Movies/DVD's

[Cards13 9,117]

Love Sci Fi but not seen a good show for ages.

Loved the original Star Wars but the new stuff is just OK and does not have the magic of the earlier shows.

Bladerunner was good,

Fifth Element.

[DemonFrog 1,359]

Fifth Element.

Think I seen it but can not remember it.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

If you're after good sci-fi you can't go past Babylon 5.

The effects are ancient (bad by even 1992 standards) and some of the acting is wooden at best.

But the story arcs are fantastically interwoven and surprising.

Also Firefly, but don't make the mistake of getting too attached as it only has around 13 episodes. Every single one of them is gold though.

[jazza 1,323]

Think I seen it but can not remember it.

5th element turn out to be the girl?

remember enjoying the show.and it mustve been alright because the missus hated it,she hates all scifi

I love all those shows that involve old history entwined in the theme

definitely the first 20 mins of stargate

Edited September 16, 2013 by jazza

[DemonFrog 1,359]

If you're after good sci-fi you can't go past Babylon 5.

The effects are ancient (bad by even 1992 standards) and some of the acting is wooden at best.

But the story arcs are fantastically interwoven and surprising.

Also Firefly, but don't make the mistake of getting too attached as it only has around 13 episodes. Every single one of them is gold though.

Agree with your comments as I have both series on DVD.

Hater the Firefly movie first time I saw it. But watch it again after watching the series and now think its Gold.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Agree with your comments as I have both series on DVD.

Hater the Firefly movie first time I saw it. But watch it again after watching the series and now think its Gold.

Yeah seeing the series first definitely makes that movie better.

[DemonFrog 1,359]

5th element turn out to be the girl?

remember enjoying the show.and it mustve been alright because the missus hated it,she hates all scifi

I love all those shows that involve old history entwined in the theme

definitely the first 20 mins of stargate

I am a bit of a history nut myself.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

5th element turn out to be the girl?

remember enjoying the show.and it mustve been alright because the missus hated it,she hates all scifi

I love all those shows that involve old history entwined in the theme

definitely the first 20 mins of stargate

Star Trek DS9 does a pretty good job with the post-WWII allegory, even if it is a slathered on a little thick in the first season. The episode "Duet" is one of my favourite pieces of television in any genre.

It's probably my favourite of all the Star Treks because the villains were so great. Dukat, Eddington, Damar, Winn, Weyoun and the Changeling. Dukat is probably the best villain in any sci-fi that I can think of. His arc is probably the most interesting of any character on the show.

lol now I wanna go watch it all again.

[hardtack 10,859]

Not really historically related, but there is a very old sci-fi film from 1967 called "Quatermass & the Pit" (aka 5 Million Years to Earth) has a great storyline that links satanism to aliens. Loved it and have a copy of DVD. Others that have interesting links (historical or otherwise) are:

- "Forbidden Planet" from 1956, which I rate as one of the all time greatest sci-fi movies made, is a reinterpretation of Shakespeare's "Tempest"

- The 1979 film "Time After Time" is an interesting take that has HG Wells chasing Jack the Ripper through time (in his Time Machine of course) and into the 20th century... surprisingly well done.

- "Slaughterhouse 5" which is the film from Kurt Vonnegut Jnrs novel of the same name where the main character Billie Pilgrim is "unstuck in time", concurrently living in the present day in the New York state, in the past in Dresden during the bombings of WW2 and in the future on the planet Tralfamadore; it is actually a very good interpretation of the book (unlike the attempt at another Vonnegut novel "Breakfast of Champions" that starred Bruce Willis).

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

- "Forbidden Planet" from 1956, which I rate as one of the all time greatest sci-fi movies made, is a reinterpretation of Shakespeare's "Tempest"

I loved this movie when I was a kid but haven't seen it in years.

Leslie Nelson and Ruby the Robot right?

Or am I thinking of something else?

[hardtack 10,859]

I loved this movie when I was a kid but haven't seen it in years.

Leslie Nelson and Ruby the Robot right?

Or am I thinking of something else?

No, you are right about Leslie Nielsen (in a straight role) and it was Robbie the robot. I have it on DVD and on Blu Ray. It's the film about a settlement on a planet where the inhabitants are being killed off by an invisible monster known as the "Id". Brilliant movie that had special effects way ahead of its time and is filmed in really glorious technicolour. It has lost none of its appeal over time.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Sorry, saw it a long time ago. I think I'll have to give it a re-watch.

I have fond memories of The Day The Earth Stood Still, but I have a feeling if I watch it again I'll just be thinking about the remake and it'll make me sad

On a brighter note, both versions of The Fly were pretty good

[DemonFrog 1,359]

_{Those flicks are a little too old for me but I may see if they are on you tube.}

_{I was into Nero Man and love the 70's holocaust genre. Saw a movie where a bunch of religious nuts was tracking down a family because they saw something they should not have see. As you think they got away they got caught.,. Can not remember the name of the movie though.}

_{Valley of the Dolls was good as well much better then the remake.}

_{I am getting into HBO at the moment as I see a few good (original) series. Hate copy cat shows, especially Cops or Forensics.}

[Adam The God 30,603]

My favourite was The Empire Strikes Back (Ep 2)... Ep 3 was when the Ewoks were introduced and for me, that was when Lucas lost the plot and went all Disneyfied.

For Sci Fi I'm a big fan of the 50's and 60's films (Earth Vs the Flying Saucers, Forbidden Planet, Quatermass films etc) and of the later films, loved Bladerunner, Fifth Element, Dark City, Eraserhead etc.

Been meaning to watch all of 'Dark City'. Saw bits of it in school and then film school. Eraserhead is brilliant and the cinematography and music in Bladerunner is amazing. Not the biggest fan of 'The Fifth Element' though.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Dark City is vastly overrated imo. It's not bad, I just don't see why it seems to get such massive props.

Unfortunately my recollection of Bladerunner is sullied with mutliple viewings of theatrical cut, director's cut, directors extended cut, zomfg extra special extended edition with 13 more seconds cut etc etc. I don't even remember which one is the real ending any more. I think the 'proper' director's cut ends in Deckard and Rachael going into the lift and just cuts to black. Although it's better than the original voice-over ending, I still felt a little robbed. I know Scott's trying to get us to decide for ourselves what's supposed to happen next, if Rachael will expire or if Deckard is a replicant etc, but I felt this was a little TOO open ended.

It will be interesting to see how the he goes with the sequel, especially now that he's put the Alien movies in the same universe. I hope it turns out for the better, because I though Promethius was pretty bad, despite some great work by Michael Fassbender.

I have no problem with the Fifth Element. It's not trying to be more than it is and I enjoyed it. I wouldn't put it on any top 10 list but it was a fun movie.

I am a meat popcicle.

[DemonFrog 1,359]

Okay so who saw Sir Les Patterson Saves the World?

If yes, what did you think?

[Adam The God 30,603]

Dark City is vastly overrated imo. It's not bad, I just don't see why it seems to get such massive props.

Unfortunately my recollection of Bladerunner is sullied with mutliple viewings of theatrical cut, director's cut, directors extended cut, zomfg extra special extended edition with 13 more seconds cut etc etc. I don't even remember which one is the real ending any more. I think the 'proper' director's cut ends in Deckard and Rachael going into the lift and just cuts to black. Although it's better than the original voice-over ending, I still felt a little robbed. I know Scott's trying to get us to decide for ourselves what's supposed to happen next, if Rachael will expire or if Deckard is a replicant etc, but I felt this was a little TOO open ended.

It will be interesting to see how the he goes with the sequel, especially now that he's put the Alien movies in the same universe. I hope it turns out for the better, because I though Promethius was pretty bad, despite some great work by Michael Fassbender.

I have no problem with the Fifth Element. It's not trying to be more than it is and I enjoyed it. I wouldn't put it on any top 10 list but it was a fun movie.

I am a meat popcicle.

My feeling RE: 'Dark City' and what I know about it is its influence. It beat 'The Matrix' to the punch and seems to have even more style than that film, which is hard to believe. I might watch it tomorrow night and back that up.

I can't remember which cut of 'Blade Runner' I've seen. I have a feeling it was the Director's Cut, but the film hasn't stayed with me.

Fassbender's awesome, but I quite enjoyed 'Prometheus'. I guess I enjoyed it in a similar way you enjoyed 'The Fifth Element', Choke. It was a bit of a spectacle, which I'm fine with once in a while.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

My feeling RE: 'Dark City' and what I know about it is its influence. It beat 'The Matrix' to the punch and seems to have even more style than that film, which is hard to believe. I might watch it tomorrow night and back that up.

I can't remember which cut of 'Blade Runner' I've seen. I have a feeling it was the Director's Cut, but the film hasn't stayed with me.

Fassbender's awesome, but I quite enjoyed 'Prometheus'. I guess I enjoyed it in a similar way you enjoyed 'The Fifth Element', Choke. It was a bit of a spectacle, which I'm fine with once in a while.

Exactly! Nothing wrong with the occasional spectacle.

I really like Michael Fassbender. I'm looking forward to the new X-Men Days of Future Past movie. He was really great in First Class with James MacEvoy.

You're right in that Dark City beat The Matrix to the punch on presenting some philosophical issues like reality and simulacrum. But I felt the end really let it down, and it didn't quite reach the creepy level of tension I thought it was shooting for. It might be because of its age, and had I watched it when it was first released maybe I would feel differently. I also think The Matix's religious connotations gave it an edge Dark City didn't have, however as you say, Dark City came first.

Also I thought The Matrix sequels sucked. They played up the religious angel in the third one especially, with a lot of Fisher King references and I thought it was really disappointing given what was achieved in the first movie.

I heard that Stargate is being rebooted into a new movie trilogy, any thoughts on that one?

[DemonFrog 1,359]

When is the 2nd movie of the Hobbit due for release?

Did so love the Lord of the Rings but the ending was poor.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Boxing Day I think.

What was wrong with the ending? Except of course that it ended 34 times.

[DemonFrog 1,359]

Boxing Day I think.

What was wrong with the ending? Except of course that it ended 34 times.

Too long and boring IMO

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

It was indeed far too long.

The first time I saw it I went to get up after Bilbo sailed away on the ship, then I had to sit back down again.

I guess Peter Jackson felt he had to tie up a lot of things.

[DemonFrog 1,359]

It was indeed far too long.

The first time I saw it I went to get up after Bilbo sailed away on the ship, then I had to sit back down again.

I guess Peter Jackson felt he had to tie up a lot of things.

I did get that feeling. but he should have left it to the extender DVD IMO

[hardtack 10,859]

You're right in that Dark City beat The Matrix to the punch on presenting some philosophical issues like reality and simulacrum. But I felt the end really let it down, and it didn't quite reach the creepy level of tension I thought it was shooting for. It might be because of its age, and had I watched it when it was first released maybe I would feel differently. I also think The Matix's religious connotations gave it an edge Dark City didn't have, however as you say, Dark City came first.

Also I thought The Matrix sequels sucked. They played up the religious angel in the third one especially, with a lot of Fisher King references and I thought it was really disappointing given what was achieved in the first movie.

Both the matrix and Dark City, in my opinion at least, borrowed heavily from the concept in Philip Jose Farmer's "Riverworld" series. I preferred Dark City purely because it was a bit darker almost in a film noir kind of a way. You mention "Fisher King"... now that reminded me of a great sci-fi (ish) film "Brazil"... love it. For something a bit out there, I recommend "Repo Man"... but I'm a bit of a sucker for anything that has Harry Dean Stanton in a leading role.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Oh man, all you're doing is adding to the already stupidly long list of stuff I wanna watch.

So much cool stuff I had forgotten about or didn't know about. I've heard Brazil is brilliant but never seen it.