Most of those "Best of All Time" polls leave me somewhere between head-scratching and ourtraged. Given that they are often written by twenty-somethings that avoid black and white and have never seen a silent film, bad lists are the norm. Here's a surprisingly good list from, of all places, "Popular Mechanics"

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/digital/fact-vs-fiction/the-100-best-sci-fi-movies-of-all-time?src=sem&mag=pop&dom=tab#slide-1

While there is some room for disagreement, such as "War of the Worlds (#90)" and the "Bodysnatchers" and "The Thing" remakes but not the originals, the list has mostly good choices and makes the 'thon selection process look very good.

The top 12 for example:

12. Alien (79)
11. The Day the Earth Stood Still (51)
10. Planet of the Apes (68)
  9. Terminator (84)
  8. Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan (82)
  7. Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (80)
  6. Close Encounter of the Third Kind (77)
  5. Metropolis (27)
  4. Aliens (86)
  3. Gattaca (97)
  2. Blade Runner (82)
  1. 2001: A Space Oddyssey (68)

have all played and should be considered on any top list. Seeing this list makes me reconsider the common wisdom that the 50's were the heyday of the genre. Future generations may think the mid-70's to mid-80's deserve that honor.

Only a very few of these are off my radar screen: "Sunshine" (2007) and "The Fountain" (2006) for example. Could the small number of films on this list that haven't already played be candidates for next year? "Children of Men" and "Splice" come to mind.


Note: split off as new topic from "Today's News Stories" thread - admn

The list is a bit too modern heavy. Kind of surprising for a magazine that was around during the early days of the genre. GATTACA is very good but not Top 3 material. And, two ALIEN films in the top 12 is a bit much, especially when you consider that ALIENS is perhaps the 2nd most overrated SF film ever.

Most of the films have played the Marathon for sure, but, many of the exceptions like STALKER, SOLARIS or ALPHAVILLE are kind of expected. A few of the others I have lobbied in vain for over the years like cough cough MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH.


 
R_F_Fineman wrote on Dec 13^th, 2012 at 4:10pm:

Most of those "Best of All Time" polls leave me somewhere between head-scratching and ourtraged. Given that they are often written by twenty-somethings that avoid black and white and have never seen a silent film, bad lists are the norm. Here's a surprisingly good list from, of all places, "Popular Mechanics" http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/digital/fact-vs-fiction/the-100-best-sci-fi-movies-of-all-time?src=sem&mag=pop&dom=tab#slide-1 While there is some room for disagreement, such as "War of the Worlds (#90)" and the "Bodysnatchers" and "The Thing" remakes but not the originals, the list has mostly good choices and makes the 'thon selection process look very good. The top 12 for example: 12. Alien (79) 11. The Day the Earth Stood Still (51) 10. Planet of the Apes (68)   9. Terminator (84)   8. Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan (82)   7. Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (80)   6. Close Encounter of the Third Kind (77)   5. Metropolis (27)   4. Aliens (86)   3. Gattaca (97)   2. Blade Runner (82)   1. 2001: A Space Oddyssey (68) have all played and should be considered on any top list. Seeing this list makes me reconsider the common wisdom that the 50's were the heyday of the genre. Future generations may think the mid-70's to mid-80's deserve that honor. Only a very few of these are off my radar screen: "Sunshine" (2007) and "The Fountain" (2006) for example. Could the small number of films on this list that haven't already played be candidates for next year? "Children of Men" and "Splice" come to mind.

I am a fan, but do not consider myself terribly knowledgeable.
A good number in the list that I do not know & will keep an eye out for.
The short list from 13 to 20 is pretty poor.
Also agree with Mr. Fineman's criticisms of the bias to  modernity & listing two Alien(s) near the top.
One, yes. Two? No.
The 4 he listed at the end I have seen, and could definitely do without, especially (hack) Man Who Fell - - -

"the black hole"??? puhlease!

Hey Popular Mechanics has a long track record of getting some things right and others less so. The home computer with easy to use Fortran for example:

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/Karen_Tom/Movies/PopMech04HomeComputer.jpg
(source: Popular Mechanics)

I'm just saying that between 80% and 90% of the films on their list have either run or been on our list, so it wasn't a complete hose-job!

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/Karen_Tom/Movies/PopMechHoseJob.jpg
(source: Popular Mechanics)

L.A. is quite right when he calls the list modern-heavy, but as compared to a Yahoo list of "Top-50 Horror Classics" that appeared last Halloween, this one is a gem.  On that infamous list the three OLDEST were "Rosemary's Baby", "The Exorcist", and "The Shining" and many of the top spots were taken by slasher films with numbers after them! >:(

Lists like that make me glad to see the young crowd that camp out in the front or in the balcony each Presidents' Day weekend. Remember that "War of the Worlds" is as old to them as "Metropolis" was to me when I first saw it in the 70's! :o


Quote:

Pogo: I am a fan, but do not consider myself terribly knowledgeable...Also agree with Mr. Fineman's criticisms...

You sound quite knowledgable and I'm glad to have your input. Just call me "R_F_"*.


Quote:

Kirok: "the black hole"??? puhlease!

...ditto!



*If want to know what "R_F_" stands for check out "The Independent"  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0160403/fullcredits#cast which premiered at the 'thon in 2000

L.A. Connection wrote on Dec 13^th, 2012 at 11:12pm:

especially when you consider that ALIENS is perhaps the 2nd most overrated SF film ever.

     And what would you consider to be the first?
     Aliens is the best movie Cameron has ever made, & it doesnt strike me as being particularly over-rated, the way, say, Vertigo is.


Quote:

Most of the films have played the Marathon for sure, but, many of the exceptions like STALKER

     Yuch.


Quote:

SOLARIS

     Blah.


Quote:

or ALPHAVILLE

     Garbage.
     I'm really beginning to question your taste....


Quote:

A few of the others I have lobbied in vain for over the years like cough cough MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH.

     Actually, that would be fun, although the movie is only so-so.

kirok wrote on Dec 14^th, 2012 at 4:38pm:

"the black hole"??? puhlease!

R_F_Fineman wrote on Dec 14^th, 2012 at 6:27pm:

Quote: Kirok: "the black hole"??? puhlease! ...ditto!

     There are 70mm prints of this terrible movie available.  Wait for the 70mm & LISTEN TO ME  this time (file under "Brainstorm"). >:( >:( >:( >:(

The remake of THE THING is the most overrated SF film.

Also, I wrote that it was understandable that such arthouse fare as SOLARIS, SLALKER and ALPHAVILLE have never played the marathon - not that they should have appeared.

And, Pogo, it was I, not RF, who made the comments about the modern bias of the list, the double ALIEN overload etc.



David the Projectionist wrote on Dec 14^th, 2012 at 7:15pm:

L.A. Connection wrote on Dec 13th, 2012 at 11:12pm: especially when you consider that ALIENS is perhaps the 2nd most overrated SF film ever.      And what would you consider to be the first?      Aliens is the best movie Cameron has ever made, & it doesnt strike me as being particularly over-rated, the way, say, Vertigo is. Quote: Most of the films have played the Marathon for sure, but, many of the exceptions like STALKER      Yuch.[quote]SOLARIS

     Blah.
Quote:

or ALPHAVILLE

     Garbage.
     I'm really beginning to question your taste....
Quote:

A few of the others I have lobbied in vain for over the years like cough cough MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH.

     Actually, that would be fun, although the movie is only so-so.[/quote]

aliens is not in the same league as alien. period. end of sentence. no more discussion.
aliens is a sequel that suffers from the dreaded sequel disease known as "let's put some stuff in there that kids will like". you all know what i'm talking about.

I think it's time for the Popular Mechanics list to commute over to the film suggestions thread.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/Karen_Tom/Movies/PopularMech1.jpg
(source: Popular Mechanics)

In fairness to the article, it does put "The Black Hole" at #94 and mentions that, "at the time Disney had no idea how to make a live action movie." and it was "an odd hodge podge of kid-friendly robots...and Ernest Borgnine in zero gravity." I guess the author had a natural desire to put some G-rated fare in among the gory alien parasite flicks.


http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/Karen_Tom/Movies/PopMechanicsSawdust.jpg
(Source: Popular Mechanics)
That's the way life works: You get the jet planes and TV shopping but you also have to eat the sawdust. ;)

Besides, "Black Hole" is also among the films that have already played so it's too late! What interest me are the eighteen that haven't.

Has anyone seen:

-Splice (2009)*
-They Live (1988).
-The Fountain (2006).
-Stalker (1979)
-The Cube (1987).
-Ikarae XB-1 (1963).
-Day of the Triffids (1962).. I say yes!*
-Alphaville (1965) Safe to say we've covered.
-Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. (2004)**
-Abre Los Ojos (1997) (not the same as Vanilla Sky)
-A Scanner Darkly (2006)
-Enemy Mine (1985) I first assumed had played
-Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)*
-Star Trek: First Contact (1996)*
-Idiocracy (2006)
-Sunshine (2007)
-Children of Men (2006)*
-Wall-E (2008)*

* I say in brief; good fit.
**Not a bad film. Not a good fit.

L.A. Connection wrote on Dec 13^th, 2012 at 11:12pm:

The list is a bit too modern heavy. Kind of surprising for a magazine that was around during the early days of the genre. GATTACA is very good but not Top 3 material. And, two ALIEN films in the top 12 is a bit much, especially when you consider that ALIENS is perhaps the 2nd most overrated SF film ever. Most of the films have played the Marathon for sure, but, many of the exceptions like STALKER, SOLARIS or ALPHAVILLE are kind of expected. A few of the others I have lobbied in vain for over the years like cough cough MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH.   R_F_Fineman wrote on Dec 13th, 2012 at 4:10pm: Most of those "Best of All Time" polls leave me somewhere between head-scratching and ourtraged. Given that they are often written by twenty-somethings that avoid black and white and have never seen a silent film, bad lists are the norm. Here's a surprisingly good list from, of all places, "Popular Mechanics" http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/digital/fact-vs-fiction/the-100-best-sci-fi-movies-of-all-time?src=sem&mag=pop&dom=tab#slide-1 While there is some room for disagreement, such as "War of the Worlds (#90)" and the "Bodysnatchers" and "The Thing" remakes but not the originals, the list has mostly good choices and makes the 'thon selection process look very good. The top 12 for example: 12. Alien (79) 11. The Day the Earth Stood Still (51) 10. Planet of the Apes (68)   9. Terminator (84)   8. Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan (82)   7. Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (80)   6. Close Encounter of the Third Kind (77)   5. Metropolis (27)   4. Aliens (86)   3. Gattaca (97)   2. Blade Runner (82)   1. 2001: A Space Oddyssey (68) have all played and should be considered on any top list. Seeing this list makes me reconsider the common wisdom that the 50's were the heyday of the genre. Future generations may think the mid-70's to mid-80's deserve that honor. Only a very few of these are off my radar screen: "Sunshine" (2007) and "The Fountain" (2006) for example. Could the small number of films on this list that haven't already played be candidates for next year? "Children of Men" and "Splice" come to mind.

Sorry LA. Yes I was appreciating your comments even in my disagreements. Was responding a while after I read them & recalled your long Fineman quote and therefore mis-credited..

Responding this time, accurately, to Mr. Fineman,
I have only seen ten of the films you listed. Could do without all of them, although like about half.
Question. I asked about a year ago if any statement of philosophy or of a preferred mix of films has ever been made.
Obviously don't agree with everything chosen, but have no ego whatsoever that I could do a better job, or most importantly come close to equalling, the combination of  knowledge, availability, an understanding of the audience's preferences with a sense of the history of the Boston Thon of the current director(s).
Still, wonder if there has ever been an overt statement of philosophy.

Pogo:

Quote:

Sorry LA.... recalled your long Fineman quote and therefore mis-credited

You took an intelligent, valid observation by LA and attributed it to me! I've got no problem with it. ;)


Quote:

Still, wonder if there has ever been an overt statement of philosophy.

Great idea Pogo! I say we adapt Dr. Asimov's Rules of Robotics.

1.A robot movie may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2.A robot movie must obey the orders logical storyline given to it by human beings competent screenwriters, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3.A robot movie must protect project its own existence as long as such protection projection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws. Otherwise it would be a video.

;)

R_F_Fineman wrote on Dec 15^th, 2012 at 9:50am:

I think it's time for the Popular Mechanics list to commute over to the film suggestions thread.

Even better. I gave it (and all such lists) their own thread! ;)




R_F_Fineman wrote on Dec 15^th, 2012 at 9:50am:

...Besides, "Black Hole" is also among the films that have already played so it's too late! What interest me are the eighteen that haven't. Has anyone seen: -Splice (2009)* -They Live (1988). -The Fountain (2006). -Stalker (1979) -The Cube (1987). -Ikarae XB-1 (1963). -Day of the Triffids (1962).. I say yes!* -Alphaville (1965) Safe to say we've covered. -Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. (2004)** -Abre Los Ojos (1997) (not the same as Vanilla Sky) -A Scanner Darkly (2006) -Enemy Mine (1985) I first assumed had played -Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)* -Star Trek: First Contact (1996)* -Idiocracy (2006) -Sunshine (2007) -Children of Men (2006)* -Wall-E (2008)* * I say in brief; good fit. **Not a bad film. Not a good fit.

Actually, BLACK HOLE has NEVER played at the Marathon! (though prints exist). SOLARIS (either version) is missing from you list of never played at the Marathon. Nor has ESCAPE FROM NY (ditto), WESTWORLD (tritto), ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF APES (quaitto), ROLLERBALL (quinitto), PREDATOR (sexitto), AVATAR (septemitto), GHOST IN THE SHELL (octoitto) and E.T. (novemitto).

DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS has not only played - but, twice. All in the first Three years of the event (they must have loved 'em their schlock back in the earliest days!).

Now, another of the films you list as having never played actually has - TRIVIA: Which one???[/color][/b]

-Ikarae XB-1 (1963). has played.  Known to those who saw it way back at SF3 as Voyage to the End of the Universe. We saw the American version which is shorter by 10 minutes.  It would be nice to see the original Czech film.  I have it on DVD.   

Bingo!

I got the chace to see IKARIE when it toured the country briefly several years ago. It's a very very fine film. The US version completely ruins the film by the 10 seconds it ADDS to the movie, not so much the 10 minutes it deletes from it!


Frank wrote on Dec 15^th, 2012 at 1:20pm:

-Ikarae XB-1 (1963). has played.  Known to those who saw it way back at SF3 as Voyage to the End of the Universe. We saw the American version which is shorter by 10 minutes.  It would be nice to see the original Czech film.  I have it on DVD.

LA said:

"Actually, BLACK HOLE has NEVER played at the Marathon! (though prints exist). SOLARIS (either version) is missing from you list of never played at the Marathon. Nor has ESCAPE FROM NY (ditto), WESTWORLD (tritto), ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF APES (quaitto), ROLLERBALL (quinitto), PREDATOR (sexitto), AVATAR (septemitto), GHOST IN THE SHELL (octoitto) and E.T. (novemitto).

DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS has not only played - but, twice. All in the first Three years of the event (they must have loved 'em their schlock back in the earliest days!)."

Interestingly, my real Marathon affiliation, Cleveland/CWRU, (27 years vs. 1 year for Boston) has played each and every one of the films you listed - excepting Avatar..
The difference is not one of quality, but of duration.
CWRU is a 36 hour affair. Any thoughts of expanding Boston?

I saw one of the worst this year. Branded a truly stupid and horrible film made even worse because the director thought he was making a comment on consumerism and big corporation.

As LA mentioned previously, most of those internet lists of top films are modern heavy.  While not actually science-fiction, this list of vampire films could be, in the words of the Simpsons' Comic Book Guy, The worst episode ever!

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/fright-night-twilight-nosferatu-evolution-223758#1

I'll save you clicking on the links.


(15 titles in chronological order)


Quote:

The Evolution of the Vampire Film "Nosferaru" (1922) "The Hunger" (1983) "Fright Night" (1985) "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1992) "Interview with a Vampire" "Blade" (1998) "Queen of the Damned" (2002) "Shadow of the Vampire" "Underworld" . . Twilight

Notice anything missing? I guess as far as the two film writers responsible know there weren't any notable vampire films between 1922 and 1983! I can't imagine some editor somewhere failing to mention Bela Lugosi, Sir Christopher Lee, William (Blackula) Lee, Jonathan Frid, Klaus Kinski or Frank Langella. :o

Geez, at least they could have mentioned Dreyer's '32 VAMPYR if they wanted to get arty.

And, oh, yeah, when I think of "Great Vampire Films", my mind immediately jumps to QUEEN OF THE DAMNED!


::) ::) ::) ::)




R_F_Fineman wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2013 at 3:48pm:

As LA mentioned previously, most of those internet lists of top films are modern heavy.  While not actually science-fiction, this list of vampire films could be, in the words of the Simpsons' Comic Book Guy, The worst episode ever! http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/fright-night-twilight-nosferatu-evolution-223758#1 I'll save you clicking on the links. (15 titles in chronological order) Quote: The Evolution of the Vampire Film "Nosferaru" (1922) "The Hunger" (1983) "Fright Night" (1985) "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1992) "Interview with a Vampire" "Blade" (1998) "Queen of the Damned" (2002) "Shadow of the Vampire" "Underworld" . . Twilight Notice anything missing? I guess as far as the two film writers responsible know there weren't any notable vampire films between 1922 and 1983! I can't imagine some editor somewhere failing to mention Bela Lugosi, Sir Christopher Lee, William (Blackula) Lee, Jonathan Frid, Klaus Kinski or Frank Langella. :o

Tip of the hat to the wilcail on the Ohio site for providing this list:

Twelve Computers Who Are Complete Bastards

1) HAL 9000, 2001: A Space Odyssey

2) Master Control Program, Tron

3) Agent Smith, The Matrix

4) Skynet, Terminator

5) The Ultimate Computer, Superman III

6) Cerebro and the Danger Room, X-Men

7) Proteus IV, Demon Seed

8) Colossus and Guardian, The Forbin Project

9) The Unnamed AI from “Kill Switch,” The X-Files

10) HARDAC: Batman: The Animated Series

11) Emergency Medical Program, Star Trek: Voyager

12) Xoanon, Doctor Who

http://io9.com/12-computers-who-are-complete-bastards-470182756

In fairness to the i09 article they aren't pretending to create a top list. Still, including an animated Batman computer  and one from Star Trek: Voyager while not including the all-time Red Shirt terminator NOMAD from Star Trek TOS or the Queen of the Borg from "Star Trek: First Contact" is pretty bush league.

As is often the case, the outraged comments are the best part of these sort of things.  People get picky. Is a robot a computer? Does a dumb or misguided computer like the one from "War Games" deserve bastard status?

In real life: an OS that crashes constantly and decimates hours of work--dumb. An ISP that intentionally sells your personal information to spammers--evil! :D