Yesterday I attended the 48th episode of Boskone, a science fiction literature convention held in Boston. I found that Boskone was not just about books however, illuminating me with discussion panels such as "The Five Definitive Criteria By Which SF Cinema Is to Be Judged."
The panel consisted of Esther Friesner, Craig Shaw Gardner (lord of obscure SF movies), Ginjer Buchanan, and Bruce Coville.
They considered science fiction writer John C. Wright's criteria:
3. Is there a robot?
The gorilla requirement forced the large part of the discussion into the realm of cheap B movies such as Rock 'N' Roll Wrestling Women Vs. the Aztec Ape. In fact, the only two non-B movies featuring gorillas I can think of off the top of my head are Congo and Mighty Joe Young.
Of course, if you stretch the definition of gorilla to include other kinds of apes, you can start considering the Planet of the Apes movies and 2001: A Space Odyssey. But even those don't meet all the criteria. Many movies get 4/5, for instance Star Trek (2009) and Forbidden Planet.
The most obvious movie that can meet all five criteria is Star Wars: Episode IV, if "gorillas" is stretched to include Wookies.
I pointed out to the panel that if we include TV series, then Aqua Teen Hunger Force has definitely met all five criteria. I didn't mention the ATHF movie, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, because I don't think it featured any planets being blown up or a gorilla.
Hopefully they will rectify that in the ATHF sequel Death Fighter, planned for release in summer 2012. And in case you were wondering, rumors have it that Bruce Campbell will return to voice Chicken Bittle. Thus, once again I have an excuse to end a blog post with that grand sci-fi thespian.
The panel consisted of Esther Friesner, Craig Shaw Gardner (lord of obscure SF movies), Ginjer Buchanan, and Bruce Coville.
They considered science fiction writer John C. Wright's criteria:
1. Is there a hot babe in a skintight and/or revealing future-suit?
2. Is there a gorilla?
3. Is there a robot?
4. Does any character have Way Cool mind powers?
5. Does a planet get blown up?
The gorilla requirement forced the large part of the discussion into the realm of cheap B movies such as Rock 'N' Roll Wrestling Women Vs. the Aztec Ape. In fact, the only two non-B movies featuring gorillas I can think of off the top of my head are Congo and Mighty Joe Young.
Of course, if you stretch the definition of gorilla to include other kinds of apes, you can start considering the Planet of the Apes movies and 2001: A Space Odyssey. But even those don't meet all the criteria. Many movies get 4/5, for instance Star Trek (2009) and Forbidden Planet.
The most obvious movie that can meet all five criteria is Star Wars: Episode IV, if "gorillas" is stretched to include Wookies.
I pointed out to the panel that if we include TV series, then Aqua Teen Hunger Force has definitely met all five criteria. I didn't mention the ATHF movie, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, because I don't think it featured any planets being blown up or a gorilla.
Hopefully they will rectify that in the ATHF sequel Death Fighter, planned for release in summer 2012. And in case you were wondering, rumors have it that Bruce Campbell will return to voice Chicken Bittle. Thus, once again I have an excuse to end a blog post with that grand sci-fi thespian.
Is "Big Trouble In Little China" considered science fiction? I assumed it was martial arts. And that Rayden character shoots lightning from his hands, unless he is making them imagine it, in which case I guess it is mind powers.
If your interests go outside Mike White's apocalyptic sci-fi in the related articles above, there's also The Best Reason For Space Exploration In 2008: Alien Babes.