The Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Spy, and Superhero Genre

[RoosGirl]

I did, and I loved it.

I liked it a lot too and it got a lot of really good reviews.  I wonder if they'll continue it.

[kevindavis007]

I liked it a lot too and it got a lot of really good reviews.  I wonder if they'll continue it.

Who knows.

[Machiavelli]

The 10 Most Complex Sci-fi Movies of All Time

Mike Gray
Taste of Cinema
September 21, 2017

By its very nature, the sci-fi genre is relatively complex: the short stories, novels, TV series and films that comprise speculative fiction necessitate detailed expository passages to build its far-flung futures, reality-bending premises, and stories set in a galaxy far, far away.

Whether the story is set on an alien world populated by creatures markedly different from human beings, in a future separated by centuries or eons from the present in which society, technology, science, and civilization itself have evolved into a nearly unrecognizable state, or center around time or space travel, sci-fi stories require complex set-ups to create a believable reality that’s very different from our own.

Because of this, the sci-fi genre also allows for its stories to become quite complex. Time travel stories thrive on complexity while, depending on the story, other elements may be willfully obtuse to create an air of mystery or disorientation in the viewer–and some sci-fi stories are much more complex than others.

Here are 10 sci-fi films that are purposely complex ...

10. Predestination (2014) ...

9. The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976) ...

8. The Fountain (2006) ...

7. Coherence (2013) ...

6. Upstream Color (2013) ...

5. Primer (2004) ...

4. Inception (2010) ...

3. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension (1984) ...

2. Solaris (1972) ...

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) ...

Full article

[Sanguine]

Can someone please tell me what the heck 2001 was about?  PLEASE   

A space odyssey?

(Sorry, I couldn't resist)

[Machiavelli]

Star Trek Discovery Live Thread

The original Star Trek series debuted on TV 51 years ago - September 8, 1966.

Since then it has spawned several movies and sequel / prequel series'.

Tonight, the latest series, Star Trek Discovery will premier at 8/7c on CBS, free.

As to the remaining episodes, you will have to pay for them on CBS All Access.

Will you want to continue watching and pay for it? Watch tonight's episode and decide for yourself.

For you folks in the Eastern and Central time zones, it begins in only a few minutes.

[Smokin Joe]

Star Trek Discovery Live Thread

The original Star Trek series debuted on TV 51 years ago - September 8, 1966.

Since then it has spawned several movies and sequel / prequel series'.

Tonight, the latest series, Star Trek Discovery will premier at 8/7c on CBS, free.

As to the remaining episodes, you will have to pay for them on CBS All Access.

Will you want to continue watching and pay for it? Watch tonight's episode and decide for yourself.

For you folks in the Eastern and Central time zones, it begins in only a few minutes.

I'm already paying through my cable provider to see CBS programming.

I won't bother to watch a pilot of a show I won't be able to see again without shelling out more money to CBS.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

Star Trek Discovery Live Thread

The original Star Trek series debuted on TV 51 years ago - September 8, 1966.

Since then it has spawned several movies and sequel / prequel series'.

Tonight, the latest series, Star Trek Discovery will premier at 8/7c on CBS, free.

As to the remaining episodes, you will have to pay for them on CBS All Access.

Will you want to continue watching and pay for it? Watch tonight's episode and decide for yourself.

For you folks in the Eastern and Central time zones, it begins in only a few minutes.

Continue watching?

ST burned out a couple decades ago.

[240B]

@240B

Then I'm not going to say a thing.. But in Season 3, a certain someone from Star Trek shows up.  I think that DS9 does copy of some elements of B5.

@kevindavis

HAHAHAHAHA!

S3:E9 Point of no Return
Nurse Chapel! What are you doing there? Is that you Lwaxana!? That did give me a laugh when I recognized her. Cool.

So, we have Chekov as a reoccurring figure in multiple seasons. And now Nurse Chapel shows up as the telepathic wife of the late Centauri Emperor.

Anyway. Thanks for that. It was a good chuckle. I've been watching for your hint. I finally got it.

By the way, great series. Very compelling. President Clark has just declared martial law. That the chapter I'm on in the series.

The only glaring things that bother me so far, are that the phasers look way, way, too much like a .38 revolver. And the sound leveling is off-the-charts nuts!

The show fluctuates wildly in volume. It frequently jumps from a whisper soft dialogue scene that I have to turn up the sound to hear, to a battle scene where the volume increases it seems like by 300% and it blows my TV off the wall. I literally have to watch the show with the remote in my hand to control the copious volume spikes.

I suppose when you have a show that is half whispery soap-opera bedroom dialogue, and half "Let's blow up the freakin' planet!", it is bound to happen. The director wants the intensity of low volume dialogue when people are getting serious and intimate with each other about one thing or another. But then he wants "blow your TV off the wall" sound effects when shit hits the fan and the BattleCruisers start blowing each other up.

Oh well. I'm used to it now. So, it doesn't surprise me anymore. In fact, now I'm able to anticipate it. LoL

Have a great night! I'm just chillin', drinking a beer, and diggin' on B5. That's my night anyway. Later

[kevindavis007]

@kevindavis

HAHAHAHAHA!

S3:E9 Point of no Return
Nurse Chapel! What are you doing there? Is that you Lwaxana!? That did give me a laugh when I recognized her. Cool.

So, we have Chekov as a reoccurring figure in multiple seasons. And now Nurse Chapel shows up as the telepathic wife of the late Centauri Emperor.

Anyway. Thanks for that. It was a good chuckle. I've been watching for your hint. I finally got it.

By the way, great series. Very compelling. President Clark has just declared martial law. That the chapter I'm on in the series.

The only glaring things that bother me so far, are that the phasers look way, way, too much like a .38 revolver. And the sound leveling is off-the-charts nuts!

The show fluctuates wildly in volume. It frequently jumps from a whisper soft dialogue scene that I have to turn up the sound to hear, to a battle scene where the volume increases it seems like by 300% and it blows my TV off the wall. I literally have to watch the show with the remote in my hand to control the copious volume spikes.

I suppose when you have a show that is half whispery soap-opera bedroom dialogue, and half "Let's blow up the freakin' planet!", it is bound to happen. The director wants the intensity of low volume dialogue when people are getting serious and intimate with each other about one thing or another. But then he wants "blow your TV off the wall" sound effects when shit hits the fan and the BattleCruisers start blowing each other up.

Oh well. I'm used to it now. So, it doesn't surprise me anymore. In fact, now I'm able to anticipate it. LoL

Have a great night! I'm just chillin', drinking a beer, and diggin' on B5. That's my night anyway. Later

@240B


LOL!!!! Glad you figured it out!


Keep on enjoying it.. Glad you made it through Season 1, have a good night

[kevindavis007]

Well I saw the first episodes of Star Trek Discovery, wow!!! It is totally different.

[sneakypete]

Anyone else watch this on PBS? It's all about the Casini space probe the outlived all their wildest expectations,and spent years orbiting Saturn and it's moons and sending back data. It had a scheduled crash into the planet on Sept 15,so it's over now. Some of the NASA people on the show have spent the last 30 years working with and on this project.

Fascinating stuff,even if it's not Sci-Fe.

[catfish1957]

I'm already paying through my cable provider to see CBS programming.

I won't bother to watch a pilot of a show I won't be able to see again without shelling out more money to CBS.

Same here.  I can wait (years if I have to) to watch on Amazon Prime or Netflix.

[anubias]

Same here.  I can wait (years if I have to) to watch on Amazon Prime or Netflix.

Just google, then stream it.  *shrug*

[catfish1957]

Just google, then stream it.  *shrug*

Prefer watching on TV than computer.

[Smokin Joe]

Prefer watching on TV than computer.

Prime on my kindle fire tablet brings up the same watchlist on my fire stick, so if I find it on one, it shows up on the other. I can chase it down on the tablet, and watch it on the teevee....

[anubias]

Prefer watching on TV than computer.

Most TVs these days have a built-in web browser to play them as well.  If your TV doesn't, you can stream it from your computer to the TV or even a smartphone will do it, but quality probably won't be as good.

[Free Vulcan]

Go90 has Almost Human streaming free if anyone's a fan:

https://www.go90.com/shows/almosthuman

Sure wish someone would pick that show up.

[240B]

Prefer watching on TV than computer.

That is a strange thing to say, unless you live in 1960. My computer, my TV, my stereo, are all one system. I can put anything on my computer on my TV, or the other way around.


Your statement confuses and infuriates me.

[Smokin Joe]

That is a strange thing to say, unless you live in 1960. My computer, my TV, my stereo, are all one system. I can put anything on my computer on my TV, or the other way around.


Your statement confuses and infuriates me.

Some of have Televisions that antedate streaming and have to use other setups to do that. I have family members who do not necessarily share my tastes or want to see what I am doing on the computer, so the two are separate. The tv screen is bigger and I can sit back in 'My Chair' and watch that, even if I am streaming content on the TV, or I can watch stuff on the computer, or even the Kindle Fire. It isn't all tied together.

Not sure why that would confuse or infuriate anyone.

[catfish1957]

That is a strange thing to say, unless you live in 1960. My computer, my TV, my stereo, are all one system. I can put anything on my computer on my TV, or the other way around.


Your statement confuses and infuriates me.

How I watch TV infuriates you?  I have a computer.  I have a TV with streaming.  They are not connected.  Is that a problem with you?

Now I have heard of odd ducks, but you take the cake.

[RoosGirl]

Easy fellers, there's plenty of topics here to argue about, but TV/Computer is the lamest of them all.   

[catfish1957]

Easy fellers, there's plenty of topics here to argue about, but TV/Computer is the lamest of them all.   

He's the one infuriated

[Gefn]

For what it's worth, I gave the Orville a second chance and I have to confess I'm enjoying it.

[Sanguine]

For what it's worth, I gave the Orville a second chance and I have to confess I'm enjoying it.

Same here.  It's gotten much better.

[Machiavelli]

Phillip K. Dick's Electric Dreams

Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams is a British made science fiction anthology TV series based on the works of Philip K. Dick. It is currently being shown in the UK on Channel 4. Amazon Video will begin showing it in the US sometime in 2018.
 
Here is the trailer:
Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams – Official Trailer [HD] | Amazon Video
 
References:
 
Wikipedia

IMDb
 
Articles:
 
‘Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams’ 1st Trailer Asks What It Is To Be Human? – NY Comic-Con
 
Explore Philip K. Dick's crazy futures in 'Electric Dreams' trailer
 
Holy Crap, the Philip K. Dick Electric Dreams TV Series Looks Amazing
 
Just because you’re paranoid ... Philip K Dick’s troubled life
 
Several of his works have been adapted for the big and small screens including the films, Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report.

[kevindavis007]

Well for Star Trek Discovery, I'm really enjoying it so far.
The Orville, I have to admit it is getting better.

[ABX]

We just got back from the new Blade Runner and it was absolutely brilliant.  It stayed very true to the original move, to the point you could watch them seamlessly back to back and other than Harrison Ford's aging, you wouldn't know there was a breaking filming or plot (other than the time passing in the plot). 

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

We just got back from the new Blade Runner and it was absolutely brilliant.  It stayed very true to the original move, to the point you could watch them seamlessly back to back and other than Harrison Ford's aging, you wouldn't know there was a breaking filming or plot (other than the time passing in the plot).

I've never been able to stay awake through the first try.

[cammie]

I hated the first Blade Runner as well, so I get where you are coming from.
But I saw this yesterday, and I'll be seeing it again in the theatre, which is something I just don't do anymore.
It's a brilliant, thought-provoking, must-see film made for grown-ups....which is why it's tanking at the box office.

[ABX]

I hated the first Blade Runner as well, so I get where you are coming from.
But I saw this yesterday, and I'll be seeing it again in the theatre, which is something I just don't do anymore.
It's a brilliant, thought-provoking, must-see film made for grown-ups....which is why it's tanking at the box office.

That is exactly what I told some friends. It doesn't have enough explosions and flash for the modern box office. Sci Fi nerds/fans/geeks will love it, especially old school ones. People who go expecting a reboot like the new Star Trek or constant explosions like Transformers will be disappointed.

[kevindavis007]

That is exactly what I told some friends. It doesn't have enough explosions and flash for the modern box office. Sci Fi nerds/fans/geeks will love it, especially old school ones. People who go expecting a reboot like the new Star Trek or constant explosions like Transformers will be disappointed.

I think so..


I think that the last non high tech SciFi that did well was the Martian. 


I thought that Passengers was good. I think you are right, if there are no pew pew pew in the movie, people will not watch it.

[ABX]

I think so..


I think that the last non high tech SciFi that did well was the Martian. 


I thought that Passengers was good. I think you are right, if there are pew pew pew in the movie, people will not watch it.

Would you believe I haven't seen Passengers yet? 

Add Ex Machina to the list of good recent sci fi along the same lines. Hell, it could be a prequel to Blade Runner.

[kevindavis007]

Would you believe I haven't seen Passengers yet? 

Add Ex Machina to the list of good recent sci fi along the same lines. Hell, it could be a prequel to Blade Runner.

At first I didn't like it, but the more I though about it, it made a lot of sense and I can see why.  It's on Starz right now..


Never seen Ex Machina.

[Machiavelli]

Phillip K. Dick's Electric Dreams

Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams Isn't a TV Show, It's a 'Series of 10 Movies'

Beth Elderkin
io9
October 8, 2017

Amazon is really looking to makes Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams, its upcoming scifi anthology series, more cinematic than episodic. At “The World of Philip K. Dick” panel at New York Comic Con (which covered both Electric Dreams and The Man in the High Castle), the producers emphasized how the show is far more like a series of films than a television show...

Electric Dreams has already debuted in the UK, and will arrive in the United States sometime in 2018.

Full article

[cammie]

Ex Machina was also good and made for adults and didn't do much box office...luckily it had a lower budget!
I also haven't seen Passengers, but need to. If you haven't been hooked into "The Man in the High Castle," on Amazon, it's also good, although I have some casting issues...
But I saw Blade Runner 2049 on Saturday and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since, which never happens anymore. At its core, it is a really...and this is going to be a weird word for it, but so be it...lovely film with a message of the value of love and sacrifice.

[Gefn]

Ex Machina was also good and made for adults and didn't do much box office...luckily it had a lower budget!
I also haven't seen Passengers, but need to. If you haven't been hooked into "The Man in the High Castle," on Amazon, it's also good, although I have some casting issues...
But I saw Blade Runner 2049 on Saturday and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since, which never happens anymore. At its core, it is a really...and this is going to be a weird word for it, but so be it...lovely film with a message of the value of love and sacrifice.

I'm saving "Man in the High Castle " for my next binge watch

[240B]

Babylon 5 was great. I loved it. But to me it essentially ended at the end of season 4. Season 5 was redundant and not necessary in my opinion. It was enjoyable on several levels.


Just started watching the Battlestar Galactica 2003-2004 on Hulu


Annoyances so far:
Constant whispery dialogue (why do they always whisper? except on the flight deck)
Constant dark/gray lighting (CSI style almost)
Hand bongo soundtrack (hate it, lol)
Slow pace (but it is a multi-season soap opera. so they are in no hurry)


Not really an annoyance, but seeing them shoot bullets and rockets at each other was kind of a chuckle. This is a different species of human from somewhere else in the galaxy, and they developed guns/bullets/rockets just like ours. And yet the jump fighters fire lasers. I don't know why the writers did that? This is several decades after star trek and even star trek had phasers. But...whatever... 


Attractions:
Well done/well performed
Compelling storyline so far, even if it is slow to get to the point
Compelling believable actors
Complex multithreaded plotlines


Too early to know if the whole thing is like this because I am early in season one. But overall it is watchable and I am interested to see how it develops. But as soft as these guys talk, Lieutenant Worf could never make it on this ship(s).

[kevindavis007]

Babylon 5 was great. I loved it. But to me it essentially ended at the end of season 4. Season 5 was redundant and not necessary in my opinion. It was enjoyable on several levels.

I agree on what you thought about Babylon 5. What happened was they thought Season 4 was going to be it. Season 5 wasn't supposed to happen.

[Ghost Bear]

I agree on what you thought about Babylon 5. What happened was they thought Season 4 was going to be it. Season 5 wasn't supposed to happen.

Interesting bit of B5 trivia: when JMS thought Season 4 was going to be the last season, he had the episode "Sleeping in Light" filmed, as it was always intended to be the last episode. When Season 5 got the green light, "Sleeping in Light" was held until the end of Season 5, and they filmed the episode "Deconstruction of Falling Stars" to be the Season 4 ending episode instead. That's why "Sleeping in Light" features characters like Ivanova, who didn't appear in Season 5 as Claudia Christian's contract wasn't renewed.  Also, that's why "Sleeping in Light" has the production code 422, and "Deconstruction of Falling Stars" has production code 501.

[Free Vulcan]

Knowing hindsight is 20/20, I wish they'd dedicated season 5 to the Alliance cleaning out the Drakh, Steib and all the other shadow remnants ending in a big climactic battle. That would have made a nice trifecta. But they left that unfinished and the season fell apart.

[240B]

Knowing hindsight is 20/20, I wish they'd dedicated season 5 to the Alliance cleaning out the Drakh, Steib and all the other shadow remnants ending in a big climactic battle. That would have made a nice trifecta. But they left that unfinished and the season fell apart.

I had fast forward through some of the S5 episodes. They were almost all dialogue and politics. That is the exact format you find with Days of our Lives or General Hospital. Whereas, my 13 year old brain wanted to see them 'blow shit up!', like you said. So, I agree the Season 5 meandered and eventually simply wilted away.

[kevindavis007]

I had fast forward through some of the S5 episodes. They were almost all dialogue and politics. That is the exact format you find with Days of our Lives or General Hospital. Whereas, my 13 year old brain wanted to see them 'blow shit up!', like you said. So, I agree the Season 5 meandered and eventually simply wilted away.

Also, a little advice.. The Spin off Babylon 5:Crusade was OK, but the music was annoying as hell. The attempted spin off Babylon 5:The Legend of the Rangers was OK, but they kept live for the one and die for one.

[Gefn]

I had fast forward through some of the S5 episodes. They were almost all dialogue and politics. That is the exact format you find with Days of our Lives or General Hospital. Whereas, my 13 year old brain wanted to see them 'blow shit up!', like you said. So, I agree the Season 5 meandered and eventually simply wilted away.

I had to laugh at the General Hospital reference. I stopped watching after Luke married Laura.
Gosh I feel old. :)

[kevindavis007]

Well here are my favorite SciFi shows right now:


The Orville
Star Trek Discovery
The Expanse

[Gefn]

How do I watch the new Star Trek show?

It doesn't appear to be on tv. Or am I missing it?

Is it on streaming?

[Gefn]

Well here are my favorite SciFi shows right now:


The Orville
Star Trek Discovery
The Expanse

I have not seen "The Expanse" though I heard it was good. I thought it would be like the short story "the cold equations " which scared the poop out of me.

Maybe I should revisit it for a binge watch this winter.

National Geographic's Mars is going to have a season two next year

[kevindavis007]

How do I watch the new Star Trek show?

It doesn't appear to be on tv. Or am I missing it?

Is it on streaming?

It is streaming on CBS All-Access only.

[Gefn]

It is streaming on CBS All-Access only.

Oh poop. I tried that once for a week to watch Big Brother. Did not like. But for Star Trek I will try again.


Did I tell you guys I have a Star Trek outfit for Halloween? It's awesome!!!

[sneakypete]

It is streaming on CBS All-Access only.

@kevindavis

Ok,so what is CBS All-Access only,and who was the idiot that came up with such a confusing name? Does CBS have  a  partial access only,also?

[ABX]

The Orville is getting better every week. This week's was a must watch. An actual correct observation of the differences between a direct democracy and representative republic as well as commentary on social media.