad episode if Riker didnt have a beard. Some characters were good, some were bad that became good, and some just got too important, almost god like.

          I used to love Babylon 5 because they great acting by some of the characters, other, well, ahem. You got to take the good with the bad. I did like the the follow up series of “Excaliber”. At least I believe that that was what the show was called. I loved the idea of the magical box that the captain won in a card game that steered them through suggestions, like it was god testing mankind whether they were evolved enough morally to be allowed to survive. To bad the show got cancelled before it took off.

          Can you remember what the other Gene Roddenbury show was that tanked? I remember it was about a cop that got infused with alien dna to help adjust their integretion on our planet. They tried to merge xfiles with, Mike Hammer as the main guy who lost most of his memory hunting down the killer of his wife while trying to get over his hatred of the aliens. It wasnt great but was rather interesting.

        • #3171044

          Earth Final Conflict

          by jamesrl ·

          In reply to Whch is which?

          While it had Gene’s name on it(as did Andromeda) it was really a loose idea of his that his wife drove to completion after his death(in both cases).

          Earth Final Conflict was shot in Toronto, Andromeda in Vancouver.

          Wasn’t a big Earth Final Conflict fan. Did watch a fair amount of Andromeda, it got better as it went along.

          Babylon 5 was riveting until the last season, when more than a few episodes sucked.

          James

        • #3170954

          You rock!

          by jkaras ·

          In reply to Earth Final Conflict

          It was on the tip of my tongue and I couldnt remember what it was. I wasnt a fan but it appeared to have a decent idea. As for Andromeda I had no idea whatsoever it was about. Each time I attempted to watch I just couldnt get past the porno acting ability and just change channels. Maybe it had a good plot, but I couldnt take more than 15 minutes. I would rather watch a marathon of Golden Girls episodes with my jock friends heckling me for watching a girly show.

          I absolutely agree on B5. I loved Bester, what a great character, and Peter Jurrasic as Londo. He and Andre Katerslaus stole the show all the time. The only worse that the final series was the Legend of the Rangers. It was sooooooooo bad that I almost punched holes in walls for wasting a Saturday night out on the town to watch that debacle. All I have now is Battlestar Galacttica and so far I am so impressed with the visual and the direction of the writting. A bit much on the sex sells part, but looking at the caliber of eye candy of the cyclons, so be it.

        • #3171330

          Missed the end of B5.

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to Earth Final Conflict

          After [i]Babylon Five[/i] left the broadcast band for cable, I lost track of it; a shame, as I did enjoy it.

          I found [i]Earth: Final Conflict[/i] a good watch as well.

          As for [i]Andromeda[/i], what is currently airing here (definitely season 3 or later; it went off the air here for a while, so I lost touch with it) is absolute drivel, in every sense of the word.

        • #3171247

          Yeah

          by jkaras ·

          In reply to Missed the end of B5.

          B5 got worse in the end. It had some really good ideas here and there, but Strazinski (I know its the wrong spelling)typically makes great stories with great ideas but usually cant deliver on a good ending. It is evident in his comics that he writes for (Amazing Spiderman, Rising Stars, Midnight Nation) fantastic idea for a story, great build up, great character development, cheezy ending. He basically made too many happy endings for all the characters on B5, not really any tragic ones. I think the show got too big and he didnt want to offend the fans like some writers do killing off a beloved character. A prime example is Salvadore who killed off Chewbacca getting death threats, man that’s lame.Its a shame that the guy who played the original captain Sinclair quit the show. I think once he had to re-write the script for the character Sheridan the original intended path was skewed making something out of nothing.

          The production value for Earth Final conflict would be good at some parts, then really cheezy in other key moments. I found the idea very interesting waitting for it to take off. I unfortunately would miss a few episodes here and there and get so lost that I couldnt follow what was going on so I tuned out. I think they dragged out the wife’s murder too much and not on why or what was going on behind the scenes.

          Just curious do you remember the name of the tv show that was off William Shatner’s books? The show was about people having the ability to literally surf in the internet live able to hack into any network. It was rather silly mind you but for some reason I really liked it.

        • #3171245

          You didnt miss much IMHO

          by jamesrl ·

          In reply to Missed the end of B5.

          Somewhere in season 4, they thought they were going to run out of money and so they fought desparately to give the show a final closure. Then they got more money and had few ideas left for season 5. The worst episodes they did ended up there.

          James

        • #3192396

          Re. Shatner – “Tek” world?

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to Missed the end of B5.

          This book series spawned several TV movies, as well as a short lived series.

      • #3170476

        Richard Pryor about Logan’s Run

        by tony hopkinson ·

        In reply to Logan’s Run.

        When he saw it, he was really scared, kept saying those white guys have got plans for us.
        A film about the future with no black people in it.

    • #3172335

      Let’s just hope that sci-fi survives

      by Jay Garmon ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      The way things are going, I predict dark days ahead for science fiction. The DVR may kill sci-fi TV (along with Westerns, period dramas, and anything not set in or near the present time and place). Why? No chance for product placement.
      http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=173893&messageID=1782816&id=1383826

      • #3172275

        Hmmm. Interesting prediction.

        by neilb@uk ·

        In reply to Let’s just hope that sci-fi survives

        Hope you’re wrong.

        • #3170475

          DVDs aren’t all bad

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to Hmmm. Interesting prediction.

          Been watching Blake’s 7 on it.
          Jaqueline Pierce
          Pause for thoughts.

        • #3170375

          LOL

          by neilb@uk ·

          In reply to DVDs aren’t all bad

          Scary woman. I’m getting an insight into your tastes, Tony…

          :p

        • #3170353

          I’m a neck man

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to LOL

          so to see one naked, sort of light up all my bulbs.
          I’m a big fan of Sigourney Weaver as well, watching Aliens 3 after she had the crew cut, just about put me orbit. As for Winona and Ms Weaver in close contact in Resurection, well Rsu were superfluous.

        • #3170328

          I still can’t think of much better

          by neilb@uk ·

          In reply to I’m a neck man

          than Jenny Agutter in Logan’s Run (film was not much cop, though).

          Thinks… Except perhaps for the same in (and out of) a nurse’s uniform in An American Werewolf in London. More fanstasies there than you can shake a stick at.

          Alas, Reality exerts itself…

          Seeing her in “Spooks” a couple of years ago was something of a shock but then, she is as old as me and I haven’t worn well that either.

          I won’t suggest that Servilan’s neck is probably a tad wrinkled now. That would be cruel of me…

          😀

        • #3170270

          That’s the advantage of

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to I still can’t think of much better

          DVD, sort of like a time machine.
          Dunno waht she looks like now, may be she’s had all gathered in and has a smile that starts at her ears, that would probably look worse than a wrinkle or too

      • #3172267

        WOW

        by jkaras ·

        In reply to Let’s just hope that sci-fi survives

        Nice article. I noticed during the last Sopranos season the blantant product placement in almost every scene. The drinks and bagged food was the center of the shot clearly showing the brand name not a fake knockoff to appear realistic. It really urked me as I pointed it out to friends. Pretty soon it will be like the Truman show with the best friend holding a six pack describing just how great the drink is, oh goody.

        The other thing that annoys me is the billboard placement in movies displaying every investor. To me they should invest in the success of the movie and get a cut of the profits, not product placement. Everyone can make money off the picture, that I dont care and see as fair, but cutting vital peices of a movie or show just to fit the gratuitus placement ticks me off to no extent. Then sell the extended version and you go “now that’s what I paid to see, it should have been there all along.” I hate having to rewatch a movie to see if it was better. One that still sucked was Highlander 2, nothing, not one more second of that movie was going to make that turkey fly. The customer just doesnt seem to get what they pay for anymore in entertainment, whether its a movie or concert. We deserve quality not advertisments. The best is now I get to watch commercials at the movie theater rather than the cool movie fact quizes that used to be there before the previews.

        What cracks me up is I was once in a commercial for a nationwide chain home improvement retailer. I had to bring in clothes to wear that didnt have any visable labels even though there was next to no close ups. I was the featured extra and you still couldnt tell the brand shirt I was wearing, and that was the biggest closeup in the entire commercial.

        • #3170474

          Product Placement

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to WOW

          Did you see any of I Robot through the mass of adverts.
          What a pile of crap that was.

        • #3170228

          book was good`

          by jaqui ·

          In reply to Product Placement

          to bad bullcrapwood ( aka hollywood )
          couldn’t keep to it better. Asimov’s works translate into film excellently, with a bit of effort. ( very little effort at that )

          I personally, check the trailers, if I see one product placement shot, then I won’t even watch the movie until it comes out on commercial tv.
          ( and I don’t own a tv )

          it ain’t worth watching if they have product placement in it.

        • #3169845

          I enjoyed the early books

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to book was good`

          some of the later ones like Robots of Dawn and such like were overblown drivel in my opinion. Asimov has good ideas, but his use of them generally leaves a lot to be desired.
          The film was total garbage, nothing to say, nothing to think about, piss poor acting and average visual effects.

    • #3170274

      Been listed as the worst movie ever made

      by jweil ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      However it has become a “cult film.”

      Plan 9 from Outer Space.

      Innovative use of pie tins and paper plates.

      • #3170269

        That’s one of the best things

        by tony hopkinson ·

        In reply to Been listed as the worst movie ever made

        about sci-fi films. If the only thing that was good about it was the special effects, it will look as bad as it was in five years time.
        Though it’s hard to see how they could improve very much on the CGI when they use it fully now. Perhaps, they’ll start coming up with good plots and dialogue sometime soon.

        Foster’s Spellsinger vs Donaldson’s Lord Foul’s Bane, which would be more Hollywood.
        Course Donaldson is quite critical of bible belt americans and a leper as a hero, would cause some serious problems. Can’t imagine what they’d do with Angus the homocidal rapist turned into a government employee either.

        • #3169634

          Change it

          by bfilmfan ·

          In reply to That’s one of the best things

          The same as they do with anything else they “Hollywood-ize.” They would change it so that it would play in Peoria.

          Although it isn’t science fiction, I’d love to see American Gods come to the screen. Gaiman just seems to get better and better.

        • #3193279

          A truly horrifying thought

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to Change it

          but your probably right. Anti-heros are out of fashion at the moment, unless you count Peter Parker.

      • #3170240

        Worst = Best in this case

        by jmgarvin ·

        In reply to Been listed as the worst movie ever made

        Plan 9 is one of the bet movies I’ve ever seen! You really need to see Ed Wood to fully appreciate the “art???” of Plan 9.

    • #3169787

      Fahrenheit 451

      by deepsand ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      • #3169635

        Dang it!

        by bfilmfan ·

        In reply to Fahrenheit 451

        I totally forgot about that one when I was doing my list and I should have used it. So few people have really seen it these days.

      • #3169584

        no way.

        by jaqui ·

        In reply to Fahrenheit 451

        the trailers are enough to tell me they didn’t even come close to the book.

        criminal charges should be laid against bollywood for movies like that

        • #3171327

          Still, a good watch.

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to no way.

          I enjoyed both works, despite their differences; perhaps that is because each offered somthing that the other did not.

          With myself, I find that to be not unusual; an example that comes immediately to mind is [i]Charlie[/i], the movie, as opposed to [i]Flowers for Algernon[/i], the short story.

    • #3171091

      Blade Runner

      by ippirate ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Or has that been posted and I missed it?

      • #3171052

        Mine

        by jellimonsta ·

        In reply to Blade Runner

        My all time favorite Sci-Fi!! Rutger did an awesome job in that movie, subtleties in his acting that made it even greater.

        I have not read the book ‘Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep’ though.

      • #3171324

        Still, worthy of a second mention.

        by deepsand ·

        In reply to Blade Runner

    • #3171322

      The Mote in God’s Eye.

      by deepsand ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      • #3171698

        Is it a movie? When? Where? Why haven’t I seen it?

        by neilb@uk ·

        In reply to The Mote in God’s Eye.

        Cracking couple of books. More information! Now! Tell me!

    • #3192399

      The Lathe of Heaven

      by deepsand ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

    • #3192148

      Overlooked

      by suncadd ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      A few that have been overlooked:
      Flash Gordon
      Thx1138
      SlaugherHouse Five
      Silent Running
      The Incredible Shrinking Man
      and for the offbeat:
      Tank Girl
      The Adventures of Baron von Munchausen

      • #3193206

        Silent Running

        by gralfus ·

        In reply to Overlooked

        I still enjoy that movie. In retrospect the nuking part seems contrived (why build nukes into your ship), maybe part of the ’70s environmentalism/anti-nuke wave.

        • #3193373

          Silent Running

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to Silent Running

          was an excellent film. THX1138 is probably my all time favourite. Still not sure what it is about it, but I never tire of watching it.

    • #2861055

      It’s funny to watch old sci-fi movies

      by sidfaty ·

      In reply to Favorite Sci-Fi Films

      Funny though sometimes I found it quite interesting to watch old sci-fi movies. 😀

      Cheap Hotels

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