(1) Here is Hampus Eckerman, “A happy Filer on way to see The Martian.”
(2) But did he know that The Martian is a comedy? Nobody else knew it either until the people who run a set of Hollywood awards started playing games —
The Martian is one of my favorite films of 2015. It was intellectually stimulating, inspiring, thrilling, and even funny here and there, but was it a comedy? I don’t think so, but that’s the opinion of Hollywood Foreign Press: the organization behind the Golden Globes award. Apparently, the film is being shuffled over into comedy so it’ll have a chance to snatch a few awards–any awards–from the grasps of lighter fare: something that it won’t be able to do in the drama category, where there’s stiffer competition.
(3) In case anybody is really going to Mars, NASA wants to have spacesuits ready:
NASA is not wasting any time in developing new spacesuits to be used in a variety of locations for the Journey To Mars. Two new suits, PXS and Z2, were introduced in October and they have now reached the stage of working advanced prototypes.
The PXS, or prototype exploration spacesuit, was developed to improve performance on extra-vehicular activities (EVAs), spacewalks, in low-earth orbit or outer space. The suit aims to minimize the amount of equipment necessary for long duration EVAs. The PXS has a versatile approach to fittings. Many features are 3D printed, so the suit can be personalized for any crew member and for different types of EVAs.
(4) Remember Westworld, “Where nothing can possibly go wrong…”? If you’re going to the screening of Westworld at the Ace Hotel in LA on November 15, please note that the correct start time is 1:00 PM, not 2:00 PM as displayed in the original show banner.
(5) Neil deGrasse Tyson will start a 10-city speaking tour in January 2016.
Join Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, award winning- astrophysicist, author, and host of FOX’s Cosmos for an evening of engaging conversation on science, exploration and the world as we know it.
(6) Fantasy Faction has an extensive and quite interesting report of the Gollancz Festival for Writers.
On Sunday, 18th of October, prolific SFF publisher Gollancz held the Gollancz Festival for Writers, as a sort of addendum to the already sold-out Gollancz Festival 2015. It had a smaller line-up of authors compared to the main festival itself, and focused solely on writing (obviously). I was gutted that the main festival sold out so it was a pleasant surprise when this was announced, and I snapped up tickets immediately.
The main line-up consisted of Ben Aaronovitch, Joe Abercrombie, Joanne Harris and Joe Hill. Out of these four, I’d only read Abercrombie, and I’ve also seen him at events twice before (including Fantasy-Faction’s own Grim Gathering). Joe is one of my favourite writers and also a joy to see speak, so I was already thrilled to be going, but also seeing three other authors I’ve not seen before was a massive bonus.
(7) David K. M. Klaus sent a link to Daniel Castro’s op-ed at Computerworld, “’Ban the killer robots’ movement could backfire”.
Efforts to establish a global ban on offensive autonomous weapons — a.k.a. “killer robots” — have intensified in recent weeks. This uptick in lobbying comes on the heels of an open letter calling for such a ban from a group of artificial intelligence and robotics researchers, including well-known luminaries such as Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk and Noam Chomsky.
Unfortunately, these efforts have stigmatized much-needed research on autonomous robots that will be central to increasing economic productivity and quality of life over the next half century — but only if the technology is able to be developed. Rather than allowing those predicting a techno-dystopia to dominate the debate, policymakers should vocally champion the benefits of autonomous robots — including in the military — and embrace policies designed to accelerate their development and deployment.
Klaus responded:
“Ban the Killer Robots!” sounds like a demonstration-slogan shout in a scene on Futurama or something from an Ed Wood movie, but this article is about a real organization with real concerns.
From tele-operated drones to rudimentary A.I. in battlefield machines, they’re worried about the further mechanization of war against enemies of a lower technological level which would still be using human soldiers.
Nobody uses the word “cylon” but it sure as hell was the first thing that came to my mind.
And — I am not making this up — according to Twitter, one of the followers of “Campaign to Stop Killer Robots” tweets is Edward James Olmos.
I keep remembering this quotation by Allen Ginsberg, that “We live in science fiction.” That’s always resonated with me as prophetic, and it becomes more and more true every year.
(8) The BBC would like to get Tom Hanks on Doctor Who.
‘Doctor Who’ has attracted some impressive guest stars over the years including Brian Blessed, Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, and more recently Maisie Williams, but it seems like the Beeb has its sights set on an even higher stratosphere of names for the future.
Peter Capaldi, the actor currently in the lead role, says his BBC bosses asked him to tap up Tom Hanks to appear on the hit sci-fi show.
Not that he’d actually have to parallel any role he’s done in movies, but Hanks has experience with some of the show’s familiar tropes – he’s been through a time paradox in Radio Flyer, had his own Pompeii moment in Joe Versus the Volcano, and had an extended lifespan in The Green Mile.
(9) John King Tarpinian has been catching up on Scream Queens: [Spoiler Warning]
I watched the other night’s episode this afternoon, they had a big belly laugh scene. Jamie Leigh Curtis is taking a shower, the opening of which is shot-for-shot the same as her mother did for Hitchcock. Except that Jamie beats down the bad guy saying, “I’ve seen the movie like fifty times.”
(10) WIRED’s article “We Flew a Lego X-Wing Into the Death Star Because Awesome” has a clever video of exactly what you’d expect from that title.
You can’t make an omelette, they say, without breaking a few eggs. Well, you also can’t blow up a Death Star without crashing a few X-wings. (That was the lesson of Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope, right?) But while that sucks if you’re Porkins or one of his pilot brethren, the collision of X-wings and Death Stars makes for some pretty awesome destruction.
(11) Today In History
- November 14, 1964: Santa Claus Versus The Martians is released – generally regarded as one of the worst films ever made…
(12) Today’s Birthday Girl
- Born November 14, year *coff* *coff*: Cat Rambo, who wrote a candid status post to mark the day.
Man, this has been a shitty year in many ways, and one full of life lessons that apparently the universe felt were overdue. Some of those I’m still grappling with. I am so freaking behind on this book it’s not even funny, but thank god for both the wonderful time spent writing in California this summer and the kick in the ass that NaNoWriMo has administered. I’m feeling hopeful about that again and making steady progress.
At the same time among the bumps there’s been plenty of bright spots. Among them my first novel, my first appearance in a Year’s Best collection (edited by Joe Hill, no less), and my first acceptance to longtime goal Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (I have been submitting there for over a decade now). I’ve had nineteen original publications come out since my last birthday, and twelve are currently forthcoming, including a team-up with Mike Resnick. Rachel Swirsky and I are working on some projects together, which is terrific fun. I have a good half dozen stories already spoken for. My collaboration with Bud Sparhawk finally got accepted so he can stop nagging me about why it hasn’t sold yet.
(13) So H. P. Lovecraft was actually a good Democrat? Scott Edelman ran this quote in a 2010 blog post, “What H. P. Lovecraft Thought of Republicans”.
As for the Republicans—how can one regard seriously a frightened, greedy, nostalgic huddle of tradesmen and lucky idlers who shut their eyes to history and science, steel their emotions against decent human sympathy, cling to sordid and provincial ideals exalting sheer acquisitiveness and condoning artificial hardship for the non-materially-shrewd, dwell smugly and sentimentally in a distorted dream-cosmos of outmoded phrases and principles and attitudes based on the bygone agricultural-handicraft world, and revel in (consciously or unconsciously) mendacious assumptions (such as the notion that real liberty is synonymous with the single detail of unrestricted economic license or that a rational planning of resource-distribution would contravene some vague and mystical ‘American heritage’…) utterly contrary to fact and without the slightest foundation in human experience? Intellectually, the Republican idea deserves the tolerance and respect one gives to the dead.
(14) You can buy Forrest J Ackerman Presents Music For Robots, created by Frank Coe, on iTunes for $9.99.
The album was released in 2005. It seems that some (all?) of it has already been uploaded to YouTube.
[Thanks to David K.M. Klaus, Hampus Eckerman, Michael J. Walsh, and John King Tarpinian for some of these stories. Title credit goes to File 770 contributing editor of the day Soon Lee.]
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@junego, IanP, and Cally
I assumed Weir must have meant Korean extraction for Mindy Park because he’d been so deliberate with name choices for many of the other characters. I’m fairly sure I’ve met white Park’s, but I think it’s more common for Korean’s.
There was also the slightly confusing decision to hire Chiwetel Ejiofor (who is always very good) to play Venkat Kapoor! I’ve noticed there are a lot less Indian (or Pakistani) characters in American shows than there are here in the UK – I’m guessing part of that is just demographics, but it always looks a bit odd to me.
—
The nice thing about hard choices is that when my choice loses, the one that goes through is still a good choice. The bad thing is, well, pairing number seven.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST HEAT
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS
Spirited Away (2001)
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
Enchanted
3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Dark Crystal (1982)
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Lord of The Rings – Series (2001 ? 2003)
6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
Jason and The Argonauts (1963)
Because I love both of them and I’m pretty sure the other one will win.
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
His Majesty’s Dragon, Naomi Novik
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Death, The High Cost of Living, Neil Gaiman
You know what, with the right touch I honestly think it could make a decent film. Anyway, I like it more.
4. IT’s TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING TO THINK OF A TITLE
The Curse of Chalion, Lois McMaster Bujold
@meredith
I found a fuller version of the interview where he said he thought of her of having Korean ancestry, he also admits to not specifying it either in the text and said he knows it’s also a British name.
He also notes that Mark’s ethnicity is never mentioned either, nor is there any physical description of him given.
Funnily enough I watched the film before reading the book. Now I can’t swear to this but even having seen her on screen as white I think I flipped her to Korean in my head when I read it too. I can’t say I’m able to picture characters easily though, best I can do is think “who would I cast for this” Never remember dreams either, may be related.
Yes. Demographics. The Indian and Pakistani percentage of the population is much, much lower in the US. We don’t, for instance, have Indian food everywhere, the way we have lots of Chinese food everywhere.
Changing now, but still a low percentage compared to the UK.
I think I’m rambling, so I cut lots that didn’t appear to be going anywhere relevant to anyone but me.
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS
Spirited Away (2001)
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
Labyrinth (1986)
3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Dark Crystal (1982)
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
King Kong (1933)
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Lord of The Rings ? Series (2001 ? 2003)
6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
Excalibur (1981)
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
Jason and The Argonauts (1963)
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
His Majesty’s Dragon, Naomi Novik
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Barry Hughart
4. IT’s TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING TO THINK OF A TITLE
War for the Oaks, Emma Bull
Missed First Round, Fourth Heat, but they all went my way except Hogfather, so I’m relieved.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST HEAT
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Spirited Away (2001)
One has to go with Ingmar Bergman, particularly since Miyazaki has at least 2 other films in play.
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988)
Labyrinth (1986)
Labyrinth is more cohesive and memorable. I’m a big Gilliam fan, but primarily for “Brazil.”
3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Dark Crystal (1982)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Still one of the two greatest Xmas movies ever made. (The other one is the 30-minute, silent animated BBC Raymond Briggs “The Snowman.”)
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
King Kong (1933)
Brilliant comedy that holds up vs. dated racism that doesn’t.
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Lord of The Rings – Series (2001- 2003)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
This was a much easier vote than Wizard of Oz.
6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Excalibur (1981)
Must go with classic.
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
Jason and The Argonauts (1963)
The Princess Bride (1987)
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Being John Malkovich (1999)
Brilliant bracket title! As Being John Malkovich is one of my all-time favorites, also not a hard call.
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
Good Omens.
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
OR
Death, The High Cost of Living, Neil Gaiman
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
Death the High Cost of Living.
4. IT’s TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING TO THINK OF A TITLE
Good Omens AND Death: the High Cost of Living in one big Netflix, Showtime, or HBO series.
Clicked to ensure future bracket notifications!
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST HEAT
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988)
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Lord of The Rings – Series (2001 ? 2003)
6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
The Princess Bride (1987)
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
Three Hearts and Three Lions, Poul Anderson
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Death, The High Cost of Living, Neil Gaiman
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Barry Hughart
4. IT’s TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING TO THINK OF A TITLE
The Curse of Chalion, Lois McMaster Bujold
Bracket:
1.The Seventh Seal
Ouch!
2. Labyrinth
No ouch: Münchausen is the Gilliam I like the least. Such great pieces, but they just don’t come together. And Labyrinth… well: Bowie alone would make it work.
3. Tie. Can’t decide.
4. Monty Python and The Holy Grail, easy.
5. Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs
I loved Fellowship in the complicated way most Tolkien fans did, and loved each of the three installments less. It could be that the Hobbit movies are retroactively coloring my reaction to the original trilogy. I certainly hope to forget them soon.
6. Excalibur
7.The Princess Bride ALWAYS
8. Being John Malkovich, but no allcaps here.
Bonus:
1. His Majesty’s Dragon, for more movie spectacle.
2. Death, The High Cost of Living, because humor often fails to translate.
3. The Myth Books, I think
4. The Curse of Chalion and AAARRGGH.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST HEAT
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Spirited Away (2001)
In the end, I’m a sucker for well-done anime.
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988)
Labyrinth (1986)
Because it wins on the sheer wackiness factor.
3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Dark Crystal (1982)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
King Kong (1933)
There’s a point where personal taste can’t over-ride the genius that is Monty Python.
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Lord of The Rings – Series (2001 ? 2003)
Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Votes for the gorilla in the room. Oh, wait, that was #4.
6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Excalibur (1981)
The more I think about Excalibur, the more I dislike it. (Although I recall doing the language geek thing and figuring out what the Gaelic chant actually meant. Though why Merlin was chanting in Gaelic…)
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
Jason and The Argonauts (1963)
The Princess Bride (1987)
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Being John Malkovich (1999)
Meh. Abstain.
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
Three Hearts and Three Lions, Poul Anderson
His Majesty’s Dragon, Naomi Novik
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Death, The High Cost of Living, Neil Gaiman
Abstain.
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
The Myth Books, Robert Asprin
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Barry Hughart
4. IT’s TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING TO THINK OF A TITLE
The Curse of Chalion, Lois McMaster Bujold
War for the Oaks, Emma Bull
In each of the bonus brackets where I voted, I’m voting on cinematic potential rather than necessarily story.
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS
Spirited Away (2001)
Okay, here is my choice – this is all about what I enjoyed most and would watch again. Because I have no idea of what makes a movie objectively great. I have plenty of ideas in what makes one entertainingly terrible rather than soul-suckingly terrible…
But that’s not important now.
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
Labyrinth (1986)
3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Dark Crystal (1982)
Gelflings ftw.
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Lord of The Rings – Series (2001 ? 2003)
6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
The Princess Bride (1987)
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
His Majesty’s Dragon, Naomi Novik
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Death, The High Cost of Living, Neil Gaiman
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Barry Hughart
4. IT’s TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING TO THINK OF A TITLE
War for the Oaks, Emma Bull
Re: Mindy Park, I was too distracted being happy to see Mackenzie Davis on the big screen and never caught her surname. I wouldn’t have assumed Korean (or anything else) just from her surname, though.
Venkat Kapoor I would have probably pictured as Indian, but I kind of like the mixed up heritage implicit in the casting. There’s a lot of that in the world.
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS
Spirited Away (2001)
OUCH. Spirited Away, by a nose.
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988)
3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Dark Crystal (1982)
OUCH again.
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
The Princess Bride (1987)
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Being John Malkovich (1999)
BONUS BRACKET
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Barry Hughart
4. IT’s TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING TO THINK OF A TITLE
War for the Oaks, Emma Bull
I gots (short-form) votes.
1. Spirited Away (2001)
2. Labyrinth (1986)
3. The Dark Crystal (1982)
4. King Kong (1933)
5. Lord of The Rings – Series (2001 ? 2003)
6. Excalibur (1981)
7. The Princess Bride (1987)
8. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
BONUS BRACKET
1. Three Hearts and Three Lions, Poul Anderson
2. Abstain
3. Abstain
4. Abstain
Reporting feebly from within a case of forehead cloths.
1. Spirited Away
2. Labyrinth
3. Dark Crystal
4. Holy Grail
5. LOTR
6. Excalibur (again, despite armour sex)
7. Princess Bride
8. Malkovich
I’ll take “Quotable 80’s Films for $100”, Alex.
—————
1. His Majesty’s Dragon
2. Good Omens
3. Master Li & #10 Ox (applies many cloths)
4. abstain
Whee, this is getting so much easier! Oh wait, I mean not. It’s not getting easier. *sigh*
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS
Spirited Away (2001). Ouch, I hate to do it, but I have to.
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988). My sister-in-law will probably kill me if she finds out I voted this way, but I honestly like it a squidgin more. (And it’s not like it’s going to win….)
3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). A painful choice indeed.
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975).
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Lord of The Rings – Series (2001 ? 2003). Sorry, Walt. Despite its flaws, I still love this more.
6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Excalibur (1981)
Abstain. I really want to vote for Prince Ahmad, but I haven’t seen Excalibur.
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
The Princess Bride (1987). With more than a wistful sigh for Harryhausen. Curse you, dice!
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Being John Malkovich (1999). Ouch, ouch, ouch! Headcloth, please!
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
His Majesty’s Dragon, Naomi Novik. TH&TL is one of my favorites, but HMD is more filmable.
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Death, The High Cost of Living, Neil Gaiman. Cruel, cruel dice! I’m going with the one that hasn’t been in development hell for years, and which already has storyboards of a sort. 🙂
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Barry Hughart. And yet another painful choice. *whimper*
4. IT’s TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING TO THINK OF A TITLE
War for the Oaks, Emma Bull. I know. What about Bujold? The thing is, I love this and think it would make a great movie. The world needs more rock-and-roll fantasies!
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS
Cally…Cally, help…all of my cloths have burst into flame.
The Seventh Seal (1957)Spirited Away (2001)
Argh.
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988)
Labyrinth (1986)3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Dark Crystal (1982)The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Dark Crystal didn’t really do that much for me.
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
King Kong (1933)Help, help, he’s being repressed.
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Lord of The Rings – Series (2001 ? 2003)
Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Excalibur (1981)Er, which one is which?
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
Jason and The Argonauts (1963)The Princess Bride (1987)
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Being John Malkovich (1999)I’m not tired of flying yet.
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
Three Hearts and Three Lions, Poul Anderson
His Majesty’s Dragon, Naomi NovikCally, where did you put that cloth?
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil GaimanDeath, The High Cost of Living, Neil Gaiman
The latter is a bit more cinematic.
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
The Myth Books, Robert Asprin
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Barry Hughart4. MINNESOTA RUMBLE
The Curse of Chalion, Lois McMaster BujoldWar for the Oaks, Emma Bull
Too much of the struggle in Chalion is internal. Chalion wins “which is the better book?” but War wins “which would make the better movie?”.
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
Three Hearts and Three Lions, Poul Anderson
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Barry Hughart
David Goldfarb:
You set it on fire! Didn’t you see the instructions? They clearly say “Moisten cloth with cool or cold water before applying to forehead.”
[sigh] [makes note to start offering a flame-resistant forehead cloth]
4. Monty Python
5. LOTR
6. Excalibur
7. The Princess Bride
I sense a theme….The Return Of King Arthur’s Princess…”She turned me into a groom.”
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST HEAT
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS
The Seventh Seal (1957)
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988)
3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
The Princess Bride (1987)
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
His Majesty’s Dragon, Naomi Novik
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Barry Hughart
4. IT’s TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING TO THINK OF A TITLE
The Curse of Chalion, Lois McMaster Bujold
Hubby helped so it was easier this time. No forehead clothes needed. Your doing a great job Hampus.
The hardest part of running brackets is clearly coming up with clever and relevant pairing titles and results summaries.
Kyra set a high bar for that — but her successors have been doing a fantastic job of matching it. 🙂
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS
Spirited Away (2001)
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
Labyrinth (1986)
3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
King Kong (1933)
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
Excalibur (1981)
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
The Princess Bride (1987)
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
His Majesty’s Dragon, Naomi Novik
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST HEAT
1. Abstain
2. The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988)
3. The Dark Crystal (1982)
4. King Kong (1933)
5. Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
6. Excalibur (1981)
7. The Princess Bride (1987)
8. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
BONUS BRACKET
1. Three Hearts and Three Lions, Poul Anderson
2. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
3. The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Barry Hughart
4. The Curse of Chalion, Lois McMaster Bujold
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Spirited Away (2001)
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988)
Labyrinth (1986)
I still prefer the 1943 Münchhausen.
3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Dark Crystal (1982)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Argh, difficult. But The Dark Crystal was enormously important to me growing up in a way Nightmare Before Christmas wasn’t.
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
King Kong (1933)
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Lord of The Rings – Series (2001 ? 2003)
Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Sorry, Snow White.
6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Excalibur (1981)
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
Jason and The Argonauts (1963)
The Princess Bride (1987)
Sorry, Ray Harryhausen.
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Being John Malkovich (1999)
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
Three Hearts and Three Lions, Poul Anderson
His Majesty’s Dragon, Naomi Novik
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Death, The High Cost of Living, Neil Gaiman
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
The Myth Books, Robert Asprin
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Barry Hughart
4. IT’s TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING TO THINK OF A TITLE
The Curse of Chalion, Lois McMaster Bujold
War for the Oaks, Emma Bull
I am outraged!
The idea that costuming is so unimportant that there isn’t an award for it is an awful reflection of the religious sects which dominated Colonies in the US; it’s ignored as if it’s an unimportant matter.
Manners may not make Man, but it helps; the long history of the sumptionary laws makes it obvious that self decoration is, in some way, connected to being human.
Here endeth the first rant.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST HEAT
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
Labyrinth (1986)
3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Ooh, a tough one! Ugh. “Nightmare” by a thread. I think. 😉
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
King Kong (1933)
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Lord of The Rings – Series (2001 ? 2003)
6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
Excalibur (1981)
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
The Princess Bride (1987)
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
His Majesty’s Dragon, Naomi Novik
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Death, The High Cost of Living, Neil Gaiman
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
The Myth Books, Robert Asprin
WHISTLEBLOW
Voting will close in an hour.
Voting is closed!
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST HEAT
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS
The Seventh Seal (1957) – 10 votes
Spirited Away (2001) – 23 votes
And so ends the chess game, as we all know it would. The knight and his family marches off with death to parts not seen by the living and Spirited Aways goes on to next roung.
WINNER: Spirited Away
2. WONDERFUL COSTUMES AND DESIGN
The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988) – 12 votes
Labyrinth (1986) – 31 votes
Both have tight leggings, but David Bowie wins on the crotch side. The Baron is lost in the maze forever.
WINNER: Labyrinth
3. LIVE ACTION PUPPETS VS STOP MOTION DOLLS
The Dark Crystal (1982) – 25 votes
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – 16 votes
The Pumpkin King once tried to take over christmas and failed. This time it was fantasy land and again to no avail. Dark Crystal wins on the power of nostalgia and Henson-genius.
WINNER: The Dark Crystal
4. SEE THE VIOLENCE INHERITED IN THE SYSTEM
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975) – 35 votes
King Kong (1933) – 11 votes
At the top of Empire State Building, King Kong is desperately defending his coconuts from a swarm of swallows. It is to no avail, soon the coconuts are gone to be made into perfectly good horses. King Kong leaves for Australia in search of the Big Banana.
WINNER: Monty Python and The Holy Grail
5. DWARVES AS COMIC RELIEF
Lord of The Rings – Series (2001 ? 2003) – 35 votes
Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) – 8 votes
Lord of the Rings only has one dwarf, but he’s meaner than all of Snowwhites put together. Snowwhite takes a bite of the poisoned apple and lies down in wait for her prince.
WINNER: Lord of The Rings
6. GRITTY OR KITSCHY
The Thief of Baghdad (1940) – 16 votes
Excalibur (1981) – 24 votes
Nice pants or plate mails? Plate mails! Only two King Arthurs left in the heat, this King Arthur proclaims victory!
WINNER: Excalibur
7. FUN AND EXCITEMENT
Jason and The Argonauts (1963) – 5 votes
The Princess Bride (1987) – 40 votes
“Well, Jason, have you ever considered piracy? You’d make a wonderful Dread Pirate Roberts.” Jason listens to the Man in Black, nods, and walks away to never be seen again under his own name.
WINNER: The Princess Bride
8. CROUCHING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) – 28 votes
Being John Malkovich (1999) – 13 votes
Epic sword fights or adventures on floor 7 1/2? The filers choose the sword fights.
WINNER: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
BONUS BRACKET
1. ALTERNATIVE HISTORIES
Three Hearts and Three Lions, Poul Anderson – 10 votes
His Majesty’s Dragon, Naomi Novik – 24 votes
Legions of Faery, trolls, demons and the Wild Hunt. Or dragons. I said dragons. DRAGONS! We want to se more thoughtful dragons used as battleships.
WINNER: His Majesty’s Dragon
2. BOTH A WINNER AND A LOSER
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman – 25 votes
Death, The High Cost of Living, Neil Gaiman – 10 votes
Gaiman or Gaiman AND Pratchett. Death may be fun, but the Antichrist is more fun.
WINNER: Good Omens
3. WHIMSICAL STORIES
The Myth Books, Robert Asprin – 9 votes
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, Barry Hughart – 26 votes
There was no contest at all here, Master Li and Number Ten Ox took the lead from the beginning and kept it.
WINNER: The Myth Books
4. IT’s TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING TO THINK OF A TITLE
The Curse of Chalion, Lois McMaster Bujold – 11 votes
War for the Oaks, Emma Bull – 17 votes
Rock’n Roll rules. Nuff said.
WINNER: War for the Oaks
And still discussions in next day, so next heat here again.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
Fisher King (1991)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
Neverending Story (1984)
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
Big (1988)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Pirates of the Carribean – The Black Pearl (2003)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
Fantasia (1940)
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
Good morning, Hampus 🙂
There’s something funny in Bonus 3 of your round-up. I’m making coffee now, would you like some?
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Fisher King (1991)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Pirates of the Carribean – The Black Pearl (2003)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
What curious titles! I’ve never ever heard of either of these books. I’m surprised nobody has mentioned before. I shall vote for both! 🙂
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Fisher King (1991)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Neverending Story (1984)
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Fantasia (1940)
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Pass
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Fisher King (1991)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
Susana: Yes, I have no idea of what I’m doing! 😀 Copied in an older version of the bracket, methinks…
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
Fisher King (1991)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
Neverending Story (1984)
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
Big (1988)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
Ha-ha-ha-ha, ha ha. At least it gets it out of the way now…
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Pirates of the Carribean – The Black Pearl (2003)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
Fantasia (1940)
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Neverending Story (1984)
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Pirates of the Carribean – The Black Pearl (2003)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Fantasia (1940)
BONUS BRACKET
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
Hampus Eckeman on November 19, 2015 at 1:18 am said:
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
Fisher King (1991)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
Neverending Story (1984)
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
Big (1988)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Pirates of the Carribean – The Black Pearl (2003)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
Fantasia (1940)
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Abstain
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Toons trump pirates!
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
@ Hampus: That coffee I was making? I poured it into a jug containing last night’s lapsang souchong. The resulting drink was astoundingly revolting. I win at not knowing what I’m doing.
Brackets:
1. Fisher King
The best Gilliam, and one of my favorite movies overall.
2. Can I vote against both? Did I already ask this?
3. Big
(putting in an order for more cloths)
4. My Neighbour Totoro
That wasn’t that hard, actually. I liked TPM a lot, but didn’t loooove it like Totoro.
5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit
I suspect if there had been long dragging pointless sequels to this, my vote might have gone the other way. Or if you ask me five minutes from now.
6. Pans Labyrinth
7. Miracle on 34th Street
I love this and It’s a Wonderful Life and Die Hard, too. And now I have to track down the Connie Willis and see what that’s supposed to mean.
8. Fantasia
Forehead cloths just aren’t cutting it. I need a stiff drink and a couch.
Bonus:
1. The Books of Magic
2. The Hero and the Crown
3. Dragonhaven
4. God Stalk
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Fisher King (1991)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Ugh. Neither.
After talking to my spouse, who liked The Neverending Story, I am willing to admit that the movie is a reasonably decent version of the first half of the book. That probably makes it better than Stardust, which was simply a bad adaptation, but I still can’t bring myself to vote for it. I simply can’t overcome the feeling of utter betrayal I felt when sitting in the movie theater as a child when the movie just … ended right BEFORE all the best parts of one of my favorite books. The comparison I’d make is a film version of Lord of the Rings where at the Council of Elrond, Boromir says, “One does not simply walk into Mordor”, and Frodo says, “Sure you do, watch!”, then strolls over to the volcano sitting 30 feet away, drops the ring in, walks back, and says, “Done!” Roll credits. Because filming that bit where it splits into three storylines would have been, like, complicated. But I can’t vote for Stardust either, which started doing unfortunate things to a book I really liked not long after the *opening* credits. Anyway, just my opinion, obviously there are people who like or love both of these movies, but I just can’t.
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Big (1988)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Tie
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
Abstain
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Abstain
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Clash of the Titans
Because while I’ve seen them both, I don’t really remember them, because faulty brain. Substitution instead since my vote wouldn’t truly be fair.
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
I liked it… Mostly. There were some naff parts. Never really liked the other one.
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
The Phantom Tollbooth
Sort of the opposite of one of the scenes, but it was the closest one to fitting! I suppose I could have changed “one” to “two” and used Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, but I think I already used that as a substitute a couple of times.
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Siiiigh. I really need to find the time and spoons to watch these. I have them recorded…
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Flippin terrifying ending when I was a kidlet. Also, I just don’t like the PotC films. Even the first one.
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
The other one is probably better, but… I had more fun watching The Mummy.
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
Because I loved every minute.
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
Fantasia (1940)
AUGH. No, you can’t make me do it. I vote for whichever one is behind at the final tally.
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
Poison Study, Maria V. Snyder
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
City of Stairs, Robert Jackson Bennett
(First Test, Tamora Pierce only worksish – Realm of the Gods, Tamora Pierce would work better, but as much as I like Daine – and I do! – I like Kel more, and I picked First Test as my Pierce.)
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Neverending Story (1984)
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Argh!!!!!!!
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
7. GOOD HEARTED
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Fantasia (1940)
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Fisher King (1991)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
Never read the book, so don’t care about faithfulness.
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
I think I am not honobono.
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
A legitimately great movie.
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
I thought Pan’s Labyrinth lost in the first round, but I liked it regardless.
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
BONUS BRACKET
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
Elric forever!
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
My first-ever forehead cloth! Voting for the trippier option and saving God Stalk for a prestige cable series.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
Neverending Story (1984)
Abstain.
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
Abstain.
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Pirates of the Carribean – The Black Pearl (2003)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Fantasia (1940)
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
Abstain.
2. POWER OF THE SWORD
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
Abstain.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Big (1988)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
“How did you get up there?”
“It wasn’t easy!”
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
Missed the previous one so here!
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
Fisher King (1991)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
Neverending Story (1984)
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
Big (1988)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Tie.
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Pirates of the Carribean – The Black Pearl (2003)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
Fantasia (1940)
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
Fisher King (1991)
Still haven’t seen Fisher King. Abstain.
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
Neverending Story (1984)
Um. Stardust was flawed, but I’ve re-watched it. I’ve never bothered with Neverending Story.
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
Big (1988)
I’ve not seen Highlander. (I know, I know….) so abstain.
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
NO! DAMN YOUR DICE! Um. Totoro. I guess.
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Pirates of the Carribean – The Black Pearl (2003)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Ouch. Another hard one. Bearing in mind that The Sequels Never Happened, I’m going with Pirates.
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
Pans Labyrinth was brilliant and awful. The Mummy was just another adventure film.
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
Little China. Because the fantasy element in 34th street is implied, but might not actually be there. (Like the fantasy element in CJ Cherryh’s The Paladin. Everyone believes in the dragon… even the people who made “dragon tracks….”)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
Fantasia (1940)
Two episodic brilliant movies, some episodes of which were more brilliant than others. Time Bandits. But ask me again in an hour and I might change my mind.
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
Um. I’m trying to think which one is more cinematic. I think Zelazny, but, really, I’d go to either movie.
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
McKinley.
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
Darn it. Moon, because I’ve already voted for McKinley above, and I need SOME kind of tie-breaker.
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
These are BOTH cinematic, so that makes it even harder to choose. I think God Stalk would be a more fun movie, however, because of the weird snatches of surrealism that surround Jame.