SCI FI Channel - Great Classics or Exploitive Trash!?

[Creator]

I've seen comments on various Sci Fi Channel movies. What do watchers think "in general" about Sci Fi Channel productions? What's the best? Worse? What should the next one be?

[matrixman]

We have the Space channel here in Canada. I'm assuming that's just our version of the Sci Fi channel? Anyway, in general, I think Sci Fi channel productions can be just as good and just as bad as any major network production. Mediocrity doesn't discriminate. Most people seem to think highly of the Dune and Children of Dune miniseries, but not me. I've ranted about them before in another thread, but...I thought the original miniseries was like a clinical lesson on how to make Dune as bland as possible. It compares poorly in almost every way to David Lynch's 1984 theatrical adaptation. Children of Dune was just more blandness. Too bad, because as a novel, it was a very exciting read, or at least that's how I remember it. I'm not saying both miniseries were horrible, just uninspired. Whatever. If you like your Dune universe bright and perky and squeaky clean, then the miniseries is for you. I like mine dark and gothic and gritty, so I'll take Lynch, thanks.

On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed the new, revamped Battlestar Galactica. The 2-part miniseries last year was exciting, and I don't think you needed to be a fan of the original show to be entertained by this new version.

Don't know what the "next" one should be, except that it should NOT be the Covenant books. I don't want a TV treatment; I want--no, I demand!--a big screen version. I don't want to be staring at a Covenant miniseries on the tube, I want to be at the edge of my seat in the theatre as Lord Foul's armies rattle the speakers in mega-watt THX Ultra-strength surround sound! I want to see the Land in all its wide screen glory. If Covenant does wind up being a miniseries, I'll still watch it, but you know what I'll be thinking: sure, Tolkien gets the royal treatment and the box office bonanza and the Oscars, while Donaldson gets stuck in a timeslot on Sci Fi between reruns of Buffy and Seaquest DSV. Not that anyone but us Watchers would be watching, anyway: the Chronicles miniseries will likely be clobbered in the ratings by some football game on another channel--or maybe by a Harry Potter movie broadcast.

[dlbpharmd]

As I've said before, I thought the Sci-Fi version of Dune was really good, but I did not like Children of Dune. I missed the Battlestar Galactica mini-series, but will watch it soon on DVD.

Other than that, there is rarely anything on that channel that I want to watch.

[Alynna Lis Eachann]

I think Sci-Fi ought to give up doing mini-series... and everything else. I used to love this channel, but ever since the management changed hands and they canceled Farscape (yeah, still bitter about that), there's been a major decline in the intelligence factor of Sci-Fi productions. I maintain that good science fiction is not mainstream (with the possible exceptions of Star Trek and Star Wars), and Sci-Fi's trying to reach out to everybody with the stuff it's been churning out is undermining the genre. Even the old series they rerun were (when last I had access to Sci-Fi) tending toward the popular, not to what us sci-fi geeks wanted to watch.

[[Syl]]

Yep

[taraswizard]

FWIW, th miniserieses work out very well for them. IMO, the people who did Earthsea wre afflicted with Harry Potter envy (IOW, they were deteremined to make a HP movie and give it a different name). Any channel that continues to rerun Xfiles and Outer limit marathons can not be all bad.

You all do not care about my opinion on the Dino DeLarentis movie vs the miniseries

[sindatur]

I've never read the Dune Books, but, I think the Mini Series Dune that Scifi Channel did, blow away the original Dune Movie, which I thought was just long.

Taken, I thought was really good, as was the Farscape Mini-Series that finished up that Series' arc, as well as the new BattleStar Galactica Mini-Series (and the first two hours of the new series weren't bad either, very dark and gritty)

Not having read EarthSea, I think the Mini-Series was dull, but those who have read the books have an even lower opinion. So, for the most part, I like what Scifi Channel has done with Mini-Series. (earthSea being an exception, not the rule)

[Cail]

I agree, the new Battlestar Galactica is quite good, I was trying to hate it, but they really pulled it off well.

[dANdeLION]

Most people seem to think highly of the Dune and Children of Dune miniseries, but not me. I've ranted about them before in another thread, but...I thought the original miniseries was like a clinical lesson on how to make Dune as bland as possible. It compares poorly in almost every way to David Lynch's 1984 theatrical adaptation.

Wow. I don't think it's possible to disagree with you any more. Lynch's treatment of Dune was pathetic. It was hands down the worst disappointment I've ever experienced in movie form. I've been re-reading the books, which I think is probably the best Sci-Fi series ever written, and popped in my mint unused VHS of the movie (it was a present from a deluded friend of mine), hoping 25 years would have softened my stance on it. I couldn't take 10 minutes of it. I think Lynch was taking some serious drugs back then; that movie is ridiculous. Anyway, I decided to buy the Sci-fi dvd, expecting it to be better, but maybe not that good. I'm halfway through it, and have been pleasantly surprised. Things have been changed a bit, and yeah, there are scenes that totally look like a movie set, but overall, it's nice to see them telling Herbert's story without overwhelming us with stupid freakshow antic scenes.

Now, If I could just get a decent Flash Gordon film made.......

[sgt.null]

I would love to see a serious treatment of the DC space heroes. a miniseries involving the likes of Adam Strange, Captain Comet, Knights of the Galaxy, Space Cabby, Space Ranger, Star Hawkins, Tommy Tomorrow and Ultra the Multi-alien. if the Sci Fi did that - i would watch it for the first time ever.

[Lord Zombiac]

I hated what they did to Flash Gordon. Every thing about it was lame... the over used "stargate" science, the fact that Ming was not Asian, the pasty dorky looking Zarkov... EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
***
I loved "Tin Man." It was a brilliant thing to do with "the Wizard of Oz."
***
As for Dune, well I never enjoyed the book. Too much boring intrigue and plotting between rival royal families, which is my least favorite aspect of Fantasy fiction. Plus, I adore David Lynch and everything he's ever done... so his treatment of "Dune," is probably the only reason I read most of the book (I still found it too dull to finish!).
I like Kyle McLaughlin, he's great in everything. Everett McGill is awesome too. He'd be my #2 choice, after Brian Blessed, to play Saltheart Foamfollower in a TC movie.
I can certainly understand why anyone would hate this film, but I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Also, a perverted part of me gets really turned on when Baron Harkonen kills that guy in the clear plastic suit...