Is it just me...?
- Thread starter Darrin Drader
- Start date
Darrin Drader
Explorer
Nope. Did not.
John Crichton
First Post
And it was going so well there! * cries *
You are both poopyheads.
You are both poopyheads.
zug_zug
First Post
To steer back slightly to topic, It does seem to have a recent decline in sci-fi /fantasy. I never watch anything original on the Sci-fi channel anymore-its mostly junk. To be sure, fantasy has been given a big boost by LotR, but several high profile sci fi franchises have wound down or been of poor quality like the Star Trek movies.
There was some talk around 2001 after the release of Fellowship of the Rings and in the post 9-11 world about how fantasy was enjoying mainstream success because it was somehow a comforting to return to familar mythos in an uncertain world. There was quite a bit of discussion about this and how sci-fi seemed a little less relevant since we are now living in a world faced with what were previously sci-fi fiction problems, like cloning, bioterrorism, etc.
Whether this is true or not, I dont now. Surely the rise of reality TV has a big role in sci-fantasy declining profile on TV. However you could make the same argument for other genres like the hour long drama. New stuff isnt coming, and what is coming out is similar to what came before(I mean how many cop dramas are there nowadays?)
On the other hand, a bright spot has been the more wider "mainstream" acceptance of anime. Partly thanks to The Matrix, theatrical releases like Spirited Away and facilitated by Cartoon Network and the widespread growth of the DvD format. It seems Cartoon Network took a bit of hit from its animated competition last year (if you listen to the execs at Viacom and Nickelodeon) because it so embraced anime instead of original, child oriented animation. But Im glad to see more superhero (Justice League/Teen Titan) and anime stuff here in the USA.
There was some talk around 2001 after the release of Fellowship of the Rings and in the post 9-11 world about how fantasy was enjoying mainstream success because it was somehow a comforting to return to familar mythos in an uncertain world. There was quite a bit of discussion about this and how sci-fi seemed a little less relevant since we are now living in a world faced with what were previously sci-fi fiction problems, like cloning, bioterrorism, etc.
Whether this is true or not, I dont now. Surely the rise of reality TV has a big role in sci-fantasy declining profile on TV. However you could make the same argument for other genres like the hour long drama. New stuff isnt coming, and what is coming out is similar to what came before(I mean how many cop dramas are there nowadays?)
On the other hand, a bright spot has been the more wider "mainstream" acceptance of anime. Partly thanks to The Matrix, theatrical releases like Spirited Away and facilitated by Cartoon Network and the widespread growth of the DvD format. It seems Cartoon Network took a bit of hit from its animated competition last year (if you listen to the execs at Viacom and Nickelodeon) because it so embraced anime instead of original, child oriented animation. But Im glad to see more superhero (Justice League/Teen Titan) and anime stuff here in the USA.
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jdavis
First Post
Yes Anime is the last refuge for the sci fi starved. Oh and Cartoon Network's anime shows are increasing in ratings at a huge rate, Adult Swim has experienced large ratings jumps in every month of this year. In the long run they will be fine and Anime is not going anywhere. http://adultswim.animationinsider.net/
Star Wars: I'd like to point out that everybody likes to go back to Empire as the High water mark for Star Wars, but few ever point out that a lot of that could be contributed to Directer Irvin Kershner (Richard Marquand directed Jedi; also Lucas didn't write the screenplay for Empire or Jedi, just the original story; Also notice just how little is changed in the special edition Empire by comparison). Lucas did write and direct Phantom and Clones. Yes it's all Lucas but the best one he didn't write or direct. I'd hate to say he has too much input into his own movies now but I am sure that there are not many people who will call him on anything now, 30 years ago that was a different story. Just a few little tidbits to look at when comparing the two series.
I'd also like to point out that I like both Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones (the final fight with Darth Maul is one of my all time favorite Star Wars moments old series and new). The problem is that the standard has been set so high by what the first series did that it's hard to reach those levels again, very good is not good enough when compared to great and the first three were some of the best movies ever made, that's real hard to live up to.
On the Sci Fi topic, the fact that there are three more Star Wars movies speaks volumes about how important Sci Fi is to movies, unfortuantly the same just doesn't ring true for TV. My personal opinion on TV is that it isn't what it used to be as a whole, of course I missed the whole point to the reality show craze I watch TV to get away from reality. I miss a lot of the good cop dramas and action shows that are gone and I can't think of a sitcom I like that is less than 3 years old.
Star Wars: I'd like to point out that everybody likes to go back to Empire as the High water mark for Star Wars, but few ever point out that a lot of that could be contributed to Directer Irvin Kershner (Richard Marquand directed Jedi; also Lucas didn't write the screenplay for Empire or Jedi, just the original story; Also notice just how little is changed in the special edition Empire by comparison). Lucas did write and direct Phantom and Clones. Yes it's all Lucas but the best one he didn't write or direct. I'd hate to say he has too much input into his own movies now but I am sure that there are not many people who will call him on anything now, 30 years ago that was a different story. Just a few little tidbits to look at when comparing the two series.
I'd also like to point out that I like both Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones (the final fight with Darth Maul is one of my all time favorite Star Wars moments old series and new). The problem is that the standard has been set so high by what the first series did that it's hard to reach those levels again, very good is not good enough when compared to great and the first three were some of the best movies ever made, that's real hard to live up to.
On the Sci Fi topic, the fact that there are three more Star Wars movies speaks volumes about how important Sci Fi is to movies, unfortuantly the same just doesn't ring true for TV. My personal opinion on TV is that it isn't what it used to be as a whole, of course I missed the whole point to the reality show craze I watch TV to get away from reality. I miss a lot of the good cop dramas and action shows that are gone and I can't think of a sitcom I like that is less than 3 years old.
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John Crichton
First Post
I can't discount A New Hope, which Lucas directed. I think ANH & Empire are equally good and flip-flop between the two for my favorite on a near monthly basis. Lucas and Spielberg have had similar problems with their later films in that they are still technically fantastic but have lost some imagination and wonderment. I think the 2 new Star Wars films have been a little stiff. I'm not the biggest fan of his when it comes to directing but the man does know how to make an entertaining film.jdavis said:
I'll reply to the rest later as I am tired and need sleep soon...
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