 January 28, 2009 - 10:14pm | I'm gearing up for a new SF campaign (dusting the old books off after 20+ years), and I've been compiling a list of movies that help set the tone for SF. Some have definitely influenced SF as they have all of sci-fi: Star Wars and Star Trek. Although the SF setting is different from both, there are elements of both that are clear inspiration for SF. Others range from the bad (Metalstorm: the Destruction of Jared-Syn) to the great (Serenity/Firefly and Farscape). Here follows a list of movies and TV shows that I feel help influence SF specifically (at least in some small fashion): Star Wars (all) Star Trek (all) Alien (all) Dune Battle Beyond the Stars Forbidden World Forbidden Planet Ice Pirates Enemy Mine Moon 44 Soldier Starship Troopers Fifth Element Babylon 5 Farscape Firefly & Serenity Pitch Black Outland Space 1999 Total Recall Bladerunner I avoided anything that dealt with attacks on Earth or Earthmen from the 20th century in space, or that has too much of a magic/fantasy aspect. Anything I may have missed? Any comments? Long live the Frontier! |
 April 21, 2009 - 8:07pm | Frankly, the one movie I dread coming out(aside from the new Star Trek movie, where Paramount, yet again, moves its corporate bowels on the franchise's continuity...)is the live-action G.I. Joe movie. Yo, Joe?! Say it ain't so, Joe! Well I've said it in the past, now that the Transformers movie was such a big hit it was only a matter of time before other 80s toy lines came out on the big screen. Let's just hope nobody commits to a "ROM: Space Knight" flick. The comic book was bad enough. Shadow shack, omg, I loved Rom the Space Knight! Ok true the early 80's were not kind to him as far as dialogue but the story with the Wraiths was a great story line with a really nasty villian. Yes I most certainly hope they make a Rom the Space Knight movie but I too hope they leave off the cheese on that burger. Character yes, Setting yes, Nemesis definitely yes, original dialogue......oh heck no. |
 April 22, 2009 - 9:04am | I'm with Arizona on that one. Great character, but often cheezy dialog harkening back to the early days Superman. But the Wraith stories were awesome. And the story where he became human again was deep. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
 April 22, 2009 - 10:29am | That's the problem with mainstream media...it takes a while to get it right. I mean how many Punisher movies did Hollywood blow before getting that character right? By the time they got it right, nobody wanted to watch it after seeing it done wrong too often. Oh yeah, can't forget about the Micronauts... |
 April 22, 2009 - 2:46pm | Sure we can. Sides, I see your Micronauts and raise you...Thunder Cats. Or, better yet, Space Academy.... "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
April 22, 2009 - 4:46pm | And I'll raise you two Voltrons. Both the five lions and those fifteen rediculous flying cars version. (I actually liked the five lion one at first) |
April 22, 2009 - 6:10pm | yes i agree a space academy remake (and I mean Remake) would be cool and I always liked the micronauts too. I missed out on the whole Voltron and Silverhawks days so i know nothing about that. But yes there was a lot worth saving out of the Rom comic books and I would love to see a revival. As far as the punisher goes, well I saw the last two movies, they were good but there is still something missing, but I agree much better then the first attempt. |
 April 22, 2009 - 7:25pm | "And I'll form the head!" Voltron (five lions) was OK. BUT...a real classic was, "The Terrible Thunder Lizards". I loved that show. |
April 23, 2009 - 1:11am | Voltron carried a good background but had too much room for developement. I loved the whole "ro-beast" bit where the villains King Zarkon and son Lotor would send a nemesis across time/space in a coffin to fight Voltron. Sadly, every fight was like watching WWF era Hulk Hogan: he'd take a good beating for about 10 minutes and suddenly turn around with the same series of 3 moves to finish the baddie off. But it still kicked the 5 planes/5 cars/5 boats version all over. That was just silly...boats and cars that could fly. Might have been more entertaining if it were simply 15 planes. Suffice it to say it really made me miss the 1-2-3 battles of the prior season. I never saw Lizards or Space Acadamy. |
April 23, 2009 - 1:25am | And I'll raise you two Voltrons. Both the five lions and those fifteen rediculous flying cars version. (I actually liked the five lion one at first) And, I'll raise a Space Battleship: Yamato(Star Blazers). And a RoboTech. I liked the five lions Voltron too.... "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
April 23, 2009 - 1:30am | Voltron carried a good background but had too much room for developement. I loved the whole "ro-beast" bit where the villains King Zarkon and son Lotor would send a nemesis across time/space in a coffin to fight Voltron. Sadly, every fight was like watching WWF era Hulk Hogan: he'd take a good beating for about 10 minutes and suddenly turn around with the same series of 3 moves to finish the baddie off. But it still kicked the 5 planes/5 cars/5 boats version all over. That was just silly...boats and cars that could fly. Might have been more entertaining if it were simply 15 planes. Suffice it to say it really made me miss the 1-2-3 battles of the prior season. I never saw Lizards or Space Acadamy. You never saw Space Academy?! Man, that was the show for me every freaking Saturday afternoon. Liked it a hell of a lot better than Jason of Star Command, even if the latter had better special effects. I was going to say Biker Mice from Mars, but they've redone that into a whole 'nother series.... Wait....Bravestar. That would be interesting as a movie. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
 April 23, 2009 - 6:55am | I cant believe I missed this one the first time through but how bout the '82 mini series V I loved that one and since buying the DVD a few years ago i love it even more every time I watch it. My favorite part has to be when the grandfather Holocaust survivor catches some some kids defacing some Visitor propaganda posters with spray paint. and says, "No! Like this, I show you." and takes the kid's hand and has him paint the V on a fresh poster then say, "For Victory. Now go tell your friends!" I think the brief TV series suffered from being a regular series and not a full blown movie or mini series. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
April 23, 2009 - 1:22pm | FYI: Frank Miller (300 and Spirit movies plus the single best 4 issue comic series ever: "The Dark Knight Returns") and Frank Dille (variety of comics during the '80s and the grand son of BR creator) are teaming up to do a Buck Rogers movie. Since miller brings his graphic novel experience with him when he makes a movie i imagine that the BR movie will if nothing else have the same feel as 300 and benefit from all the modern CGI available. antique BR collectables will undoubtable flourish on ebay too. I suppose the real question is what sort of back ground fluff will they use for the story something like the early '80s TV serial or more of the abortive TSR style background? I think the TSR type of background would have longer legs for the writers to workwith but if they fudge it with lots of action and glitz then they wont really need much of a story. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
April 23, 2009 - 2:42pm | V was great, I loved that one too. Can't believe I forgot about it...the inspiration for Independence Day. Frank Miller is a great writer, but after seeing his work in the two Robocop sequels I think he should stick with comics. Granted they were low budget flicks...but there just wasn't anything exciting in either of them. |
April 23, 2009 - 3:04pm | V the miniseries was awesome. V the TV series not so. A Buck Rogers movie...this should be interesting. I believe a Lensman movie is also in the works. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
April 23, 2009 - 3:07pm | V was great, I loved that one too. Can't believe I forgot about it...the inspiration for Independence Day. Frank Miller is a great writer, but after seeing his work in the two Robocop sequels I think he should stick with comics. Granted they were low budget flicks...but there just wasn't anything exciting in either of them. I agree with Shadow, Frank Miller is better in the animated/comics genre(especially something like the Dark Knight Returns, or, just as good, Camelot 3000) Now, something I'd love to see them try and do is a Grimjack live-action flick. Can anyone in Hollyweird handle sweet, cynical, Cynosure? "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
April 24, 2009 - 4:28pm | I like a lot of Frank Millers' work but I just couldnt stomach The Spirit all due respect for those who liked it but I thought it was simply awful. It was too many things at once, trying to be all things to all people and ended up being nothing to no-one. I respected the tongue in cheek approach, loved the fil noir style, but detested the story, the characters, and the plot. It was like a 90 minute commercial all fluff no stuff. Uggghhhh that was the biggest waste of my hard earned money I ever endured. |
April 24, 2009 - 7:43pm | This is not really SF inspiration per se but I'd include a lot of submarine movies: they involve characters on a vessel facing an enemy and dealing with a hostile environment which is great grist for SF- enemies and hostile environment (space). K19 might be a bit tame (no shooting) but the whole reactor deal fits SF nice U571, whether you liked it or not, is a great scenario for SF, easily broken into a 3-4 act adventure. Hunt for Red October- some ideas there though to do the turn into the torpedo scene you'd have to write some new rules. I seem to remember a Bogart movie involving a submarine lying possum on the bottom of a Japanese harbor as well And of course I have to mention a personal favorite: the Star Trek episode where Kirk faced off against a Romulan Warbird with the actor who would later play Spock's father as its captain which was based off submarine movies Personally I find having both the environment and enemies trying to kill the PCs appealing as it diverts their attention and focus Speaking of hostile environments how about Armeggedon (the Bruce Willis movie) or the other one with the comet I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
April 25, 2009 - 1:26am | I agree, the sub movies do make for good SF inspiration, especially Destination Tokyo, Das Boot, The Cruel Sea, and the classic Run Silent, Run Deep. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
April 25, 2009 - 4:05am | Yippie kai-yay, mother fragger... On the topic of submarine movies, one can't forget the 1966 cult-classic Adam West/Burt Ward team up against the "United Underworld". Mmmm, Miss Kitka... "Da!!!" To say anything more would be...compromising. |
April 25, 2009 - 6:25pm | Oh my god, I loved that one. Also, the movie Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
April 25, 2009 - 6:28pm | By the way, Strazcynzski's writing screenplays for GrimJack, Lensman and Forbidden Planet. Busy man, yes? "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
April 25, 2009 - 7:31pm | And of course I have to mention a personal favorite: the Star Trek episode where Kirk faced off against a Romulan Warbird with the actor who would later play Spock's father as its captain which was based off submarine movies "Balance of Terror". It was very well done. One of the best Star Trek episodes. |
April 25, 2009 - 9:28pm | And of course I have to mention a personal favorite: the Star Trek episode where Kirk faced off against a Romulan Warbird with the actor who would later play Spock's father as its captain which was based off submarine movies "Balance of Terror". It was very well done. One of the best Star Trek episodes. Yes. Good tension all the way through, and that was a good death at the end of that show. Martin Landau's character died a man. Of all the movies and episodes, I've always held that episode behind the Wrath of Khan. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
April 25, 2009 - 9:32pm | Yippie kai-yay, mother fragger... On the topic of submarine movies, one can't forget the 1966 cult-classic Adam West/Burt Ward team up against the "United Underworld". Mmmm, Miss Kitka... "Da!!!" To say anything more would be...compromising. Looks like someone descended while watching Batman on his VHS player.  View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
April 26, 2009 - 5:20am | VHS? "Vee-aich-ess"? What the hell is that?!? I've got it on 8mm reel to reel projector format. And a "comic book" adaptation on microfiche. Seriously. They were some of the many novelty items I acquired during my college years, back when a decent four head hi-fi VCR with Dolby Noise Reduction and adjustable fidelity settings ran at least $600. I never could find the flick on VHS back then, but folks got a kick watching it on the "big screen" aka a blank living room wall. My projector gave up the ghost long ago, one of these days I'll have to see if there's any collectible value to the flick itself. As for actual viewing these days, I scored the DVD from Wally World's $5 bin last summer. Haven't quite worn it out yet. |
April 26, 2009 - 6:02am | Well, since we've sort of moved beyond actual movies... I just read "The Best of Leigh Brackett"; now there's some inspiration for SF! Long live the Frontier! |
 May 6, 2009 - 9:03pm | "A Can of Paint" is a neat little movie, only 24 minutes long, about an interstellar junk dealer/treasure hunter and the perfect paint made of 80% liquid light. I had to order my DVD on amazon.com, since you probably couldn't find it in a store. A.E. Van Vogt wrote the original short story. I think it has a star frontiers feel to it. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425804/ Van Vogt is one of the authors listed inside the back cover of the AD rules. He also wrote the War Against the Rull. The Rull remind me of sathar with holoscreens. |
May 7, 2009 - 9:24pm | How about some seriously old school British TV: Fireball XL5 Thunderbirds Stingray Supermarionettes and written for kids but could still qualify as inspiration for SF I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
May 8, 2009 - 8:05am | Or, maybe UFO or Space:1999. Or, maybe even Blake's 7. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
May 8, 2009 - 7:20pm | Here is a link to the trailer for A Can of Paint... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy9eXRroLqE&feature=related and... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zZfhMsjbz8 |
