I hate Sci-Fi

[DallasEast]

I’m the only person on planet earth that has never seen ET…I’m not even sure if that’s sci-fi

I am a science fiction fan but have never gotten through a few minutes of ET before switching the channel. To this day, I feel like Steven Spielberg--the director of:

Jaws
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Raiders of the Lost Ark

--stabbed me in the back personally for that nonsense. Heck. I would watch Always before ET.

/deep-seated resentment gripe

 

[DallasEast]

What exactly did you think Ghostbusters was, a documentary?

 

[Runwildboys]

I am a science fiction fan but have never gotten through a few minutes of ET before switching the channel. To this day, I feel like Steven Spielberg--the director of:

Jaws
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Raiders of the Lost Ark

--stabbed me in the back personally for that nonsense. Heck. I would watch Always before ET.

/deep-seated resentment gripe

It was a kid's movie, billed as entertainment for the whole family...Either that, or a really long Reese's Pieces commercial.

 

[Rockport]

I am about to say something so sacrilegious to some of you, that you may come to hate and despise me the likes of Roger Goodell. I warned you...so here goes....I hate sci-fi....I just don't get it....it is weird to me....people who dress up and camp out overnight to see a sci-fi movie are weird to me....being beat over the head by the media every time a new Star Wars movie is about to release makes me want to vomit. I am 58....I have never watched one second of any Star Wars movie....I have never watched one second of any Star Trek TV episode.....I have never watched one second of any Super Heroes cartoon.....never read a Super Heroes cartoon magazine or owned an action figure. I have seen two sci-fi movies in my life.....#1 Logans Run....only because I was in small town North Dakota visiting my grandparents and was forced to take my young cousins....and #2 Close Encounters....which may not even be all that sci-fi to some of you. I will add that I also like the killers in my slasher movies to be real people....nothing make believe or a killer coming back to life....sorry, not realistic. Ok...am I alone here? Anyone else? Know anybody like me? I can take it!

I dislike horror movies. Also, have fallen asleep during just about every Marvel movie ever made.

 

[DallasEast]

It was a kid's movie, billed as entertainment for the whole family...Either that, or a really long Reese's Pieces commercial.

The late Richard Donner directed The Goonies, which was a story by Spielberg. I would watch that particular kids movie over ET every day and twice on Sundays.

 

[Runwildboys]

The late Richard Donner directed The Goonies, which was a story by Spielberg. I would watch that particular kids movie over ET every day and twice on Sundays.

I went to see ET in the theater with my brother when it first came out. I was 17, I think. Definitely not one of those movies we walked out quoting. lol

 

[DallasEast]

I have been thinking of starting another genre thread but this would be a good opportunity of differentiating between science fiction and fantasy with "official" definitions (or the way I have always viewed the categories). IMDB.com (link) have both genres dryly quantified as:

Sci-Fi - Numerous scenes, and/or the entire background for the setting of the narrative, should be based on speculative scientific discoveries or developments, environmental changes, space travel, or life on other planets. Subjective. Examples: Star Wars (1977) | The Matrix (1999) | Alien (1979)

Fantasy - Should contain numerous consecutive scenes of characters portrayed to effect a magical and/or mystical narrative throughout the title. Usually has elements of magic, supernatural events, mythology, folklore, or exotic fantasy worlds. Note: not to be confused with Sci-Fi which is not usually based in magic or mysticism. Subjective. Examples: "Game of Thrones" (2011) | Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone (2001) | "Stranger Things" (2016)

Personally, I have always enjoyed filmsite.org (link) as one of two best references for movie musings--with AFI.com being the other. Below is how the site sees both genres:

(link) Fantasy Films - Unlike science fiction films that base their content upon some degree of scientific truth, take the audience to netherworld, fairy-tale places where events are unlikely to occur in real life. In mythological or legendary times, they transcend the bounds of human possibility and physical laws. Fantasy films are often in the context of the imagination, dreams, or hallucinations of a character or within the projected vision of the storyteller. Fantasy films often have an element of magic, myth, wonder, escapism, and the extraordinary.

The site uses AFI's Top 10 lists as genre examples (link)

1. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
3. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
4. King Kong (1933)
5. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
6. Field of Dreams (1989)
7. Harvey (1950)
8. Groundhog Day (1993)
9. The Thief of Bagdad (1924)
10. Big (1988)

(link) Science Fiction Films are usually scientific, visionary, comic-strip-like, and imaginative, and usually visualized through fanciful, imaginative settings, expert film production design, advanced technology gadgets (i.e., robots and spaceships), scientific developments, or by fantastic special effects. Sci-fi films are complete with heroes, distant planets, impossible quests, improbable settings, fantastic places, great dark and shadowy villains, futuristic technology and gizmos, and unknown and inexplicable forces. Many other SF films feature time travels or fantastic journeys, and are set either on Earth, into outer space, or (most often) into the future time.

AFI's Top 10 (link)

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
2. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
3. E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
4. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
5. The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)
6. Blade Runner (1982)
7. Alien (1979)
8. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
9. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
10. Back to the Future (1985)

I REALLY disagree with both AFI and filmsite about ET but that is my personal bias showing

 

[Mannix]

What exactly did you think Ghostbusters was, a documentary?

Thought it was a comedy about hunting spirits....didn't expect to see ghosts like you would see in a Casper cartoon.

 

[Runwildboys]

I have been thinking of starting another genre thread but this would be a good opportunity of differentiating between science fiction and fantasy with "official" definitions (or the way I have always viewed the categories). IMDB.com (link) have both genres dryly quantified as:

Sci-Fi - Numerous scenes, and/or the entire background for the setting of the narrative, should be based on speculative scientific discoveries or developments, environmental changes, space travel, or life on other planets. Subjective. Examples: Star Wars (1977) | The Matrix (1999) | Alien (1979)

Fantasy - Should contain numerous consecutive scenes of characters portrayed to effect a magical and/or mystical narrative throughout the title. Usually has elements of magic, supernatural events, mythology, folklore, or exotic fantasy worlds. Note: not to be confused with Sci-Fi which is not usually based in magic or mysticism. Subjective. Examples: "Game of Thrones" (2011) | Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone (2001) | "Stranger Things" (2016)

Personally, I have always enjoyed filmsite.org (link) as one of two best references for movie musings--with AFI.com being the other. Below is how the site sees both genres:

(link) Fantasy Films - Unlike science fiction films that base their content upon some degree of scientific truth, take the audience to netherworld, fairy-tale places where events are unlikely to occur in real life. In mythological or legendary times, they transcend the bounds of human possibility and physical laws. Fantasy films are often in the context of the imagination, dreams, or hallucinations of a character or within the projected vision of the storyteller. Fantasy films often have an element of magic, myth, wonder, escapism, and the extraordinary.

The site uses AFI's Top 10 lists as genre examples (link)

1. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
3. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
4. King Kong (1933)
5. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
6. Field of Dreams (1989)
7. Harvey (1950)
8. Groundhog Day (1993)
9. The Thief of Bagdad (1924)
10. Big (1988)

(link) Science Fiction Films are usually scientific, visionary, comic-strip-like, and imaginative, and usually visualized through fanciful, imaginative settings, expert film production design, advanced technology gadgets (i.e., robots and spaceships), scientific developments, or by fantastic special effects. Sci-fi films are complete with heroes, distant planets, impossible quests, improbable settings, fantastic places, great dark and shadowy villains, futuristic technology and gizmos, and unknown and inexplicable forces. Many other SF films feature time travels or fantastic journeys, and are set either on Earth, into outer space, or (most often) into the future time.

AFI's Top 10 (link)

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
2. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
3. E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
4. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
5. The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)
6. Blade Runner (1982)
7. Alien (1979)
8. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
9. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
10. Back to the Future (1985)

I REALLY disagree with both AFI and filmsite about ET but that is my personal bias showing

Personally, I think sci-fi should be mostly based on science, current or theoretical, possibly even completely made up. For example, if Black Panther were focused more on life within Wakanda, rather than the superhero aspect, I'd consider that sci-fi. ET is purely fantasy, as there's zero focus on the technical aspects of space travel...Ditto for Star Wars.

 

[Vegas_Cowboy]

What exactly did you think Ghostbusters was, a documentary?

 

[CyberB0b]

No you aren't good buddy!!! And I haven't seen Back To The Future either. I had no clue that Ghost Busters was going to have suspended reality, or there would have been NO WAY that I'd have seen that piece of crap movie.

Back to the Future is generally regarded as a flawless movie. You should check it out.

 

[terra]

OP sounds like someone that does not like fiction of any kind.

 

[Mannix]

OP sounds like someone that does not like fiction of any kind.

Not sure if fiction is the right word....I just don't like watching anything that is supernatural/could not really happen in real life. I love slasher movies, but have never seen Nightmare on Elm Street. Why? Freddy isn't real. I never watched anything past Halloween II because it was unbelievable to me that Michael Myers could have survived the fate he met at the end of the second one.

 

[jsb357]

I hate Sci-Fi

Ok...am I alone here? Anyone else? Know anybody like me? I can take it!

a coworker has the same feeling but he's not limited to sci-fi.

hates any kind of movies like harry potter, lord of the rings, dragons, zombies, vampires, star wars/trek, futuristic space, etc.

will only watch movies and TV grounded in the real world.

 

[Runwildboys]

a coworker has the same feeling but he's not limited to sci-fi.

hates any kind of movies like harry potter, lord of the rings, dragons, zombies, vampires, star wars/trek, futuristic space, etc.

will only watch movies and TV grounded in the real world.

He must be a blast at parties.

 

[nobody]

Not sure if fiction is the right word....I just don't like watching anything that is supernatural/could not really happen in real life. I love slasher movies, but have never seen Nightmare on Elm Street. Why? Freddy isn't real. I never watched anything past Halloween II because it was unbelievable to me that Michael Myers could have survived the fate he met at the end of the second one.

Then your premise about hating sci fi is wrong. So many things predicted in Science Fiction have come to pass or are coming to pass. So some of them could happen in real life, as long as they adhere to the laws of physics.

In fact, Science Fiction has been instrumental in visualizing and shaping modern technology. It gives people ideas to push toward and invent new things.

 

[VaqueroTD]

I am about to say something so sacrilegious to some of you, that you may come to hate and despise me the likes of Roger Goodell. I warned you...so here goes....I hate sci-fi....I just don't get it....it is weird to me....people who dress up and camp out overnight to see a sci-fi movie are weird to me....being beat over the head by the media every time a new Star Wars movie is about to release makes me want to vomit. I am 58....I have never watched one second of any Star Wars movie....I have never watched one second of any Star Trek TV episode.....I have never watched one second of any Super Heroes cartoon.....never read a Super Heroes cartoon magazine or owned an action figure. I have seen two sci-fi movies in my life.....#1 Logans Run....only because I was in small town North Dakota visiting my grandparents and was forced to take my young cousins....and #2 Close Encounters....which may not even be all that sci-fi to some of you. I will add that I also like the killers in my slasher movies to be real people....nothing make believe or a killer coming back to life....sorry, not realistic. Ok...am I alone here? Anyone else? Know anybody like me? I can take it!

I would definitely consider myself a Sci-Fi fan, but in answer to your points:

- I've never camped overnight or waited in any line for a sci-fi film, I can wait
- Star Wars is one of my least favorite sci-fi films these days after so many dud sequels
- Not much into most Sci-Fi TV shows, most of them come across to me as campy or just another cheap genre spin-off (see anything by DC and most of the Star Treks after the 2 originals), very few great ones (an example of a great sci-fi series would be Game of Thrones, at least before it went off the rails at the end)
- The only sci-fi cartoon I've ever watched is that new Disney+ series What If?
- Never dressed up as a sci-fi character, even for Halloween

There's a difference between someone who appreciates the genre and your typical Big Bang Theory nerd. LOL

My favorite sci-fi movies are usually the ones that have realism to them such as Contact, Interstellar, Arrival, Deep Impact, etc.. and I would recommend all 4 of those if you want to give the genre a try.

I appreciate most how they allow the average person to imagine the impossible and something beyond our 24/7 consumer grind. And I always enjoy the messages or questions they ask. Are we doomed to invent AI only to have it take over? The optimistic message of Star Trek that we can make it without blowing ourselves up in the future. And so on...

 

[Mannix]

a coworker has the same feeling but he's not limited to sci-fi.

hates any kind of movies like harry potter, lord of the rings, dragons, zombies, vampires, star wars/trek, futuristic space, etc.

will only watch movies and TV grounded in the real world.[/QUO

-------hates any kind of movies like harry potter, lord of the rings, dragons, zombies, vampires, star wars/trek, futuristic space, etc.

That's me exactly.....Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, etc. went without saying.

 

[Cowpolk]

Are Zombies Sci-Fi or are they real?

 

[Runwildboys]

I would definitely consider myself a Sci-Fi fan, but in answer to your points:

- I've never camped overnight or waited in any line for a sci-fi film, I can wait
- Star Wars is one of my least favorite sci-fi films these days after so many dud sequels
- Not much into most Sci-Fi TV shows, most of them come across to me as campy or just another cheap genre spin-off (see anything by DC and most of the Star Treks after the 2 originals), very few great ones (an example of a great sci-fi series would be Game of Thrones, at least before it went off the rails at the end)
- The only sci-fi cartoon I've ever watched is that new Disney+ series What If?
- Never dressed up as a sci-fi character, even for Halloween

There's a difference between someone who appreciates the genre and your typical Big Bang Theory nerd. LOL

My favorite sci-fi movies are usually the ones that have realism to them such as Contact, Interstellar, Arrival, Deep Impact, etc.. and I would recommend all 4 of those if you want to give the genre a try.

I appreciate most how they allow the average person to imagine the impossible and something beyond our 24/7 consumer grind. And I always enjoy the messages or questions they ask. Are we doomed to invent AI only to have it take over? The optimistic message of Star Trek that we can make it without blowing ourselves up in the future. And so on...

What's the "sci" part of GoT?