(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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FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST HEAT
1. The Seventh Seal (1957)
2. The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988)
4. Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
5. Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
6. Excalibur (1981)
7. The Princess Bride (1987)
8. Being John Malkovich (1999)
BONUS BRACKET
2. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
3. The Myth Books, Robert Asprin
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
Fisher King (1991)
Abstain I should probably see Fisher King some day
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
Neverending Story (1984)
Abstain Read reviews and never saw Neverending Story, which may be unfair
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)
Sigh. Not a hard choice, just a sad one.
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
Once again on the basis of which movie I’d be willing to see again.
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
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
I find I’m a little wary of what Hollywood would do to a takeoff on other people’s religions
What they do to the Bible is bad enough.
nanowrimo: 38675
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. Fisher King (1991)
2. Abstain
3. Abstain
4. Abstain
5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. Pans Labyrinth (2006)
7. Abstain
8. Time Bandits (1981)
Normal service has been resumed – lots of films I haven’t seen.
BONUS BRACKET
1. Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
2. The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
3. The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
4. God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
Oops! Having trouble keeping pace with the brackets and voted after the round closed. Pretty sure this one is till open:
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. Fisher King (1991)
2. Stardust (2007)
3. Highlander (1986)
5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. Pans Labyrinth (2006)
7. Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
8. Time Bandits (1981)
BONUS BRACKET
1. Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
2. Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
4. Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
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)
WtF Hampus? You cloned Kyra’s dice?
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)
BONUS BRACKET
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
1. Abstain
2. The Neverending Story
3-4. Abstain
5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
6-7. Abstain
8. Fantasia
Bonus bracket: Meh, meh, meh. Abstaining on all counts.
Brackets:
1. Ladyhawke
2. Stardust
3. Big
5. Pirates
6. Mummy
7. Big Trouble
8. Time Bandits
My first vote in this competition. I don’t know what I’m doing, but that never stopped me at the ballot box before.
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Noah Ward
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Noah Ward
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
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
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Noah Ward
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
I’m hoping hubby gets home before voting ends today. Otherwise I’ll have no clue what I’m doing and will need lots of forehead clothes for the categories I have a clue in.
Forehead Cloths! Getcher Forehead Cloths Here! Now available in Fire Resistant for a slight extra fee!
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)
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
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 FUN
Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Fantasia (1940)
BONUS BRACKET
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
1. Ladyhawke
2. Stardust
3. Highlander
4. abstain
5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
6. abstain
7. Big Trouble in Little China
8. Fantasia
Bonus Bracket
1. abstain
2. Hero and the Crown
3. Dragonhaven
4. abstain
Jim H:
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
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
Really? Twice?
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
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
I really love both of these movies, for wildly different reasons. Gah. Fine. It’s Santa for the win.
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
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
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
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
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)
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
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
Fisher King (1991)
Ladyhawke
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)
abstain
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)
Pirates
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
abstain
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
abstain
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
Fantasia (1940)
Fantasia
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
abstain
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
Hero
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
Paks
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
God Stalk
Cap’n! The forehead cloths cannae take mooch more o’ this!
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985). A serious classic. Fisher King was fun, but mostly, it made me want to see a good adaptation of a Tim Powers novel. (However, I have not been able to bring myself to watch Pirates of the Caribbean V, which I suspect fails the “good” part.)
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007). Meh. Again Stardust goes up against another flawed adaptation. Again I think it’s the better of the two.
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
Big (1988)
I cannot figure out any way to compare these two, so I’m forced to choose tie.
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
My Neighbour Totoro (1988). Ow, ow, ow, but I guess it had to be done.
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). Argh. So painful! Anyone want to set up a kickstarter to buy Hampus some new dice? Sure that will fix this sort of thing! 🙂
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999). Oooh, I just can’t stand it. Love both movies! Once we buy the new dice, I vote we do something really horrible to the old ones. Rachel Weisz in the library with the domino shelves FTW.
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Big Trouble in Little China (1986). Sorry, Santa Claus fans, but to me this is a pretty easy choice, and one of the only ones in the round, so I’m going to relish the moment.
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981). And back to the pain. I’ll…go with the one I want to rewatch more.
BONUS BRACKET, where the pain just keeps coming!
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman. Ow.
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley. Single most painful choice yet! I think the McKinley is something that needs to be made, but I’m holding Elric in reserve as a write-in for later rounds.
3 & 4. And the forehead cloth bursts into flame. Tie in both cases.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
Fisher King (1991)
Think of it, not so much as a vote for magical shape-shifting birds of prey, as a vote against Robin Williams.
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
Neverending Story (1984)
From other people’s comments, I get the feeling that the movie version of Stardust is gaining advantage from the fact that the book was a did-not-finish for me, so I’m not comparing the two.
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
Big (1988)
Think of it, not so much as a vote for immortal Scottish swordsmen, but as a vote against Tom Hanks.
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
Just more favorite, that’s all.
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Pirates of the Carribean – The Black Pearl (2003)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
On this one, the tipping point for me is that Roger Rabbit is simply more imaginative and inventive. (Not entirely hard when competing against a carnival ride turned into a story.)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
I once more reiterate that I consider “decided not to watch/read” as a reasonable basis for comparison.
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
Classic movie is classic.
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
Fantasia (1940)
Consider it, not so much a vote for amazingly-realized musical inspiration, as a vote against Monty-Pythonesque humor.
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
Abstain.
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
OK, I confess I’m voting my heart rather than my cinematic imagination this time.
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
This time cinematic imagination wins.
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
Because: God Stalk!
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST 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
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
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
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
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
I seem to be in the wrong bracket…
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)
meh
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
oh dear
cat bus does it
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)
there, I chose, I hope you’re happy now
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
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
Time Bandits (1981)
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST 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
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)
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
(Sorry Jim!)
BigelowT:
The last three brackets or so have all been in the same post.
And this time the competition is MUCH harder than on earlier brackets. Thank you for keeping the voting exciting!
1. GIANTS AMONG DIRECTORS aka I HATE YOU AND EVERYTHING YOU STAND FOR, DICE
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
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
War for the Oaks, Emma Bull
Doctor Science, there’s been another bracket afterwards in this post! The one you voted on is closed.
I voted on the wrong one, Hampus, so I edited that to replace the bad ballot till I had time to come back and vote on the right one. Sorry for the confusion! My fault entirely.
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)
No preference on 3 through 7.
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
No preference.
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
@Paul Weimer:
That’s exactly how I voted! I want God Stalk for prestige cable. I’m not wasting it on a mere movie.
1. Ladyhawke
2. Neverending Story
3. Highlander
4. Cally! I need another case of cloths! Totoro. For Totoro. And all ages. Catbus.
5. Roger Rabbit
6. The Mummy. For doing it all with style.
7. Big Trouble in Little China. Pretty much always.
8. No. I will not. Abstain.
——————————
1. Jack of Shadows
2. abstain
3. Moon
4. Lord of Light (I overcame my God Stalk reflex)
ANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – FIRST 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
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
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
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
Fisher King (1991)
okay, okay, I guess I should see Ladyhawke at some point, but damnit if Being John Malkovich and Nightmare Before Xmas aren’t here anymore, I’m going to drown my sorrows with Gilliam.
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
Neverending Story (1984)
One of these things is slightly less bad than the other.
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
Big (1988)
Just watched Big for the first time on recommendation of a screenwriter friend on keeping your magic as simple as possible in your screenwriting.
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997)
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
Totoro!
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Pirates of the Carribean – The Black Pearl (2003)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio did a great screenplay adaptation of the first 2 volumes of Sandman, but that movie doesn’t exist (yet).
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
PALE MAN.
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)
[Edited to remove awesome Princess Bride quote–okay, apparently I thought Fantasia had knocked out one of my favorites in Round 1, but it only knocked out Willy Wonka, which I am in fact not particularly attached to. I AM SLEEP DEPRIVED.]
Bonus Brackets:
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
Fisher King (1991)
Surprisingly difficult, since I love both, but in the end Ladyhawke wins for me.
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
Neverending Story (1984)
My parents took me to see Neverending Story in the theatre for my 11th birthday and I’ll always have a fond spot for it in my heart because of that.
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986)
Big (1988)
No contest.
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)
I liked the original Pirates of the Carribean a whole lot, but Roger Rabbit was stranger, weirder and a lot better. Plus, it was never marred by substandard sequels.
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
No contest.
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)
Argh, this is difficult, but Time Bandits narrowly wins over Fantasia for me.
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
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
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
Pans Labyrinth (2006)
Abstain
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
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
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
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
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
3. Highlander
7. Big Trouble In Little China
8. Time Bandits
1. Ladyhawke
2. Stardust
3. Highlander
4. abstain
5. Pirates of the Carribean
6. The Mummy
7. Big Trouble in Little China
8. Time Bandits
There was at least one result from the previous round that made me go “…really? Drat!” so I’m voting (for the ones where I have an opinion) in this one.
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)Fisher King (1991)
Gilliam has this way of hitting my heart…
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999)
Pans Labyrinth (2006)I love Del Toro, but Pan’s Labyrinth falls in the category of “brilliant; glad I saw it; may well never choose to watch it again”. The Mummy I’ll watch (and lovingly snark at) repeatedly.
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
I was born ready.
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
Fantasia (1940)Saw it in the theater when it came out and it’s still flipping brilliant. “Don’t touch it, it’s evil” still pops up in conversation occasionally.
BONUS BRACKET
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael MoorcockThe Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
I’m only a third of the way through Hero and the Crown but already it’s better than what I remember of Elric.
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985)
Fisher King (1991)2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007)
Neverending Story (1984)The better adaptation beats the worse one. Plus, you know, Gaiman.
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)
Totoro is the best thing Studio Ghibli ever did. (A very high bar.)
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)
Scary.
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
Abstain.
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981)
Fantasia (1940)Time Bandits is one of my favorite movies.
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil GaimanJack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael MoorcockThe Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth MoonGotta strike a blow for the dragons.
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger ZelaznyGod Stalk, P. C. Hodgell
WHISTLEBLOW
Voting closing in one hour.
And voting is closed!
FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET, SECOND ROUND – SECOND HEAT
1. FOLLOWING A QUEST
Ladyhawke (1985) – 27 votes
Fisher King (1991) – 13 votes
The Red Knight catches up with Parry and Jack is to caught up in his rejuvenated radio career to care about risking it by playing burglar. Meanwhile, Mouse and Navarre continue their quest to kill the Bishop.
WINNER: Ladyhawke
2. VENTURING INTO THE MAGICAL REALM
Stardust (2007) – 23 votes
Neverending Story (1984) – 14 votes
And this is how the neverending story ends. With a solemn defeat.
WINNER: Stardust
3. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (IT HAD TO BE USED)
Highlander (1986) – 28 votes
Big (1988) – 8 votes
Josh looks up from his toys to see The Kurgan standing above him with a twohanded sword. To avoid the gore and the blood, lets only conclude: There could be only one.
WINNER: Highlander
4. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? I’M GOING TO CRY
Princess Mononoke (1997) – 15 votes
My Neighbour Totoro (1988) – 16 votes
This was the closest race in the bracket. Myazaki against Myazaki. There was never more than one vote between Totoro and Mononoke. But in the end: Catbus. And that was enough.
WINNER: My Neighbour Totoro
5. JACK SPARROW VS YOSEMITE SAM
Pirates of the Carribean – The Black Pearl (2003) – 13 votes
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) – 29 votes
Yosemite Sam draws his giant blunderbuss and Jack Sparrow prudently steps off the wall to avoid being shot. To bad he missed that outcrop of stone. Bye, bye, Jack.
WINNER: Who Framed Roger Rabbit
6. EXCITING OR SCARY
The Mummy (1999) – 16 votes
Pans Labyrinth (2006) – 21 votes
“Just one tiny snack”, thinks Richard. But while licking his fingers from the grease, he doesn’t notice that the pale man has awakened. And is closing in. Too late, he turns around, the clawed hands of the pale man the last thing he’ll ever see alive.
WINNER: Pans Labyrinth
7. GOOD HEARTED FUN
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) – 11 votes
Big Trouble in Litte China (1986) – 29 votes
Swanson is not his name, but excitement is his game. Jack Burton is full of confidence and hot air. And that is how we like him. And his rival? Well, Santa does not exist in this reality so it is walkover for Burton.
WINNER: Big Trouble in Litte China
8. IT’S AN ENTIRELY NOISY MANIFESTATION
Time Bandits (1981) – 26 votes
Fantasia (1940) – 15 votes
For a long time, this was a very close race, but at the end, Time Bandits was the clear favourite. The Nice Ones noisy manifestation defeats the more refined tones of Disney.
WINNER: Time Bandits
BONUS BRACKET
1. MAGICIANS IN TROUBLE
The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman – 12 votes
Jack of Shadows, Roger Zelazny – 15 votes
This one was so fun, because the race was so close. But Timothy Hunter should never have turned his back to Mister E. Shadow Jack is left alone to continue with his science experiments.
WINNER: Jack of Shadows
2. POWER OF THE SWORDS
Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock – 11 votes
The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley – 21 votes
Stormbringer or The Blue Sword? Elric runs out of luck when Stormbringer grows a tad bit to hungry and cuts off his left foot. While Elric is screaming “Just a scratch”, Aerin continues to the next round.
WINNER:
3. DRAGONS OR PALADINS
Dragonhaven, Robin McKinley – 11 votes
The Deed of Paksenarrion, Elizabeth Moon – 14 votes
There was a dragon dying in the woods and… it died. The end. Lets see what happens to the Paladin instead.
WINNER:
4. A MULTITUDE OF GODS
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny – 14 votes
God Stalk, P. C. Hodgell – 15 votes
So extremely close to the end. This one had me biting my nails. But in the end, God Stalk is a cult favourite for the filers and that proved enough.
WINNER: God Stalk
The third round of the Fantasy Movie Bracket is open for voting here.