Sci-fi films

Discussion in 'Whatever' started by ultrakaiju, Jul 21, 2015.

  1. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    It is still fairly new, part of why I didn't want to mention any actual plot details. Interested to hear your thoughts after you've digested on it a bit.
     
  2. evom

    evom Mini Boss

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  3. toothaction

    toothaction Team Tsubu Staff Member

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    I was never much of a MST3K fan, though not for lack of trying; I just always preferred taking down the glorious garbage of the world with my friends in the room, rather than having it done for me. That, or just enjoying the films on their own merits. I do totally respect the intent and legacy of what those guys were up to, though, and give them tons of credit for providing an excellent gateway drug service to genre awesomeness for the masses.

    All that said, I'm eager to check out this new incarnation - with writers like the holy trinity of Harmon, Roiland & Schrab, and folk like Dana Gould and Patton Oswalt attached, how could it not be kinda great?

    Also, DTFH for the win!
     
  4. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    I just got through watching Synchronicity. For the love of Pete, please do not watch this movie. I won't even bother giving my thoughts on the "story" I am really only writing this to save some people the hour and forty minutes of their lives that would be much better spent. An attempt to - apparently - make a 'noir' sci film, it is just terrible, but actually worse than that, it is insulting to the audience. And, I swear to jeebus this is an actual quote from the film, "Mattie, have you ever been to a native American orgy? It's fucking intense." Arrgghh. I can forgive a film for a low budget, horrible props, and even sometimes having completely no sets, but this is just.... too much. Ignoring the horrible acting, the writing for this love-story wrapped in a time travel sci-fi is clearly by someone who does not have any grasp of science as I can tell, and appears to have equally no clue about human relationships. Please do not think for a second that this movie will deliver anything cerebral, arty, or entertaining, despite the fact the filmmaker(s) very much want you to believe that it does. This isn't a so-so B-movie, it is an immaturely made C-movie. Just skip it.
     
  5. Lttr Prssd

    Lttr Prssd Comment King

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    Well, now I GOTTA watch it!
     
  6. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    Haha, fair 'nuff Mark, just don't say I didn't warn ya. :razz:

    Heck, I think I would even recommend Time Lapse before I'd tell anyone to watch Synchronicity. :lol: At least that movie had something different and didn't pretend it was anything other than what it was.
     
  7. Lttr Prssd

    Lttr Prssd Comment King

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    I had to check my movie queues to see if I'd added it somewhere, and it looks like I put it in my Amazon Watchlist! Can't remember where I first heard about it.

    Truly, I'll only give it a shot if it pops up for free somewhere. But I'll keep what you said in mind!
     
  8. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    Feeling a bit exited and optimistic about the new Netflix show, Stranger Things. To be honest, when I initially read the premise, I was much more thrilled about the sound of the show, expecting more something along the lines of Twilight Zone/Eerie Indiana/monsters/weird creatures, so I am a bit disappointed this went the whole alien abduction route* (which I am think - probably unfortunately - the 90s used up all of my patience for and is worn out now).

    But anyways, it seems like it could be something pretty good, and I will definitely check it out. I guess maybe you have to be of a certain age to really connect with it, but the settings (80s, kids on BMXs having adventures, etc.) really harkens back to a lot of things I enjoy.



    * But I am even MORE tired of the kids with special abilities trope (which then inevitably go awry). Whether imparted by aliens, genetic engineering/experimentation, just GAH, make it go away! So i really hope that this doesn't go that route... but sure looks like it might. :|
     
  9. toothaction

    toothaction Team Tsubu Staff Member

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  10. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    Yeah, I think a lot of people might draw those connections, which could be a good thing. I would love for it to be more Bradbury and Serling, but I'll admit that is a minority view. Still, the aliens thing is a bit of a different take (in this sense at any rate) for either of those two. But I am also very tentative about judging too much mystery and atmosphere a series trailer; esp. after Wayward Pines.
     
  11. toothaction

    toothaction Team Tsubu Staff Member

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    But there were shots in the trailer that were clearly intended to make you think of E.T. and Close Encounters.

    Some sprinkling of Bradburry and Serling would be most welcome, they just weren't apparent in the initial visual sell.


    TL;DW
     
  12. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    I guess that meant don't watch, of which being in that message was a key part. Something better - add notably much shorter.

     
  13. Headhunter

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    I might have to go see the new Independence Day: Resurgence movie coming out this Friday. Its been a LOOOOOOOOONG time in the making and im really eager to see how the movie turns out. The first one is still pretty good to watch if not a little Cliche but its also the 90s so meh.

    Im avoiding reviews since for some reason all the new movies are coming out in foreign countries now first.
     
  14. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    I have to highly recommend The Lobster here, as I am sure there are one or two SBers who might really enjoy it. I watched it a while ago, but since no one has brought it up here, I wanted to give it a shout out. Without saying much particular about it (I would also suggest not necessarily reading synopses of it), just go in with an open mind and enjoy it. Like Dogtooth, it is out there in its simplicity, while being very well done. I know it won't be to everyone's tastes - and certainly some 'reviews' bear that out - but I think it is a surprising film, and one which hasn't gotten the attention it deserves.
     
  15. missy

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  16. Headhunter

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    So its not a Star Wars movie but the Rebels TV series is getting a very very well known character in the Expanded Universe series.

    Grand Admiral Thrawn
    [​IMG]

    He was especially a big deal in the Expanded Universe for Star Wars: Heir To The Empire.
    [​IMG]

    So i think its a SMART movie for Disney to reconsider characters from the Expanded Universe line because there are to many good stories and characters to just throw away like they tried to do with the "wipe the slate clean" BS from last year. Im still pretty angry at Disney for doing that because one of the casualties from that was Knights Of The Old Republic.
     
  17. Odibex

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    Seconding everything said here. I watched The Lobster quite a while ago, so I was a little confused when it was "released" a month or two ago. I feel like it wasn't gotten the attention it deserves, either. It's a very strange picture, and it takes some time to acclimate yourself to it's world, but it tells a surprisingly moving and effective fable once you do. I actually would not have thought of it as sci-fi, though. Dystopian, I guess? Eh, I'm not one to argue the finer points of genre classification. Just see the movie.

    Also, I'm going to check out Dogtooth. That looks promising.

    Also just let me say how shitty Firefox's spellchecker is. Telling me that "dystopian" is either not a word or a word spelled wrongly. I get false positives from this thing every. day. And, yeah. I realize it's free, but seriously, how long has this thing been out?
     
  18. Lttr Prssd

    Lttr Prssd Comment King

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    Great movie.
     
  19. Odibex

    Odibex Comment King

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    I'll add it to the list. Though, since I thought The Lobster was so exemplary, it's definitely not going in at the bottom
     
  20. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    Yes, it's true that The Lobster isn't your traditional sci-fi fare, but given its 'futuristic' setting (I can attest that Kenmare and surroundings are indeed very lovely, btw) and thought-provoking narrative, I think it is garners inclusion. Dogtooth, on the other hand, of course is not, but is not any worse for it either. It's not going to be for everyone, so be warned about that. But very much part of the Greek 'weird wave' that I think is incredibly impressive. These are intense movies looking to critically examine, reflect, and subvert the 'norms' of modern Greek society, and the institution of family, and do so with an unflinching eye. The tones of the films embrace discomfort, and force you to reconsider the message; so not all audiences are going to be receptive of that. I am also very excited for Miss Violence, which I have on the queue, but just haven't gotten around to viewing yet.
     
  21. Odibex

    Odibex Comment King

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    Oh, yeah, like I said, it was a while ago that I'd seen it, and I don't think it really becomes clear that it takes place in the future until towards the end, but you're absolutely right, sci-fi it is. As far as Dogtooth, "not for everybody" is usually a pretty sure recommendation in my book. I wasn't aware of there being a Greek weird wave, but your description of it mad me think of Solondz. No idea if there's anything in that.
     
  22. goddamnanalog

    goddamnanalog Toy Prince

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    Just watched Ex-Machina finally!

    I thought it was great!! I can understand where people are coming from with the ending, but I thought it was great as is!
     
  23. Odibex

    Odibex Comment King

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    Oh, yeah, I saw that one a little while back, too. And it was great! The ending didn't bother me too much, either, but I usually don't mind those kinds of endings. I mean, that's how stuff happens sometimes.

    Actually, now that I think about it, I did kind of a "theme view" and watched Ex-Machina, Her, and Cherry 2000 one after the other. Her is a Spoke Jonze film about a guy who falls in love with an AI voiced by Scarlett Johansson . Very, very good (probably been mention by know). Cherry 2000 is an 80s post-apocalyptic thing where a guy falls for an android played by Melanie Griffith. Not really that well reviewed, but has become kind of a cult piece, and I definitely enjoyed it. plus it made a lot of sense along with the other two films.

     
  24. petitetoilonrouge

    petitetoilonrouge S7 Royalty

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    Finally watched High-Rise. I seem to remember people being disappointed here, but I enjoyed it myself! It's all style over substance, but that style alone is totally worth it.
     
  25. toothaction

    toothaction Team Tsubu Staff Member

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    @petitetoilonrouge Well, there was a good bit of substance there, albeit not necessarily anything new, with the style often helping to communicate it. That is to say, I though much of the visual flourish was in direct service of tone and content. What I couldn't shake, though, was the feeling that film was actually being made by an advanced machine that had been fed data about the team of Roeg, Richmond and Clifford; not necessarily a bad thing. I'm looking forward to a second watch.

    It was kind of a gut-buster, too
     

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