sci-fi

Re: fun sci-fi

SkyPilot — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:13:59 GMT

SkyPilot:

What sci-fi is both fun and profound?

Got one: Wall-E

And Zardoz is a silly good time, though I think Boorman was aiming for 'thought-provoking'

Re: fun sci-fi

SkyPilot — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:56:05 GMT

Risselada:

Well I think the movies are worth more dip into tragedy and comedy. You don't see straight up comedies usually getting nominations, but the movies that do win aren't usually all out torture session or horror movies either. Usually they have a good mix of drama, comedy, different emotions and variety. Basically they have a more complete and profound look on life.

Well said. So what sci-fi would you say is both fun and has a profound look on life? (as opposed to darker stuff with a profound look?)

I'm kind of equivocating on the term 'fun' if I say The Matrix, but that's a dark movie I have a lot of fun with. The plot of The Matrix may be more clever than profound, but I appreciated the choice put before Neo in the form of two pills: either stay content with your ignorance, or make the dangerous decision to start learning the truth.

Re: fun sci-fi

Risselada — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:43:29 GMT

SkyPilot:
I was trying to think of examples. Would you say the film version of Hitchhiker's Guide is a geeky/inside-jokey film?

Yeah probably.

SkyPilot:
And what you said about "good dark sci-fi" seeming less geeky than funny sci-fi might carry over to the general stereotype that tragedy is "worth more" than comedy. If you look at the Oscar wins and nominations over the last few decades, comedy barely shows up. What's going on there?

Well I think the movies are worth more dip into tragedy and comedy. You don't see straight up comedies usually getting nominations, but the movies that do win aren't usually all out torture session or horror movies either. Usually they have a good mix of drama, comedy, different emotions and variety. Basically they have a more complete and profound look on life.

Re: fun sci-fi

SkyPilot — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:50:34 GMT

Risselada:

I think that sci-fi comedy usually has more of an inside joke type of quality to it compared to more traditional comedy. Where as there doesn't seem to be something quite as geeky about going to a good dark serious Sci-Fi. I think the appeal of comedy sci-fi is just a lot more limited. It appeals to people who just like science enough to laugh about it. That's a limited, geeky population. Although still a significant one.

I was trying to think of examples. Would you say the film version of Hitchhiker's Guide is a geeky/inside-jokey film?

I can think of a few examples of sci-fi comedy that aren't very geeky or inside-jokey, like Iron Man and Hellboy (I liked Hellboy II even better, but it doesn't do any favors for those unacquainted with Hellboy, so it seemed more niche).

And what you said about "good dark sci-fi" seeming less geeky than funny sci-fi might carry over to the general stereotype that tragedy is "worth more" than comedy. If you look at the Oscar wins and nominations over the last few decades, comedy barely shows up. What's going on there?

Re: fun sci-fi

Risselada — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:48:57 GMT

SkyPilot:
It seems like mediocre dark sci-fi gets more cult followers than mediocre funny sci-fi. Do you agree? Is comedy just not conducive to getting a cult following, and that's why studios usually opt for dark stuff?

I think that sci-fi comedy usually has more of an inside joke type of quality to it compared to more traditional comedy. Where as there doesn't seem to be something quite as geeky about going to a good dark serious Sci-Fi. I think the appeal of comedy sci-fi is just a lot more limited. It appeals to people who just like science enough to laugh about it. That's a limited, geeky population. Although still a significant one.

Re: fun sci-fi

SkyPilot — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:38:59 GMT

unclefestering:

As to why there are more scary/creepy Sci-Fi movie than funny ones... Well I'd say, because it is easier to do scary even if it isn't good. If you do a bad comedy, people will stay away in droves. Plus you have to be able to balence the rules of comedy with the internal science fiction rules. Now you have two hard things to achieve in one package.

It can be done, but I think a lot of studios feel it isn't worth all the work.

Very interesting theory! I think I agree with you that comedy is harder to do than scary. At least, I get more engaged in mediocre horror/sci-fi than in mediocre comedy.

With decent effects, some cliche disturbing ideas or images, and some startling BOO! scenes, you've got a 'scary' movie. Like Event Horizon. I think the genuinely creepiest part is where they're listening to the broadcast of Latin or whatever it is. The rest seems pretty by-the-numbers to me.

This reminds me of something I read about Philip K. Dick in The New Yorker the other day. The writer of the article (sorry, forgot their name) said genre writers are never simply good writers; they are always either a genius or a hack.

It seems like mediocre dark sci-fi gets more cult followers than mediocre funny sci-fi. Do you agree? Is comedy just not conducive to getting a cult following, and that's why studios usually opt for dark stuff?

Re: fun sci-fi

unclefestering — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:03:31 GMT

I'm going to throw K-Pax into the ring. I know it isn't roll on the floor funny, but I like the sardonic humor.

As to why there are more scary/creepy Sci-Fi movie than funny ones... Well I'd say, because it is easier to do scary even if it isn't good. If you do a bad comedy, people will stay away in droves. Plus you have to be able to balence the rules of comedy with the internal science fiction rules. Now you have two hard things to achieve in one package.

It can be done, but I think a lot of studios feel it isn't worth all the work.

Re: fun sci-fi

SkyPilot — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:00:18 GMT

bishop:
shaggy dog? wtf? i should ban you from sci-fi for even mentioning that movie. you just lost 4 sci-fi points.

I'd love to see the points scale, because I'm about to go down a bunch:

The Absent-Minded Professor and the remake Flubber

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes and the remake

The Nutty Professor and Eddie Murphy's remake (which reminds me of the recent Meet Dave)

The Love Bug and all the sequels, remakes starring Herbie

The Strongest Man in the World (what, no remake?)

This got me thinking about bishop's original question:

"why is it that so many sci-fi movies are either creepy, dramatic or dark? whatever happened to just plain fun sci-fi?"

Good question. But let's be honest here, none of the movies mentioned here mentioned here are gleaming examples of great filmmaking, right? Maybe Time Bandits is a counter-example; I'm not sure because I only know this film by reputation.

Don't get me wrong, some of these movies are a ton of fun (especially Ghostbusters), and some are considered classics in their own way (the original Nutty Professor and Spaceballs) but I find most of these movies to be inconsistent and draggy. Largely lacking in distinguishing style, too -- a scene in the middle of say, Flubber, could be taken from any zany comedy.

I feel differently watching any scene from Blade Runner or Alien. The aesthetics of those movies are so distinctive. Turning to any scene at random is like meeting a kid and instantly figuring out who his parents are.

Re:fun sci-fi

csprague — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:34:49 GMT

Oh, I just remembered.... Evolution.

I love this movie. It's definitely one worth owning and watching repeatedly.

Re:fun sci-fi

indieabby88 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:36:59 GMT

Hitchhiker's Guide is, for my money, my favorite newer Sci-Fi movie out there. Galaxy Quest is a close second. I love anything that makes me feel like Space is a giant party I'm missing out on. The earlier three seasons of the latest Doctor Who series did a pretty great job of that, too, but that's something else entirely ; )

Re: fun sci-fi

csprague — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:42:49 GMT

bishop:
i've been watching the new Doctor Who series on BBC. Its the same campy, tongue in cheek, Doctor Who as always, but the series is fun to watch.

Sci-Fi Romantic Comedy: Earth Girls are Easy

I know, it's shameful really. But there is something about a young Jeff Goldblum who has that innocent alien thing going on....

Re: fun sci-fi

bishop — Thu, 04 May 2006 14:44:28 GMT

i've been watching the new Doctor Who series on BBC. Its the same campy, tongue in cheek, Doctor Who as always, but the series is fun to watch.

Re: fun sci-fi

bishop — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 02:44:48 GMT

shaggy dog? wtf?
i should ban you from sci-fi for even mentioning that movie.
you just lost 4 sci-fi points.

Re: fun sci-fi

P3X984 — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 11:32:05 GMT

Would you count "Shaggy Dog?" - if you counted Ghostbusters, you probably should.

Re: fun sci-fi

bishop — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 01:01:39 GMT

yeah...but what about something recent?

Re: fun sci-fi

P3X984 — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 15:42:49 GMT

Uhhh lately I'd say,

Men in Black? (1&2)
Galaxy Quest :-)
Mars Attacks
Honey I Shrunk the xxxx
Pluto Nash (a good example of why studios aren't trying this much)
Multiplicity??
Thunderbirds
Spy Kids??

Classics would be

Spaceballs
Buckaroo Banzai
Time Bandits
Weird Science
Short Circuit?

Re: fun sci-fi

bishop — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 14:45:35 GMT

oh yeah...spaceballs...good call..
theres gotta be more out there...

Re: fun sci-fi

pippin06 — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:40:24 GMT

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - not as good as the book but pretty darn close, and it's a good combo flick.

And who can forget Spaceballs! A classic!

fun sci-fi

bishop — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 01:53:07 GMT

why is it that so many sci-fi movies are either creepy, dramatic or dark?
whatever happened to just plain fun sci-fi?
case in point: ghostbusters. it's just an entertaining sci-fi flick that you can laugh along with.
anybody else recommend something thats a cross between comedy and sci-fi?