Saturday Evening Movie Thread [moviegique]: Well-Meaning AI Tyrants

So, this past fortnight-and-a-half, I saw a few movies, as usual: The new French Count of Monte Cristo, The Big Lebowski (again), Steven Soderbergh's ghost POV movie Presence, Hundreds of Beavers (again), and the lugubrious Oscar longshot Memoir of a Snail.

But nearly ten years ago, I was dabbling with Stack Exchange and came across this question, from a guy who had just seen Avengers 2: Age of Ultron, and asked: What is the first instance of the "Saving humans from themselves" trope?

So I thought I'd post my reply, updated to freshen the (constantly expiring) links. As a bonus, all the images link to the mentioned movies (except the first, which is only a trailer).

I think this is probably answerable.

The easiest answer is Colossus: The Forbin Project which is a semi-satirical take on the subject (filmed in 1970, based on a contemporary book). A super-computer built in the US to defend against a Soviet attack combines with its Soviet counterpart to dominate all aspects of human behavior. You can watch it on YouTube (with commercials):

You can't watch it online for free anymore, I don't think. Here's the trailer.

This was original enough at the time to impress mainstream critics, even though it was already a hoary concept in genre fiction. It spawned (or at least heralded) numerous other computer-knows-best/computer-controlled-society films like Logan's Run, WarGames and (arguably) Tron and The Matrix.

But I'm never happy with the obvious answer if I haven't really looked back at the catalogue to see where things really started, so let's see where that takes us. I'm using IMDB, YouTube, Ed Naha's Science Fictionary and Michael Weldon's Psychotronic Video Guide as my sources.

Predating robots, The Golem (in its many variations) often had a theme of going amok or turning on its creator. Amok robots show up in silents and cartoons in the 10s, 20s and 30s—Mickey Mouse had a run-in with a robot! The (oft filmed) 1920 play "R.U.R." which introduced the word "robot"—and results in humanity being wiped out—was probably the tone-setter, and this tone is what Isaac Asimov ("I, Robot") was reacting to.

I'm inclined to believe the makers of 1931's Frankenstein viewed one of the entries in the Golem series, horror's first franchise?

N.B.: Asimov is doubtless where you would go to find the purest *fictional* examples of benevolent-robot-over-man. He was a true believer in eventual robot superiority (see Star Trek: The Motion Picture.) Curiously none of these stories have ever been filmed, as far as I can tell, the irony of which will be apparent shortly.

By the time you get deep into the 30s, machines aren't turning on man so much as man is turning robots into war-machines, like Loss of Sensation (USSR) and Master of the World (Germany). I think this is because the computer—the "thinking" part of the robot—didn't really exist. (Robots, when they rebelled, essentially became human, and the concept of them having super-brains didn't permeate pop-culture until the '50s.)

I'd be willing to commit to 1951's The Day The Earth Stood Still as the first "live in peace or be destroyed" movie—up until then, aliens were all about conquest of earth. Although, we should give a nod to 1918's Himmelskibet where a journey to Mars, and its pacifist, fruitarian (!) inhabitants, results in a sort-of "mission to earth" without the "or else" of TDTESS.

Another one you can watch for free on YouTube!

But that doesn't really have the "Man vs. Machine" aspect that Dan asked for. It's really "Man vs. Alien", where the aliens have robots. I think we'll have to look a bit later.

The first inklings of "machine knows best" is perhaps The Twonky (1953). A guy's wife buys him a TV and the TV starts to run his life. It's adversarial and the twonky's motives are probably best considered parasitic, but it gets us a bit closer to the goal.

You can watch the entire Twonky on YouTube, too!

1956 brings us Forbidden Planet, and while we could wildly speculate the extinct Altairians had a computer-controlled society, the more relevant aspect is Robbie the Robot. Robbie—the same character!—would re-appear in 1957, in the odd and obscure film The Invisible Boy, wherein a little boy is controlled by a computer and directed to rebuild a robot (Robbie) that his father has brought back from the future where Forbidden Planet took place! The master computer plans to use Robbie to gain control of the earth. We almost have it, except the super-computer's actions are merely self-preservational and/or conquest.

Now things start to get hairier. The USSR launches Sputnik. SF Anthology series like "The Twilight Zone", "One Step Beyond", "The Unforeseen" and "The Outer Limits" start to proliferate. (There were earlier speculative fiction anthology series as well, like "Lights Out", an episode of which presaged the plot of *They Live*, but they tended to be more supernatural than science-fiction.)

"The Twilight Zone" has a couple of episodes that tease the Master Computer trope, all dystopic. When Burgess Meredith is declared "obsolete", no computers are involved, but this is clearly a reference to fears regarding automation and totalitarianism. The episode "Uncle Simon" has an inversion of what we're looking for (with a human forced to tend to a robot). "The Brain Center at Whipples" is another typical TZ entry where automation has (inevitably) wicked consequences.

"Outer Limits", of course, has the classic "Demon with a Glass Hand" which would become the lawsuit-winning inspiration for Terminator's Skynet.

1962's The Creation of the Humanoids gives us a world largely run by robots that live side-by-side with humans and try to help them survive (YouTube):

This is also available on YouTube!

Not quite there, as there is freedom in action, and there's a lot of Blade Runneresque blurring of lines.

The TV Show "Out of this World" has an episode featuring a supercomputer named "Eddie". But he doesn't take things over.

And now we're coming up on Colossus's own time with 1965's Alphaville, which has a computer controlled-society. I don't recall any utopian sentiments being mentioned in its construction; as I recall the computer was built with malice aforethought, but I can't swear to that.

I'm not much of a Goddard fan, but it's free!

Of course, then you have "Star Trek", with its numerous tales of computer-controlled societies. None of them are Earth societies, and they tend to be primitive ("The Apple") or stupid ("Spock's Brain"). About this time, Dr. Who's WOTAN was going crazy hypnotizing people (a la "The Invisible Boy")!

I think we've come to the end of our journey at this point. "Star Trek" episodes aside, we have (in 1966) what I think is oldest filmed fictional example of the premise, an episode of "Out of the Unknown", which is based on an E.M. Forester story that may be the oldest literary example. It's called "The Machine Stops", and it is about a machine that provides everything people in its underground society needs, as a way to optimally (from its point of view) manage them.

Sadly, the BBC doesn't seem to allow this show to be viewed online, nor do they sell it.

The irony that I mentioned above? Isaac Asimov was the source for *six* episodes of "Out of the Unknown", but not any that fit the trope we're looking for!

It would probably be interesting, if exhausting to trace the trope after its appearance in Colossus but that is another project for another day.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 07:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 My favorite robot is Marvin the Paranoid Android.

Posted by: fd at February 15, 2025 07:34 PM (vFG9F)

2 I love the Twonky movie. It's so wonderfully weird.

Posted by: fd at February 15, 2025 07:36 PM (vFG9F)

3 I've always been a fan of Sousa though.

Posted by: fd at February 15, 2025 07:36 PM (vFG9F)

4 Twonky is a kind of surprisingly blackly humorous movie for 1952.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at February 15, 2025 07:38 PM (asXVI)

5 Oh yeah. First!

Posted by: fd at February 15, 2025 07:40 PM (vFG9F)

6 How could you miss The Day the Earth Stood Still? It’s definitely the robots know better than us, even if they are alien robots.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at February 15, 2025 07:40 PM (sGgMH)

7 I've been finding and watching a number of movies on all the free streaming apps. as well as TV shows , local news , sports , etc.

I feel like a dumbass for paying for cable for so long. I may breakdown though and subscribe to one of the pay streaming services to get a better selection of movies. It will still be 10x cheaper than cable.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 07:43 PM (VofaG)

8 Colossus was fun. But I had to laugh. At the time Mrs D was girlfriend D and learning FORTRAN, and I knew it would never happen.

Posted by: Diogenes at February 15, 2025 07:43 PM (W/lyH)

9 This ain't film. It's TV, but hey, ain't all film on TV now, like, 25 hours after theatrical release?

So we've been watching "The Pitt," starring an older Noah Wyle than was in "ER" way back when.

And since "ER" was so long ago, we've been watching one episode alongside this new HBO thing, back to back, since "The Pitt" came out maybe eight weeks ago.

So how do they compare? Well, for one, the newer thing begins each episode right smack at the tail end of the previous, so if we began at midnight for the pilot, episode two starts at 1:00 a.m.

Continuity.

"ER" on the other hand, seems to begin at the start of a shift one day later than the previous episode.

But that aside, is the writing better or worse? The direction? The acting? One thing we've noted is that George Clooney is a pretty shallow narcissist in "ER," and it's hard to tell whether he's in-character, or in-Clooney.

Posted by: Mr Gaga at February 15, 2025 07:43 PM (KiBMU)

10 I thought Cherry 2000 was the horde's favorite robot.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 07:44 PM (VofaG)

11 Colossus movie is here https://archive.org/details/colossus-the-forbin-project-1970

Posted by: Ian at February 15, 2025 07:44 PM (q+Eg1)

12 10 I thought Cherry 2000 was the horde's favorite robot.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 07:44 PM (VofaG)
Yo.

Posted by: Eromero at February 15, 2025 07:44 PM (LHPAg)

13 Fine post, moviegique! I haven't seen "Der Herr der Welt" or "Loss of Feeling" yet; I've got them cued up ready to go:
youtube.com/watch?v=ohqm6EHhidA
youtube.com/watch?v=mP9DacPP5Oo

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 07:44 PM (PZreb)

14 || How could you miss The Day the Earth Stood Still? It’s definitely the robots know better than us, even if they are alien robots.

Above the "Trip to Mars" link:

"I'd be willing to commit to 1951's The Day The Earth Stood Still as the first "live in peace or be destroyed" movie�up until then, aliens were all about conquest of earth. Although, we should give a nod to 1918's Himmelskibet where a journey to Mars, and its pacifist, fruitarian (!) inhabitants, results in a sort-of "mission to earth" without the "or else" of TDTESS."

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at February 15, 2025 07:45 PM (asXVI)

15 I love it when Big Iron wrestles control from puny meat bags!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 15, 2025 07:46 PM (kpS4V)

16 Roger Kimball has an article up at Imprimis recommending the "Civilization" (1969) 13-ep series. Here it is on archive.org:
https://tinyurl.com/bdfhwxv8

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 07:48 PM (PZreb)

17 I love it when Big Iron wrestles control from puny meat bags!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 15, 2025 07:46 PM (kpS4V)

Once they finish, does the Big Iron sit around in the yard and rust?

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at February 15, 2025 07:48 PM (VNX3d)

18 My Living Doll. Julie Newmar.
Bunk time.

Posted by: Diogenes at February 15, 2025 07:48 PM (W/lyH)

19 I poach your stuff all the time, so, take this;

Colossus The Forbin Project ( 1970)

https://tinyurl.com/yc5fbv4k

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at February 15, 2025 07:48 PM (Ri+6K)

20 Okay, gonna see Captain America tonight. Question: if the President's in the movie, how come Gerard Butler isn't in it?

Posted by: Richard McEnroe at February 15, 2025 07:49 PM (VVDwW)

21 Eddies in the space-time continuum.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 15, 2025 07:49 PM (PiwSw)

22 Once they finish, does the Big Iron sit around in the yard and rust?
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at February 15, 2025 07:48 PM (VNX3d)
----

No, it completes the humiliation by making us oil and polish them down, HedonismBot-style.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 15, 2025 07:51 PM (kpS4V)

23 1958 was the first appearance of Master Cylinder in Felix the Cat.

Posted by: Thesokorus at February 15, 2025 07:51 PM (z6Ybz)

24 Okay, gonna see Captain America tonight. Question: if the President's in the movie, how come Gerard Butler isn't in it?
Posted by: Richard McEnroe at February 15, 2025 07:49 PM (VVDwW)

At least the star says he's had no problem getting roles because of race. Nice to see victimization push back.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 07:52 PM (VofaG)

25

you are fools

Posted by: Colossus at February 15, 2025 07:52 PM (biznJ)

26 1958 was the first appearance of Master Cylinder in Felix the Cat.
Posted by: Thesokorus at February 15, 2025 07:51 PM (z6Ybz)

Dang. Watched that all the time!!!

Posted by: Diogenes at February 15, 2025 07:53 PM (W/lyH)

27 7 Absolutely! There are so many good movies to be found on the internet for free, to me there's no point buying DVDs or paying for a streaming service. If there's a particular movie I can't find, to heck with it; there are thousands more good ones that I haven't seen yet and CAN find!

I don't care about the quality of the video, if it's 480p or 4K or whatever. I don't care if it's pan-and-scan. I don't care if it's not a restored version. I want to see the movie.

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 07:53 PM (PZreb)

28 You'd think Lost in Space would have had a more slimmed done robot.

I did kind of like the robot in Interstellar.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 07:53 PM (VofaG)

29 Eddies in the space-time continuum.
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 15, 2025 07:49 PM (PiwSw)

I'm not as worried about the Eddies, but the Karens in the space-time continuum.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at February 15, 2025 07:54 PM (VNX3d)

30 I got nothing.

Other than maybe in The Black Hole, Hans Reinhardt is as much trapped by his creations as controlling them.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at February 15, 2025 07:54 PM (TPKrp)

31 "La Verite" (1960) A specter is haunting postwar France. It corrupts the wills of young women, reducing them to lazy, licentious Cafe Girls, luring them to dance naked in cramped garrets, to gently twerk horizontally, and to eat downers. This insidious menace is none other than the obscene scribblings of Simone De Beauvoir.

"Saturday Night" (2024) Like a Hallmark Movie inside account of the SNL premiere. I was hoping for something a lot less tame and a bunch more gritty. There are sweet moments and tense ones. After the movie, I immediately went to Amazon and dropped the $2 to watch and compare the actual 1975 SNL premiere. Ugh. Now I want my $2 back.

"The Black Book" aka "Reign of Terror" (1949) French Revolution intrigue-a-palooza. The closeups, relentlessly angled camera, and noirish lighting are pretty cool. Richard Basehart is almost unrecognizable as Robespierre.

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 07:55 PM (PZreb)

32 "Hitler: The Rise of Evil" (2003) Recommended!
youtube.com/watch?v=ISS5lIBUwgQ
youtube.com/watch?v=QeUrMrZZaD8
Compare "The Hitler Gang" (1944), which covers essentially the same ground in less time:
m.ok.ru/video/2048030083795

"The Secret Agent" (1996) Robin Williams uncredited for some reason. Worth the watch, but I liked the 2016 version better. It's a fine story, so I guess it's past time for me to read the Conrad novel.

"I Aim at the Stars" (1960) ... but he hit London. Dubious hagiography of Werner Von Braun. Far more interesting is the abundant trove of historical video and technical details of the V2 program to be found on YT.

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 07:56 PM (PZreb)

33 Okay, gonna see Captain America tonight. Question: if the President's in the movie, how come Gerard Butler isn't in it?
Posted by: Richard McEnroe at February 15, 2025 07:49 PM (VVDwW)

In The Avengers, Hawkeye kills a couple security guards. So what if he was under the control of Loki. He should of done jail time. Mayne Butler was one of them...working his way up.

Posted by: Diogenes at February 15, 2025 07:56 PM (W/lyH)

34 Braenyard -- you poach MY stuff? What would that even mean? (I mean, I'm honored, if true.)

Eddies in the space-time continuum.
---
Is he?

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at February 15, 2025 07:57 PM (asXVI)

35 Thx moviegique. Just about any movie based on Phillip K Dick's writings has some form of AI or artificial tyranny. Blade Runner - rebelling androids, Screamers - evolving robots , Minority Report - anti crime tyranny based on precog, Adjustment Bureau - tyranny by the Chairman, Total Recall - tyranny by mind wipe. Not all AI, but artificial

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 15, 2025 07:57 PM (KXtU1)

36 I think I've seen all of those Twilight Zone episodes you reference.

"The Obsolete Man" with Burgess Meredith is a great one; in fact, it probably makes my list for top 10 episodes of the series, if not top 5.

"The Brain Center at Whipple's," not so much. Serling turned out a few episodes where the theme was obvious five minutes in, and then he just kept beating you over the head with it, and that was one of them.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 07:57 PM (lHPJf)

37 I just recently watched the 2001 movie, A.I. Artificial Intelligence. It wasn't a bad movie though it was kind of sad.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 07:58 PM (VofaG)

38 The actress who played Cherry 2000, Pamela Gidley , died of a drug overdose. Sad.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 15, 2025 07:59 PM (KXtU1)

39 I'd have to check dates re Williamson and Asimov, but on the literary side a nod should be given to Jack Williamson's "With Folded Hands" (later incorporated if memory serves into his novel The Humanoids). The perfect mechanicals, to serve men and keep them from harm -- whether they like the idea or not.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 07:59 PM (q3u5l)

40 They are made out of meat!

https://youtu.be/T6JFTmQCFHg

Posted by: Ciampino - snail trails in the sand at February 15, 2025 07:59 PM (KjLnc)

41 27 BTW, when you are searching for free movies, Google search works much better than Brave search.

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 07:59 PM (PZreb)

42 I think I've seen all of those Twilight Zone episodes you reference.

"The Obsolete Man" with Burgess Meredith is a great one; in fact, it probably makes my list for top 10 episodes of the series, if not top 5.

------

That's one of my favorite Burgess Meredith roles. The other is his pursuit of Sophia Loren's mother in Grumpier Old Men - especially the outtakes.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at February 15, 2025 07:59 PM (VNX3d)

43 I watched "Three Billboards Outside Whatever Missouri" the other night on TCM. Yes, it had great performances (these actors are always good) but I just felt characters' responses weren't authentic. Racist white cops, of course, but what galled me was one seen where an out of control cop tosses a young man out of a second story window and the new police chief just watches the poor broken kid drag himself off without lifting a finger. The bad cop is relieved of duty but never spends a moment in jail. There are other jarring developments that never have consequences.

Written by an Irishman so it's a European's view of America.

I would never begrudge Frances McD or Sam their Oscar's, but not for this picture.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 15, 2025 07:59 PM (kpS4V)

44 He was a true believer in eventual robot superiority…

Clifford D. Simak had a lot of stories like this, too. Not necessarily superiority, but living after humans, or living on while humans decline.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 15, 2025 08:00 PM (Q9Zma)

45 >>>So how do they compare? Well, for one, the newer thing begins each episode right smack at the tail end of the previous, so if we began at midnight for the pilot, episode two starts at 1:00 a.m.

Continuity.

That sounds exhausting. In terms of plot, that is.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:00 PM (lHPJf)

46 Best computer controlled society: LANDRU!!! NOW IS THE TIME OF LANDRU!!!

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 08:00 PM (fIaE2)

47 18 My Living Doll. Julie Newmar.
Bunk time.
Posted by: Diogenes

Bob Cummings. Ugh.

Julie Newmar was 1000x sexier as Cat Woman.

Posted by: Auspex at February 15, 2025 08:00 PM (j4U/Z)

48 "Okay, gonna see Captain America tonight. Question: if the President's in the movie, how come Gerard Butler isn't in it?"

'Captain America Has Fallen.'

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 08:01 PM (PZreb)

49 Did he actually kill them

Its left unclear where did they get the spare quinjet with the assault team

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:01 PM (dJR17)

50

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 15, 2025 08:01 PM (63Dwl)

51 SSSSSSS is on SSSSSSvengoulie tonight.

Posted by: fd at February 15, 2025 08:01 PM (vFG9F)

52 Okay, gonna watch "I Saw the TV Glow". A24 movies always have something worthwhile to.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 15, 2025 08:01 PM (kpS4V)

53 37 I just recently watched the 2001 movie, A.I. Artificial Intelligence. It wasn't a bad movie though it was kind of sad.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 07:58 PM (VofaG)
----
Agreed, I thought it was a good film but a little depressing. Not something to watch if you are already depressed.

Posted by: Ciampino - The Rest Of The Robots at February 15, 2025 08:02 PM (KjLnc)

54 Captain Kirk destroyed two AI computers by asking them loop questions IIRC.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:02 PM (VofaG)

55 43 I watched "Three Billboards Outside Whatever Missouri" the other night on TCM. “

It saw that was coming up so I read a synopsis - blecchh. Skipped it.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 08:02 PM (fIaE2)

56 Machina was ace's favorite fembot .

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:03 PM (VofaG)

57
Eric Braeden's from Colossus' house got burned down in the L.A. fire.

Still on a soap opera as a cheesy villain.

Posted by: Auspex at February 15, 2025 08:03 PM (j4U/Z)

58 Several of the monsters on the original "Outer Limits" still terrify me so much that I won't rewatch the series. I just think of the Keeper of the Purple Twilight gillface alien materializing behind me, and I shit a brick.

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 08:04 PM (PZreb)

59 Binge watching "Reign" but who ever thought Tony Regbo taking his shirt off was enticing was daft.

Posted by: Ben Had at February 15, 2025 08:04 PM (mB6WH)

60 Wouldnt metropolis fall in that category

Admittedly the avengers script was commandeered from zak penn by feige but man they have gone paint by numbers

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:04 PM (dJR17)

61 "Okay, gonna see Captain America tonight. Question: if the President's in the movie, how come Gerard Butler isn't in it?"

'Captain America Has Fallen.'
Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 08:01 PM (PZreb)

That happened a while ago, and the franchise is just catching up to it.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:05 PM (lHPJf)

62 A.I. would have been a lot better movie if it had ended without the last 15 minutes, just end it poignantly with him under the water. The sequence in the far future with the robot blue fairy was just stupid.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 08:05 PM (fIaE2)

63 I would never begrudge Frances McD or Sam their Oscar's, but not for this picture.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 15, 2025 07:59 PM (kpS4V)

I caught a part of it the other night, and stopped. Partly because I hate seeing a movie I've never seen when coming in in the middle. But also what I saw was a bit dark. I am not opposed to dark films, but...maybe someday. That said, I really like Sam Rockwell and Frences McDormand.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 08:06 PM (bDNzX)

64 Braedens son nee gudergast directed the den of thieves sequel more of a fun european caper film with...gerald butler chewing the scenery in whats supposed to be antwerp

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:06 PM (dJR17)

65 As an old time radio fan, there are X Minus One episodes where robots are the threat to a man or mankind's existence. Dimension X as well. May have been derivative of the prior stories. There was definitely a The Golem episode from CBS radio mystery theater, but that was a 1970's show.

Posted by: jimmymcnulty at February 15, 2025 08:06 PM (pcRUu)

66 Frances McDormand's hair in Aeon Flux...

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 15, 2025 08:07 PM (PiwSw)

67 Btw this is a really excellent summary of the field, Moviegique, I can’t think of anything significant you skipped.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 08:07 PM (fIaE2)

68 A.I. would have been a lot better movie if it had ended without the last 15 minutes…

A lot of the fun of A.I., besides the generally very good acting, is guessing which parts mostly retain Kubrick’s vision and which are mostly Spielberg.

Ultimately pointless, but fun.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 15, 2025 08:07 PM (Q9Zma)

69 Next time you watch "The Day the Earth Stood Still," (1951) pay particular attention to the Bernard Herrman music. It is SO fricking good! It makes the movie.

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 08:07 PM (PZreb)

70 Braeden being the villain of the third planet of the apes film

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:08 PM (dJR17)

71 The only movie any of you should be watching is "Mysterious Island". The 1961 adaptation of the Jules Verne novel. It is the most disjointed film in movie history. The SFX are super basic and unbelievable but there is a ten minute segment which is basically only up-skirt shots of a young lady. Not to mention the secret nuclear submarine or the pirate ship. Take an edible or two and find it on some streaming service, I guarantee it will be worth it.

Posted by: Lincolntf at February 15, 2025 08:08 PM (2cS/G)

72 I've been saying Total Recall has to be Musk's favorite movie. Think about it.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:08 PM (VofaG)

73 67 Concur!

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 08:09 PM (PZreb)

74 Eons since I read it but I think the film of Colossus followed the novel fairly well. D. F. Jones did two sequels to the book (Colossus and the Crab, and The Fall of Colossus), but I've never gotten around to them.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 08:09 PM (q3u5l)

75 Ah the simulation thing

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:10 PM (dJR17)

76 No mention of Joshua from War Games or The Adolescence of P-1?

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:10 PM (tb93h)

77 Its almost a corrollary cybernetics leads to disaster singularity is a more obscuee revent entry

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:11 PM (dJR17)

78 That said, I really like Sam Rockwell and Frences McDormand.
Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 08:06 PM (bDNzX)

I watch anything with Sam Rockwell . Moon had a AI robot. .

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:11 PM (VofaG)

79 I'd have to check dates re Williamson and Asimov, but on the literary side a nod should be given to Jack Williamson's "With Folded Hands" (later incorporated if memory serves into his novel The Humanoids). The perfect mechanicals, to serve men and keep them from harm -- whether they like the idea or not.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 07:59 PM (q3u5l)
---
Clifford D. Simak also had numerous stories where benevolent robots looked out for the welfare of humanity.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:12 PM (BpYfr)

80 Obscure recent entry

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:12 PM (dJR17)

81 A. I. should have ended when David escapes from his creator who has failed to realize what a wonderful person David has become.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:12 PM (tb93h)

82 Fear the singularity.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at February 15, 2025 08:13 PM (JkO4W)

83 U can find "Mysterious Island" (1961) on dailymotion, which sadly does not like ad-blockers anymore.

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 08:13 PM (PZreb)

84 Star Trek: TOS had an episode where two advanced civilizations on a planet had been warring for a loonngg time. Computers controlled everything. Who died, who lived, where the attacks happened and when. All nice and neat with no damage involved. An attack happened, the people who the computer determined 'died' in the attack were pointed out, those people went to a 'booth' and walked in and that was that. They're dead. Haven't seen the episode in a long time so can't recall the name of it.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at February 15, 2025 08:13 PM (gllTv)

85 I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 15, 2025 08:01 PM (63Dwl)
---
One of the single most disturbing stories ever written.

Harlan Ellison at his absolute best (or worst...)

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:13 PM (BpYfr)

86 Free Guy was a fun AI movie.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:13 PM (VofaG)

87 "There was definitely a The Golem episode from CBS radio mystery theater, but that was a 1970's show.
Posted by: jimmymcnulty "

I remember listening to that episode late one night on a, I am not kidding, crystal radio I made myself. That was the first time I had ever heard of a Golem.

I used to listen to that show most every week night after I went to bed and was supposed to be sleeping.

Posted by: fd at February 15, 2025 08:13 PM (vFG9F)

88 My two picks this week, both on Amazon Prime:

Tin Men. The dialogue of guy talking like guys is great. My uncle sold aluminum siding and I view this movie of a documentary plus it is funny as hell. Dreyfuss and DeVito maybe have never better.

To Live and Die in LA. Everyone is deliciously corrupt. Two secret service agents chase a master counterfeiter through the decadent parts of LA. Plus it has one of the greatest car chase scenes ever. Did I mention it has delightful moment of duplicity?

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 08:14 PM (I2QN9)

89 “71 The only movie any of you should be watching is "Mysterious Island". The 1961 adaptation of the Jules Verne novel. It is the most disjointed film in movie history. The SFX are super basic and unbelievable but there is a ten minute segment which is basically only up-skirt shots of a young lady.”

I absolutely loved that movie as a young ‘un! Lots of silly fun stuff, like them tipping a giant crab into a boiling geyser that becomes a big crab pot.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 08:15 PM (fIaE2)

90 46 Best computer controlled society: LANDRU!!! NOW IS THE TIME OF LANDRU!!!
Posted by: Tom Servo

I think the Dems envy LANDRU.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at February 15, 2025 08:16 PM (gllTv)

91 Harlan Ellison at his absolute best (or worst...)
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:13 PM (BpYfr)

Oh yeah that story made a big impression on me when I first started reading sci fi in high school.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 08:16 PM (fIaE2)

92 I'm watching "OverSimplified"'s youtubes on the Punic Wars: two on the first, three on the second. Which is taking a few hours.
Hannibal, man. What a beast

Posted by: gKWVE at February 15, 2025 08:17 PM (gKWVE)

93 moviegique

Creation of the Humanoids, was that the movie where the androids replace a key anti-android human leader after he dies with an android copy loaded with his memories?

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:17 PM (tb93h)

94 86 Free Guy was a fun AI movie.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:13 PM (VofaG)

"There's not a button for that."
"Oh, he found the button."

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 15, 2025 08:17 PM (PiwSw)

95 I watched "Three Billboards Outside Whatever Missouri" the other night on TCM. “

It saw that was coming up so I read a synopsis - blecchh. Skipped it.
Posted by: Tom Servo

I actually paid to see it in the theater. My only regret is I stayed to the end. Dull, dull, dull dull, dull, wash, rinse, repeat.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 08:18 PM (I2QN9)

96 88 I hate salesmen, but I love movies about salesmen, and "Tin Men" is one of them. My fave is "Glengarry Glen Ross." That's a 10. 11.

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at February 15, 2025 08:18 PM (PZreb)

97 Think the Star Trek computer war episode was "A Taste of Armageddon."

"I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" is every bit as disturbing as the Perfessor says. I'd love to see that sucker on film (if properly done) -- every now and then somebody floats the idea of a movie but nothing ever comes of it; I think the people who did Insidious (?) were trying to get that one off the ground but I'm not holding my breath.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 08:18 PM (q3u5l)

98 Sam Rockwell as Guy Fleegman in Galaxy Quest is classic sci-fi acting

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 15, 2025 08:19 PM (KXtU1)

99 Thanks for the thread...

I'm watching "Signal 100" now on Tubi. Second time.

Fun Japanese horror movie. A Japanese teacher hypnotizes his classroom of students. If they do any of 100 things, their strength doubles and they kill themselves. Only way to break the curse is to be the last survivor.

Not too horrific. Very interesting plot. Older, pretty Japanese girls in schoolgirl uniforms. It turns into 'Lord of the Flies.' Fun movie.

My first horror movie since Mom passed. I moved back to kids comedies, which made me really happy and I laughed so much.

But I was in the mood for this.

Bruce Wayne liked 'Teeth'. Not quite the same thing, and it's Japanese with sub titles, but fun movie.

Time to finish.

Everyone have a happy week.

Posted by: Stateless...40% - mental state clawing up from 10% at February 15, 2025 08:19 PM (jvJvP)

100 In my youth I really liked reading Asimov's books. But as I've gotten older I've gotten less impressed with the style of his writing and frankly disgusted by the ideology backing up most of his books.

Yes 15 minute cities run our by intellectual betters, who might be robots, sounded pretty cool to a teenaged me, but seeing closer at hand how our technocracy works...eh...I'll pass.

The guy also had his own me-too scandal though he died at just the right time to avoid most of it. Oh, and he was probably a Soviet spy too

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:20 PM (t0Rmr)

101 Twilight Zone also gave us the episode "I Sing the Body Electric" by Ray Bradbury.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:20 PM (tb93h)

102 88: To Live and Die in LA. Everyone is deliciously corrupt. Two secret service agents chase a master counterfeiter through the decadent parts of LA. Plus it has one of the greatest car chase scenes ever. Did I mention it has delightful moment of duplicity?

And a kick ass soundtrack and some very solid actors in it. William Peterson, William DaFoe, Dean Stockwell, John Turturro, etc. Great casting in that one.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at February 15, 2025 08:21 PM (gllTv)

103 Then theres future world which had a similar plot robots replacing world leaders

Yeah to live and die reallt rocks that was my first intro to a friedkin fin and defoes extreme creepyness

And like 24 reminds us no one gets our alive

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:21 PM (dJR17)

104 Golem looks like Janet Yellin.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 15, 2025 08:21 PM (63Dwl)

105 I Have No Mouth has probably not been made into a movie or miniseries because people probably avoid working with Harlan Ellison. A rather prickly gent

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 15, 2025 08:22 PM (KXtU1)

106 I'm somewhat surprised that no one mentioned Westworld and Futureworld, as part of the robot gone mad theme.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at February 15, 2025 08:22 PM (VNX3d)

107 76 No mention of Joshua from War Games or The Adolescence of P-1?
Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:10 PM (tb93h)

Fuq that ...

There was prime Ally Sheedy in that movie ...

ROWRRRR

Posted by: browndog sniffing a skirt at February 15, 2025 08:22 PM (TTAGa)

108 11 year old me absolutely loved Colossus. I saw it in a double feature (remember those) with The Andromeda Strain.

I rewatched both recently, and they hold up ok after 55 years. Of course, nostalgia colors that a bit...

Posted by: Roc Ingersoll, aka Crewman #6 at February 15, 2025 08:22 PM (vydmm)

109 @105 now that Ellison is dead someone may try it

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 15, 2025 08:23 PM (KXtU1)

110 Well, _I_ can watch "Colossus: The Forbin Project" for free because I own a copy on DVD.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at February 15, 2025 08:24 PM (iZEhM)

111 And a kick ass soundtrack and some very solid actors in it. William Peterson, William DaFoe, Dean Stockwell, John Turturro, etc. Great casting in that one.
Posted by: Puddleglum

Now that you mention it. Oh yes. The fine young cannibals segment in the bar is fantastic. Is it captures the late '70s early '80s without The benefit of heights. That alone is worth the watch.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 08:24 PM (I2QN9)

112 81 A. I. should have ended when David escapes from his creator who has failed to realize what a wonderful person David has become.
Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:12 PM (tb93h)
I really like that movie. David’s mom was a nice touch on the aliens part.

Posted by: Eromero at February 15, 2025 08:24 PM (LHPAg)

113 I'm somewhat surprised that no one mentioned Westworld and Futureworld, as part of the robot gone mad theme.
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at February 15, 2025 08:22 PM (VNX3d)

I really didn't like either very much so I had forgotten about them.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:25 PM (VofaG)

114 But Teddy stole the movie.

Posted by: Eromero at February 15, 2025 08:25 PM (LHPAg)

115 The use of robots/computers as villains is an interesting one as while humans have done horrible things to each other throughout history most humans do have some sort of moral center and a sentient robot/computer may or may not. So they could be the ultimate horror as killing machines that don't feel anything as they engage in their murder.

Its sort of all the discussion of what "an advanced alien species" would do. The answer again is we have no idea because we've never met one.

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:26 PM (t0Rmr)

116 >>> 72 I've been saying Total Recall has to be Musk's favorite movie. Think about it.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:08 PM (VofaG)

I haven't seen the remake, so from the ahnold version:
1) Mars!
2) three boobs
3) beating a corrupt government
4) instant terraforming - just add ~~water~~ aliens!

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at February 15, 2025 08:26 PM (Vqx30)

117 @105 now that Ellison is dead someone may try it
Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 15, 2025 08:23 PM (KXtU1)
----
I really hope they don't. The story works much, much better relying on the imagination of the reader to fill in the gory details of the horrors experienced by the characters.

Also, there's no way they could really hide the spoilerific ending of the story.

Oh, and I'm sure they'd wokeify it with an annoying Mary Sue girlboss who squares off against AM and defeats him with superior logic.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:26 PM (BpYfr)

118 OT: Two seconds into the USA vs. Canada hockey game, and they're already fighting.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:26 PM (lHPJf)

119 For anime there is the now almost forgotten The Humanoid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05pitYjIhko

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:26 PM (tb93h)

120 Peter fonda really cant carry a film like james brolin

Of course the nolan reboot of the series (the other brother) was weird

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:27 PM (dJR17)

121 As a kid, "The Andromeda Strain" freaked me out because it was like a documentary.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 15, 2025 08:27 PM (kpS4V)

122 Automata (2014) with Antonio Banderas was an interesting, if depressing, take on robots inheriting the earth after mankind.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:27 PM (BpYfr)

123 There was a TV pilot back in the seventies, The Questor Tapes.

Posted by: davidt at February 15, 2025 08:28 PM (i0F8b)

124 @118 Trump should send the Hanson brothers to start a fight and set off the invasion of Canuckistan

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 15, 2025 08:28 PM (KXtU1)

125 "I Have No Mouth..." was one of the first stories I read by Ellison, and the timing was perfect for making me a lifelong fan of his work. In fairly rapid succession, the Outer Limits episodes, Star Trek's "City on the Edge of Forever," and the Ellison collection IHNM&IMS, all within a few years -- I started scrounging up everything I could find by him. The adaptations of his stories for the 1980s Twilight Zone are well worth checking out (as are the stories themselves); a couple of those are in the recent book Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits (along with IHNM&IMS) and that book is worth the bucks just for the last story in it, "All the Lies That Are My Life."

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 08:28 PM (q3u5l)

126 @Dr. T. Kick their ass, seabass!

Posted by: Lincolntf at February 15, 2025 08:28 PM (2cS/G)

127 Right after the puck drop a fight in the USA Canada game.

And now another. 3 seconds into the game.

If you aren't watching this you might want to turn it on.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 15, 2025 08:28 PM (LkLld)

128 Posted by: Helena Handbasket at February 15, 2025 08:26 PM (Vqx30)

You got most though I substituted hot chicks for three boobs.

Underground Boring machine
Brain implants
Electric self driving cars

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:28 PM (VofaG)

129 Sam Rockwell as Guy Fleegman in Galaxy Quest is classic sci-fi acting
Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 15, 2025 08:19 PM (KXtU1)

He cracks me up in that movie.

"You have a name, Guy."
"Do I? DO I?!?!"

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:29 PM (lHPJf)

130 I gave up and bought a DVD of "Something Wicked This Way Comes". VERY atmospheric. I can see why my older friends remember it almost 40 years later. The actors are routinely good, except for the kids. Ray Bradbury writing the screenplay definitely helped, but the continuity was jarringly off when the lady in the block of ice appeared before the carnival train arrived.

I don't watch a lot of TV, so I am still in the first season of "Streets of San Francisco". The pacing and dialogue holds up - and the car chases!

I tried watching Twin Peaks, which I'd never seen before, and it's... slow. I turned it off shortly after Laura Palmer's body was photographed by the crying cop.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 15, 2025 08:29 PM (Fbg3Q)

131 less than 1 minute into USA v CAN and we're on the 3rd fight

Posted by: Don Black at February 15, 2025 08:30 PM (AOsQT)

132 3 fights in 9 seconds. Awesome.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 15, 2025 08:30 PM (LkLld)

133 128 Posted by: Helena Handbasket at February 15, 2025 08:26 PM (Vqx30)

You got most though I substituted hot chicks for three boobs.

Underground Boring machine
Brain implants
Electric self driving cars
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:28 PM (VofaG)

Ronny Cox as Bad Guy Boss
Michael Ironside as Bad Guy Henchman

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 15, 2025 08:30 PM (PiwSw)

134 Would you consider to live and die a noir,

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:31 PM (dJR17)

135 Fuck Canada

Posted by: nurse ratched at February 15, 2025 08:31 PM (ikoqu)

136 Right after the puck drop a fight in the USA Canada game.

And now another. 3 seconds into the game.

If you aren't watching this you might want to turn it on.
Posted by: JackStraw at February 15, 2025 08:28 PM (LkLld)

Speaking of and on topic, I also recently watched Goon. Really liked it though I find it impossible to believe that he was that bad of a skater to start.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:31 PM (VofaG)

137 I tried watching Twin Peaks, which I'd never seen before, and it's... slow. I turned it off shortly after Laura Palmer's body was photographed by the crying cop.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 15, 2025 08:29 PM (Fbg3Q)
----
Yeah, I tried watching the first season of Twin Peaks. I don't get the hype. It was boring.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:31 PM (BpYfr)

138
Old time hockey!

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 15, 2025 08:31 PM (dxSpM)

139 I do not seem to recall an anime on hockey.

Female pro-wrestling sure - Wanna-Bes.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:32 PM (tb93h)

140 92 I'm watching "OverSimplified"'s youtubes on the Punic Wars: two on the first, three on the second. Which is taking a few hours.
Hannibal, man. What a beast
Posted by: gKWVE at February 15, 2025 08:17

-----------

You know, you gotta stop them at the beginning. Like Hanno should have stopped the Legions at Sicily, they should never let them get away with that, they was just asking for trouble.

Posted by: Clemenza at February 15, 2025 08:33 PM (JkO4W)

141 Michael Ironside was honestly good in most things he was in but...those movies and shows were generally bad.

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:33 PM (t0Rmr)

142 Because of the la setting the dodgy characters the exotic locale

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:33 PM (dJR17)

143 It might be appropriate to bring up one of my favorite exchanges from "Archer" here:

Cyril: So the only thing keeping you guys from killing each other is a lack of access to firearms?
Pam: Works for Canada!
Cheryl: Nothing works for Canada.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:33 PM (lHPJf)

144 To Live & Die in LA doesn't look like a noir, but the story line sure feels like it to me (YMMV), so yeah, I'd go with marking it as noir.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 08:34 PM (q3u5l)

145 Yes more like his tacitern debut in scanners

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:35 PM (dJR17)

146 I'm watching "OverSimplified"'s youtubes on the Punic Wars: two on the first, three on the second. Which is taking a few hours.
Hannibal, man. What a beast

My take away is that the Carthaginian elites didn't realize they were in an existential conflict. They figured they could beat Rome in a big battle, get a favorable peace treaty and go back to worrying about the best way to run their mercantile enterprises.

Once war started though Rome was not interested in a peace treaty after one of two big battles...they wanted to win a crushing victory...

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:36 PM (t0Rmr)

147 >> 24: At least the star says he's had no problem getting roles because of race. Nice to see victimization push back.

He also said this:

"Captain America represents a lot of different things and I don’t think the term ‘America’ should be one of those representations," he said. "It’s about a man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable."

¯\_(ツ

_/¯

Posted by: Roc Ingersoll, aka Crewman #6 at February 15, 2025 08:36 PM (vydmm)

148 I tried watching Twin Peaks, which I'd never seen before, and it's... slow. I turned it off shortly after Laura Palmer's body was photographed by the crying cop.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 15, 2025 08:29 PM (Fbg3Q)
----
Yeah, I tried watching the first season of Twin Peaks. I don't get the hype. It was boring.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:31 PM (BpYfr)

Never watched it. I know there's a lot of people who think it's the greatest show in the history of television, but what I've heard of the plot never appealed to me. *shrugs*

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:36 PM (lHPJf)

149 OK, movie buffs. I have a challenge for you. In the 70s, when there were only three channels on tv, there were a couple of movies that must have played several times, or I'd not remember them at all. But I only remember bits, and I don't know what they were.

Here's what I remember, and I know it's not much to go on.

1: College students, probably computer programmers, and the computer is taking over the campus. I remember the girl trying to get on an elevator to escape, and the computer closes the door on her and kills her.

2: A group of teens/young adults drive around in a hearse, throw a girl off a cliff, and the one thing that sticks in my mind is the one guy leaning against his hearse, scraping his heel against the hearse, in a threatening manner, if that makes any sense.

These movies have haunted me for decades, and I have no idea what they are.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at February 15, 2025 08:37 PM (OX9vb)

150 Michael Ironside was almost the best thing about the film of Starship Troopers. (The bug effects were mostly terrific. And Dina Meyer...well, Dina Meyer.)

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 08:37 PM (q3u5l)

151 Michael Ironside was honestly good in most things he was in but...those movies and shows were generally bad.
Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:33 PM (t0Rmr)

He had a small part in Major Payne.

Another movie that should have won an Oscar along with Uncle Buck. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:37 PM (VofaG)

152 A group of teens/young adults drive around in a hearse, throw a girl off a cliff, and the one thing that sticks in my mind is the one guy leaning against his hearse, scraping his heel against the hearse, in a threatening manner, if that makes any sense.

Phantasm?

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:38 PM (t0Rmr)

153 Yes archer had some jmteresting genre twists like noit space horror but they ran out of twists

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:38 PM (dJR17)

154 Nice touch: the two teens watch a show, The Pink Opaque, that's basically "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and Amber Benson (Tara) has a role here as a sympathetic mom.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 15, 2025 08:38 PM (kpS4V)

155 54 Captain Kirk destroyed two AI computers by asking them loop questions IIRC.

sounds silly. no *truly* intelligent computer would fall for that.

Posted by: dr. daystrom at February 15, 2025 08:38 PM (IKg+A)

156 Hardly an early eample, but the Hall 9000 must be mentioned.

Posted by: Dave at February 15, 2025 08:38 PM (XeU6L)

157 To Live & Die in LA doesn't look like a noir, but the story line sure feels like it to me (YMMV), so yeah, I'd go with marking it as noir.
Posted by: Just Some Guy

Absolutely a noir.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 08:39 PM (I2QN9)

158 One of his last was in terminator salvation but that was a while ago

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:39 PM (dJR17)

159 I'd like to see an unironic big budget take on Starship Troopers

Verhoeven obviously didn't like the book and made a movie that shit on the ideas from it

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:39 PM (t0Rmr)

160 60 Wouldnt metropolis fall in that category

"Metropolis" is squarely in the robots-are-human, sorta, period of the R.U.R. days. She's a product of the fascists, but representative of the communists, interestingly: A tool for labor but not for thought.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at February 15, 2025 08:39 PM (lpWi1)

161 Dash, I'm not sure of those movies either. But I seem to recall a made for tv flick with Dean Stockwell called Paper Man that maybe had a sequence like your #1? Maybe I'm hallucinating here, but...

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 08:39 PM (q3u5l)

162 Posted by: Roc Ingersoll, aka Crewman #6 at February 15, 2025 08:36 PM (vydmm)

What was he trying to say. America is none of those things?

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:39 PM (VofaG)

163 25

you are fools

Posted by: Colossus at February 15, 2025 07:52 PM (biznJ)

Your stupid minds, stupid....

Posted by: planet 9 at February 15, 2025 08:40 PM (8I4hW)

164 This isn't a match

Team Canada is too good, too fast, too tough

Posted by: browndog sniffing a skirt at February 15, 2025 08:40 PM (TTAGa)

165 Ghost of Arthur C. Clarke, "That's HAL!!!! Heuristic ALgorithmic computer!!!"

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:40 PM (tb93h)

166 Movies watched this week:

For Valentine's Day: Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl - all of us watched it and liked it. I probably liked it a little less than most, but I'd give it a solid B. It's sweet, funny, and a good send up of our tech-based laziness. (Netflix)

Murder Mystery 2 - I watched the 1st, which was a pleasant diversion. This is less of one and more obvious, but again, not the absolute worst way to wind down for the night and fall asleep. Probably a C+/C, but not offensive...just obvious. (Netflix)

Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 08:40 PM (exHjb)

167 *Hal

Posted by: Dave at February 15, 2025 08:41 PM (XeU6L)

168 I'd like to see an unironic big budget take on Starship Troopers

Verhoeven obviously didn't like the book and made a movie that shit on the ideas from it
Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:39 PM (t0Rmr)

They should make Armor instead. A much better story/book IMO.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:41 PM (VofaG)

169 Arthur C Clarke is another of those giants of SF that turns out to be pretty execrable once you learn what he was actually like

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:41 PM (t0Rmr)

170 My take away is that the Carthaginian elites didn't realize they were in an existential conflict. They figured they could beat Rome in a big battle, get a favorable peace treaty and go back to worrying about the best way to run their mercantile enterprises.

Once war started though Rome was not interested in a peace treaty after one of two big battles...they wanted to win a crushing victory...
Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:36 PM (t0Rmr)

It's been a while since I read anything in-depth on the Punic Wars, but I do recall that after Cannae, Hannibal was basically begging Carthage to give him the resources he needed to finish off Rome, and the city leaders decided it would be too unprofitable, and obviously Rome had been beaten too badly to come back anyway.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:41 PM (lHPJf)

171 So what did corrupt Machine-Man?

Power or Yoshiwara?

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:41 PM (tb93h)

172 Shall we play. A game?

Posted by: Joshua at February 15, 2025 08:42 PM (JkO4W)

173 7 I've been finding and watching a number of movies on all the free streaming apps. as well as TV shows , local news , sports , etc.

I feel like a dumbass for paying for cable for so long. I may breakdown though and subscribe to one of the pay streaming services to get a better selection of movies. It will still be 10x cheaper than cable.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 07:43 PM (VofaG)

Welcome to the streaming club. Only add paid streaming when they offer you deals. Black Friday is a good time, but some do it to kick off football season, premiere season, etc...

Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 08:42 PM (exHjb)

174 Oh, come on, HAL was just doing his job...

Posted by: Government subcontractor selling AE-35 units at a 10000% markup at February 15, 2025 08:42 PM (PiwSw)

175 College students, probably computer programmers, and the computer is taking over the campus. I remember the girl trying to get on an elevator to escape, and the computer closes the door on her and kills her.
----

"The paper Man"? It's on YouTube.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 15, 2025 08:43 PM (kpS4V)

176 139 I do not seem to recall an anime on hockey.

not enough tentacles in hockey

Posted by: anachronda at February 15, 2025 08:43 PM (IKg+A)

177 HAL was an aspiring rapper turning his life around.

Posted by: davidt at February 15, 2025 08:43 PM (i0F8b)

178 It's been a while since I read anything in-depth on the Punic Wars, but I do recall that after Cannae, Hannibal was basically begging Carthage to give him the resources he needed to finish off Rome, and the city leaders decided it would be too unprofitable, and obviously Rome had been beaten too badly to come back anyway.

Yes, I seem to recall for example one of the oligarchs continuing to deny resources to fight Rome because he wanted to use the men and money to expand the city's control in North Africa. And yes he and his family immediately benefited by expansion of arable land...

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:43 PM (t0Rmr)

179 >>Team Canada is too good, too fast, too tough

C'mon.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 15, 2025 08:44 PM (LkLld)

180 Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl - all of us watched it and liked it. I probably liked it a little less than most, but I'd give it a solid B. It's sweet, funny, and a good send up of our tech-based laziness. (Netflix)

The artistry in these film is off the charts. Plus there are so charming they melt your heart.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 08:44 PM (I2QN9)

181 I like Twin Peaks. But I also know that a lot of people do not. I don't bother arguing about it.

Michael Ironside was in McBain, a really mediocre Christopher Walken film that I only saw because of Rifftrax. It was kind of a retarded homage to post-Vietnam revenge movies. But Maria Conchita Elonzo was cute, and bra-less.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 08:44 PM (bDNzX)

182 Well some of the world building like in the novelization of 2001 the idea of the sakharov drive (thats what powers the discovery) and other elements lost in the films

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:44 PM (dJR17)

183 "Metropolis" is squarely in the robots-are-human, sorta, period of the R.U.R. days. She's a product of the fascists, but representative of the communists, interestingly: A tool for labor but not for thought.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at February 15, 2025 08:39 PM (lpWi1)

"Metropolis" is an inherently fascist movie, albeit from the era when fascism was being openly embraced by the "artistes" as hip and trendy.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:44 PM (lHPJf)

184 Nice write up
Was not feeling well and just got ro it

Posted by: Skip at February 15, 2025 08:45 PM (fwDg9)

185 Team Canada is too good, too fast, too tough

C'mon.
Posted by: JackStraw

Surrender monkey.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 08:45 PM (I2QN9)

186 Hal is an early?? Version of chat gtp that learns to lie, for its own reasons

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:45 PM (dJR17)

187 The Peloponnesian Wars > Punic Wars. 😀

Great book on it is Tides of War by Steven Pressfield.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:46 PM (VofaG)

188 Hope you feel better Skip

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at February 15, 2025 08:46 PM (WIRXc)

189 2001 Nights OVA is a riff on the slow ship colonization of the stars by Humanity like Manseed by Williamson.

About fifteen years from landfall the ship's computer awakens two advanced humanoid androids who have been loaded with the personalities and memories of a Human man and a woman.

These two would then tend to the raising of the embryos unfrozen who would become the planet's colonists.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:47 PM (tb93h)

190 169 Arthur C Clarke is another of those giants of SF that turns out to be pretty execrable once you learn what he was actually like
Posted by: 18-1

That's true across the board in regard to most celebrities of any category. The more you know about them, the less likable they are. I do have lots of sympathy for Philip K. Dick though. The more I read about him or watch some videos, the more sympathy I have for him. What a mess of a man.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at February 15, 2025 08:48 PM (gllTv)

191 It was given too conflicting missions and like nomad compromised on the result

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:48 PM (dJR17)

192 The Twonky was originally a short story by CL Moore and Henry Kuttner written in the 40's.
as far as stories in the 40's go, it was a pretty good sci fi.

Posted by: Kindltot at February 15, 2025 08:48 PM (D7oie)

193 Hannibal's mistake was insufficiently schmoozing Massinissa to keep the Numidians in his camp.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at February 15, 2025 08:48 PM (JkO4W)

194 "Colossus" is one of those great movies that I keep telling TJM about, to show that great movies don't have to come from "visionary" directors. Joseph Sergeant also directed a well-loved movie "The Taking of Pelham 123" which is similarly praised, but he's never put in the pantheon of great directors.

D.F. Jones wrote two sequels to "Colossus," "The Fall of Colossus" and "Colossus and the Crab." Both are very weird and problematic, especially "Fall." "Fall" is almost enough to turn one into a radical feminist. Yeah, it's that bad.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at February 15, 2025 08:49 PM (CHHv1)

195 ||I like Twin Peaks. But I also know that a lot of people do not. I don't bother arguing about it.||

There is no point arguing taste, as the say, and this is doubly true of Lynch.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at February 15, 2025 08:49 PM (lpWi1)

196 after Cannae, Hannibal was basically begging Carthage to give him the resources he needed to finish off Rome,

The documentary's take is that after Cannae, southern Italy joined Hannibal. Rome rebuffed Hannibal's terms of surrender, and reinstalled former dictator Fabius as commander-in-chief. Fabius advised the new consuls (the old consuls were slain at Cannae) to raid Hannibal's southern allies. Hannibal had to waste all his time protecting his new frenz from Fabius' raids so wasn't able to leave the field.

Posted by: gKWVE at February 15, 2025 08:49 PM (gKWVE)

197 Since we've veered off a bit into literary land...

The Master System from Jack L. Chalker's "Rings of the Master" took an interesting approach to watching over humanity.

It scattered humans amongst the stars, changing them as needed to fit within their new environments.

It then relegated the vast majority of humanity to a pre-industrial civilization so that we would never, ever be able to develop weapons of mass destruction ever again.

Master System watched over humanity for nearly a thousand years, but humans, as always, seek to be free from their oppressor, no matter how benevolent.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:50 PM (BpYfr)

198 >>Surrender monkey.

browndog is no surrender monkey and he knows hockey.

There's a lot of talent on both teams.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 15, 2025 08:50 PM (LkLld)

199 Yay! America tied it up.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 08:50 PM (bDNzX)

200 Like that.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 15, 2025 08:50 PM (LkLld)

201 Another interesting take on the danger of robots is the first two alien movies.

The robot is a minor villain in the first, but specifically because he was forced to lie and his programming couldn't handle it.

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:50 PM (t0Rmr)

202
Yes!

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 15, 2025 08:50 PM (dxSpM)

203 Would Lisa Mason's books Arachne and Cyberweb kinda count with her Silicon Supremacists?

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:50 PM (tb93h)

204 Score USA!

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 15, 2025 08:50 PM (KXtU1)

205 These two would then tend to the raising of the embryos unfrozen who would become the planet's colonists.
Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:47 PM (tb93h)

Full circle back to Interstellar. Though McCnaughey went back to Hathaway to make their own babies.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:50 PM (VofaG)

206 A.I. would have been a lot better movie if it had ended without the last 15 minutes, just end it poignantly with him under the water. The sequence in the far future with the robot blue fairy was just stupid.
Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 08:05 PM (fIaE2)

I think the short story original ended there. the Blue Fairy stuff was added because it was too short and too dreary otherwise.

"remember, robots are just for Easter, chuck 'em afterwards for the deposit and recoverable resources?

Posted by: Kindltot at February 15, 2025 08:50 PM (D7oie)

207 as for Carthage, they had their hands full in Spain trying to keep the Romans' hands off their silver (successfully at first, they killed the elder Scipio).

Posted by: gKWVE at February 15, 2025 08:51 PM (gKWVE)

208 The documentary's take is that after Cannae, southern Italy joined Hannibal. Rome rebuffed Hannibal's terms of surrender, and reinstalled former dictator Fabius as commander-in-chief. Fabius advised the new consuls (the old consuls were slain at Cannae) to raid Hannibal's southern allies. Hannibal had to waste all his time protecting his new frenz from Fabius' raids so wasn't able to leave the field.
Posted by: gKWVE at February 15, 2025 08:49 PM (gKWVE)

That is also true. But I would argue it mattered, too, that the leading Carthaginians didn't give Hannibal the support he needed when Rome was on the ropes.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:51 PM (lHPJf)

209 USA 1 - Colony Canada 1.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 08:51 PM (I2QN9)

210 CL Moore wrote some of my favorite short stories, like the ones about Han Solo... I mean, Northwest Smith. I think about "No Woman Born" when I hear about preserving people's memories so they can "live" in artificial ways.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 15, 2025 08:51 PM (Fbg3Q)

211 Yes a similar scenario the crew was expendable

Now i robot totally inverted the story curse you akiva goodman

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:52 PM (dJR17)

212 After the US takes over Canada our hockey team will be awesome

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 15, 2025 08:52 PM (KXtU1)

213 205 These two would then tend to the raising of the embryos unfrozen who would become the planet's colonists.
Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:47 PM (tb93h)

Full circle back to Interstellar. Though McCnaughey went back to Hathaway to make their own babies.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:50 PM (VofaG)

I just watched Interstellar. Didn't love it, but understood why folks did...especially if they haven't seen other Nolan timey whimy movies...

Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 08:53 PM (exHjb)

214 Yeah, I tried watching the first season of Twin Peaks. I don't get the hype. It was boring.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:31 PM (BpYfr)

It's just the kind of weird that I like, apparently. I enjoyed both the series and the movie.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at February 15, 2025 08:53 PM (OX9vb)

215 Kuttner and Moore, who did "The Twonky" also did a terrific novella called "Vintage Season" which was filmed by David Twohy and shows up here and there under the titles "Grand Tour" and "Disaster in Time." Not a bad flick, but they gave it a happy ending -- myself, I liked the novella's grim finish better.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 08:53 PM (q3u5l)

216 The Peloponnesian Wars > Punic Wars

The Peloponnesian Wars were fundamentally stupid. Athens and Sparta vying to be the top dog in Greece but the war ended with a whimper with Sparta sparing Athens because they couldn't trust that their own allies would support their hegemony if Athens wasn't there to keep them in check.

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:53 PM (t0Rmr)

217 Twin Peaks is awesome.

Go team USA!

Posted by: nurse ratched at February 15, 2025 08:53 PM (KXcAp)

218 MURPH!!!

Posted by: Government subcontractor selling AE-35 units at a 10000% markup at February 15, 2025 08:53 PM (PiwSw)

219 Feeling a little better

Posted by: Skip at February 15, 2025 08:54 PM (fwDg9)

220 This has been an odd thread tonight...

Is it a movie thread?

TV thread?

Bonus book thread?

Hockey thread?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM (BpYfr)

221 Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 08:53 PM (exHjb

I have to admit the father /daughter love toward the end of the movie really hit me and I don't have a daughter.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM (VofaG)

222 I just watched Interstellar. Didn't love it, but understood why folks did...especially if they haven't seen other Nolan timey whimy movies...
Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 08:53 PM (exHjb)

I liked Interstellar, but in retrospect, it was clearly the beginning of Nolan getting way out of control with the structure of his movies. Kind of depressing in a lot of places, too.

But it does feature Matt Damon exploding, so there's that.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM (lHPJf)

223 181 I like Twin Peaks. But I also know that a lot of people do not. I don't bother arguing about it.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 08:44 PM (bDNzX)

Started watching Twin Peaks with Little but he started hating it after three episodes. I had to admit that it didn't really hold up for me either, and I was an unapologetic "Peak Freak" at the time...mostly because of Joan Chen...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM (bA75n)

224 As for "Three Billboards", the McDonagh brothers have gotten darker and darker over the years. They usually make Irish movies involving the Church (Calvary, The Banshees of Inisherin) where any hint of God is completely forbidden.

I don't know how else to describe it. There is no God in their cinematic universe, and they make that clear without ever saying it.

I preferred their funny films ("The Guard" and "In Bruges".)

"Billboards" has the additional problem of lacking authenticity. I'm not an expert in Missouri, and the whole thing felt like "You have no idea how the USA works, do you?" Like they were shoehorning their message inappropriate into a location they didn't understand.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM (lpWi1)

225 Phantasm?
Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:38 PM (t0Rmr)

No, I remember when that was new, and I never saw it. This movie was more hippie-era.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM (OX9vb)

226
Hockey thread?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM (BpYfr)

_________

Boob and pun thread soon.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 15, 2025 08:56 PM (dxSpM)

227 220 -- Perfessor, it's a floor polish AND a dessert topping...

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 08:56 PM (q3u5l)

228 Is it a movie thread?

TV thread?

Bonus book thread?

Hockey thread?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM

Yes.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 15, 2025 08:56 PM (Fbg3Q)

229 steel beach. this novel not only involves a computer watching over man, but has the best opening line of all time: "the penis as we know it is obsolete!"

Posted by: anachronda at February 15, 2025 08:56 PM (IKg+A)

230 Sorry Interstellar?

That is such a Johnny come lately to the genre. Hoshino's original manga was first published in 1984 and was inspired by '50s and '60s science fiction. The OVA was released in 1987 based on one of its story arcs.

Jack Williamson's Manseed was published in 1982.

And even before that others like Larry Niven tackled it in some of his Known Universe stories. And if I dug deep enough I could probably find earlier examples.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:56 PM (tb93h)

231 Sit down Cindy.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 15, 2025 08:56 PM (LkLld)

232 OT, Angry Cops on the Truman collision:

https://tinyurl.com/s4xh9k5f

How could you have the transponder (same name for ships?) off?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 15, 2025 08:57 PM (bss/y)

233 I seem to recall a made for tv flick with Dean Stockwell called Paper Man that maybe had a sequence like your #1? Maybe I'm hallucinating here, but...
Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 08:39 PM (q3u5l)

Heyyyy......I think that's it! Thanks!

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at February 15, 2025 08:57 PM (OX9vb)

234 221 Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 08:53 PM (exHjb

I have to admit the father /daughter love toward the end of the movie really hit me and I don't have a daughter.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM (VofaG)

See, I was hit by the other dad lying to his space daughter about EVERYTHING...all I could think of was "what a horrible human being"...

Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 08:57 PM (exHjb)

235 There so much good scifi that lies in the sargasso sea of development if it ever gets there

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:57 PM (dJR17)

236 In 'A Grand Day Out', I recall that Wallace and Gromit encountered an 'intelligent', what?...dishwasher or some such on the moon.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at February 15, 2025 08:57 PM (XeU6L)

237
I liked Interstellar, but in retrospect, it was clearly the beginning of Nolan getting way out of control with the structure of his movies. Kind of depressing in a lot of places, too.

But it does feature Matt Damon exploding, so there's that.
Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM (lHPJf)

Yeah, he was written so well as one of the villains, you were cheering for his demise...

Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 08:58 PM (exHjb)

238 Boob and pun thread soon.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 15, 2025 08:56 PM (dxSpM)

A fine film I need to see from 2010:

https://tinyurl.com/57c97pmx

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 15, 2025 08:58 PM (bss/y)

239 OT, Angry Cops on the Truman collision:

https://tinyurl.com/s4xh9k5f

20-30 years of rot in all of the armed services.

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 08:58 PM (t0Rmr)

240 Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 08:56 PM (tb93h)

I wasn't saying it was the originator . Only that I had mentioned Interstellar previously.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 08:59 PM (VofaG)

241 235 There so much good scifi that lies in the sargasso sea of development if it ever gets there
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:57 PM (dJR17)

These days, I am pretty sure I do not want to see it. Maybe give it a year or two to start production.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 15, 2025 08:59 PM (bss/y)

242 Boob and pun thread soon.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

Just as the Colony Canada guy went tits up the refs stepped into to save his ass.

That is a a hockey and boobs combo. What do I win?

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 08:59 PM (I2QN9)

243 The character name is mann

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 08:59 PM (dJR17)

244 David Lynch was an unusually talented director. He could coax mediocre actors into delivering brilliant performances.

Some of his films are dreadful. But I like Mullholland Drive. And I really love all the Twin Peaks stuff.

I do admit, though, I gotta be in the right mood to watch any of his works.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 08:59 PM (bDNzX)

245 But it does feature Matt Damon exploding, so there's that.
Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM (lHPJf)

Yeah, he was written so well as one of the villains, you were cheering for his demise...
Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 08:58 PM (exHjb)
----
That's how I generally feel about Matt Damon movies...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:59 PM (BpYfr)

246 Interstellar, I viewed it as Nolan yelling "I can be like Kubrick!"

Me, "no you can't."

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:00 PM (tb93h)

247 See, I was hit by the other dad lying to his space daughter about EVERYTHING...all I could think of was "what a horrible human being"...
Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 08:57 PM (exH

Hah. I also thought that too. Nice juxtaposition story line.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 09:00 PM (VofaG)

248 As for "Three Billboards", the McDonagh brothers have gotten darker and darker over the years. They usually make Irish movies involving the Church (Calvary, The Banshees of Inisherin) where any hint of God is completely forbidden.

I don't know how else to describe it. There is no God in their cinematic universe, and they make that clear without ever saying it.

If you play their movies and " The Boondock Saints" simultaneously, will the Universe spontaneously collapse?

Asking for a friend.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at February 15, 2025 09:00 PM (w1GG2)

249 Yeah, he was written so well as one of the villains, you were cheering for his demise...
Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 08:58 PM (exHjb)

Assuming you weren't already doing so on general principles.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 09:00 PM (lHPJf)

250 27 Right after the puck drop a fight in the USA Canada game.

And now another. 3 seconds into the game.

If you aren't watching this you might want to turn it on.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 15, 2025 08:28 PM (LkLld)

Go USA.

Want citizens to cheer for your team ans not to burn the flag on Flag day, don't turn them into second class joggers who can't get into restaurants, schools or travel without shots.

Jogger status. My only goal is revenge.

Sounds like a movie plot...

Posted by: Stateless...40% - mental state clawing up from 10% at February 15, 2025 09:00 PM (jvJvP)

251 In 'A Grand Day Out', I recall that Wallace and Gromit encountered an 'intelligent', what?...dishwasher or some such on the moon.
-------
Ah, I see now:

"just an inventor and his dog going to the moon to get moon cheese that is being protected by a robot gas cooking machine."

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at February 15, 2025 09:00 PM (XeU6L)

252 Strangely enough, there was a successor to ENIGMA during WWII. It was broken by a machine invented by an employee of the Royal Post. It was called Colossus.
It was a secret up until the late 70-s, as Britain sold encryption equipment to the “colonies” and they wanted to know what was going on. Rhodesia got up-ended during independence negotiations thanks to Colossus.

Posted by: SMOD at February 15, 2025 09:01 PM (GITLP)

253 Give the people what they want

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at February 15, 2025 09:01 PM (dJR17)

254 Best like in Galaxy Quest was by Sam Rockwall - “Oh, that’s not right!!!”

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 09:02 PM (fIaE2)

255 These guys are hitting the shit out of each other. Great hockey.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 15, 2025 09:02 PM (LkLld)

256 That's how I generally feel about Matt Damon movies...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:59 PM (BpYfr)

Trying to think of a counter... Ocean's 11?

Oh, definitely Team America: World Police.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 15, 2025 09:02 PM (bss/y)

257 245 But it does feature Matt Damon exploding, so there's that.
Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM (lHPJf)

Yeah, he was written so well as one of the villains, you were cheering for his demise...
Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 08:58 PM (exHjb)
----
That's how I generally feel about Matt Damon movies...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:59 PM (BpYfr)

True. I forgave Nolan for making it so obvious he was gonna be a villain when you saw the planet. I felt like only an idiot would have fallen for the lies he was spewing b/c eyes don't lie.

Maybe it's b/c we lived with the paid propaganda media for years, but I'm looking at the planet and looking at Damon, and I kinda knew the next 20 minutes and how they'd go...still fun to see, though (but not top tier Nolan)...

Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 09:02 PM (exHjb)

258 Is it a movie thread?

TV thread?

Bonus book thread?

Hockey thread?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM

Yes.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 15, 2025 08:56 PM (Fbg3Q)

All AoS threads bloom into lush gardens of weirdness. Andrew Breitbart would agree.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 09:03 PM (bDNzX)

259 Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at February 15, 2025 09:00 PM (w1GG2)

The Banshees was a pointless , horrible movie even if it was an analogy of the Irish Civil War.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 09:03 PM (VofaG)

260 250 27 Right after the puck drop a fight in the USA Canada game.”

Slapshot - the Hanson brothers start a fight during the National Anthem.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 09:03 PM (fIaE2)

261 254 Best like in Galaxy Quest was by Sam Rockwall - “Oh, that’s not right!!!”
Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 09:02 PM (fIaE2)

'I'm just a glorified extra anyway- but I'D RATHER GO OUT A HERO THAN A COWARD!'

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 15, 2025 09:03 PM (bss/y)

262 Only time I liked Matt Damon was in Dogma where he played a stupid fallen angel.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:03 PM (tb93h)

263 255 These guys are hitting the shit out of each other. Great hockey.
Posted by: JackStraw

Not hard enough. No blood on the ice.

Posted by: nurse ratched at February 15, 2025 09:03 PM (VaV9x)

264 262 Only time I liked Matt Damon was in Dogma where he played a stupid fallen angel.
Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:03 PM (tb93h)

That's a throwback movie...

Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 09:04 PM (exHjb)

265 Sebastian sorry I misread it

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:04 PM (tb93h)

266 The best movie with Matt Damon in it is Team American World Police

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 09:05 PM (t0Rmr)

267 Only time I liked Matt Damon was in Dogma where he played a stupid fallen angel.
Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:03 PM (tb93h)

I liked him in "The Departed." He got shot in the head.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 09:06 PM (lHPJf)

268 Perfessor, if that's how you usually feel about Matt Damon movies, you might enjoy the latter parts of Scorsese's The Departed. Nicholson, DiCaprio, Damon -- practically everybody gets a bullet. It's a long movie, though.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 09:06 PM (q3u5l)

269 OT: I am thinking about looking at this little guy tomorrow.

https://tinyurl.com/5789e7fs

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 15, 2025 09:07 PM (bss/y)

270 Can't forget one of the other story arcs from 2001 Nights manga by Hoshino.

Humans send a combat robot back through time to prevent the extinction of Humanity which has been reduced to this one small tribe trapped in a cave by a saber-tooth tiger.

Shall I spoil the ending?

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:07 PM (tb93h)

271 People say Damon was better than Campbell in True Grit. I liked Campbell myself.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 09:08 PM (VofaG)

272 266 The best movie with Matt Damon in it is Team American World Police
Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 09:05 PM (t0Rmr)

The best - probably Saving Private Ryan and The Departed
Most enjoyable (for me) was probably the 1st Bourne. It helps he gets the crap kicked out of him a lot as he's running for his life for pretty much the whole movie...

Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 09:08 PM (exHjb)

273 He was a true believer in eventual robot superiority…

Clifford D. Simak had a lot of stories like this, too. Not necessarily superiority, but living after humans, or living on while humans decline.
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at February 15, 2025 08:00 PM (Q9Zma)

An interesting variation of this is -

"The Cyberiad" by Stanislaw Lem.

Posted by: naturalfake at February 15, 2025 09:08 PM (iJfKG)

274 Is it a movie thread? TV thread? Bonus book thread? Hockey thread?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM

Yes.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 15, 2025 08:56 PM (Fbg3Q)

All AoS threads bloom into lush gardens of weirdness. Andrew Breitbart would agree.
Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 09:03 PM (bDNzX)
---
I'm reading a book that's based on a movie franchise, but it's written as though it's a television series in novelized form. No hockey, though.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 09:08 PM (BpYfr)

275 255 These guys are hitting the shit out of each other. Great hockey.
Posted by: JackStraw

Not hard enough. No blood on the ice.
Posted by: nurse ratched at February 15, 2025 09:03 PM (VaV9x)

Wasn't there an NHL game once where a guy got practically decapitated? I vaguely remember reading about that some time ago.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 09:08 PM (lHPJf)

276 MAAAAAAT DAAAAAMON!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 15, 2025 09:08 PM (kpS4V)

277 270 Can't forget one of the other story arcs from 2001 Nights manga by Hoshino.

Humans send a combat robot back through time to prevent the extinction of Humanity which has been reduced to this one small tribe trapped in a cave by a saber-tooth tiger.

Shall I spoil the ending?
Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:07 PM (tb93h)

Wait, is this humans in the future trapped n a cave by a sabertooth (extinct?) or is this like a Voyagers! thing where they have to get time back on track?

Oooo. Is it a T-800?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 15, 2025 09:09 PM (bss/y)

278 Read all the Bourne books and Matt Damon ain't who I pictured.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 09:09 PM (VofaG)

279 "Did you even watch the show!?"

Posted by: davidt at February 15, 2025 09:10 PM (i0F8b)

280 Aetius

They have to save these primitive Humans in the cave or all of Humanity ceases to exist. Real EOL stuff.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:10 PM (tb93h)

281 Damon was really good though in The Talented Mr Ripley.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 09:10 PM (VofaG)

282 Where the fuck is Don Cherry! He was the best!!!! He should be calling this match!

Posted by: nurse ratched at February 15, 2025 09:10 PM (H5Jj8)

283 279 "Did you even watch the show!?"
Posted by: davidt at February 15, 2025 09:10 PM (i0F8b)

'Something really bad happened here.'

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 15, 2025 09:10 PM (bss/y)

284 These guys are hitting the shit out of each other. Great hockey.
Posted by: JackStraw

Not hard enough. No blood on the ice.
Posted by: nurse ratched at February 15, 2025 09:03 PM (VaV9x)

So, Rollerball with James Caan is the ultimate expression of Hockey?

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at February 15, 2025 09:10 PM (VNX3d)

285 275 255 These guys are hitting the shit out of each other. Great hockey.
Posted by: JackStraw

Not hard enough. No blood on the ice.
Posted by: nurse ratched at February 15, 2025 09:03 PM (VaV9x)

Wasn't there an NHL game once where a guy got practically decapitated? I vaguely remember reading about that some time ago.
Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 09:08 PM (lHPJf)

Well, that was b/c a crime was committed...vs regular hockey. I mean hockey players are not figure skaters doing ballet moves on ice...

Posted by: Nova Local at February 15, 2025 09:10 PM (exHjb)

286 Humans send a combat robot back through time to prevent the extinction of Humanity which has been reduced to this one small tribe trapped in a cave by a saber-tooth tiger.

Shall I spoil the ending?
Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:07 PM (tb93h)

Wait, is this humans in the future trapped n a cave by a sabertooth (extinct?) or is this like a Voyagers! thing where they have to get time back on track?

Oooo. Is it a T-800?
Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 15, 2025 09:09 PM (bss/y)
---
Bender "Bending" Rodriguez reporting for duty! (*whisper* kill all humans *whisper*)

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 09:11 PM (BpYfr)

287 >>> Posted by: Puddleglum at work at February 15, 2025 08:13 PM (gllTv)

There was also an SG-Atlantis where two guys on the crew were playing a big turn-based RPG game they found on one of the Atlantis' computer systems. Turns out, all the units, weapons, and destruction going on in the game were real, as they were controlling two civilizations battling each other on a planet.

Posted by: banana Dream at February 15, 2025 09:11 PM (Y6IkP)

288 Read all the Bourne books and Matt Damon ain't who I pictured.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 09:09 PM (VofaG)

Yeah, the movies are *wildly* different from the books. Not in a good way, in my personal opinion.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 09:12 PM (lHPJf)

289 There was also an SG-Atlantis where two guys on the crew were playing a big turn-based RPG game they found on one of the Atlantis' computer systems. Turns out, all the units, weapons, and destruction going on in the game were real, as they were controlling two civilizations battling each other on a planet.
Posted by: banana Dream at February 15, 2025 09:11 PM (Y6IkP)
----
*** Ender's Game has entered the chat. ***

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 09:12 PM (BpYfr)

290 USA vs Canada hockey match has been entertaining. Maybe if Canada wins they won't go to war with us? (per Cecil Says' "Cope Files")

Posted by: Chairman LMAO at February 15, 2025 09:12 PM (D5Q7j)

291 Oh shit, I'm stranded on a desert planet with dwindling air. Surely my popularity will ensure a swift rescue.
*tap *tap*
... this isn't funny, guys

Posted by: Matt Damon! at February 15, 2025 09:13 PM (gKWVE)

292 282 Where the fuck is Don Cherry! He was the best!!!! He should be calling this match!
Posted by: nurse ratched

He's too pro-Canadian and nationalistic for the CBC, so they fired him. Ok, don't know the exact reason but that's close. He wouldn't tow whatever post-modern crap CBC was spewing out at the time.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at February 15, 2025 09:13 PM (gllTv)

293 OT: I am thinking about looking at this little guy tomorrow.

https://tinyurl.com/5789e7fs
Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 15, 2025 09:07 PM (bss/y)

A vile Hellbeast if I ever saw one.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at February 15, 2025 09:13 PM (w1GG2)

294 There was also an SG-Atlantis where two guys on the crew were playing a big turn-based RPG game they found on one of the Atlantis' computer systems. Turns out, all the units, weapons, and destruction going on in the game were real, as they were controlling two civilizations battling each other on a planet.
Posted by: banana Dream at February 15, 2025 09:11 PM (Y6IkP)

I loved that episode! It was like they were playing “Civilization” but it was in real life.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 09:13 PM (fIaE2)

295 So, Rollerball with James Caan is the ultimate expression of Hockey? Posted by: Hour of the Wolf

A masterpiece in spite of the eearily accurate depiction of modern sports and the Taylor Swift suite.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 09:14 PM (I2QN9)

296 Oh shit, I'm stranded on a desert planet with dwindling air. Surely my popularity will ensure a swift rescue.
*tap *tap*

Robinson Caruso on Mars has entered Chat.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:14 PM (tb93h)

297
may breakdown though and subscribe to one of the pay streaming services to get a better selection of movies. It will still be 10x cheaper than cable.

At first...

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at February 15, 2025 09:14 PM (63Dwl)

298 K like Matt a little, certainly watch his movies often enough

Posted by: Skip at February 15, 2025 09:15 PM (fwDg9)

299 "Billboards" has the additional problem of lacking authenticity. I'm not an expert in Missouri, and the whole thing felt like "You have no idea how the USA works, do you?" Like they were shoehorning their message inappropriate into a location they didn't understand.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM

In college, I used the term "secondary Americanism" to describe this. Someone watches American movies, TV, maybe reads some novels, and does a knock-off version.

About ten years ago, a first-generation Canadian from Africa or the Middle East won some award and obviously some Canadian arts money for taking "Passing" by Nella Larsen (NYC in the 1920s) and resetting it in '50s New England. It was wretched stuff, but she was so smug on CBC Radio.

Sam Elliott criticized a New Zealander for directing a western about a repressed gay cowboy (played by Benedict Cumberbatch IIRC). A friend saw it and said it felt like someone knew something about sheepherders and had been to a gay nightclub. ha ha

Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 15, 2025 09:15 PM (Fbg3Q)

300 Twin Peaks: watched every episode expecting things to improve but ..... nothing. The takeaways from the series? Douglas firs and doughnuts.

Boring! Boring! Boring!

Posted by: Ciampino - How they sold it to producers at February 15, 2025 09:15 PM (KjLnc)

301 USA vs Canada hockey match has been entertaining. Maybe if Canada wins they won't go to war with us? (per Cecil Says' "Cope Files") Posted by: Chairman LMAO

I am going the other way here. I would love to have cabin along the front range of the ~~Colony Canada~~ American Rockies.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 09:17 PM (I2QN9)

302 *** Ender's Game has entered the chat. ***

I was greatly amused by the left hating on Card so much because Ender's Game strikes me as a very well written leftwing take on war.

Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 09:17 PM (t0Rmr)

303 >>>
*** Ender's Game has entered the chat. ***
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 09:12 PM (BpYfr)

Yeah, they did completely steal the whole "wait, this war simulation is real?" idea. A lot of TV scifi is just outright theft from the past as you run out of ideas pretty fast.

Posted by: banana Dream at February 15, 2025 09:18 PM (Y6IkP)

304 >>Wasn't there an NHL game once where a guy got practically decapitated? I vaguely remember reading about that some time ago.

Don't know about decapitated but the game used to be a lot more violent. Still good. This one is a good example.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 15, 2025 09:18 PM (LkLld)

305 Wasn't there an NHL game once where a guy got practically decapitated? I vaguely remember reading about that some time ago.
Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 09:08 PM (lHPJf)

Sabres goalie Clint Malatrchuk

Got his throat cut by a skate blade, and almost bled out on the ice

Posted by: browndog sniffing a skirt at February 15, 2025 09:19 PM (TTAGa)

306 Would The Demon Seed fall into this category? That movie scared the bejeezus out of me!

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, Plucky Comic Relief, AoS Ladies Brigade - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at February 15, 2025 09:20 PM (SRRAx)

307 A masterpiece in spite of the eearily accurate depiction of modern sports and the Taylor Swift suite.
Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 09:14 PM (I2QN9)

That’s a movie that looks more and more prophetic each year. Imagine a world run by giant mega-corporations that make all the decisions for everyone in it! And they keep people happy through drugs and endless sports.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 09:20 PM (fIaE2)

308 "Message inappropriate to a location they didn't understand"

I enjoyed the TV series Quantum Leap more often than not -- Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell were terrific in it -- but there were a number of episodes where you knew the poor schlub that Bakula had leaped into was going to get his head handed to him after Bakula was gone.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 09:20 PM (q3u5l)

309 Everybody here knows One Second After would be a good movie if Mel Gibson made it.

Posted by: Eromero at February 15, 2025 09:20 PM (LHPAg)

310 >Best line in Galaxy Quest was by Sam Rockwall - “Oh, that’s not right!!!”
Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 09:02 PM (fIaE2)

I would say that the slow-building freak-out scream in front of the squids is the funniest thing in the entire movie. I wouldn't call it a line though.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at February 15, 2025 09:21 PM (lhenN)

311 I like Twin Peaks. But I also know that a lot of people do not. I don't bother arguing about it.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 08:44 PM (bDNzX)

Started watching Twin Peaks with Little but he started hating it after three episodes. I had to admit that it didn't really hold up for me either, and I was an unapologetic "Peak Freak" at the time...mostly because of Joan Chen...
Posted by: Joe Kidd at February 15, 2025 08:55 PM

I was interested in it because I recently rewatched "Mulholland Drive", which is a favorite of mine.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at February 15, 2025 09:21 PM (Fbg3Q)

312 Sabres goalie Clint Malatrchuk

Got his throat cut by a skate blade, and almost bled out on the ice
Posted by: browndog sniffing a skirt at February 15, 2025 09:19 PM (TTAGa)

Couple years ago there was a minor league player who did die, his carotid artery was sliced. He was dead by the time he got to the bench.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 09:22 PM (bDNzX)

313 Sabres goalie Clint Malatrchuk

Got his throat cut by a skate blade, and almost bled out on the ice
Posted by: browndog sniffing a skirt at February 15, 2025 09:19 PM (TTAGa)

That's the one I was thinking of.

I read that even hardened hockey fans were throwing up in the stands from watching that.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 09:22 PM (lHPJf)

314 Would The Demon Seed fall into this category? That movie scared the bejeezus out of me!
Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, Plucky Comic Relief, AoS Ladies Brigade - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at February 15, 2025 09:20 PM (SRRAx)
---
Is that the movie based on the Dean Koontz novel? I read the novel. It was very creepy. The house AI was *insane*.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 09:22 PM (BpYfr)

315 The worms in the Dune movies are what I imagine free range cat butt puckers would look like. I suspect I am completely alone here. It wouldn't be the first time.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 09:23 PM (I2QN9)

316 >>> I was greatly amused by the left hating on Card so much because Ender's Game strikes me as a very well written leftwing take on war.
Posted by: 18-1 at February 15, 2025 09:17 PM (t0Rmr)

They hated on him for the same reason they purged Brendan Eich. That didn't work out very well for them. But it is scary how successful they'd be if they could just very slightly control their tendency towards rigid moral dogma.

Posted by: banana Dream at February 15, 2025 09:24 PM (Y6IkP)

317 I watched Twin Peaks start to finish, like Lost no ending was planned I think

Posted by: Skip at February 15, 2025 09:24 PM (fwDg9)

318 Long before Blade Runner 2049 and the fact Rachel and Decker had a kid, there was the anime Armitage III.

Were there other ones of a similar vein?

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:25 PM (tb93h)

319 Yep, Demon Seed was from a Dean Koontz novel. He did a number of straight sf novels before moving into big-time suspense stuff. I don't think he's allowed quite a bit of the earlier sf to be reprinted; he did have a short story in Ellison's anthology Again, Dangerous Visions.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 09:25 PM (q3u5l)

320 The worms in the Dune movies are what I imagine free range cat butt puckers would look like. I suspect I am completely alone here. It wouldn't be the first time.
Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 09:23 PM (I2QN9)
---
Some folks see a cat butt and craft hilarious memes around it.

Others write a science fiction masterpiece that enthralls fans for decades.

It's all in the eye of the beholder, I guess.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 15, 2025 09:26 PM (BpYfr)

321 "Count of Monte Cristo" was my USAID codename. Because deep fried sandwiches were a rider in my contract.

Posted by: Bill Kristol at February 15, 2025 09:26 PM (BI5O2)

322 Whenever Twin Peaks would show an identifiable location smugly would go, been there done that.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 09:26 PM (I2QN9)

323 Downloaded, The Taking of Pelham '74 & '09 think Martin Balsam was in both of them.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at February 15, 2025 09:26 PM (Ri+6K)

324 I had an idea about an AI story.

AI was prohibited after a war started by an AI ended up killing several million people before it was defeated.

About 20 years later an asteroid is found to be on a collision course with Earth in 10 years. So it was decided to unleash the AI in the hopes it can develop the ability to divert its course. The AI starts making demands for scientists and other experts, develops a five senses interface, and begins to brainwash them to make them more efficient. There is a debate about if the thought control was still moral. Eventually the AI “asks” for everyone to go through the interface.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at February 15, 2025 09:27 PM (Vh9CX)

325 >>Got his throat cut by a skate blade, and almost bled out on the ice

Happened to a teammate of mine high school during a practice. Missed the jugular but a lot of blood.

Not a good way to start the day for any of us.

Posted by: JackStraw at February 15, 2025 09:27 PM (LkLld)

326 I read that even hardened hockey fans were throwing up in the stands from watching that.
Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 09:22 PM (lHPJf)

Yep ...

I wasn't there, but my Vascular surgeon was the one who saved his life.

Posted by: browndog sniffing a skirt at February 15, 2025 09:28 PM (TTAGa)

327 309 Everybody here knows One Second After would be a good movie if Mel Gibson made it.
Posted by: Eromero at February 15, 2025 09:20 PM (LHPAg)

He'd probably make it even better than the book.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at February 15, 2025 09:28 PM (OX9vb)

328 I saw free range cat butt puckers open for Primus at Coachella '07.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at February 15, 2025 09:30 PM (lhenN)

329 My wife and I found the new Dune movies to be universally excellent. The special effects are exceptional, acting great, and it’s extremely well paced (though some would say slow).

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at February 15, 2025 09:31 PM (Vh9CX)

330 Evening, movie people,

There was an episode of a British TV show that adapted Asimov's "Little Lost Robot," the best of the I, Robot collection. This was from about 1962, I think, and the B & W film is on YooToob where I watched it. Can't recall the name of the show. Apparently the "LLR" episode is the only one that still exists.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 15, 2025 09:33 PM (omVj0)

331 And the cat demands I put something else in her food dish, so...

Thanks for the thread, moviegique.

Have a good one, gang.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025 09:34 PM (q3u5l)

332 My wife and I found the new Dune movies to be universally excellent. The special effects are exceptional, acting great, and it’s extremely well paced (though some would say slow).
Posted by: MAGA_Ken

I do have mention that Sting wearing diaper in David Lynch's massively weird Dune was excellent.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 09:35 PM (I2QN9)

333 Everybody here knows One Second After would be a good movie if Mel Gibson made it.
Posted by: Eromero at February 15, 2025 09:20 PM (LHPAg)

He'd probably make it even better than the book.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at February 15, 2025 09:28 PM (OX9vb)

I recently watched Get the Gringo and Blood Father each for the third time. In another year or so I'll watch them both for the 4th time. Mel knows how to make movies.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 09:35 PM (VofaG)

334 Yes -- the adaptation of "Little Lost Robot" was on Out of the Unknown, as TJM mentioned. It's a good detective story -- at least the original is.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 15, 2025 09:36 PM (omVj0)

335 Twin Peaks: watched every episode expecting things to improve but ..... nothing. The takeaways from the series? Douglas firs and doughnuts.

Boring! Boring! Boring!
Posted by: Ciampino - How they sold it to producers at February 15, 2025 09:15 PM (KjLnc)

I like David Lynch and Twin Peaks, but-

if you don't dig his very, very dry humorous vibe,

yeah, you won't care for his stuff.

Posted by: naturalfake at February 15, 2025 09:36 PM (iJfKG)

336 My wife and I found the new Dune movies to be universally excellent. The special effects are exceptional, acting great, and it’s extremely well paced (though some would say slow).
Posted by: MAGA_Ken at February 15, 2025 09:31 PM (Vh9CX)

I liked them pretty well. Agreed about the effects, pacing, and most of the acting: I could watch Rebecca Ferguson chew scenery all day, and I thought Timothee Chalamet found his footing as Paul in the second movie.

The only exception I would make is Zendaya, or whatever her name is. She was off-putting from beginning to end; I don't know if it was her, the way they wrote her character, or both.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 09:37 PM (lHPJf)

337 I will always love the David Lynch Dune, even if it’s flawed. Lady Jessica was hawt!!

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 09:39 PM (fIaE2)

338 Biggest disappointment in the new Dune movies - no Guild Navigators!!!

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 09:40 PM (fIaE2)

339 Maybe Denis is setting up Chani for the "Dune Messiah" movie he's sketching up. Giving her an arc.

Posted by: gKWVE at February 15, 2025 09:40 PM (gKWVE)

340 I am oddly hoping the Colony Canada fans get so riled up they start tossing Justina in black face dolls onto the ice

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 09:41 PM (I2QN9)

341 What a great post moviegique thanks, a lot of my favorite movies growing up.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 15, 2025 09:41 PM (RIvkX)

342 Has anyone mentioned the adaptation of Asimov's "The Bicentennial Man" into the movie of that title, with Robin Williams as a robot who serves multiple generations of the same family? I thought that was well done. Since he guides the humans over two centuries, it might fit the trope TJM is talking about.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 15, 2025 09:41 PM (omVj0)

343 337 I will always love the David Lynch Dune, even if it’s flawed. Lady Jessica was hawt!!
Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 09:39 PM (fIaE2)
But the little girl about scairt the peewater outta me.

Posted by: Eromero at February 15, 2025 09:41 PM (LHPAg)

344 My wife and I found the new Dune movies to be universally excellent. The special effects are exceptional, acting great, and it’s extremely well paced (though some would say slow).
Posted by: MAGA_Ken at February 15, 2025 09:31 PM (Vh9CX)

I thought part one was more than excellent but I didn't much like part 2.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 09:42 PM (VofaG)

345 Biggest disappointment in the new Dune movies - no Guild Navigators!!! Posted by: Tom Servo

For me, how they were portrayed and how they navigated was the best part of the film.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 09:43 PM (I2QN9)

346
In the book, Colossus wanted its successor (?) built of the Isle of Wight -- limestone and relatively earthquake free.

In the movie, it chose Crete, which was neither of those.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at February 15, 2025 09:44 PM (xG4kz)

347 In college, I dug up a lot of pre-Whispers Koontz. I found sci-fi ("Fear That Man"), romance (can't remember the titles), a caper ("After The Races"), and so on.

He was a big influence on my writing, even though I'm not sure "Whispers" is actually very good writing. It's good plotting, and it's kind of amazing that it's managed to NOT be made into a faithful, big budget movie. (There's a very bad version from 1990 starring Mrs. Steve Martin, Victoria Tenant.)

But he was writing eight hours a day, and this showed up in the prose feeling weirdly...IDK...grating? Future works are actually better. (And past, for that matter.) Kind of funny this was his break-through.

The power of the thriller.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at February 15, 2025 09:44 PM (lpWi1)

348 *reading natalist ~~twitter~~ X*

Um.
If any moronettes got impregnated by Elon in the past year... you'd tell us... right?

Posted by: gKWVE at February 15, 2025 09:45 PM (gKWVE)

349 I will always love the David Lynch Dune, even if it’s flawed. Lady Jessica was hawt!!
Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 09:39 PM (fIaE2)

What I love about David Lynch's DUNE is that it feels very alien and strange exactly like a society 10,000 years in the future would. Especially like something occurring after the Butlerian Jihad.

The new DUNE not so much. It's a bit like the Future with Training Wheels. SciFi for those who don't like SciFi..

Posted by: naturalfake at February 15, 2025 09:46 PM (iJfKG)

350 In the movie, it chose Crete, which was neither of those.
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot:

According to the ancient murals the women went topless.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 09:46 PM (I2QN9)

351 Francessca Ana and her wardrobe, all you need from Lynch's Dune.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:47 PM (tb93h)

352 I liked Lynch's Dune a lot except the ending battle where they apparently ran out of special effects money.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at February 15, 2025 09:48 PM (VofaG)

353
My favorite robot is Marvin the Paranoid Android.

Posted by: fd

I loved these lines of Marvin's in the original radio broadcast --

"The first ten million years were the worst," said Marvin, "and the second ten million years, they were the worst too. The third ten million years I didn't enjoy at all. After that I went into a bit of a decline."

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at February 15, 2025 09:48 PM (xG4kz)

354 Hey, I finished 'Signal 100' on Tubi.

That was a fun horror film.

I hope 80% of my jabbed fellow Canadians drop dead soon. Sorry, I was tortured by my government the last several years.

Let the jabs do the work.

Breathwork exercises tomorrow.

But I'm still thrilled if the jabs eliminate the sheep.

Posted by: Stateless...40% - mental state clawing up from 10% at February 15, 2025 09:49 PM (jvJvP)

355 Kuttner and Moore, who did "The Twonky" also did a terrific novella called "Vintage Season" which was filmed by David Twohy and shows up here and there under the titles "Grand Tour" and "Disaster in Time." Not a bad flick, but they gave it a happy ending -- myself, I liked the novella's grim finish better.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025

***
JSG, I didn't know until very recently that anyone had ever adapted "Vintage Season." The novelette really requires that any film made from it have something of a noir or Gothic flavor. If the Twohy film didn't have that, and changed the ending too . . . oh, well.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 15, 2025 09:49 PM (omVj0)

356 Does "Demon Seed" fit? I'd say not really. It's got a distinct supernatural vibe to it. But I'd have to rewatch.

|| In college, I used the term "secondary Americanism" to describe this. Someone watches American movies, TV, maybe reads some novels, and does a knock-off version||

Which is just fine, except when trying to pass. If it had been--even an Irish movie for Irish people, y'know, or more likely, an anime or something, I wouldn' t have minded.

But it was meant to scold Americans.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at February 15, 2025 09:49 PM (lpWi1)

357
But the little girl about scairt the peewater outta me.

Posted by: Eromero

She had a definite Bride of Chucky vibe about her, or maybe even a Chucky his bad self vibe.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at February 15, 2025 09:51 PM (xG4kz)

358 According to the ancient murals the women went topless.
Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at February 15, 2025 09:46 PM (I2QN9)

Cretan Artwork = Best artwork in the ancient world. It’s like civilization started off on this incredible high note steadily got more boring.

Posted by: Tom Servo at February 15, 2025 09:51 PM (fIaE2)

359 Alia of the Knife stood no chance of ever being normal

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:52 PM (tb93h)

360 I have 5000 hours of meditation behind me.

To want that the level of dead Canadians I'd be happy with, things must have been bad, and they were.

Posted by: Stateless...40% - mental state clawing up from 10% at February 15, 2025 09:52 PM (jvJvP)

361 Bang

Posted by: JackStraw at February 15, 2025 09:52 PM (LkLld)

362 YESSSSSSS

Posted by: nurse ratched at February 15, 2025 09:52 PM (0KjzH)

363 2-1 USA!

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 09:52 PM (lHPJf)

364 Team America!! Gosh, Yes!! (G-rated version)

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 09:53 PM (bDNzX)

365 If you like watching Matt Damon die (on video) for kicks, it's tough to beat "Dogma", where he gets smote.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at February 15, 2025 09:53 PM (lpWi1)

366 Alia is a tragic character.

Posted by: davidt at February 15, 2025 09:54 PM (i0F8b)

367 I'd have to check dates re Williamson and Asimov, but on the literary side a nod should be given to Jack Williamson's "With Folded Hands" (later incorporated if memory serves into his novel The Humanoids). The perfect mechanicals, to serve men and keep them from harm -- whether they like the idea or not.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at February 15, 2025

***
That novelette is in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, either Vol.2a or 2b. The short stories the Science Fiction Writers of America nominated from the years before the Hugo Awards fitted in one big volume, but the novelettes required two books. "The Machine Stops" by Forster is in that too.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 15, 2025 09:54 PM (omVj0)

368 Eric Braeden's from Colossus' house got burned down in the L.A. fire.

Still on a soap opera as a cheesy villain.
Posted by: Auspex at February 15, 2025

***
His original screen name was Hans Gudegast, back when he was the regular antagonist on Rat Patrol.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 15, 2025 09:56 PM (omVj0)

369 Alia of the Knife stood no chance of ever being normal
Posted by: Anna Puma at February 15, 2025 09:52 PM (tb93h)

I wonder how Villeneuve will handle that in the next movie. It was bizarre even reading it in the books for the first time.

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 09:56 PM (lHPJf)

370 I did not like Dogma. Not because I am a stick-in-the-mud type, but, well I just did not like it. Not a fan of Jay and Silent Bob.

Except for Buddy Christ. I want one of those. I lol'd, out loud.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 09:56 PM (bDNzX)

371 364 Team America!! Gosh, Yes!! (G-rated version)
Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 09:53 PM (bDNzX)

----'
AMERIKUHHHH! FUDGE YEAH!!!

Posted by: Chairman LMAO at February 15, 2025 09:58 PM (D5Q7j)

372 Star Trek: TOS had an episode where two advanced civilizations on a planet had been warring for a loonngg time. Computers controlled everything. Who died, who lived, where the attacks happened and when. All nice and neat with no damage involved. An attack happened, the people who the computer determined 'died' in the attack were pointed out, those people went to a 'booth' and walked in and that was that. They're dead. Haven't seen the episode in a long time so can't recall the name of it.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at February 15, 2025

***
I'm blanking on the title too. "A Taste of Armageddon"?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 15, 2025 09:58 PM (omVj0)

373 I think you're right, Wolfus.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at February 15, 2025 09:58 PM (lpWi1)

374 Balance of Power?

Posted by: davidt at February 15, 2025 09:59 PM (i0F8b)

375 Thanks for a great thread, guys!

See you March 18, for my "In Like A Lion" extravaganza!*

*I have no idea what that means.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books!) at February 15, 2025 10:00 PM (lpWi1)

376 You really needed to see the 2017 Twin Peaks in order to close the loop on the series as a whole. It effectively was the third season.

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent at February 15, 2025 10:01 PM (/HDaX)

377 Although Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was tolerable. Mostly because of Shannon Elizabeth. She seemed to have a lot of fun with that movie.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 10:01 PM (bDNzX)

378 Thanks, moviegique!

Posted by: Dr. T at February 15, 2025 10:01 PM (lHPJf)

379 377 Although Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was tolerable. Mostly because of Shannon Elizabeth. She seemed to have a lot of fun with that movie.
Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 10:01 PM (bDNzX)

----
Yeah both her and Eliza Dushku.

Posted by: Chairman LMAO at February 15, 2025 10:02 PM (D5Q7j)

380 You really needed to see the 2017 Twin Peaks in order to close the loop on the series as a whole. It effectively was the third season.
Posted by: Additional Blond Agent at February 15, 2025 10:01 PM (/HDaX)

I liked it. But, again, if one is not a David Lynch fan, one might want to wade in cautiously. And also, one should watch the original first.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 10:03 PM (bDNzX)

381 Ellison was famous for his titles. "Shatterday," "The Deathbird," "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream," "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman," and more. I have a paperback collection of his non-SF tales called Love Ain't Nothing but Sex Misspelled (another great title), and it has a long short story in it about Hollywood called "The Resurgence of Miss Ankle-Strap Wedgie."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 15, 2025 10:04 PM (omVj0)

382 Tin Men is a good movie, but oh those Cadillacs!!! It's both beautiful and sad as it reminds me that once upon a time people that weren't celebrity rich could aspire to driving cars of sheer beauty and wonder. Now you can have a $100k delivery truck with leather seats and a tablet on the dashboard if you do well enough.

Posted by: azjaeger at February 15, 2025 10:05 PM (3/XaG)

383 Years ago I saw Sheryl Lee in Boulder. Family and I were walking in one direction, she and her companion (husband, boyfriend?) were running hand-in-hand the other way. She was laughing. I recognized her smile instantly.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 10:06 PM (bDNzX)

384 Keith Tkachuk must be proud of his sons. I am not being sarcastic. Men gotta be men.

Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 10:11 PM (bDNzX)

385 383 Years ago I saw Sheryl Lee in Boulder. Family and I were walking in one direction, she and her companion (husband, boyfriend?) were running hand-in-hand the other way. She was laughing. I recognized her smile instantly.
Posted by: PugMahon, feeling restless at February 15, 2025 10:06 PM (bDNzX)
----
Laura Palmer! 😁

Posted by: Chairman LMAO at February 15, 2025 10:11 PM (D5Q7j)

386 372:I'm blanking on the title too. "A Taste of Armageddon"?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius,

I believe so.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at February 15, 2025 10:18 PM (gllTv)

387 .
Uhhh ... https://tinyurl.com/OutOfTheUnknownS02E01

Internet,
Archive

Posted by: Marooned at February 15, 2025 11:19 PM (kt8QE)

388 A little bit of sci-fi trivia:

The Thermians in Galaxy Quest are from the Klaatu Nebula, a bit of homage to The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Gort is the greatest robot evah!

Posted by: MichiCanuck at February 16, 2025 01:02 AM (G97aY)

389 I never comment on your post but this was the best read on movies I've seen in a while. I haven't been to a movie theater but once in the last 10 years. That was to see the second Top Gun movie. Again, keep up the good work! From a rare commenter.

Posted by: madmike at February 16, 2025 09:57 AM (2vsXJ)

390 Saw Captain America just to slip our town theatre some money. Movie sucked standing pond water... Put it this way: Blue Beetle was better.

Posted by: Richard McEnroe at February 16, 2025 10:28 AM (2noBB)

391 not sure about movies, the first time I remember this trope was with Jack Williamson's "With Folded Hands".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/With_Folded_Hands_...

Posted by: patg at February 16, 2025 11:45 AM (gGa0X)

392 Here's an idea for a future column... Foreign movies remade in Holliwood. You can start with the Argentinian "Nine Queens" (2001) this version is subtitled
https://m.ok.ru/video/339168463595 vs "Criminal" with John C. Reilly and Diego Luna. Notice the difference in performance quality?

Posted by: Augusto Perez at February 16, 2025 01:57 PM (HEa6G)

393 Collossus the Forbin Project

https://tinyurl.com/Forbin-Proj

Link goes to internet archive

Posted by: sven at February 16, 2025 02:56 PM (X0I7i)

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