(1) INCREASED THEATER SECURITY. “’Star Wars’ Theaters Tighten Security Due To Heavy Crowds And Suspicious Activity” reports Deadline.com.
“A majority of the reason why we’re beefing up security is because it’s the biggest movie ever,” said the security expert. He said he might assign one guard in any given weekend at an average 12-plex. Deadline has learned that in a venue, say, in downtown L.A., theaters normally employ about three to four security guards. However, those same locations through the holiday will now get as much as three times that. Disney, Star Wars: The Force Awakens‘ distributor, is also said to be providing some security.
Dave Doering asks, “I actually expect to see mock light saber battles, odd costumes and aliens. Anything suspicious about seeing aliens in LA? And for that matter, what is ‘suspicious’ for LA?”
Oh, anybody walking instead of driving. Things like that.
(2) MOST NUTS. LA’s enthusiasm for the movie is apparently only a pale reflection of Dave’s home state of Utah. Or so says the Washington Post, in “This is the state where people are most nuts about Star Wars“
That is according to Google Trends, at least. During the past week, Utahns have done more Star-Wars related Googling than people in any other state. People in Utah are about 25 percent more likely to Google “Star Wars” than their nearest competitors in fandom, Californians. And they are more than twice as likely to Google the topic as people in Oregon and Mississippi, the two least Star Wars-crazy states.
(3) BOX OFFICE. The new Star Wars movie killed on Thursday night. Uh, figuratively speaking.
J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens awoke to a record-breaking $57 million in Thursday night previews at the North American box office.
The previous champ was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ Part 2, the final film in the franchise, which earned $43.5 million in Thursday previews in July 2011. The Dark Knight Rises took in $30.6 million in 2012, and Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 took in $30.4 million, also in 2012.
(4) RETURN OF THE LINE. And here are some of the customers, in line at Hollywood’s El Capitan theater at 1:30 this morning. Photo by Robert Kerr.
Photo by Robert Kerr.
(5) NO WAITING. At the International Space Station, the line to watch Star Wars was much shorter.
“I am told that ‘Star Wars’ will be waiting for us up there,” British astronaut Tim Peake wrote on Twitter on the eve of his launch to the International Space Station on Tuesday (Dec. 15). “What a place to watch it!”
The space station’s six-person crew, which includes the newly-arrived trio of Peake, cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and NASA’s Tim Kopra, as well as commander Scott Kelly of NASA and cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Sergei Volkov, will be able to watch “The Force Awakens” thanks to Mission Control and a recently-installed theater system on board the orbiting outpost.
(7) FORD RAMPAGE. By now you’ve probably overdosed on Star Wars coverage and are in the mood to see “Harrison Ford continues his ‘Star Wars’ toy path of destruction on ‘Conan’”. The payoff is just after 2:10 in the video.
“Conan” associate producer Jordan Schlansky is a “Star Wars” superfan. Jordan Schlansky is also Jordan Schlansky, so when he got a chance to meet Harrison Ford and J.J. Abrams, he spent most of it boring them to tears asking about the grips on Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber. Then he asked Ford to sign his Millennium Falcon. And not just any Millennium Falcon — it’s the Lego Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon, which is worth thousands of dollars, according to a quick glance of eBay.
Ford took the Millennium Falcon in his arms and immediately tossed it over his shoulder “accidentally.” As it is a Lego set, it was promptly destroyed. Ford did end up signing a piece of it, but Jordan Schlansky had already walked off by that point, so Ford threw the piece back in the pile and then threw the pen offstage, presumably at Jordan Schlansky’s sad face.
(8) THE FORTE AWAKENS. The mischievous James Langdell asked on Facebook –
No spoilers please… but could anyone who has actually seen the movie let me know if it was done as a musical?
All the commenters are pulling his leg so hard it’ll be surprising if it doesn’t come off…
(9) IN TUNE WITH THE TIMES. Cultural commentator Martin Morse Wooster does know where you can find some Star Wars music.
If you go to blackcatdc.com, you will find that Ms. Cherry Pitz and the Hotsy Totsy Burlesque review are doing their “Tribute to the Star Wars Holiday Special” tonight at the Black Cat Backstage in Washington,
“If you want to see Wicket the Ewok in pasties, now’s your chance,” Kristen Page-Kirby says in the Washington Post. “(And if you really want to see Wicket the Ewok in pasties, get some help.)”
You know–and you can quote me on this–“Cherry Pitz” is NOT a good burlesque name.
My goodness, I forgot to include the link!
(10) OVER THE AIR. In the UK, Sian Welby’s weather report on 5 News made 10 Star Wars puns in 40 seconds, all delivered with a straight face.
True, the wordplay varies in quality, ranging from the excellent “A Leia of cloud covering the UK” and “If you’re forced to awaken early tomorrow morning it will be on the dark side” to the groansome “If you Luke father west you will be seeing a glimmer of sunshine – if you’re Wookie” but you certainly have to admire the effort.
(11) BOX SCORE. I had to include Mark Lawrence’s new post for obvious reasons: “A Year in Numbers… Five!”
The blog had its millionth hit in 2015 and got almost 70,000 hits in one month!
And finally, Twitter, where at last I broke the 10,000 follower barrier!
(12) ALTERNATE AWARDS. Kary English, who hadn’t posted on her blog for almost six months, has briefly commented on Sasquan and thanked the people responsible for her having “Rockets in my pocket”.
Shahid Mahmud, my wonderful publisher at Galaxy’s Edge, who made sure I didn’t go home rocketless no matter what happened at the awards ceremony. The lovely red rocket he gave me now has a place of honor on my brag shelf.
Her other rocket is one of Ken Burnside’s Crashlander Awards.
(13) FUNDRAISER. SFWA is auctioning a George R.R. Martin-signed Game of Thrones 2016 calendar on Ebay.
This is a twelve month wall calendar with thirteen paintings (one for each month, plus a centerfold) by artist Magali Villeneuve depicting scenes from each of the published volumes of A Song of Ice and Fire as well as a scene from the forthcoming The Winds of Winter. The calendar is signed on the front cover by George R. R. Martin.
Auctioned off by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. All proceeds from this auction will be given to the SFWA Givers’ Fund.
The SFWA Giver’s Fund combines non-restricted charitable donations to SFWA and will use these funds to provide needed grants to genre-related organizations and/or individuals and will also disburse funds to the SFWA Emergency Medical and Legal Funds as needed.
(14) GAIMAN READS. From last year, the New York Public Library recording “Neil Gaiman Reads ‘A Christmas Carol’”. (Via ScienceFiction.com.)
Acclaimed author Neil Gaiman performs a memorable dramatic reading from NYPL’s own rare copy of “A Christmas Carol,” which includes edits and prompts Charles Dickens wrote in his own hand for his unique public readings 150 years ago. Dressed in full costume and joined by writer and BBC researcher Molly Oldfield, Gaiman performs the classic tale as its great author intended.
(15) REACTION. Adam-Troy Castro shared his highly negative response to Daniel Enness’ latest Castalia House blog post in a public Facebook post. Some good lines, but you’ll need to read them there. They only work in context with direct allusions to material I’ve chosen not to excerpt here.
(16) IN HIS STALKING FEET. From the BBC: “Author Richard Britain jailed for ‘bad review’ attack”. [Via Ansible Links.]
A former Countdown champion who travelled 400 miles to attack a teenager who gave his book a bad review has been jailed for 30 months.
Richard Brittain, 28, used Facebook to track victim Paige Rolland, 18, to the Asda store in Glenrothes where she worked.
He then smashed a full wine bottle over her head – knocking her unconscious.
Warning – from here it’s turtles Star Wars all the rest of the way down!
(17) CONSPIRACY THEORY. Camestros Felapton explains it all to you in “The True History of R2D2 – Sith Lord”.
In the films we know of five Sith lords, in addition there is one other character who:
- is directly linked to the dark side in the film
- appears to use force powers including using a ‘force jump’ to move
- appears to us the ‘Jedi mind trick’ to manipulate minds
- shoots lighting
- holds a lightsaber
(18) HOT STOVE LEAGUE. Cut4, a Major League Baseball blog, has the baseball/Star Wars mashup of your dreams.
Yes, MLB has “Star Wars” fever, but did you know that “Star Wars” has MLB fever, too? In a world as big as the Expanded Universe, did you really think there was no baseball? Life in the Empire can’t be all battling with light sabers and zooming around in TIE fighters. Sometimes, you just want to watch the game. So here’s your introduction to ELB (Empire League Baseball)…
(19) PLANET POLL. “See the ‘Star Wars’ Worlds Exoplanet Scientists Can’t Help But Love” at Space.com.
Last week, close to 350 exoplanet scientists gathered in Hawaii for the American Astronomical Society’s Extreme Solar Systems III conference. Space.com took the opportunity to ask 20 of these folks about their favorite “Star Wars” worlds.
The scientists we polled were almost evenly split among three worlds from the “Star Wars” original trilogy: Hoth (from “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back,”), Tatooine (from “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope,”), and the moon of the planet Endor (from “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.”).
(20) DON’T BE ROOKED. Chesshouse doesn’t seem to have updated the Star Wars chess set in time for Christmas – but there is still time to make your own.
(21) BOY TOY. “Sith lord or samurai lord? Darth Vader becomes decorative doll for Boys’ Day in Japan” at Rocket News 24.
A long, long time ago, in a country far, far away (from English-speaking territories, anyway), Yoshitoku Taiko made its first doll. Founded in 1711, the company’s history goes back to a time when Japan was ruled by a shogun, and the country sealed off from the rest of the world.
More than three centuries later, Yoshitoku Taiko is still in business, but Japan is now part of the global community. That’s why the company’s latest offerings are two exquisitely crafted dolls of Darth Vader in samurai armor.
(22) CONTENT WARNING. Boing Boing brings us “Star Wars medical merch from Scarfolk, the horror-town stuck in the 1970s”. A few of the others have a certain “ewww” factor….
[Thanks to JJ, Hampus Eckerman, Steven H Silver, David Doering, John King Tarpinian, and Brian Z. for some of these stories. Title credit belongs to File 770 contributing editor of the day Brian Z.]
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So VD has gotten what he wants which is to get things riles up.
He’s a poseur and a performance artist whose only ability is to cause turmoil.
It’s obvious from the swipes at Scalzi, Delaney and Clark and the way this “important article” is being parceled out that the only purpose is to create noise and attract attention.
I’m sure that one reason it’s being portioned out is to write or re-write it to take into account any response it’s received so far and make people look bad. And give him something to cackle over.
My own opinion is that anything he or his ‘publishing house’ says or does should just be ignored. Let it be put out in the world and just drop into silence.
No more links; no more response.
Also, y’all are way too kind to Brian Z for this latest remark. My first response was just to say Fuck You.
I’d very much like to see Brian Z gone, and I’d be very sorry to see Tasha gone.
Sometimes it’s hard to ignore Brian when he’s being toxic. I will attempt to do better.
@Rev Bob @Tasha @Aaron @Meredith
Fifthed!
Honestly, the days I gave Brian Z a pass for the occasional positive contribution are long gone (he’s gone too far into the negative in my balance sheet). I use Stylish to fade his comments out but that’s not a complete fix when others respond. In the beginning, I wasn’t always able to resist commenting but the more I ignore his comments the easier it gets. One day at a time. [I’m not saying everyone else should do what I do, just do what works for you.]
I’ve had some offline exchanges with Brian Z. One thing he told me is that he restrained the impulse to tell a couple of commenters the same thing. (You weren’t one of them.) Nobody’s purposes are served if F770’s comment section descends to that.
Among the things I shared with Brian Z. is that I regard the current topic as much more sensitive to this community of commenters than any of the Puppy stuff. That was my attitude from the outset — I didn’t quote excerpts from Daniel’s CH blog posts for several reasons, one being that it would seem to trivialize harm some readers might have experienced.
Thanks Rev Bob. I’d be just as happy if people would ignore his concern trolling or if those comments were moderated. Obviously it shouldn’t be a “keep X or Y”. It should be “what kind of people do you want on your blog/fanzine/online space”. And “how do we balance online spaces”. It’s not easy. I’ve moderated quite a number myself when I had the spoons and it’s a tough, generally thankless job. Mike Glyer does a phenomenal job given the contentiousness of the topics brought up.
Based on my email notifications I’m not sure “restrained” is quite the right word. Corrected himself after the fact, perhaps.
I did consider whether Brian Z was, for a change, attempting to be genuine in his concern. Eventually I dismissed it on the basis that the modus operandi was exactly the same – however, if it was an attempt to genuinely engage… Well, I can’t say that he hasn’t brought the response on himself. Act disingenuous for months on end and you can’t expect people to believe that this time you’re not. Boy who cried wolf?
If it was just the same old trolling with added incredible tone deafness for when it is just not appropriate, then… That’s just really obnoxious.
I’m not sure which is true. I can’t trust Brian Z’s word on it, since he’d claim wounded innocence for the whole of his time here given the chance. I’ll stand by ignoring him from now on, I think, at least as much as I can, but I am sad that the possibility of genuine engagement might have existed but couldn’t be taken at face value because of priors. A productive conversation on the subject of child safety at conventions might have been good to have, at a better time, with a better prompting post (one that didn’t just use it to try and smear people), if difficult to manage without hurting both regular commenters and regular lurkers.
I have been critical of BrianZ’s interactions here for a long time, and been on both sides of the “Why isn’t he banned?” line; he’s redeemed himself fractionally after some of his prior slips past my patience,which is why I haven’t ever actually blocked him.
The way he has taken the subject of child abuse here and used it to score points for me would be the absolute end of it. It’s considerably more than a bridge too far.
As I have a tendency to do semi-regularly, a reminder:
Tegans compilation of the various killfile / highlight codes are here:
http://realtegan.blogspot.com/p/file770-stuff.html
If you’re using Stylish, you can use the following link in Userstyles.org to install the killfile automatically, with some common trolls are already included in the existing script:
https://userstyles.org/styles/118122/aan-s-plonk-file-script
I am unable to bring myself to believe in Brian Z’s sincerity this time. I can’t see how he isn’t engaging in Aristotelean 4th generation warfare. Part of me wants to give him the benefit of the doubt. That part of me nearly got me mugged or killed several times after I moved out of small town Midwest. I don’t support banning, in general, but he’s fallen down to VD level, as far as I’m concerned. It’s disgusting.
Child abuse is neither any kind of joke nor a tool for scoring political points. I stated on this thread, and repeated, that in my view the anger about the accusations made by Daniel Enness against certain individuals is justified.
(I have never interacted with Enness in any way beyond having a vague awareness that he is a science fiction blogger and reading a couple of his posts earlier this year. My criticism of his post is not an accusation that he doesn’t really care about children.)
My criticism of that approach, however, is separate from my opinion on the substantive issue. Which is that although I don’t have all the answers, I can see logic in the argument that as conventions are considering revising their policies to address harassment, it makes sense to put protecting children on the agenda.
This is an emotional topic for me, and others. On reflection, the year 2015 attracted some readers to File 770 who have only interacted with convention fandom peripherally, and thus might have had little reason up to now to think about the concerns raised (for example) in the File 770 reports from 2012 to 2015 that I linked earlier. But with that caveat, the disregard – at least initially – for the serious issue raised reflected poorly on the commentariat, in my view, which is why I felt a need to say something.
Best to you all.
The list I provided above of things to do. I’ve done those things. I’ve gotten involved in online conversations. I’ve gone and read years of problems conventions have had with harassment (WiscCon, Readercon, etc.). I’ve combined lists various online blogs/LJ/etc have come up with for things needed. I’ve created a list of resources. When conversations on the topic come up I share the list and resources. I’ve proposed wording, training, and where I think failure points are. This helps me be taken seriously on the issue even though most people don’t recognize my name as part of inner circles of Fandom.
If you are serious about the issue you need to change the way you interact with filers as your responses here seemed very much like your usual puppy stuff.
Also recognize when the source is unreliable it’s going to be treated as such. If you feel the topic should be taken seriously I’d recommend going and doing the research, coming up with ideas, then asking Mike for a dedicated post where you start fresh sharing positive and negative information you’ve discovered without linking to or referencing RP spaces. By doing the research and coming up with wording to add you will have put a week or two between the negative trolling original post and the work you’ve done will show you are serious.
You may not have all the answers but you’ll have some/more if you do the research.
Brian Z, please respond to Tasha’s current and previous comments and questions.
You know, it is really very easy to scroll past the troll’s posts. Also, if you need to respond, you could not quote him. Especially when he’s insulting.
In other news… I used to love Gene Wolfe. Literally, The Book of the New Sun kept me alive through my teenage years. But I read The Knight and I kept finding it… I don’t know, either too clever for me or quite shockingly sexist. Same with The Ziggurat. Either you are being terribly clever, Mr. Wolfe – and we know you are – or…
In the end, I stopped buying everything he wrote. I didn’t even read The Wizard.
SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE BRACKET – QUARTER FINALS
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Time Bandits (1981)
Star Wars (1977)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Return of the Jedi (1983)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
The Terminator (1984)
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Iron Giant (1999)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Aliens (1986)
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Bladerunner (1982)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Forbidden Planet (1956)
Galaxy Quest (1999)
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
King Kong (1933)
Metropolis (1927)
SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE BRACKET – QUARTER FINALS
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Star Wars (1977)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Return of the Jedi (1983)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
Definitely need a forehead cloth after this one. Terminator is a classic, but 2001 is possibly the closest cinema has gotten to doing a hard SF concept over plot story well.
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Aliens (1986)
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Bladerunner (1982)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Galaxy Quest (1999)
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
Metropolis (1927)
No contest. I’ve loved Metropolis ever since I saw the 80s recut on TV as a teenager.
1. Star Wars (1977)
2. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
3. 2001 (1968)
4. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5. Aliens (1986)
6. Bladerunner (1982)
7. Forbidden Planet (1956)
8. King Kong (1933)
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Star Wars (1977)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
The Terminator (1984)
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Pass
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Tie
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
Metropolis (1927)
SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE BRACKET – QUARTER FINALS
1. Star Wars (1977)
2. Return of the Jedi (1983)
3. 2001 (1968)
4. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
7. Galaxy Quest (1999)
1. Star Wars
2. Khan
3. The Terminator
4. Iron Giant
5. Bride
6. Dr Strangelove. Strangely, this is the only one that hurt so far.
7. Galaxy Quest
8. Metropolis. Ok, that hurt worse.
This is going to be hard! Though it would be harder if several of my favorites hadn’t gotten knocked out in the last round—in a couple of cases, with my help due to those nasty, nasty dice. Have I cursed the dice yet? Curse you, dice! 🙂
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Star Wars (1977)
I really, really hate to vote against the last Gilliam film left, but I have to.
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Still my favorite of the Trek movies.
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
The Terminator (1984)
While 2001 may be harder SF, it was also more uneven. Even in the days when I still did drugs, I had trouble getting through the light-show sequence.
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Iron Giant (1999)
O-o-oh! Foo. I’m picking this because I suspect it’s the underdog.
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Aliens (1986)
Game over, man!
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Bladerunner (1982)
Aargh! Curse you, dice! Curse you, I say. I still have to go with the tears in rain, but I’m a lot less happy about it this time around!
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Galaxy Quest (1999)
Comedy is underrated.
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
King Kong (1933)
Oh man this was a hard choice! The big ape by a whisker.
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Star Wars (1977)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Iron Giant (1999)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Aliens (1986)
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Bladerunner (1982)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Galaxy Quest (1999)
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
Metropolis (1927)
Tasha Turner:
What you propose seems like a good idea to me, but I’m not sure that fandom has reached the same point with this issue (that it has with harassment). I mentioned earlier that it seems very hard to have single solution since every con’s approach is so different so far – from colored badges that let you see at a glance who’s with their parent to hiring corporate childcare professionals, from anyone past their ninth birthday is on their own recognizance to teenagers must be accompanied by an adult at all times. I honestly don’t know what are the best ways to address these concerns, and if they were obvious then cons would already be doing them. I will, of course, take your advice and keep thinking it through. Thank you.
curse you wrongfans and your wrongvotes in the last round!
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Time Bandits (1981)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Aliens (1986)
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
these are not the nominees I’m looking for!
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
abstain
I beg your FUCKING pardon? What the fuck?
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Star Wars (1977)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
The Terminator (1984)
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Aliens (1986)
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Bladerunner (1982)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Forbidden Planet (1956)
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
Metropolis (1927)
Mike, guys, sorry for swearing. Seriously, though, what is he talking about?
Nigel: Mike, guys, sorry for swearing. Seriously, though, what is he talking about?
Consider the source. It’s not about what you actually said, it’s about twisting your words beyond recognition to score Puppy troll points. 😐
I’m pretty sure that no one else here took that comment seriously for even a microsecond. I certainly didn’t.
1. Star Wars
2. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
3. The Terminator
4. The Empire Strikes Back
5. Aliens
6. Bladerunner
7. Galaxy Quest
8. meh
Thanks, JJ, but I’d be pretty upset if something I said could even be misconstrued as that sort of joke. I’m pretty upset even at the accusation or assertion or whatever it was.
Nigel: I’m pretty upset even at the accusation or assertion or whatever it was.
And rightly so.
The problem with sociopaths is that they have no conscience, and they actually take great glee in making accusations of this sort and causing distress to their targets.
Well, it’s a comfort that I didn’t go and say something that was so obviously and shockingly that sort of joke that my fellow Filers have been recoiling from me in shock and horror ever since.
Bracket Quarterfinals, aka “How can something that’s only a quarter cost me twelve bucks in head cloths?”
1. Star Wars
2. Wrath of Khan
3. Terminator
4. Empire Strikes Back
5. Aliens
6. Blade Runner
7. GalaxyQuest
8. Metropolis
Rev. Bob: Bracket Quarterfinals, aka “How can something that’s only a quarter cost me twelve bucks in head cloths?”
I, for one, would like to know what that Cally is doing with her exhorbitant profits. I am convinced that the funds are going to something nefarious, like GodStalk futures.
Or possibly a Ponzi scheme in Fifths.
@Anna Feruglio Dal Dan:
Similar path with a few different waypoints. The break for me came a little later: Lurved the Book of the New Sun (and Urth of); mega-lurved the first two Soldier books; loved the Book of the Long Sun; liked The Wizard Knight.
But I found Book of the Short Sun incredibly mannered. It was like they were written by someone following a Gene Wolfe algorithm as a writing exercise: Have protagonist acquire a menagerie of eccentric companions – check. Have minor characters Tell Significant Stories – check. Have the protagonist not realize he’s already dead – check.
And then Soldier of Sidon came out. I think there was probably no book I’d ever been looking forward to so much for so long. And having survived Book of the Short Sun, and the short story collection Strange Travelers, I opened it thinking, “At least I don’t have to worry it will turn out that Latro __ _______ ____.” And then I get to, I think, chapter 7 or so, and it starts with the words, “Last night I ____.” And I did too. Plus, it was just a weird, meandering mess of a plot that kept getting further and further from the open issues of the first two books.
After that, I just couldn’t any more. I’m now intrigued by the new noir-ish book. But I’ve been hurt before, and my heart, it is slow to trust.
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Star Wars (1977)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Bladerunner (1982)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Forbidden Planet (1956)
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
Metropolis (1927)
SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE BRACKET – QUARTER FINALS
1. Star Wars (1977)
2. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
3. 2001 (1968)
4. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
6. Bladerunner (1982)
7. Galaxy Quest (1999)
8. Metropolis (1927)
I’m not sure whatever it was even registered with me, and I’m usually sensitive to such things.
I second JJ’s advice. Do consider the source. The source seems to have been living in some alternate dimension from all the rest of the commenters, playing some private game of scoring and special game boards invisible to everyone else.
I’m sorry for the slander. Please be assured that no reasonable person who reads these comment threads could possibly take it seriously.
I appreciate that a lot, Peace. Between the source and the sure knowledge that I’d have been called on it if I had made an inadvertent joke I think you and JJ are probably right. Still narked about it, though. A palpable hit. Hope he’s proud.
SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE BRACKET – QUARTER FINALS
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Time Bandits (1981)
Consider this a protest vote on behalf of Brazil.
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Star Trek is just better than Star Wars, amirite?
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
The Terminator (1984)
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Iron Giant (1999)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Aliens (1986)
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
This is where the fact that Blade Runner is a great movie in its truest incarnation – the first Director’s Cut – comes up against the fact that its edition history is a freaking mess. Strangelove was perfect out the gate.
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Whatever.
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
Metropolis (1927)
Much better than the Gotham TV show.
1. Star Wars (1977)
2. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
3. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
4. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5. Aliens (1986)
6. Bladerunner (1982)
7. Galaxy Quest (1999)
8. Metropolis (1927)
@anna
The Ziggurat, certainly…I read the story and wondered if I really had read a story by the author of the Book of the New Sun.
I have a different author and a more poignant example–the Ilium/Olympos duology by Dan Simmons. I loved Ilum. But when Olympos turned on full bore Islamophobia, I was mightily disappointed and hurt. And then I read the blog post Simmons wrote with a time travel story about a future that Tom Kratman would approve of. So, yeah…
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Star Wars (1977)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
I’d like to thank the Iron Giant, I’ve been defying gravity all bracket and giant finally brought it down, Giant deserves a chance to fly… Right back to the western sky because I’m voting for ESB
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Aliens (1986)
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Bladerunner (1982)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Forbidden Planet (1956)
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
Metropolis (1927)
SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE BRACKET – QUARTER FINALS
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Star Wars (1977)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Aliens (1986)
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Forbidden Planet (1956)
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
Metropolis (1927)
Y’know, what with Brian and the Mauser, I had to (re)watch The Producers just for its brain bleach potential. Well, and also to test my new smart TV. Took me a few tries to get the stream to play all the way through, but Uma and “Betrayed” were worth it.
Yes, it’s the “new” musical version. Don’t worry; I have both. I just don’t have a streaming copy of the original. Plus, Will Farrell as the author and John Barrowman as Lead Tenor…
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Time Bandits (1981)
Star Wars (1977)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Return of the Jedi (1983)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
The Terminator (1984)
TIE
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Iron Giant (1999)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Aliens (1986)
Abstain
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Bladerunner (1982)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Forbidden Planet (1956)
Galaxy Quest (1999)
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
King Kong (1933)
Metropolis (1927)
Tie
SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE BRACKET – QUARTER FINALS
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Star Wars (1977)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Return of the Jedi (1983)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Bladerunner (1982)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Forbidden Planet (1956)
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
Metropolis (1927)
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Time Bandits (1981)
Star Wars (1977)
The Force is strong with this one.
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Return of the Jedi (1983)
Jedi is the weakest of the Real Trilogy. And I voted for SW, so I want to spread the love around a little.
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
The Terminator (1984)
I’ll go with the classic, but, honestly, I’m a little “meh” about both.
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Iron Giant (1999)
Abstain; not seen Iron Giant.
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Aliens (1986)
Ripley doesn’t need to be engaged; she kicks butt regardless.
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Bladerunner (1982)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Forbidden Planet (1956)
Galaxy Quest (1999)
I’m glad one comedy made it this far; comedies tend to be under-rated.
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
King Kong (1933)
Metropolis (1927)
SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE BRACKET – QUARTER FINALS
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Time Bandits (1981)
Star Wars (1977)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Return of the Jedi (1983)
If this had been up against Empire, I would have torn what remained of my hair out. As it is, Khan easily beats slave bikinis and little furballs.
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
The Terminator (1984)
Tie.
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Iron Giant (1999)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Aliens (1986)
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Bladerunner (1982)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Forbidden Planet (1956)
Galaxy Quest (1999)
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
King Kong (1933)
Metropolis (1927)
SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE BRACKET – QUARTER FINALS
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Time Bandits (1981)
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Aliens (1986)
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Bladerunner (1982)
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Forbidden Planet (1956)
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
King Kong (1933)
Ouch. And now we know what happens when the ongoing brackets collide with a still-active thread. Might it be possible to try to avoid that?
Well, I’m voting anyhow. Back to the discussion afterwards.
Hampus Eckeman on December 23, 2015 at 1:24 am said:
SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE BRACKET – QUARTER FINALS
1. MASTERS OF EVIL
Time Bandits (1981)
Oddly enough, I disIike the “Time Bandits” movie intensely and I like “Star Wars.” But I think “Time Bandits” is the better movie.
2. DESTROYING VERY LARGE THINGS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
3. MACHINES WITH ATTITUDE PROBLEMS
2001 (1968)
4. I SENSE MUCH ANGER
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5. MONSTERS, MONSTERS, MONSTERS
Aliens (1986)
A painful choice. I think I have to go with the one which allows the ladies some agency.
6. WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD SUCH A THING?
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Another painful choice.
7. NICE CLIMATE. HIGH OXYGEN CONTENT
Galaxy Quest (1999)
8. CLASH OF THE CLASSICS
Metropolis (1927)