(1) On Veterans Day: “Ten Science-Fiction and Fantasy Authors Who Served in the US Armed Forces” from Suvudu.
9) Elizabeth Ann Scarborough Elizabeth Ann Scarborough was an Army nurse during the Vietnam war, an experience she has drawn upon in her fiction on occasion. She is the author of several series, including Acorna and Petaybee, but her modern fantasy novel The Healer’s War is perhaps the most autobiographical. Interviews with Scarborough aren’t easy to find online, but here’s one in which she mentions her nursing experience.
10) Gene Wolfe After serving in the Army during the Korean war, Gene Wolfe returned home and became an engineer. Writing was a hobby that he pursued in his off-hours, but his talent was apparent from the very beginning. He is the author of numerous books, but his The Books of the New Sun series revolutionized fantasy and is a classic of the Dying Earth genre. If you have a literary bucket list then this series belongs at the top. Wolfe spoke about the effect the war had on his fiction during an interview with MIT’s 12 Tomorrows: “It’s a real wake-up call. What military service does is rub off a lot of the pretense and self-deception from a person. You have to keep going, knowing that there are people over there who are trying to kill you. You’re right: they are.”
(2) N. K. Jemisin reacts to dropping the Lovecraft statuette from the World Fantasy Award in “Whew”.
That’s a sigh of relief. One less thing to feel conflicted about. One more thing I can celebrate freely, easily, and without reservation.
I’m talking about the World Fantasy Award, which will now no longer be represented by the head of H. P. Lovecraft. My feeling re the whole thing is a) ’bout time, and b) whew. Because while I have no idea if I’ll ever win a WFA myself — I’ve been nominated twice and that’s awesome — I have watched other anti-racist friends and fellow writers of color win the award. It’s impossible not to feel that visceral clench of empathy when they speak of the awkwardness of Lovecraft, of all people, as the representation of their honor. I’ve heard a number of winners talk about the ways they plan to hide or disguise or otherwise disrespect their own award so that they can reach a place of comfort with it. I’ve contemplated what I would do if I won, myself. (Was planning to put it on full display atop my cat’s litterbox.) I never show off my nomination pins, because I don’t feel like explaining when people ask, “Who’s that supposed to be?”
(3) Rocket Books is running a series of sf author trading cards. Here are the four most recent sf all-stars.
#SciFiSunday Check back every Sunday for a new Legend of #ScienceFiction. RocketUp! #fantasy #scifi #books 05 pic.twitter.com/sYuGLFKHzt
— RocketBooks (@RocketBooksInc) October 31, 2015
Due to overwhelming demand, we now present the following in the Legends of #ScienceFiction series. 01 pic.twitter.com/s647NY11mS
— RocketBooks (@RocketBooksInc) October 31, 2015
#SciFiSunday Check back every Sunday for a new Legend of #ScienceFiction. RocketUp! #fantasy #scifi #books 07 pic.twitter.com/U8JgWB1UPQ
— RocketBooks (@RocketBooksInc) November 7, 2015
#SciFiSunday Check back every Sunday for a new Legend of #ScienceFiction. RocketUp! #fantasy #scifi #books 02 pic.twitter.com/scRWgxd33s
— RocketBooks (@RocketBooksInc) November 11, 2015
(4) Entertainment Weekly had Harrison Ford recreate his classic pose as one of four new covers for their upcoming Star Wars special issue.
(5) Worldcon organizer Ben Yalow is quoted in the New York Times story “F.C.C. Sides With Hot Spots, and Hospitality Industry Feels a Chill”:
…Since many convention centers outsource functions like their network management, it can be harder for planners to haggle down the price of Internet access, but the arrangement spares the center from having to finance technological upgrades and might provide it with a commission as well….
“Basically, you’re looking at six figures or more to wire up the place, and every couple of years you’ll probably want to do another low six-figure upgrade,” said Ben Yalow, a recently retired information technology professional with experience setting up and configuring networks in hotels and convention centers….
Hospitality industry experts predicted that the F.C.C.’s recent actions would force event facilities to become more competitive in their pricing, so as not to lose out entirely on the Internet revenue stream….
“I think the long-term solution is going to be that convention centers and hotels drop their prices down to someplace reasonable,” Mr. Yalow said. “They’re not going to make money off this the way they used to.”
(6) “A member of Britain’s Parliament feuds with store over ‘Star Wars’ shoes”.
A member of Britain’s Parliament has been nicknamed “Shoebacca” after using House of Commons letterhead to complain about missing out on Star Wars shoes.
Angela Rayner, 35, a Labor party member who represents Ashton-under-Lyne, used notepaper with House of Commons letterhead to write a letter of complaint to the Irregular Choice shop after the store sold out of Dan Sullivan-designed Star Wars shoes that featured R2-D2 figures as the high heels.
(7) David Gerrold responded to the latest news about accessibility and harassment policies on Facebook. This excerpt is what he said about accessibility.
For the past two or three years, when I have been invited to conventions, I have requested that panels be made up of qualified individuals of all genders. While sometimes it happens that a panel ends up as all-male or all-female (as a function of subject matter), con programmers should make every effort to be inclusive.
In the future, I will be expanding that request to include ramps and other appropriate accessibility requirements for disabled participants. Larger conventions should consider having a sign-language interpreter for deaf attendees.
I have to make it a request, not a requirement — because some conventions might not have the resources. A convention survives on its attendance. Small cons can’t always afford these things. The rule of thumb is to spend the money where it will serve the most people….
A convention is supposed to be a gathering of the community, a place where we share our love of the genre and go home inspired. We don’t want our friends in fandom going home unhappy. The unwritten rule in fandom has always been that everybody is welcome, everybody is included — but it’s not enough to have that as an ideal, we have to demonstrate it by accessibility and inclusion.
(8) On Veterans Day, Cedar Sanderson recommended reading Tom Kratman’s columns for EveryJoe.com based on Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers.
Here are the links to Kratman’s “Service Guarantees Citizenship (Part I)” and “Service Guarantees Citizenship (Part II)”.
We’ve been discussing the system put forth in naval officer and science fiction author Robert Heinlein’s book, Starship Troopers. For some background see last week’s column. For more background, read the book and spurn the wretched movie.
*****
So why are we – those of us who are in favor – even concerned with radically changing the system that has, and for the most part well enough, seen us through over two centuries? It’s simple: We think that system’s time has run, that we are not the people we were and that our ruling class is no longer worthy. Indeed, it’s not even trustworthy, let alone generally worthy. We observe that our political and economic fate has fallen into the hands of the denationalized rich, who frankly don’t care a fig for us. We see that where once we were an “ask what you can do for your country” people, we are increasingly indistinguishable from the worst third-world kleptocratic and nepotistic hellholes. We see the PC fascisti replacing us with unassimilable foreigners, often enough from cultures that are not just incompatible, but which actively hate us. We see that we are fracturing in ways that are arguably worse than anything we’ve ever seen before, worse even than before and during the Civil War. Yankees and Rebs used to, at least, mostly speak the same language. Our language today, as spoken by left and right from north and south, may sound the same but the words and concepts have changed meanings.
In short, we think that we either, in Brecht’s words, elect a new people, as our denationalized and corrupt rulers seem to be trying to do via immigration, or we fall hard – so hard we’ll never stand again.
(9) Adam-Troy Castro quizzed his Facebook readers:
Unanswered question, from a thread: what if the World Military Fiction Award were a statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest? Would you consider a black novelist childish for questioning the appropriateness of that choice, or the award committee too PC for considering that maybe he had a point?
(10) Today In History
- November 11, 1982 — The space shuttle Columbia blasted off on the first commercial space mission.
(11) Today’s Birthday Boy
- Born November 11, 1922 — Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut
(12) David Kilman at Amazing Stories devotes the November installment of Scide Splitters to “1941 Retro Hugo Eligible Novellas”.
Two of the three novellas I will be exploring today are ones that I read at an early age, albeit in modified form as they were incorporated into The Incomplete Enchanter. My reviews here, however, are of the stories as they appeared in their original form published in Unknown Fantasy Fiction. Even though all three were advertised as novels when first published, I have confirmed that all three are of novella length (17,500 to 40,000 words).
(13) Litigation Comics from The Line it is Drawn #265 – “One Moment Later” on Famous Comic Book Covers at Comic Book Resources.
(14) Nerds of a Feather hosted a roundtable discussion on Katherine Kurtz’s Deryni Rising between Joe Sherry, Rob Bedford, Paul Weimer, Jonah Sutton-Morse and Fred Kiesche. Here’s a sample:
Joe Sherry: Two things stand out for me. One: How quickly Kurtz gets into the action of the story and how tight the timeline is here. Everything that happens is so immediate, but it feels appropriate with the political risk of Kelson being able to hold on to a crown he is barely prepared to accept because he is only about to hit his legal majority all the while he is about to face a challenge from an external threat with an internal agent. I’m not sure that stuff really gets old when it’s written so smoothly. Two: This may be colored by how I feel about some of the later novels, but what I like is the minutiae, the details of how things work behind the scenes – the Council sessions, the rituals of the church, the tidbits on Deryni history.
(15) Larry Correia, in “The 2015 Still Not a Real Writer Book Tour Recap” at Monster Hunter Nation, shows how to make the jump from Sad Puppy to Bestselling Underdog.
One stop was at Powell’s in Beaverton. It is a great store, and I had a great time with a good crowd. But I saw later on Twitter somebody had apparently seen me there, and taken to Twitter to talk about my pathetic showing, and how nobody was there at the lamest book signing ever, and hashtag something about how I was the saddest puppy of all.
That struck me as odd, since we had over forty people show up, which by most author’s reckonings is great, and we filled the signing area to the side. But then I realized what he’d probably seen (mistakenly thinking that a Puppy Kicker was honest and not just lying about me on Twitter, silly me). I’d gotten there almost an hour early, and had killed time just hanging out in the audience with the seven or eight people who’d shown up really early too. I figured that was what he’d seen, because by seven o’clock we had filled the chairs, and more people kept coming in the whole time. So being my usual diplomatic self, I responded and told him that the “big hand goes on the seven, doofus”. Luckily, some of the fans had taken pictures of the crowd too, and since you guys are so super helpful, you posted the photographic evidence to the dude.
Now, a smart person would say, whoops, my bad. But not a Puppy Kicker. They have that whole narrative about how anybody who disagrees with TRUFAN is irreparably damaging their career, so of course he doubled down. Oh no. He was there at 7:05! And he saw my 40! And that was still horrible garbage failure of suck, because that bookstore ROUTINELY gets 500(!) people at a book signing…
This of course came as a surprise to the people who work there, and my more famous author friends who sell ten times as many books as I do, who only got around 200 there. Basically, you can count the number of mega superstar authors who routinely get five hundred people at a book signing on your hands, and have fingers left over. Puppy kickers are harsh, man. I think the average book signing in America is like five to seven people.
But I don’t make the rules. Five hundred it is! Anything less is shameful garbage.
(16) Max Florschutz tells his own strategy for “Dealing with Detractors” at Unusual Things.
You ignore them.
For the most part. But seriously, this is usually the best solution. Because if you try to do battle with them, be they trolls or individuals/groups in power, you’re basically throwing gas on a flame. It’ll ignite, and sometimes that can catch you on fire as well. If nothing else, a detractor will try their hardest to make sure that if they’re going down, they’re going to take you with them, any way you can.
Now, some detractors can take things to the point where you need to confront them in some way or another. But you know what?
Let them ruin themselves.
You see, the thing about these detractors is that they’re toxic individuals to one degree or another. And one way or another, unless they change, they’ll end up poisoning whatever atmosphere they’re involved in. Eventually, people catch on. It might take years, but eventually, one way or another, time has a way of catching up with those who’ve made their hobby tearing down everyone else and eating away at their own pyramid. And as long as you haven’t let them catch you in their claws, they probably won’t take you with them when they fall. Ignore them, work with those critics and individuals who are concerned with making your work the best it can be, and detractors will remove themselves from the creative pool; exercising a form of social Darwinism.
(17) Mike McMahan has written an ST:TNG parody, Warped: An Engaging Guide to the Never-Aired 8th Season.
The official parody guide to the unaired eighth season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, based on the popular @TNG_S8 Twitter account from creator Mike McMahan!In the basement of the Star Trek archives, behind shelves of U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D models, bags of wigs, and bins of plastic phasers, sits a dusty cardboard box. Inside is a pile of VHS tapes that contain never-before-seen episodes and behind-the-scenes footage for something truly amazing. The world thinks there are only seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation, but there’s one more. A secret season.
The @TNG_S8 book is out next week! @pleaseprint wrote the funny funny! I drew the pretty pretty! You'll love it! pic.twitter.com/mkLNC3xq0c
— Jason Ho (@jasonhohoho) October 6, 2015
(18) Marvel’s Jessica Jones – Official Trailer #2, coming on Netflix. Suvudu gives a detailed rundown.
[Thanks to Ryan H., JJ, Daniel Dern, The G., and John King Tarpinian for some of these stories. Title credit goes to File 770 contributing editor of the day Anna Nimmhaus.]
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1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
Didn’t see Seventh Seal – abstain.
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Thief of Baghdad. Ooooh, those tight, tight pants….
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
King Kong (1933)
Abstain; never seen Troll Hunter
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
Pleasantville (1998)
Abstain; never seen Pleasantville. But rooting for Spirited Away.
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
Abstain; never seen Highlander. (I know; I know….”There can be only one.” I’m the one that hasn’t seen it.)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Tough choice. Roger Rabbit.
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
Fisher King (1991)
Abstain; never seen Fisher King
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
Neverending Story (1984)
Didn’t much like Narnia, but it was better than Neverending Story.
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Green Rider, Kristen Britain
Abstain
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah Monette
Abstain
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
The Man of Gold, M.A.R. Barker
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
Pleasantville (1998)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
Fisher King (1991)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
Neverending Story (1984)
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasy film?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Green Rider, Kristen Britain
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah Monette
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
The Man of Gold, M.A.R. Barker
I’ve seen several of these movies, but the only one I feel strongly enough about to vote for is
Spirited Away
That was amazing!
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
Abstain
2. WILLING THIEVES
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
Pleasantville (1998)
Abstain
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
Neverending Story (1984)
Abstain
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
Green Rider, Kristen Britain
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
It is very hard to judge a single film vs. a series. The series has both strengths and weaknesses… and the goal of a series is not the same as the goal of a single film, I think.
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
King Kong (1933)
To be honest I’ve not seen Troll Hunter, but it does not seem to be in the same category as King Kong.
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
Pleasantville (1998)
No doubt whatsoever, once I recognised (from other comments) what film was being talked about! (Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi). Though of the Studio Gibli films, personally I prefer Mimi wo sumaseba (Murmer of the Heart? – I’ll never understand how they choose the English titles).
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
Both very silly, but one is rather more fun.
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Too difficult to choose.
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
Neverending Story (1984)
I’m not sure whether “The Chronicles of Narnia 2005-2010” matches up with any films I’ve seen or not… probably yes… but watching paint dry was more entertaining than “will this story never end”.
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
The Man of Gold, M.A.R. Barker
I found Man of Gold strangely unexciting.
I’m pretty sure I’m unqualified to decide “best,” but I do have opinions.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
None of the above? Okay, fine, because I really liked the first one.
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
And I hope that’s the last painful choice.
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
Sorry, classics, my vote here goes to modern action and adventure.
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
I have to vote for the home team here. (And I’m pleased to see this movie get so much love from people who haven’t grown up with the fairy tales and Th. Kittelsen’s fairytale illustrations which the movie trolls are based on.)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
Neverending Story (1984)
I’m possibly voting for Ende’s novel over Lewis’ Christian kitch rather than on the moview, but still.
There were only a few where I’d seen both of them, so I tried to match substitutions with the title since that’s more fun than just abstaining. By the way, good start on the titles, Hampus.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
Clash of the Titans
2. WILLING THIEVES
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
How To Train Your Dragon
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
The Phantom Tollbooth
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
Enchanted
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
Poison Study, Maria V. Snyder
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Hoping lurking anons can vote too?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Fisher King (1991)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
Neverending Story (1984)
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
abstain on the grounds that I keep waffling back and forth between the world’s best orange and a mixed bag of really significant apples.
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
King Kong (1933)
— abstain, because I haven’t seen Troll Hunter but it sounds *fascinating*
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Fisher King (1991)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Pleasantville (1998)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
1. Totally and completely The Seventh Seal.
2. Edward Scissorhands
4. Pleasantville
6. Coraline
***
1. Godstalk
2. Books of Magic
4. Good Omens
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
2. WILLING THIEVES
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Fisher King (1991)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
abstain
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasy film?
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
abstain
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
abstain
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
I don’t know how, but I want so very much to find out.
Looking over the pairings, I can tell this is going to be difficult because I’m going to be comparing such very different aspects. Better story? Better fantasy? Better visual portrayal of the fantastic? Argh.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
If it had been just the first HP, and just as an evaluation of how well it translated the novel, it might have won. But the longer the series went on, the more of the most important moral and ethical issues of the stories got lost along the way. And the more it just turned into a magical slug-fest.
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Ow, this one is hard. Groundbreaking versus lots of feels wrapped up in a superficially silly package? I’m going with Edward because of the way it addresed questions of what it means to be human.
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
King Kong (1933)
It may be cheesy, but it’s a classic.
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
Pleasantville (1998)
I found Pleasantville entertaining, but heavy-handed. Spirited Away, well, spirited me away.
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
If we were talking the tv series, it would be harder because that got so repetitive. If I were voting for one single scene, it would be an immortal being sticking around to see a mortal love to the end.
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
I’m a sucker for stories that play head-games with their own tropes.
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
Fisher King (1991)
Hellboy was a pretty generic comic-book movie, but I have an allergy to Robin Williams.
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
Neverending Story (1984)
A very decent rendering of the series, I thought. (Though, of course, incomplete.)
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, Godstalk. But I think The Cloud Roads has such wonderful potential for the visual medium.
Abstain on the rest since I’ve failed to read any of them.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
Ten-year-old me came across The Seventh Seal on random Saturday morning tv in the early 60s.
Amazed wonder.
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
Pleasantville (1998)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
Fisher King (1991)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
Neverending Story (1984)
Narnia films a bit meh
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
By a hair.
Unless you’d let me switch things out, and take both of these, and none of #3?
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Green Rider, Kristen Britain
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah Monette
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
The Man of Gold, M.A.R. Barker
Oooh, I found a couple forehead cloths at the back of the junk drawer.
1. The Seventh Seal
2. The Thief of Baghdad (Doug!)
3. King Kong (although I deployed a cloth b/c Troll Hunter is great)
4. Spirited Away
5. Highlander (heeeeeeeeeeeeere we arrrrrrrre…) (have soundtrack to both)
6. Roger Rabbit! (special effects, characters, plot, it’s got it all)
7. Hellboy (Perlman!)
8. Neverending Story (luck dragon!)
Bonus:
1. God Stalk
2. abstain
3. abstain
4. Good Omens
Hampus Eckeman on November 14, 2015 at 1:02 am said:
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1.Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
I feel asleep watching the seventh seal. Great imagery but HP story grabbed me and I loved it.
2. The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
I saw this as a kid and loved it.
3. King Kong (1933)
No chance to dethrone the king.
4. Spirited Away (2001)
A beautiful film.
5. Highlander (1986)
I believe this had a queen soundtrack ?
6. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
No contest in my minds. Toontown !
7. Hellboy (2004)
Brilliant comic and well adapted movie.
8. Abstain not seen either choice.
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
1 God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
How could there be any doubt ! I adore this book.
2. Green Rider, Kristen Britain
A different kind of book I would love to see imagined.
3. The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah Monette
Tough one to choose
4. The Man of Gold, M.A.R. Barker
Pratchett has been done – this would be an alien world that deserves to be imagined.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
2. WILLING THIEVES
Abstain – I haven’t seen “The Thief of Baghdad” and I don’t think “Edward Scissorhands” was very good.
May I turn this into a vote for “Were the World Mine”??? 😉
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
King Kong (1933)
This isn’t SF?!
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Pleasantville (1998)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Uh . . . skin flute? Wut?!
Anyway, I will substitute “Practical Magic.” ;-P
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Fisher King (1991)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells
Darnit, I have to vote for this, since I’m reading it right now, and liking it a lot! I haven’t read God Stalk yet (blush); it’s waiting on the shelf of 2015 books-to-read (even though it’s not from 2015; I want to read it some time this century).
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah Monette
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
The Man of Gold, M.A.R. Barker
Abstain – I haven’t read either. (blush) I’ll probably go to hell for not having read Good Omens; it’s on a shelf in the basement!
1. The Seventh Seal (or rather, a vote against the Potter movies)
2-3. Abstain
4. Spirited Away
5. Abstain
6. Who Framed Roger Rabbit
7. Abstain
8. The Neverending Story
Bonus bracket: Complete abstension since Good Omens is the only one I’ve ever read, and while it’s one of the funniest books I’ve ever read, so much of what works about it for me is the prose, and I’m not sure it would make a very good movie.
Brackets!
(Thanks, Hampus!)
1. The Seventh Seal (1957)
Kyra’s right about the Harry Potter movies.
2. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
4. Spirited Away (2001)
(Ouch)
5. Highlander (1986)
(Nostalgia)
6. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
I wanted to like Coraline, the movie much more than did.
7. Fisher King (1991)
Can I vote twice for this one?
8. Can I vote against both of these?
BONUS BRACKET :
1. God Stalk, natch. No, but really.
2. The Books of Magic
(Not that I’ve read Green Rider.)
3. Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
4. No vote. I’ve only read Good Omens, and I love it, but I expect it would make a horrible film.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
1. The Seventh Seal (1957)
2. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
3. Abstain
4. Abstain
5. Abstain
6. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
7. Fisher King (1991). Greatly underrated
8. Abstain
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Special rule means I don’t have to go in for mass abstentions like I did in the 21st century brackets; most of these are based on a bit of research and deciding either which one I’d rather see filmed, or possibly which one is less likely to be completely ballsed-up without a Peter Jackson-size budget (or even with one)
1. God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
2. Green Rider, Kristen Britain
3. The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah Monette
4. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Kendall:
The prostitute Kurgan calls up to his room is named Candy.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
Pleasantville (1998)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
Fisher King (1991)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
Neverending Story (1984)
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Green Rider, Kristen Britain
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah Monette
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
The Man of Gold, M.A.R. Barker
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
The Seventh Seal was probably objectively better, but I watched half of it, and I watched all of the Harry Potter movies and some many times. Although I agree they miss some key scenes from the books, and some key ideas, there are a few places they also *improve* on them. (I’m looking at you, Department of Mysteries).
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
I’m voting for the one I haven’t seen but want to. I think that’s a first for me.
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
I love Pleasantville more than many other things in the bracket so far, but it doesn’t even come close to Miyazaki.
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
Although I would definitely argue that soundtrack-wise it would go the other way.
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
The reasons why Coraline fails, in spite of being a lovely visual spectacle and 80% a wonderful rendering of the book, have been correctly explained above by others.
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Fisher King (1991)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
I like both, but I think the second Narnia movie hit me in all the right ways AND improved on its source material about 200% (And the third was *not* good but still improved on its source material in some notable ways) while the Neverending Story was good but had a few pointed failures in translating its source material.
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITIOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells
Corrected the typo, BTW.
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Since this was basically a tour of and an attempt to consolidate ALL the forms magic seen in the DC universe, it’s hugely varied, wildly visual, and amazing it made a coherent whole.
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah Monette
I think Dragonhaven is too dependant on interiority and voice, and actions (like the “Taking care of a baby at all hours and doing nothing else”) that just wouldn’t translate well.
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
I know you said vote anyhow but I can’t vote for or against something I haven’t even heard of. At least Green Rider I’ve heard of and read reviews and discussion.
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)The Seventh Seal is deservedly a classic of world cinema.
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)A tough choice. Thief was the more charming. Edward moved me but its plot was a bit formulaic.
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
Pleasantville (1998)5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
Highlander wasn’t that great.
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)Fisher King (1991)
Abstain, with a write-in vote for Frozen.
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
Neverending Story (1984)I really don’t much like what either of these adaptations did with their sources, so I’m voting for the one with the better source.
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha WellsGod Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Green Rider, Kristen BritainHaven’t read the Britain, but my default is to vote for Gaiman.
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah MonetteMuch as I like the Monette books, I don’t think they’d make terrific films.
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
The Man of Gold, M.A.R. BarkerHaven’t read the Barker, but my default…
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011). The other one’s a classic, but this was more fun. 🙂
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940). Very tough call, but this was really wonderful.
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001).
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986). Wow, very apples-and-oranges choice here! But I guess there can be but one.
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Argh, tie.
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004).
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
Neverending Story (1984)
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell. This one’s mandatory, isn’t it? 🙂
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
Answers are more my husband than me as I’ve never been a big movie goer.
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
2. WILLING THIEVES
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Pleasantville (1998)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
Tie
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
Fisher King (1991)
Abstain
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
Neverending Story (1984)
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
Green Rider, Kristen Britain
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah Monette
Abstain Haven’t read either
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
The Man of Gold, M.A.R. Barker
Ouch no love for the Man of Gold. It’s an intriguing bit of world building along the lines of Tolkien in my opinion. Invented languages; deeply rooted in historical cultural myths and traditions (in the case Indio-Asian); science fictional with alien species on the same planet.
It would be a wonderful mess of a movie.
@Hampus: Ah, thanks – also, thanks for doing the brackets. 😀
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
Abstain
2. WILLING THIEVES
Abstain
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
Vividly remember watching this in a late night double feature with Terminator while at Uni and the whole audience cheered Sean Connery’s appearance. This was after the cheer for Queen: “…we’re the princes of the Universe!”
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Just a great film and performance by Bob Hoskins
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
Abstain
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
Abstain
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
First Gaiman I read, lead me on to Sandman.
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
Dragons beat wizards.
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
@Petréa Mitchell
The BBC Radio 4 adaptation showed it could be done without spoiling it.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Sublime. The HP movies started out slavish and kinda lost me. I don’t think I saw the last four.
2. WILLING THIEVES
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
A very sad little movie; Depp and Burton before they overdid it.
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
Tough call, but Troll Hunter is just great.
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
Miyazaki’s best. Very nice.
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
This title is comedy gold. Highlander is very entertaining, if somewhat bombastically dated; CCBB is a children’s classic.
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Coraline is great! But Roger Rabbit is greater.
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
The perfect depiction from Ron Perlman.
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
Neverending Story (1984)
Another children’s classic vs. some disappointing (albeit visually stunning) efforts.
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
This round is a write-off for me.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
Abstain.
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
Abstain.
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Abstain.
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Abstain
It’s interesting to hear the various folk-derivations of “call a spade a spade”. The way it came down to me, it’s short for “call a spade a spade, not a long-handled square-bladed agricultural earth-moving implement”, which seems pretty clearly a way of saying “speak plainly and briefly” not “let’s slide in a racial slur”. But given the confusion about its origin and the differing interpretations, it’s a phrase I don’t use unless I use it in full.
5 Highlander
oh yeah, and my granddaughter votes for Frozen
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
2. WILLING THIEVES
Abstain. Never saw one and don’t remember the other terribly well.
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
I really did not expect to enjoy Troll Hunter at all, but it completely surprised me.
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
One if Miyazaki’s very best.
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Abstaining from apathy here, I fear.
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
I think these recent adaptations did an excellent job overcoming some fundamental weaknesses in the books.
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
Abstain
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
Abstain
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Monette begins somewhat inaccessably; I am very fond of it, but doubtful that it could translate well. I love McKinley… Or maybe I am just sucking up to Meredith, Mistress of Lists and Maven of Recorded Lore.
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
@LunarG
😀
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
King Kong (1933)
This is a rough one with the better part of a century between them. King Kong was a classic well before I was born. Troll Hunter surprised me with its quality and sensitivity (despite my hatred for the “found footage” style). Abstain.
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
I don’t even know. Wait — how about a vote for “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” (1971), which I completely forgot until just now? It’s the reason I went to Portobello Road the first time I visited London.
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
Le sigh. I am sad to see Roger Rabbit go up against Coraline so early. I even read the book that each movie were based on (Coraline a wee bit more faithful an adaptation that Roger).
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
If only Falkor visited Narnia.
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
King Kong (1933)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
Pleasantville (1998)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
Fisher King (1991)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
Neverending Story (1984)
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Green Rider, Kristen Britain
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah Monette
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
The Man of Gold, M.A.R. Barker
My happy times with my sister were the times we stayed up late watching late-night, i.e., old, movies. It means I’ve watched a good deal that predates me–and perhaps also that there’s a happy haze over some of them… It’s 2157, now, two centuries after my birth, so some details may have faded.
1. Harry Potter
2. Edward Scissorhands
3. Abstain
4. Abstain
5. Highlander
6. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
7. Hellboy
8. Chronicles of Narnia
Bonus Bracket…
The only book I’ve read out of all of those is Dragonhaven–so it gets my vote.
WHISTEBLOW
Closing down voting one hour from now.
UNDER THE BLEEPING WIRE!
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one is the best fantasy movie?
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
Difficult, but between Alfonso Cuaron’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and David Yates’ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince–not to mention Steve Cloves’ superb adaptation work–Harry Potters take it.
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Even flawed, we still have the ice dance, Vincent Price as the Inventor, Danny Elfman’s gorgeous score, and what has to be one of the best final lines of all time.
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
King Kong (1933)
King Kong: racist and irritating. Haven’t even seen Troll Hunter, but I am prepared to support a lot of stuff over Kong.
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
Pleasantville (1998)
OW. Two great films. Pleasantville had one great idea, perfectly and innovatively executed. But Spirited Away was just bouncing off the walls with ’em.
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
Neither. Protest vote for Pleasantville. I DEFY THE BRACKETS.
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
OW AGAIN. But Who Framed Roger Rabbit may well be a goddamn perfect movie.
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004)
Fisher King (1991)
del Toro (and Mignola) trump Terry Gilliam, and there ain’t very many who can do that.
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
Neverending Story (1984)
I ain’t afraid of no White Witch.
I AM afraid of the Nothing.
Also, only one of them gave us this:
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
Which one would make the better fantasyfilm?
Special rules: Vote even if haven’t read both contestants. Winner with fewer votes than two will be removed from bracket.
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
Poor, poor Cloud Roads.
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Green Rider, Kristen Britain
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah Monette
Because it could be a courtroom-drama sequel to Labyrinth. Right? That’s what it’s about?
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
The Man of Gold, M.A.R. Barker
Astonished it hasn’t been made yet.
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011)
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010)
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001)
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986)
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009)
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Fisher King (1991)
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010)
VOTING IS CLOSED! COUNTING WILL COMMENCE!
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
1. CHEATING DEATH NEEDS A MOTHERS LOVE
The Seventh Seal (1957) – 22 votes
Harry Potter – Series (2001 – 2011) – 19 votes
This one was tie in tie for the longest of time, the Seventh Seal only getting a small lead at the end. The chess game is still playing out, but Harry Potters mom can only save him once.
WINNER: The Seventh Seal
2. WILLING THIEVES
The Thief of Baghdad (1940) – 20 votes
Edward Scissorhands (1990) – 16 votes
Both have pants to die for, but if only Edward had gotten his real hands, perhaps he would have stayed a chance. Now he will have to stay in his garden and make snow statues instead.
WINNER: The Thief of Baghdad
3. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE HANDLING OF GIANT CREATURES
Troll Hunter (2010) – 8 votes
King Kong (1933) – 23 votes
How can you win against King Kong climbing the Empire State Building into the sunset, when the sun turns you to stone. Then it doesn’t help if you have several heads.
WINNER: King Kong
4. THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Spirited Away (2001) – 34 votes
Pleasantville (1998) – 8 votes
Poor, Pleasantville, up against the most popular japanese movie ever made. Colour drained away from the actors as they got reminded that yes, sometimes everything is black and white.
WINNER: Spirited Away
5. CANDY FLUTE FOR THE CHILDREN, SKIN FLUTE FOR CANDY
Highlander (1986) – 20 votes
Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968) – 15 votes
Another one that was ridiculously close for a long time. But in the end, there can be only one. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang got a puncture, a broken wing, and was left behind.
WINNER: Highlander
6. THE OTHER MOTHER NEEDS MORE DIP
Coraline (2009) – 16 votes
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) – 27 votes
The dip never arrived and the Other Mother got some new buttons to admire. Yes, there was a rabbit in his pantes, and yes, you were happy to see him.
WINNER: Who Framed Roger Rabbit
7. YOU MAY HAVE A BAD DAY, BUT DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Hellboy (2004) – 17 votes
Fisher King (1991) – 18 votes
Another close one, but the lack of springrolls proved the end of Hellboy. Who can resist a New York in June?
WINNER: Fisher King
8. CHILDREN WITH FLUFFY FRIENDS
The Chronicles of Narnia – Series (2005 – 2010) – 16 votes
Neverending Story (1984) – 19 votes
Some companions are more fluffy and others and this is a dragon that got lucky. No resurrection for Aslan this time.
WINNER: Neverending story
BONUS BRACKET – FIRST HEAT
1. BEWARE SUPERSTITOUS HUMANS
The Cloud Roads, Martha Wells – 11 votes
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell – 20 votes
Up against the favourite of File 770? Certain doom.
WINNER: God Stalk
2. MAGIC AND EVIL DARK FORCES
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman – 23 votes
Green Rider, Kristen Britain – 7 votes
This Rider is green with envy as The Books of Magic wins with a considerable margin.
WINNER: The Books of Magic
3. WIZARDS VS DRAGONS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley – 16 votes
The Doctrine of the Labyrinths, Sarah Monette – 12 votes
Dragon haven wins because Dragons. No more explanation needed.
WINNER: Dragonhaven
4. WORLDBUILDING OR WORLDBELIEVING
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman – 28 votes
The Man of Gold, M.A.R. Barker – 6 votes
Good Omens have been stuck in development hell for years now. Will it ever break loose? Yes, if the filers may decide.
WINNER: Good Omens
Gosh, this is turning out much closer than I’d have expected.
I was thinking about attempting bribes for the Seventh Seal. Glad I didn’t have to resort to that. It’s one of the few movies I will stop whatever I’m doing to watch, anytime, anyplace, along with Topsy Turvy. I realize that duo makes no sense together, but there you have it. It is what it is.
Forgot to tell, second heat here.
Interesting results – even if they didn’t all go my way. Thanks, Hampus!
BigelowT on November 15, 2015 at 9:20 am said:
I was thinking about attempting bribes for the Seventh Seal. Glad I didn’t have to resort to that. It’s one of the few movies I will stop whatever I’m doing to watch, anytime, anyplace, along with Topsy Turvy. I realize that duo makes no sense together, but there you have it. It is what it is.
I’m glad I was not the only person who had that temptation.