First Announced film!


SNOWPIERCER!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1706620/combined

Joon-Ho Bong's THE HOST was a Marathon hit, now, his SF follow-up hits the 'thon screen for the big 4-0 Marathon.

Discuss............


http://wpc.556e.edgecastcdn.net/80556E/img.site/PHti9IrQ2KZ8wC_1_m.jpg

A pretty darn great movie that I look forward to seeing on the big screen for a third time, and it's a shame it got such a limited release out of what appears to be sheer spite on the distributor's part.

chris evans. yeah. kicked butt in captain america.

moonraker has been announced on Facebook. i enjoyed it when it was released.

I'll probably enjoy Snowpiercer. It has certainly received good reviews.
However I could not overcome the blatant ridiculousness of the idea that a hurtling train is somehow a refuge from worldwide environmental catastrophe sufficiently to see it heretofore. I am sure that there are rationales inside the movie, but it just exceeded my willing suspension of disbelief. I watch superhero and lesser genre with enjoyment so I can't justify the above reaction. But It's there.
On the other hand I do look forward to Moonraker, that I remember from my teenagerhood as a pretty good tongue in cheek Bond spoof.
Hope I'll make it back to Boston this year.

Second film announced.

From 1979, Roger Moore is James Bond in
MOONRAKER

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb475/Bunnyman57/8cc1a4b4-c19c-4810-855c-7b4ea907383f_zps094fe0f0.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCyqwO1qpjg

THIS one surprised quite a bit. I hadn't heard it even mentioned in connection to the Marathon in years and years. I guess it makes a nice tribute to the recently deceased Richard Kiel.

maybe we can show the twilight zone episode
"to serve man"

L.A. Connection wrote on Nov 19^th, 2014 at 10:11pm:

THIS one surprised quite a bit. I hadn't heard it even mentioned in connection to the Marathon in years and years. I guess it makes a nice tribute to the recently deceased Richard Kiel.

Surprised me too.
But Bond was overdue showing up at the marathon since most of his plots are fringe sci-fi/mad scientist.

Remembering this film I think it may just about have aged to a slightly campy adventure and may go over better now then when released.

Maybe I should change the flightsuit from the one I usually wear to the marathon to one from Moonraker. :)

This Island Earth just announced as the third entry. 35mm archival print is the word.  It was the first movie played at SF1 in CINEMA 1.  Cinema 2 had the far superior The Day The Earth Stood Still to kick off the festivities.  No love for Cinema 2 I guess.

I'm ok with THIS ISLAND EARTH playing again in unexpurged form with MST3K. It hasn't played intact since SF/8 - 32 Years ago.

But, I agree with Frank - DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL is a far better movie and also deserves a slot at the 40th annual marathon!

Frank wrote on Nov 21^st, 2014 at 5:33pm:

This Island Earth just announced as the third entry. 35mm archival print is the word.  It was the first movie played at SF1 in CINEMA 1.  Cinema 2 had the far superior The Day The Earth Stood Still to kick off the festivities.  No love for Cinema 2 I guess.

Still plenty of time to add Day The Earth Stood Still to the lineup. It's just that Cinema 1 started first.
Since Frank made the official notice, I'll just add the extras.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siJp4bkLB5w


http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb475/Bunnyman57/this-island-earth-movie-poster-1954-1020144293_zpsd90442ad.jpg

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb475/Bunnyman57/SF1Capture_zpsd4e8fd31.jpg

The point that Cinema 1 started first is extremely weak sauce.  If you were in Cinema 2 The Day The Earth Stood Still started the marathon and they did not give a fig about Cinema 1.  Although smaller, it seems that Cinema 2 was always the equivalent of the 99%. Anyway, The Day The Earth Stood Still is the most repeated feature, a place it richly deserves.  At that it has been 15 years since it played.  We have to go back to SF25. Certainly, that is worth a repeat viewing.  But for the love of all that is holy, if we do screen it, pray that we do not get the abomination starring Keanu by mistake.

Frank wrote on Nov 21^st, 2014 at 10:43pm:

...Anyway, The Day The Earth Stood Still is the most repeated feature, a place it richly deserves.  At that it has been 15 years since it played.  We have to go back to SF25. Certainly, that is worth a repeat viewing.  But for the love of all that is holy, if we do screen it, pray that we do not get the abomination starring Keanu by mistake.

Now, THAT would be tragic!

At least the NOT OF THIS EARTH mistake had its benefits........

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b35/clashman/traci_lords_not_of_this_earth_68uCuIz_sized.jpg

:o  :o :o :o :o :o :o

There have been both 35mm and DCP screenings of DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL around the nation over the last few years, so it should be available (even from the notoriously difficult 20th Century Fox.)  That being said, could we just trade MOONRAKER for DAY?  Just saw the Bond film at the Cleveland Sci-Fi a few years back.  Yeah.......doesn't really get better with age. 

Joe Neff wrote on Nov 22^nd, 2014 at 2:05am:

There have been both 35mm and DCP screenings of DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL around the nation over the last few years, so it should be available (even from the notoriously difficult 20th Century Fox.)  That being said, could we just trade MOONRAKER for DAY?  Just saw the Bond film at the Cleveland Sci-Fi a few years back.  Yeah.......doesn't really get better with age.

Most of the DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL screenings recently, unfortunately, have been in DCP. Studios has actually begun hoarding their 35mm film prints because they have realized - quite ironically - that even in the digital age, that good old film is still the best preservation medium.

Joe Neff wrote on Nov 22^nd, 2014 at 2:05am:

That being said, could we just trade MOONRAKER for DAY?  Just saw the Bond film at the Cleveland Sci-Fi a few years back.  Yeah.......doesn't really get better with age.

You're a better man than I, Joe. I checked & Cleveland showed it January 2010. I must have been asleep. You have a superior memory of the film.
They have also shown DAY six times, the last being 2008.
Boston has also shown it 6 times, the last being 15 years ago. Perhaps some other classic? Looking at the list, I see lots of possibles from Thon #1.
DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS
DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS
FANTASTIC VOYAGE
FIVE MILLION YEARS TO EARTH
INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN
INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956))
IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE
THEM
THING, THE (1951)
THINGS TO COME (THE SHAPE OF)
THIS ISLAND EARTH
WAR OF THE WORLDS (1953)
ZARDOZ

Funny story about that Cleveland Marathon screening of MOONRAKER.  So the film shows around 8am or so on Saturday morning (for those of you who don't know, the CWRU 'thon starts at 8pm Friday night and runs until early Sunday morning.)  The Cleveland audience is usually fairly talky (although that's diminished a bit in recent years), so there's the expected amount of callbacks for this turkey....um, I mean spoof. 

But after ten minutes or so, I begin to notice one particular guy several rows back from my group who's making VERY specific comments about the film.  Then I notice that he's making comments that are paid off by lines on screen.  And it's at this point that I realize that he's gone full-on ROCKY HORROR, watched the film beforehand, and devised scene specific callbacks.  For the whole film!

Even stranger?  I never heard him again for the rest of the event!  CWRU allows prorated and single screening admission to their Marathon, so my only guess is that some guy paid to see MOONRAKER, just so he could perform an entire callback show in the back of the theater.  All that work.....for MOONRAKER!

And although quite a few of those films from Boston SF1 have shown in recent years, there's one that's notable by its absence.  And it involves Sean Connery.  And a red adult sarong.  Yes!

Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY has been announced.

But, that's not all, Marathoids. It will be presented on the big Somerville screen in.......

70MM!

On FB, there is announcement of a Guest to be announced.

First FESTIVAL film announced:

THE NOAH a true obscurity. Rare 35mm print.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454515/combined

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReviews22/a%20Daniel%20Bourla%20The%20Noah%20Robert%20Strauss/cover%20the%20noah.jpg

IRON GIANT and EDGE OF TOMORROW announced!

It is great news that Douglas Trumbull will attend to indroduce 2001. Let s make it a double by adding  ANDROMEDA STRAIN or CE3K.

L.A. Connection wrote on Dec 31^st, 2014 at 1:07pm:

It is great news that Douglas Trumbull will attend to indroduce 2001. Let s make it a double by adding  ANDROMEDA STRAIN or CE3K.

Related news is Saturday night at the Somerville there will be a separate event with Doug Trumball including a Q&A session, films TBA.

Which Saturday night? Any details?

Rich Bartlett wrote on Jan 1^st, 2015 at 6:46am:

Which Saturday night? Any details?

It looks like Marathon eve. Not much time to go to the Trumubull tribute,  travel home, rest and then return for the Marathon. Hopefully, it will be more of a 5pm or 6pm thing that one that drags on past 10 or 11pm. But, who needs sleep?

We got ants!
Just announced for SF40 the 1954 classic Them!

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2015 at 9:28am:

We got ants! Just announced for SF40 the 1954 classic Them!

The prototype for the BIM (Bug Eyed Monster) movie! Overdue for a return visit. Cool.


http://www.impawards.com/1954/posters/them.jpg

So I'd guess maybe 4-5 films left to be added?

At least 5 seems reasonable, Lepus Lad.
Only 7 so far. There were 13 last year, but without 2001 or anything of great length.
Columbus only managed 11 in 2014, but they had 2001 and the lengthy Metropolis.

pogo wrote on Jan 6^th, 2015 at 12:23pm:

At least 5 seems reasonable, Lepus Lad. Only 7 so far. There were 13 last year, but without 2001 or anything of great length. Columbus only managed 11 in 2014, but they had 2001 and the lengthy Metropolis.

And, Bruce always packs his schedules with shorts and trailers. Ohio always averages 1 to 2 films fewer than Boston.

Hard to judge because of Doug Trumball's guest appearance, hopefully he'd be staying to do at least a quick Q&A with us.

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 6^th, 2015 at 1:26pm:

Hard to judge because of Doug Trumball's guest appearance, hopefully he'd be staying to do at least a quick Q&A with us.

This is one time that I hope the guest isn't rushed off-stage just to keep to the schedule. I'd much rather sacrifice a "Premiere" like TRAIL OF THE GHASTLY FOLKLORIC MOTIVATIONAL LOVE GROWTH than take away the opportunity to hear from a giant of the industry like Trumbull.

Just added, Ragnarok (2014)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlSDCy3ZKaA

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 8^th, 2015 at 11:45am:

Just added, Ragnarok (2014) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlSDCy3ZKaA

Looks ok. But, sci-fi?

Eh, looks like an old monster as opposed to a magic one.  You wouldn't raise your eyebrows if was shot in 1958 Hollywood and the creature was made of foam rubber. :)

IIRC, it was reasonably well-liked both in its original Norwegian releases and in places that play independent/foreign genre films (which is to say, not Boston) for being a decent modern equivalent of a 1980s Amblin' production.

Jay Seaver wrote on Jan 8^th, 2015 at 3:02pm:

Eh, looks like an old monster as opposed to a magic one.  You wouldn't raise your eyebrows if was shot in 1958 Hollywood and the creature was made of foam rubber. :)

And, YOU woudn't like it if it was a 1958 production that didn't have "modern production values" no matter how well done it was for the period.

:) :)

Aw, c'mon, you know that's not true.  I just don't give things bonus points for nostalgia or treat age, low budgets, or bad acting as a virtue.

Jay Seaver wrote on Jan 8^th, 2015 at 5:14pm:

Aw, c'mon, you know that's not true.  I just don't give things bonus points for nostalgia or treat age, low budgets, or bad acting as a virtue.

But, you DO forgive new movies with "modern production values" more slack for their newness, budget and bad acting. Exhibit A - your 3-star rated Marathon atrocity FOLKLORE.

:) :) :)

I judge each and every movie on their merits regardless of when they were made. I might say I'll have fun with a bad movie, but, I will call it a bad movie as opposed to overpraising one with "modern production values" just because it's new and played on the fest circuit.

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 8^th, 2015 at 2:00pm:

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 8th, 2015 at 11:45am: Just added, Ragnarok (2014) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlSDCy3ZKaA Looks ok. But, sci-fi?

True, looks more like a fantasy.
Reviews mentioned tributes to Raiders, Jurassic Park & Alien so might be good.

Still hoping for Creature From The Black Lagoon (3D or flat.)

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 8^th, 2015 at 5:46pm:

But, you DO forgive new movies with "modern production values" more slack for their newness, budget and bad acting. Exhibit A - your 3-star rated Marathon atrocity FOLKLORE. :) :) :)

Uh, no.  I had a good time with that the first time through.  But good job on not letting someone having a different opinion go ever.  ::)

But, honestly, of course I forgive something with good production values more.  If there's not an obvious shortcoming on screen right in front of me, it's easier for the good stuff to come through.  It's not a deliberate weighing, but you make it sound like I shouldn't appreciate a movie looking and sounding good!


L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 8^th, 2015 at 5:46pm:

I might say I'll have fun with a bad movie, but, I will call it a bad movie as opposed to overpraising one with "modern production values" just because it's new and played on the fest circuit.

Eh, I'd rather be guilty of being enthusiastic about someone trying something new & handling the technical aspects well, and also picking up the audience's excitement.  With science fiction especially, it feels a hell of a lot better than assuming that the golden age is in the past.

Another FESTIVAL selection has been announced: ROBOT OVERLORDS.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2145829/combined

And here's the ROBOT trailer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcevyVngeMc

pogo wrote on Jan 10^th, 2015 at 12:32pm:

And here's the ROBOT trailer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcevyVngeMc

Be aware that this is for the FESTIVAL and not the Marathon.

The Silent film classic CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI announced.

Gort & friend are back!
The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951) is booked for the 'thon!

(They better not send us the wrong one)

According to the main website, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA is on the Marathon list, but I haven't seen an official announcement of the title.

Hold it... Is Dr. Who and the Daleks not on the marathon lineup?

Neil_N wrote on Jan 17^th, 2015 at 10:46pm:

Hold it... Is Dr. Who and the Daleks not on the marathon lineup?

It appears to be the case.  The festival will show a double feature Dr WHO AND THE DALEKS and DALEKS’ INVASION EARTH: 2150 A.D. At this time, it would appear that they are fest bound only on Wednesday according to the official site. 

Neil_N wrote on Jan 17^th, 2015 at 10:46pm:

Hold it... Is Dr. Who and the Daleks not on the marathon lineup?

Yes, Frank is correct. Here is the current MARATHON and FESTIVAL lineups:

http://sf.theboard.net/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1420500159/1#1

But, yes, I'd like to see DR. WHO in the Marathon as well.

Hmm...  Is the hole at 7pm on Friday the 13th intentional or will it be filled in?  It would be a pretty useful hole for me (I want to see Isabella Rossellini's Green Porno that weekend), although the rest of you should go see Wyrmwood, which is a lot of fun.

I'm also wondering if Mr. Trumbull will be bringing UFOTOG with him, thought we'd have to go up to Theater #5 and it still wouldn't be the whole experience.

What do folks think about the booking of Carpenter's BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA at the Marathon???

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 21^st, 2015 at 12:50am:

What do folks think about the booking of Carpenter's BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA at the Marathon???

Well it is more of a fantasy film than sci-fi, but its a fun film and should go over with the 'thon crowd.

we could do better. a whole lot better.

Overall I'm very excited about this year's lineup. It's a good mix of old and new, classics and newer films. It will be interesting to see what films complete the list!

From the hint in the email, I'm guessing we've got one more film going to be added, Jodorowsky's Dune documentary.
(Godfrey Daniels, I spelled it right on the first try.)

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2015 at 1:56pm:

From the hint in the email, I'm guessing we've got one more film going to be added, Jodorowsky's Dune documentary. (Godfrey Daniels, I spelled it right on the first try.)

Which hint in which email???

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2015 at 2:08pm:

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 23rd, 2015 at 1:56pm: From the hint in the email, I'm guessing we've got one more film going to be added, Jodorowsky's Dune documentary. (Godfrey Daniels, I spelled it right on the first try.) Which hint in which email???

Got an email from Klaatu with updates
http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=513f2ea5329a1662054bd7cab&id=64ba14da38&e=d10015d20f

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2015 at 3:16pm:

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 23rd, 2015 at 2:08pm: da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 23rd, 2015 at 1:56pm: From the hint in the email, I'm guessing we've got one more film going to be added, Jodorowsky's Dune documentary. (Godfrey Daniels, I spelled it right on the first try.) Which hint in which email??? Got an email from Klaatu with updates http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=513f2ea5329a1662054bd7cab&id=64ba14da38&e=d10015d20f

Ah, see it there "special documentary"

I doubt it's JODOROWSKY'S DUNE, though. Wouldn't be that hard to book methinks since it's been around for most of the year and even dipped back into theaters around Awards time.

Regardless, everyone here MUST see it. One of the year's best Docs.

Other possibility would be a rough cut on The Welles docu.
I'm still betting on Dune though.

All right, so I've been holding back on throwing in my two cents until the lineup was complete...or mostly complete as it possibly stands.  There was no way that I would miss SF40, so in many ways the lineup is secondary to me.  But hey, I'll still offer some notes.

-2001 in 70mm is an awesome experience.  I've seen it in that format three times in Columbus, so getting to bask in its glory in a top notch house like the Somerville should be a treat.

-I really dug SNOWPIERCER in its limited release, so it's nice to see it rear its head again.

-In general, I like almost all the films in the lineup.  But it has a major flaw as currently constructed.  For a big honkin' anniversary Marathon, it essentially represents the pre-1960 era and the post-2000 era, with basically no true representation of the '60s-'90s (outside of 2001.)  MOONRAKER is marginal sci-fi at best and a terrible film in an era of genuinely interesting science fiction.  BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA is a romp, but it's a fantasy film through and through.  And IRON GIANT is, for all intents and purposes, an '50s flick presented as an '00s animated film (which isn't a knock on the quality of the film itself.)

If I was a newbie, I'd be tempted to say "wow, so this crowd loves pre-Kennedy sci-fi and the new stuff...but not much else."  Granted, that wouldn't necessarily be a fair assessment.  But compared with the somewhat more diversified SF30, or the very strong SF35, the current lineup just feels a bit safe.

I'm guessing it's the Welles thing as well; Garen's going to be showing clips from it at Emerson on Thursday, so I'm guessing it must be at least close to done.

I kind of suspect it might wind up the closing film, so he can segue into it with the inevitable Brigadoon reference and blahblahblah about it being for us.

I'd be up for that (since there is a slight chance I might be in it.)
As long as there is a chance to play "We'll Meet Again" at the end of the marathon I'll be happy.

Jay Seaver wrote on Jan 24^th, 2015 at 1:52am:

I'm guessing it's the Welles thing as well; Garen's going to be showing clips from it at Emerson on Thursday, so I'm guessing it must be at least close to done. I kind of suspect it might wind up the closing film, so he can segue into it with the inevitable Brigadoon reference and blahblahblah about it being for us.

Except, why would he write "Still waiting to hear about" if it's his own movie?

I am fairly confident that it is neither the Welles doc or the Dune doc.

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 24^th, 2015 at 8:18pm:

Except, why would he write "Still waiting to hear about" if it's his own movie?

Didn't realize he had.  Garen's frustrating tendency to use Facebook as the festival's main means of communication means some things get missed.  Although I still suppose it could be a tight thing to see if full post-production was done in time.

That could also be a factor in 5-25-77; it's supposed to finally be finished/released this year, the marathon crowd would likely eat it up with a spoon, and it might be fun to ask Trumbull about that as well.  It looked almost done when I saw it a couple years ago, but I imagine that getting this booked is a right pain.

this is it? these 11 films and shorts and the gort winner? can't we replace big trouble little china with captain america the winter soldier or the avengers or the book of eli?

Frank wrote on Jan 25^th, 2015 at 1:40pm:

I am fairly confident that it is neither the Welles doc or the Dune doc.

Hmmm, a strong hunch or inside info?

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 26^th, 2015 at 5:51pm:

Frank wrote on Jan 25th, 2015 at 1:40pm: I am fairly confident that it is neither the Welles doc or the Dune doc. Hmmm, a strong hunch or inside info?

Similar to revealing the identity of Number 1, that would be telling. :)

Frank wrote on Jan 26^th, 2015 at 6:32pm:

da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 26th, 2015 at 5:51pm: Frank wrote on Jan 25th, 2015 at 1:40pm: I am fairly confident that it is neither the Welles doc or the Dune doc. Hmmm, a strong hunch or inside info? Similar to revealing the identity of Number 1, that would be telling. :)

I've always preferred Number 2.

:-X

Just announced: The screening of the classic silent film CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI will have live music! Details to follow!

Also let slip is that 2001 will play around 6PM Saturday