Discuss this year's lineup.

First up - THE FIFTH ELEMENT

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/263533_10151250947127074_1246756081_n.jpg

Stuart, are you saying 5TH ELEMENT is a dog itself, or, did you dress up your pet as an extra from the club scenes in the movie???

The crowd is lined up already.
http://www.fernbyfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/fifth_element_04.jpg

Okay, so far I'm guessing a theme of non American film directors.

Looking forward to seeing Battle Royale on the big screen

So, so, very happy that my looooooooooooooong quest to finally bring THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN back to the marathon has happened!

Not only is SHRINKING a terrific SF Film, it also has a critical place in my sci-fi heart. It really is the very first SF movie I can remember having made a strong impression on me. I remember watching it with my Uncle and my cousin at my Grandmother's house when I was a kid. I just remember being awed by the whole spectacle of the film, it's imagination and the great adventure/survival aspect of the basement scenes.

Years later, it was the 3rd movie I ever saw at the Marathon at SF/4. It was still great on the big screen. But, what made it even more memorable was that there was a gentleman seated behind me who....uh....apparently was HEAVILY under the influence. He found it to be so hysterical I half-expected his seatmates to call for a straight-jacket! Ah, the 70s..........


http://wtf-film.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/halfsheet-550x432.jpg

you don't need substances to laugh at the incredible shrinking man. it's hilarious. he meets a a really hot looking midget circus performer and says "oh boy. maybe if i stop shrinking we'll hook up" after their third date he shrinks four inches. third date ha ha ha.

HUNGER GAMES, smunger games. BATTLE ROYALE sounds like the real deal. PG-13 this ain't. I love how that book's author (Suzanne Collins) claims no knowledge of BATTLE ROYALE when she wrote her book.

I suppose she also never heard of LORD OF THE FLIES, THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME, DEATHRACE 2000, TENTH VICTIM etc etc.

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/mp/rBn5qb_At1Tl.jpg

Three films have been announced.

I see folks checking in on the board.

Nobody cares?

Crikey, when we DON'T have any films announced, people b!tch and moan about it, but, few seem to comment when films ARE announced......

Haven't figured out why people don't comment on the already announced films, please do.
 

  My two cents worth. Never seen Battle Royale and don't anything about it other than what's been posted.
      Fifth Element: guilty pleasure of a movie, but am surprised it was booked. I remember Garen saying he really didn't like this movie, so I'm surprised he would book it.
      Incredible Shrinking Man: like this movie,but it should play before 10 pm.

Well I'm happy to comment on them.

I find The Fifth Element a bit too silly for my taste and Chris Tucker's performance is really infuriating but Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman and Ian Holm are all fun and the movie's amazing visuals will look great on the big screen.

For Battle Royale, I'm not sure if this has already been clarified but will the original version or the extended cut be shown? Either way it's great, unsettling stuff.

The Incredible Shrinking Man is the one I'm most excited about so far. It's been great that over the past few years at the marathon I've gotten to see some of the greatest sci-fi classics on the big screen and this one is another essential. It's especially nice since I missed it when it was shown recently at the Brattle.

the really funny thing about tism is the totally botched physics. as he gets smaller his surface area to mass ratio increases. i never sat down to do the calculations but assuming his density remains constant the act of running across the basement floor would generate enough kinetic energy to make his body temperature at least 300 degrees fahrenheit. it really cracks me up.

Agreed, the physics is all wrong here, that's a problem with a number of science fiction films,good and bad.

Basically, all films dealing with gigantism (THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN) or miniturization (FANTASTIC VOYAGE, INNER SPACE) have the same issue.

But, they are Sci-fi, so you go with it if the rest of the film works. And, Matheson's INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN succeeds on different levels - the idea of losing one's manhood, the great survival/adventure story in the basement, and nothing less than man's place in the universe. If you are going to admire only those films with a rigid science background, you would never be able to fill 37 marathons with them.........

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2106/2209925422_bf40a63c19_o.jpg



Lile wrote on Dec 24^th, 2012 at 1:08am:

Agreed, the physics is all wrong here, that's a problem with a number of science fiction films,good and bad.

I come at miniaturization - and most classic themes in Science Fiction movies - a little differently.
Been reading Science Fiction since well before most people here were born.
"He Who Shrank" is anthologized in the classic 1946 collection Adventures in Time and Space. Read it  when I was a kid. The story itself is from the 30s. Published by Random House, ATS was the book which introduced SF as more than pulp junk to many many Americans. Not exactly true in our house as by the time I could read as my dad & brother already had hundreds of SF magazines & books littering the place.
Won't go into a lot of detail, but it's a first person account of a test subject who shrinks through one after another universes and a variety of experiences. As was mentioned above about survivalist conflicts, ANYONE writing a movie has to be aware of their precursors - & in this case this specific story.
What Shrinking Man adds is humor. A scarce & vital component to any entertainment.
Note: "Farewell to the Master", the basis of The Day the Earth Stood Still is in the same book.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventures_in_Time_and_Space

"Fifth Element" is a major pleasure of mine -- and the word guilty doesn't enter the discussion. Bruce Willis is at the tongue-in-cheek top of his game; Milla Jovovich is hot hot hot; who knew Ian Holm could do such great physical comedy; when I interviewed Gary Oldman last year, he said he based Zorg "on Bugs Bunny and Ross Perot"; there is absolutely crackerjack and comedic editing by Luc Besson regular Sylvie Landra. I'm not a big fan of the last minute of the film, but aside from that, it's one of my faves.

i guess it isnt surprising that Ed would like 5Th considering his love for ZARDOZ & CLOUD ATLAS
ed symkus wrote on Dec 27^th, 2012 at 10:50pm:

"Fifth Element" is a major pleasure of mine -- and the word guilty doesn't enter the discussion. Bruce Willis is at the tongue-in-cheek top of his game; Milla Jovovich is hot hot hot; who knew Ian Holm could do such great physical comedy; when I interviewed Gary Oldman last year, he said he based Zorg "on Bugs Bunny and Ross Perot"; there i editing by Luc Besson regular Sylvie Landra. I'm not a big fan of the last minute of the film, but aside from that, it's one of my faves.

L.A. Connection wrote on Dec 30^th, 2012 at 3:16pm:

i guess it isnt surprising that Ed would like 5Th considering his love for ZARDOZ & CLOUD ATLAS ed symkus wrote on Dec 27th, 2012 at 10:50pm: "Fifth Element" is a major pleasure of mine -- and the word guilty doesn't enter the discussion. Bruce Willis is at the tongue-in-cheek top of his game; Milla Jovovich is hot hot hot; who knew Ian Holm could do such great physical comedy; when I interviewed Gary Oldman last year, he said he based Zorg "on Bugs Bunny and Ross Perot"; there i editing by Luc Besson regular Sylvie Landra. I'm not a big fan of the last minute of the film, but aside from that, it's one of my faves.

reminder: another "bone of contention" movie is speilberg's A.I. It has never played the marathon and it should. it's speiberg's tribute to stanley kubrick.  i thought it was super. ed loved it, l.a. hated it.

According to the last Official email release we should be getting a bunch of new titles soon...   ;)

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 11:42am:

According to the last Official email release we should be getting a bunch of new titles soon

"bunch" and "soon" are vagaries. i for one do not intend to hold my breath. (is this the year we get "the man who fell to earth?)

I'm looking forward to the return of TISM, it was part of the first 'Thon I attended, SF4. Don't remember much about the Fifth Element, so it will be good to see it again and Battle Royale sounds intriguing. As far as film announcements go, I really don't care about knowing what's going to be playing in advance, it's always a great time!

Dinsdale wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 3:28pm:

...As far as film announcements go, I really don't care about knowing what's going to be playing in advance, it's always a great time!

Good to hear. Since we're planning on booking FOLKLORE II, not to mention the 3 hour director's cut of the original FOLKLORE!


8-)

Folklore 2 and the directors cut to Folklore, now that would be the best booking since Thunderbirds Ae Go played for the second Time.

Hell, I'd rather see THUNDERBIRDS three marathons in a row than endure that hypothetical double bill once!

:D


L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 7:58pm:

Dinsdale wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 3:28pm: ...As far as film announcements go, I really don't care about knowing what's going to be playing in advance, it's always a great time! Good to hear. Since we're planning on booking FOLKLORE II, not to mention the 3 hour director's cut of the original FOLKLORE! 8-)

At least Thunderbirds was entertaining and funny the first time around.  Folks enjoyed this look at 60's children's entertainment from the Andersons.  The audience laughed, even howled, but they were entertained.  It was the back-to-back viewing that "done her in" so to speak.  I think Folklore was something else altogether.

without anderson's work there would be no "team america". in his honor we should show "team america"

kirok wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2013 at 1:34pm:

without anderson's work there would be no "team america". in his honor we should show "team america"

Or, the long overdue THUNDERBIRD SIX which was supposed to be shown all those years ago rather than the back to back THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!.

(or, do we dare risk that we get GO! again?)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e6/Thunderbird-6.jpg

pogo wrote on Dec 24^th, 2012 at 10:56am:

I come at miniaturization - and most classic themes in Science Fiction movies - a little differently. Been reading Science Fiction since well before most people here were born. "He Who Shrank" is anthologized in the classic 1946 collection Adventures in Time and Space. Read it  when I was a kid. The story itself is from the 30s. Published by Random House, ATS was the book which introduced SF as more than pulp junk to many many Americans. Not exactly true in our house as by the time I could read as my dad & brother already had hundreds of SF magazines & books littering the place. Won't go into a lot of detail, but it's a first person account of a test subject who shrinks through one after another universes and a variety of experiences. As was mentioned above about survivalist conflicts, ANYONE writing a movie has to be aware of their precursors - & in this case this specific story. What Shrinking Man adds is humor. A scarce & vital component to any entertainment. Note: "Farewell to the Master", the basis of The Day the Earth Stood Still is in the same book. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventures_in_Time_and_Space

Thought about this earlier post. There  are at least two other stories of interest in ATT. "Who Goes There" (by John Campbell) is the basis of The Thing - (and a much better story than any movie version.) Also VanVogt's Black Destroyer,has been described as the original idea behind Alien.
Perhaps there could be a theme some year of films based on classic Science Fiction stories. I'd love to write the program notes. ::) -as long as The Time Machine and Phil Dick based stuff isn't included.

Couldn't have told you anything about Phase IV except that it had something to do with ants.
From the Wikipedia write up it looks very interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase_IV
Thanks y'all.

Saw Phase IV on tv several years ago and was ambivalent about it, maybe a second viewing will change my mind.

Saw it when the HFA did a 70s sci-fi series in 2010, and dug it.  Here's hoping that we get the rediscovered footage as well.

(Although I can't help but notice that everything else announced has played Boston relatively recently.  Not a bad thing, but it makes me wonder just how constrained print availability is right now!)

35MM Print availability has dwindled exponentially over just the last couple of years.

As to having some of the announced titles having played other venues recently, we have always gone pretty much our own way. We're nearing Four Decades of Marathons, so we have our own history and our own agenda. PHASE IV and SHRINKING MAN haven't played the Marathon since the single digit years of the event - before many of our younger marathoners were even born. 5TH ELEMENT and BATTLE ROYALE have never shown.
Finally, because of the diminishing availablity of prints to be shown, there is a practical reason for finding out where movies have played BEFORE - it confirms a print's existence! It has happened many many times over the years when booking a print that WE have to inform the distributor that they do indeed have a copy of their own movie!


Jay Seaver wrote on Jan 7^th, 2013 at 12:28pm:

Saw it when the HFA did a 70s sci-fi series in 2010, and dug it.  Here's hoping that we get the rediscovered footage as well. (Although I can't help but notice that everything else announced has played Boston relatively recently.  Not a bad thing, but it makes me wonder just how constrained print availability is right now!)

I'm not complaining or saying that there's anything bad about it, and Phase IV played long enough ago (in potentially a different version) that it doesn't really trigger an "aw, I just saw that!" reaction from me.  Just saying a lot does this year, and while the marathon's insular enough that it only bothers a few of us attending, I think it's a phenomenon worth noting as we discuss the schedule.

I have to say, I'm very happy with the picks so far. Even though I think FIFTH ELEMENT is a big P.O.S., it warrants a spot in a Marathon since others feel differently. And, hey, there's always Milla..........

http://www.scifibabes.co.uk/images/Fifth-Element-Milla.jpg

Last June, the Cinefamily (which runs one of the most eclectic and wide-ranging programs in the repertory house universe out of the old Silent Movie Theater in L.A.) organized a landmark weekend paying tribute to Saul Bass.  You can watch the excellent in house trailer for the event here.

Following screenings of Bass's vintage ad reels and various shorts, the fest climaxed with an archival screening of PHASE IV, which included the thought to be long lost alternate ending (check out a report on it here.  A friend of mine was in attendance, and I know several of the programmer's at the Cinefamily, so from what I gathered the alternate ending was basically a one time only deal; when the theater held an encore screening later in the week, it only featured the original ending.

Now I have no idea if Garen has managed to secure this incredibly rare add-on, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Marathon screening is of the theatrical ending.  But still, that's not a complaint.  Even in its original version, PHASE IV is a heady, psychedelic, suspense/mood piece that marks the only feature length effort from Bass, and should serve as a reminder of his massive influence on the field.

It will be interesting to see which version of WOMAN IN THE MOON we get. The full Kino DVD is 200 minutes long - can u say ENDHIRAN II? It's a fine film, but, 3 hours and 20 minutes would be a schedule killer for many. 
And, if this is off DVD, I really hope we get live music at least. That would help keep the audience engaged over a canned track. I saw this many years ago in L.A. and there was a live Theremin musician. That print was around 2-2 1/2 hours.

the m.i.t. marathon is around the 25th. they have wall-e,looper,andromeda strain!!!, and galaxy quest. it's 5$ admission for the last 2 features. i'm going.

I won't get my hopes up on seeing the re-discovered Phase IV ending. It's noted in the linked story that the footage was separate and not on a print of the film.
There's an excert filmed at the screening on YouTube complete with a bad angle and audience heads in the way. But still might be the only chance to see it.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCJwUQceLcs

Metaluna wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 3:34pm:

R_F_Fineman wrote on Jan 12th, 2013 at 9:35am: The 'thon has a great track record of getting high-quality live music performers for silent films. Is there any word as to whether one has been booked? I once again put in a request for this guy. I think he might be in our budget. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBiLAy7mDbw

Yeah, but can he do that hand thingee for 3 Hours & 20 Minutes?   :D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBiLAy7mDbw

Interesting choice, JOHN CARTER (OF MARS). It's considered one of the biggest mainstream bombs of the year, but, if any audience is gonna give it a fair shot, it is ours.

Because of technical issues, 3D is not available in the main house at the Somerville as of now. So, JOHN CARTER will be 2D.

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 17^th, 2013 at 6:20pm:

Because of technical issues, 3D is not available in the main house at the Somerville as of now.

     No, because of technical limitations, digital 3D will NEVER be available in the main house!
     I might, some day far into the future, be able to rig dual-system film 3D in there, but digital will remain a technical impossibility.  Which is a good thing.  Because it sucks.


Quote:

So, JOHN CARTER will be 2D.

     Better hope we get a film print!

Not sure how I feel about John Carter. I don't think it's my kind of movie. Lots of other stuff I am looking forward to though. I've never seen several of them. The only thing I have seen recently is Fifth Element and I am always up for that one.

Quote:

Better hope we get a film print!

Well, Arisia is supposed to be showing a 35mm Cinemascope print of Mr. Carter this weekend. Hopefully that means there should be prints around.

definitely check the runtime of reptilicus. there is one scene in there that is a tourism advert for denmark.

kirok wrote on Jan 18^th, 2013 at 12:48pm:

definitely check the runtime of reptilicus. there is one scene in there that is a tourism advert for denmark.

The Danish cut is 10 minutes longer. We'll see. It should be fun on the big screen. This will be the 3rd Sid Pink film shown at the Marathon. What were the other 2?

http://wtf-film.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/vlcsnap-776451-150x150.jpg

The travelogue bit is in both versions I believe.  Great sots of Tivoli Gardens and that wonderful song Tivoli Nights.  We we have also had Journey to the 7t Planet and Angry Red Planet.  We need to get The Twonky at some pint down the road.  It's too bad that Repitilicus 2 was never filmed.  He had plans to do it but passed away before making it happen. 

Either way, I am - as you might imagine - open to it.  For one thing, I've never been to Denmark, so a little sightseeing, however outdated (that'd be Denmark in 1961?), is welcome. 

I also don't recall ever seeing "Reptilicus," though, of course, my memory is only alleged.

I do remember "Phase IV" - in fact, has it not played at more than one past Marathon?

Huh, I see Safety Not Guaranteed has been added.  It's cute.


Nothing on the festival part yet, which has me worried that it's going to be another fairly unimpressive year of not being proactive at all.  I'd at least like to know what's playing the 14th so I can decide whether or not to buy a ticket for the Somerville's silent show.

Jay Seaver wrote on Jan 18^th, 2013 at 11:44pm:

Huh, I see Safety Not Guaranteed has been added.  It's cute. Nothing on the festival part yet, which has me worried that it's going to be another fairly unimpressive year of not being proactive at all.  I'd at least like to know what's playing the 14th so I can decide whether or not to buy a ticket for the Somerville's silent show.

A. "CUTE"!  :o :o :o :o :o That's a horrible thing to say about an Marathon entry! Horrible!

B. Festival? There's a festival in less than a month?

So far I'm pleased and excited with the schedule of films that have been announced. A nice range of genres, time periods, styles and from different countries. These are all things I've enjoyed at the Thons I've been to so far.

I enjoyed "John Carter" when I saw it last summer, but I hope it's the 'dinner movie' since i've already seen it. There are a number of other ones that I'd hate to miss it they were in that time slot. 

Quote:

Jay Seaver I see Safety Not Guaranteed has been added.  It's cute. [quote]LA:"CUTE"!  That's a horrible thing to say about an Marathon entry! Horrible!

[/quote]

LA's right! Who wants to see cute at the Marathon! Who wants to see Marissa Tomei in "Happy Accidents" or Will Smith deliver an Alien Baby in "MIB"? Who wants to see Tony Shaloub's love scene in "Galaxy Quest". As the man said "It's JUST NOT RIGHT!"

We marathon attendees want anti-cute. We want to see the version of "Safety Not Guaranteed" where safety really isn't guaranteed! We want the Michael Bay version where people scream and things explode, or the David Cronenberg version where things scream and people explode.

We don't want cute. We want terrible, horrible, monsters decimating civilization like...

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/Karen_Tom/Movies/cutecouple.jpg

...oh, well, nevermind. ;)

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 19^th, 2013 at 12:20am:

B. Festival? There's a festival in less than a month?

Yeah, in theory science fiction looks to the future, and its fans do as well, so we might see new and interesting things rather than just a greatest hits selection.


Oh, who'm I kidding?

just being a little cute and festive guys........

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fxqV6zgSY3M/TPZB8HqvreI/AAAAAAAACeQ/Kw3_JHfIUis/s320/tongue%2Bin%2Bcheek.jpg
http://www.christianforums.com/attachments/127627d1344398318t-tongue-cheek-2.jpg

9 films have been selected. what sub genres should be represented for the final 3 or 4? we do know it fer a fact that garen will pick an animated feature. what should that be? discuss.

Reptilicus? All of us?!?

Is Battle Royale subtitled?

Quote:

Kirok Posted on: Yesterday at 3:41pm 9 films have been selected. what sub genres should be represented for the final 3 or 4?

Sub genres? Hmmm...How about monsters based on Scandinavian Folklore set in the modern day. "Troll Hunter" and "Dead Snow" were hits a couple of years back. Now there's some good buzz about "Thale (2012)":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElBJTweh_T4
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2112287/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_1
http://www.facebook.com/thalemovie

After all, could a Folklore movie be anything but good? ;)

classic early 70's is not represented. i think andromeda stain would be good. it's playing at m.i.t. saturday night.

'Rare Exports' is an interesting 2010 Norwegian movie based on the darker legends of Santa Claus/Kris Kringle. Not really a 'Christmas' movie, but also it leans towards the horror/suspense genre.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1401143/

RARE EXPORTS is "interesting", but, not at all appropriate for the SF marathon. It IS very very odd as well.

If you've seen A CHRISTMAS STORY once too many times, it might be a good antidote to watch on your own next Xmas.


Brendan wrote on Jan 20^th, 2013 at 5:16pm:

'Rare Exports' is an interesting 2010 Norwegian movie based on the darker legends of Santa Claus/Kris Kringle. Not really a 'Christmas' movie, but also it leans towards the horror/suspense genre.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1401143/

kirok wrote on Jan 20^th, 2013 at 4:29pm:

classic early 70's is not represented. i think andromeda stain would be good. it's playing at m.i.t. saturday night.

Duly noted, and the info was passed on a week or so ago. And, we do have 1974's PHASE IV representing the early 70s.

classic early 70's.
phase 4 is schlock.

Saul Bass was not a schlockmeister. You may not like PHASE IV, but it was done with the most serious of intentions, and IMHOP, handled pretty well.

Metaluna wrote on Jan 19^th, 2013 at 11:03pm:

Reptilicus? All of us?!? Is Battle Royale subtitled?

the ending of phase iv is ant-iclimactic.

Reptilicus, great choice, an incredibly enjoyable bad film.
Plus older fans will remember in sitcoms as varied as The Monkees and The Beverly Hillbillies whenever a character went to the drive in or watched a monster movie on TV it was almost always Reptilicus.
Don't suppose there's any chance we'll get the subtitled Danish version where the damned puppet monster flies. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIlLhNTNr-w

Quote:

Kirok: 9 films have been selected. what sub genres should be represented for the final 3 or 4?

There's no Anime film in the lineup yet. "Battle Royal" is live action, and who could confuse animated characters with real people? ;)

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/Karen_Tom/Movies/LooksLike.jpg

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2013 at 10:28pm:

Reptilicus, great choice, an incredibly enjoyable bad film. Plus older fans will remember in sitcoms as varied as The Monkees and The Beverly Hillbillies whenever a character went to the drive in or watched a monster movie on TV it was almost always Reptilicus. Don't suppose there's any chance we'll get the subtitled Danish version where the damned puppet monster flies.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIlLhNTNr-w

Me TV recently had the drive-in episode where Jethro and Dash Riprock double date and they are showing Reptilicus at the movies.  Repti also showed up in Gzreen Acres and let us not forget that he had a novelization as well as a comic book changed to Reptisaurus after the second issue when the copyright ran out.  They pushed this Danish Godzilla. 

Frank wrote on Jan 24^th, 2013 at 11:39am:

Me TV recently had the drive-in episode where Jethro and Dash Riprock double date and they are showing Reptilicus at the movies.  Repti also showed up in Gzreen Acres and let us not forget that he had a novelization as well as a comic book changed to Reptisaurus after the second issue when the copyright ran out.  They pushed this Danish Godzilla.

I haven't seen that episode of Beverly Hillbillies in ten years yet I can still remember that Reptilicus was called 'The Swamp Monster' in it.
Not only was there a novelization of Reptilicus but it was a considered a naughty novel too.
And there was a trade paperback that reprinted the complete screenplay a few years back.
Way too much stuff for such a bad film.   

And lest we forget Famous Monsters Cards

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1146/1046897347_478aadee7d.jpg

It will be interesting to see how SAFETY NOT GURANTEED will play with the crowd. A fairly tiny indie, I suspect that 80-90%+ of the audience hasn't seen it.

My Messageboard review from last summer is here:

http://sf.theboard.net/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1339371463

It's one of the growing number of what I call 'Sci-Fi Lite' flicks which usually involve only one or two small elements of SF in an otherwise mainstream movie. Like ANOTHER EARTH, SOUND OF MY VOICE, MELANCHOLIA etc., SAFETY could easily be interepretated as a "normal" film where the SF element is either imagined or just there as methaphorical symbol. And, there are usually only a few "special effects".

It's closest Marathon parallel would be HAPPY ACCIDENTS, which did go over well with the crowd.

A guaranteed crowd pleaser? We'll see soon.

https://rewards.sky.com/skyloyalty/export/sites/www.sky.com/skyloyalty/__Images/Screenings/SafetyNotGuaranteed_312x270.png_1667743859.png

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 20^th, 2013 at 5:47pm:

RARE EXPORTS is "interesting", but, not at all appropriate for the SF marathon. It IS very very odd as well. If you've seen A CHRISTMAS STORY once too many times, it might be a good antidote to watch on your own next Xmas. Brendan wrote on Jan 20th, 2013 at 5:16pm: 'Rare Exports' is an interesting 2010 Norwegian movie based on the darker legends of Santa Claus/Kris Kringle. Not really a 'Christmas' movie, but also it leans towards the horror/suspense genre.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1401143/ kirok wrote on Jan 20th, 2013 at 4:29pm: classic early 70's is not represented. i think andromeda stain would be good. it's playing at m.i.t. saturday night. Duly noted, and the info was passed on a week or so ago. And, we do have 1974's PHASE IV representing the early 70s.

i indeed did go to mit to see andromeda strain. it was previewed by an old scrathed print of "trouble with tribbles". the andromeda print was great. followed by galaxy quest. i had a good time.

I see the latest addition THE GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X
I would like to congratulate the Thon planners as to their selections. I still do not know if I will be coming to Boston, as driving across two states and taking as long to get to and from Boston as I would spend watching films is a bit much. May still rationalize a visit.
My reaction to the initial list was that everything was old hat, with at least five of the films being very familiar, including three that I have seen at other festivals within the last year.
But the committee of planners have pulled it out. It now looks like a nice mix, with originality and a nod to quirkiness.
If you can now control the weather on the NY Thruway- - -.
Also. How much are individual night tickets for the Festival?
Perhaps I can not only rationalize the drive by coming early, but I can drag my Brookline resident daughter to some of the evening showings.
She attended the Cleveland Marathon for a couple of years, but then advanced in maturity beyond her father.

I guess that's part of the downside to going to several fests and marathons. It's the main reason I haven't attended the SF Marathon in Columbus the last couple of years - too many films overlap (and they are too close together date-wise).

But, I hope you can make it to Boston. We were looking forward to the fruit!  ;)



pogo wrote on Jan 31^st, 2013 at 6:40pm:

I see the latest addition THE GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X I would like to congratulate the Thon planners as to their selections. I still do not know if I will be coming to Boston, as driving across two states and taking as long to get to and from Boston as I would spend watching films is a bit much. May still rationalize a visit. My reaction to the initial list was that everything was old hat, with at least five of the films being very familiar, including three that I have seen at other festivals within the last year. But the committee of planners have pulled it out. It now looks like a nice mix, with originality and a nod to quirkiness. If you can now control the weather on the NY Thruway- - -. Also. How much are individual night tickets for the Festival? Perhaps I can not only rationalize the drive by coming early, but I can drag my Brookline resident daughter to some of the evening showings. She attended the Cleveland Marathon for a couple of tears, but then advanced in maturity beyond her father.

GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X?  Wait, you mean to tell me that another 50's parody will make its bow at the Marathon?!?!?

Oh joy!  My diseased spleen is doing backflips!  Boy, maybe Larry Blamire will be in attendance and give everyone backrubs!  Then we can load up FOLKLORE again and appreciate it for the misunderstood cinematic gem it is.  And hey, while we're at it, why not run TRAIL OF THE SCREAMING FOREHEAD on a continuous loop in the lobby?  And offer LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA as a neural implant? 

Golly gee whilikers, can ya tell this old guy is excited?

Hyman Roth wrote on Jan 31^st, 2013 at 7:46pm:

GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X?  Wait, you mean to tell me that another 50's parody will make its bow at the Marathon?!?!? Oh joy!  My diseased spleen is doing backflips!  Boy, maybe Larry Blamire will be in attendance and give everyone backrubs!  Then we can load up FOLKLORE again and appreciate it for the misunderstood cinematic gem it is.  And hey, while we're at it, why not run TRAIL OF THE SCREAMING FOREHEAD on a continuous loop in the lobby?  And offer LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA as a neural implant?  Golly gee whilikers, can ya tell this old guy is excited?

This older guy is even more excited.  Well, there was  bound to be a misfire at some point.  It won't spoil the thon, dinner break anyone?  I would much prefer something like this if we are going the campy route:
http://zombiehamster.com/wp-content/uploads/Teenagers-from-outer-space-1.jpg

Hyman Roth wrote on Jan 31^st, 2013 at 7:46pm:

GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X?  Wait, you mean to tell me that another 50's parody will make its bow at the Marathon?!?!? Oh joy!  My diseased spleen is doing backflips!  Boy, maybe Larry Blamire will be in attendance and give everyone backrubs!  Then we can load up FOLKLORE again and appreciate it for the misunderstood cinematic gem it is.  And hey, while we're at it, why not run TRAIL OF THE SCREAMING FOREHEAD on a continuous loop in the lobby?  And offer LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA as a neural implant?  Golly gee whilikers, can ya tell this old guy is excited?

Godfrey Daniels, I think the reaction to the second year in a row screening of Thunderbird Are Go had a better reaction.

For the record I liked Screaming Forehead and Lost Skeleton.

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 31^st, 2013 at 10:56pm:

Hyman Roth wrote on Jan 31st, 2013 at 7:46pm: GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X?  Wait, you mean to tell me that another 50's parody will make its bow at the Marathon?!?!? Oh joy!  My diseased spleen is doing backflips!  Boy, maybe Larry Blamire will be in attendance and give everyone backrubs!  Then we can load up FOLKLORE again and appreciate it for the misunderstood cinematic gem it is.  And hey, while we're at it, why not run TRAIL OF THE SCREAMING FOREHEAD on a continuous loop in the lobby?  And offer LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA as a neural implant?  Golly gee whilikers, can ya tell this old guy is excited? Godfrey Daniels, I think the reaction to the second year in a row screening of Thunderbird Are Go had a better reaction. For the record I liked Screaming Forehead and Lost Skeleton.

Well I know that they keep making those movies for a portion of the population.  ;).  I, on the other hand, do not particularly enjoy these movies and, more to the point, they just don't work at the marathon. Perhaps it is time to stop striking that expired ungulate.    

http://queen.spaceports.com/images/Photo_Wayne_Andromeda.jpgExperiment with your own life, damn it!  :)

Sadly, I have to agree on GHASTLY. I am most definately NOT a fan of the "Hey, look how stupid 50s filmmakers were, so let's mock 'em, but, still profess that we love those films!" school of filmmaking.

Hopefully, the trailer isn't representative of the movie, but the fact that the Director has appeared in not one, but, TWO Blamire flicks doesn't give much hope.......... :( :( :( :(

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh-LWsX_uV4

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 1^st, 2013 at 1:18pm:

Sadly, I have to agree on GHASTLY. I am most definately NOT a fan of the "Hey, look how stupid 50s filmmakers were, so let's mock 'em, but, still profess that we love those films!" school of filmmaking. Hopefully, the trailer isn't representative of the movie, but the fact that the Director has appeared in not one, but, TWO Blamire flicks doesn't give much hope.......... :( :( :( :(

Perhaps we could request this be shown around the dinner hour?

Nah, I think it warrants the honorary FOLKLORE closing spot!

:-X


da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 1^st, 2013 at 6:37pm:

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 1st, 2013 at 1:18pm: Sadly, I have to agree on GHASTLY. I am most definately NOT a fan of the "Hey, look how stupid 50s filmmakers were, so let's mock 'em, but, still profess that we love those films!" school of filmmaking. Hopefully, the trailer isn't representative of the movie, but the fact that the Director has appeared in not one, but, TWO Blamire flicks doesn't give much hope.......... :( :( :( :( Perhaps we could request this be shown around the dinner hour?

i think the final 2 should be Incredible Shrinking Man and then Safety Not Guaranteed.

kirok wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2013 at 10:05am:

i think the final 2 should be Incredible Shrinking Man and then Safety Not Guaranteed.

I agree.
Scheduling a couple of good ones at the end is always better than putting in an 'arty' type film.
Just leads to walkouts since folks are near their limit.
And then no chance to say your goodbyes to marathoid friends before heading back to reality. 

Saw Death of a Shadow last night as part of an Oscar Nominated Shorts program. It won't win the Oscar (my money is on any of three other shorts) but it is what any good short subject should aspire to be: The presentation of an idea, the setting of an atmosphere and something that does have closure.
Tons of unanswered questions about what is going on, with enough of a background to hang a feature film on what is presented. The best gears & gizmos that I've seen since Hugo. It's subtitled, but that adds to the atmosphere.
Very dissimilar from last year's shorts nominee Time Freak, (why hasn't that been at the Thon?) it shares the quality of not doing too much. Present your idea and exposition then stop.

Thanks for the review. It's playing around town here as well, but, I'll wait for the Marathon.


pogo wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2013 at 12:23pm:

Saw Death of a Shadow last night as part of an Oscar Nominated Shorts program. It won't win the Oscar (my money is on any of three other shorts) but it is what any good short subject should aspire to be: The presentation of an idea, the setting of an atmosphere and something that does have closure. Tons of unanswered questions about what is going on, with enough of a background to hang a feature film on what is presented. The best gears & gizmos that I've seen since Hugo. It's subtitled, but that adds to the atmosphere. Very dissimilar from last year's shorts nominee Time Freak, (why hasn't that been at the Thon?) it shares the quality of not doing too much. Present your idea and exposition then stop.

There are those that would consider SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED an 'arty' type film as well. It did play mostly art houses after all. And, is certainly more artful than something like ZONAD or FOLKLORE. It has charm that might play better earlier in the 'thon.


da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2013 at 10:40am:

kirok wrote on Feb 2nd, 2013 at 10:05am: i think the final 2 should be Incredible Shrinking Man and then Safety Not Guaranteed. I agree. Scheduling a couple of good ones at the end is always better than putting in an 'arty' type film. Just leads to walkouts since folks are near their limit. And then no chance to say your goodbyes to marathoid friends before heading back to reality.

I generally like movies such as Safety Not Guaranteed But not as a final film.  I do like Shrinking Man as second to last.  Classic sf and almost everyone is finally wide awake with a second wind.

Wow! Late to the party. been buzy with other stuff. just checked in a few days ago

my take on what looks like a pretty complete (??) lineup

V For Vendetta - finally! yes!
Reptilicus - GI Joe loves him some rubber monster destruction!
Ghastly Love of Johnny Who Cares - ugh Blameire-lite
Escape from LA - what, no NYC? Snake Plissken is a great character though
John Carter - eh
Woman in the Moon - tell me we arent showing that 200 minute version? Hey, Metropolis is great (stuff), but that's too much
Phase 4 - nice to see it back, havent seen it in years!
Incredible Shrinking Man - a classic Cant wait to see the little guy on the BIG screen!
Battle Royale - can you say politically incorrect? I can!  8-)
Safety not Guaranteed - didnt see it havent heard of it
5th Element - cheezy fun with some nice eye candy
Death of a Shadow - how many shorts r we showing this year?

Lineup looks pretty cool!

1. I'm sure it won't be the 200 minute version of WOMAN IN THE MOON. But, it is quite a long film save for some really butchered versions from long long ago.

2. I'm a bit jealous of all the marathoners who DON'T live in L.A. (or, maybe pretty far away from a city like Boston) and DON'T see a lot of the more obscure films out there. It must be nice to come to the Marathon and have something like SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED come completely out of the blue for you. It isn't great, but, it should go over well with most of the marathoners


G.I. Joe wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2013 at 8:40pm:

Wow! Late to the party. been buzy with other stuff. just checked in a few days ago my take on what looks like a pretty complete (??) lineup V For Vendetta - finally! yes! Reptilicus - GI Joe loves him some rubber monster destruction! Ghastly Love of Johnny Who Cares - ugh Blameire-lite Escape from LA - what, no NYC? Snake Plissken is a great character though John Carter - eh Woman in the Moon - tell me we arent showing that 200 minute version? Hey, Metropolis is great (stuff), but that's too much Phase 4 - nice to see it back, havent seen it in years! Incredible Shrinking Man - a classic Cant wait to see the little guy on the BIG screen! Battle Royale - can you say politically incorrect? I can!  8-) Safety not Guaranteed - didnt see it havent heard of it 5th Element - cheezy fun with some nice eye candy Death of a Shadow - how many shorts r we showing this year? Lineup looks pretty cool!

That and Ghastly are the only two I have not seen and strangely enough not the films I am most looking forward to seeing.  At least I want to see Safety.

Thank the lord that we aint showing the 200 minute version of Woman in Moon! How long is it????

I hope Safety is good. A lot of the little movies we get are usually pretty dull. Ghastly looks Ghastly. Are we getting some movies from the Festival too??

i'm dreaming of a white marathon.
boston may get 2 feet on saturday.

Hopefully, the final marathon list will be out shortly. Any guesses on the last slot or two?

Looking at the long-range forecasts, at least NEXT weekend doesn't look so bad:


Sun Feb 17
Showers hi 38° lo 29°
Chance of rain:    60% Wind:    E at 7 mph

If they can't find a way to get John Dies at the End for the final slot, I'll be terribly confused; isn't this thing programmed based on a love of bad jokes and rubber monsters?

On the basis "hey, it played somewhere recently so there might be a print floating around", I'd guess Dune.

I'm also hoping for Grabbers, and that IFC Midnight doesn't want it publicized because they're trying to get it Late Show bookings in the area.

That's a bit of exaaaaaaaageration. Sure, there's a Blamire-like spoof and big monster flick REPTILICUS, but 2 films do not a line-up make!

V FOR VENDETTA is a pretty dark dystopian thriller. PHASE IV a trippy 70s flick. BATTLE ROYALE is hardly EZ viewing. INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN is a genuine classic of the genre. WOMAN IN THE MOON is by one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of the medium (Fritz Lang). Etc. Etc.

As I wrote earlier. We have our own history and our own agenda. Just because two or three marathoners MIGHT have attended a screening of a movie around town within the past year, should have absolutely no bearing on having it show to the 397 or 398 other folks who did not attend.

JOHN DIES AT THE END is in the midst of its national rollout, so I doubt it would even be bookable right now.

The Festival is a different animal as it is much more limited by what is submitted and available.



Jay Seaver wrote on Feb 8^th, 2013 at 2:28pm:

If they can't find a way to get John Dies at the End for the final slot, I'll be terribly confused; isn't this thing programmed based on a love of bad jokes and rubber monsters? On the basis "hey, it played somewhere recently so there might be a print floating around", I'd guess Dune. I'm also hoping for Grabbers, and that IFC Midnight doesn't want it publicized because they're trying to get it Late Show bookings in the area.

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 8^th, 2013 at 1:07pm:

Hopefully, the final marathon list will be out shortly. Any guesses on the last slot or two? Looking at the long-range forecasts, at least NEXT weekend doesn't look so bad: Sun Feb 17 Showers hi 38° lo 29° Chance of rain:    60% Wind:    E at 7 mph

Ah these darn kids can't take a bit of bad weather in line for the marathon.
I well remember one year at the Coolidge when we had a wind chill of WAY below zero.
Course I was sleeping at the Holiday Inn down the street at the time. :)

Yeah, it's an exaggeration, but you were asking for guesses.  When trying to narrow down from "every science fiction movie ever made", you've got to use some basis, and you can't deny that the early announcements had a "hey, there was a known print available a month ago!" pattern to them.  Thus, Dune.

(And I think there is value in not duplicating things that have shown locally recently - why wouldn't you want local movie-lovers to think this is an event with a voice of its own?  What good comes of people looking at the program they paid $50+ for and seeing it half-filled with things they've seen or chose not to see recently?  Granted, there is a certain insularity to this group that only really makes it a problem for a few of us, but that in itself strikes me as kind of weird!)

Garen's tendency to put a recent, often quirky movie at the end (plus the obvious joke that comes from playing it at 10:15am) makes John Dies at the End a fun way to play with the program - especially if the schedule begins with John Carter.

Both John Dies and Grabbers are near enough to the first-run window to make booking trickier, and maybe Magnet and IFC would be less willing to make that work than Paramount was with Cloverfield a few years back, but I kind of think they've got a little more motivation to increase awareness and maybe get some DVD sales and word-of-mouth going for them.

Quote:

Bunnyman: Ah these darn kids can't take a bit of bad weather in line for the marathon. I well remember one year at the Coolidge when we had a wind chill of WAY below zero...

Bunnyman's right! We had it rough. You kids today don't know what it was like at the Coolidge during SF-15 before the restoration. There we were: 800 of us, mostly males, mostly full of coffee, standing in line for one toilet with a crack in it. The line extended all the way to Allston...ah yes... ;)

These traumatic memories, and the previous post about "John Dies at the End" started me thinking:  Nobody has played the unofficial theme game yet this year.

Given "John Carter", "The Ghastly Johnny X", and The Incredible Shrinking Man": a Jack Arnold film, maybe the unofficial theme should be...."HEEEEEERE'S JOHNNY!" ;)

Quote:

Bunnyman: Ah these darn kids can't take a bit of bad weather in line for the marathon. I well remember one year at the Coolidge when we had a wind chill of WAY below zero...

Sorry, standing on line for 10 or 12 hours in sub zero weather just won't cut it.  My crew and the Dick Miller Fan Club know what I mean.   ;)  I named her Damnation Alley lovingly because eventually you learn to love the lash.

Which of the announced films should get the alleged "booby prize" * of being on screen at 4 AM? No "cheating" by suggestion GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X or WOMAN IN THE MOON - that ain't happening.

It's a Marathon.

It's 24 Hours.

SOMEthing has to be in that dreaded time slot............

* - I actually kind of dig the 4am slot. Most of the yahoos and jamokes have tuckered out by then. As long as you can tune out all the snoring, it's pretty peaceful and cool.

L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 8^th, 2013 at 8:59pm:

Which of the announced films should get the alleged "booby prize" * of being on screen at 4 AM? No "cheating" by suggestion GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X or WOMAN IN THE MOON - that ain't happening. It's a Marathon. It's 24 Hours. SOMEthing has to be in that dreaded time slot............

I'd guess Fifth Element or Phase IV

that's a no brainer. escape from l.a.

I see where Frau im Mond has been replaced with Hands of Orlac. There will be no trip to the moon this year. Bummer.

Rich Bartlett wrote on Feb 12^th, 2013 at 5:35am:

I see where Frau im Mond has been replaced with Hands of Orlac. There will be no trip to the moon this year. Bummer.

you're kidding!?!

kirok wrote on Feb 12^th, 2013 at 10:08am:

Rich Bartlett wrote on Feb 12th, 2013 at 5:35am: I see where Frau im Mond has been replaced with Hands of Orlac. There will be no trip to the moon this year. Bummer. you're kidding!?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjUQMs0kVEI

kirok wrote on Feb 12^th, 2013 at 10:08am:

Rich Bartlett wrote on Feb 12th, 2013 at 5:35am: I see where Frau im Mond has been replaced with Hands of Orlac. There will be no trip to the moon this year. Bummer. you're kidding!?! Heard tonight that we received the restored German version that clocks in at 4 hours! Could have been this years Enhidron!

No trip to the moon - disappointing. But The Hands of Orlac should be fun. Directed by Robert Wiene (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari).

Yeah. The Frau was a 3 hour edition, not 4. The longest known version is about 3 hours 20 minutes.

The full Marathon schedule has been released on the Main Website:

12:10pm                     
JOHN CARTER (132 mins)

2:45pm                      
REPTILICUS (82 mins)

4:25pm                      
GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X (106 mins)

6:30pm                      
WAR OF THE WORLDS: GOLIATH (85 mins)

8:20pm                      
V FOR VENDETTA (132 mins)

10:55pm                     
SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED (86 mins)

12:25am                     
Unannounced Special (30m)

12:50am                     
INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (81 mins)

2:25 am                     
Oscar nominee! Death of a Shadow (20 min)

2:45 am                     
PHASE IV (90 min)

4:20 am                     
HANDS OF ORLAC (110 min)

6:15 am                     
BATTLE ROYALE (114 min)

8:20 am                     
ESCAPE FROM L.A. (104 min)

10:20 am                   
FIFTH ELEMENT (126 mins)

(there are other shorts, contests and surprises)

I see that The Hands of Orlac is the choice for 4:20 am..

so you dooooo have a print? why can't dave do an edit job. or start the marathon with a vote. all in favor of die frau im mond signify by saying yah. all those opposed signify by saying achtuleibe! ich kan est nicht tun!

Yah!
Orlac is not exactly a hard-science fiction film -- and so not quite a true substitute for Woman on the Moon (Hey!  the subtitles are in English, yah?) in that regard. 
:(

For those who can't bear the disappointment  - - - Frau Im Mond, the 2 hour 49min version is on Netflix.
I'll try to watch it during the Thon, thinking of how much more comfortable my home seating is.
Have a great Thon.

i'll still give that line up a thumbs up. mitt out die frau in monde.

For me this is one of the most well rounded line-ups in some time.   Orlac is more properly a horror film but it should be a good one.  The viewling hour is a bit rough tho.