Sci-Fi/Fantasy

[Arctic]

Which is better, sci-fi or fantasy? what's the best/worst sci-fi or fantasy translation to film?

[Doom]

I love both, so I really can't decide. I suppose it depends on my mood. But I do I read more sci-fi than fantasy.

[Brian]

It's definately Sci-fi for me. I've never really enjoyed fantasy.

[Matt]

I can't say that one is better than the other. I do think Fantasy has more "bad" works..but that is just because it is so open ended.

I like sci fi if it has some basis from something I know.. ala the Zahn Star Wars books.

[Ranthium]

Fantasy can be alot more epic. There are some great sci-fi books though.

It's kinda sad that fantasy and sci-fi always get grouped together. Fantasy always has some element of magic or some such (otherwise it would just be fiction). Where as Sci-Fi tends to be based on the real world with advancements in technology and culture taken into consideration. I can see how people might find them similar, but to me they are definately different.

A great fantasy series is the Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien and a great Sci Fi is series is The Foundation Trilogy by Issac Asimov (Both have addtional books that can go along with it that vary in quality). Both show how little things can make a difference. :D

Anyways, The best Fantasy movie that has been adapted from a book is The Fellowship of the Ring. It stayed very true to the story and primarily made minor changes only to keep the film audience more engrossed in the film.

My favorite sci-fi movie that was adapted from a book is probably Total Recall or Blade Runner. Both came across very well.

[Doom]

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy stands as my current favorite sci-fi series, but there's millions of others.

For Fantasy, I have to admit, Harry Potter rules.

[masterthes]

I am personally a bigger fan of Fantasy than Sci-Fi, as far as reading is concerned anyway, and I agree about Fellowship being the best fantasy adaptation. Can't get enough of that movie.

[Arctic]

i'm a bigger fantasy fan as well, though i think i suffer from an underexposure to quality sci-fi. i'm trying to adjust that.

i always wondered why the two were grouped together too. i guess it's because there are many cross-genre books between the two. For example, I'd say Star Wars has magical fantasty-esque elements in its Force storyline. Both genres also require a larger step in the suspension of disbelief than other forms of fiction, with the possible exception of historical fiction, another area i enjoy.

LOTR is definitely my favorite book turned movie in fantasy.

Sci-fi is a bit more difficult though. there's been so many sci-fi movies, and the quality has only been imporving with technology advances. I've really enjoyed the PK Dick movizations i've seen. I wish Hitchiker's had gotten better treatment than a made for british tv production, but also i don't really think any film production could ever do the story justice. The time machine was ok, but i wish they'd stuck to the story a bit closer.

[7therror]

I like fantasy reads. Which tends to suck when it comes to movies because no studios think that it will make money. Studios don't want to spend money on anything unless it will be a hit.

Fantasy has to be epic. It is a genre that has to completely has to spend time on setting the stage. Lord of the Rings is an exception to the fantasy movie sucks rule. The only other movie to do this in my opinion is Conan: The Barbarian.

A fantasy series such as the Dragonlance Chronicles would make excellent movies. As long as the time was spent to make them good, no scratch that, make them great.

[Brian]

I've heard of it, but what exactly is Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy about?

[Arctic]

"what exactly is Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy about?"

Life, the universe, and everything.

It's a sci-fi satire that pokes fun of everything and anything in life from politics to mankind's self-importance. it's like the bible in that you can find a reference to almost anything in it.

The premise is that the Hitchhiker's Guide is a universal travel guide to planets and cultures and such. Ford Prefect is a reporter for the Guide who goes around updating entries and descriptions in it. Most of the book follows him and Authur Dent, a guy who narrowly escapes being blown up with the earth, on their adventures throughout the galaxy.

HGTTG also happens to be the number one book on the unofficial Hobbit Required Reading List (HRRL or hurl). :POKEME so get reading! ;) ...when you have time i mean, and if you're interested of course...

[Josh]

Indeed. Required reading! Even before LOTR. Move it!

[Doom]

'Nuff said.

[Wiggum]

Always fantasy for me, although I've stumbled across a few Sci-Fi I haven't minded. I do agree they should seperate the two genres, especially in book stores, too damn hard to tell the difference when they're cloistered on the shelves.
As far as best film adaptation lets not forget what I beleive was the first (and one of the very few) decent fantasy movies, Excalibur. Sex in full plate mail, how can you beat that. Whoever cast Merlin was friggin brilliant. Arthur impaling himself farther upon Mordred's spear so that he can reach to impale him, thats good movie making. If any of you youngsters haven't checked it out, rent it some time.:D

[Arctic]

youngsters! bah! :laugh i'm an old lady.

excalibur's an excellent authurian redition as you've pointed out, and in my collection none the less. what can i say, the visual effects of LOTR just have me enamored with it.

i'd also add ladyhawke as a favorite fantasy movie if it weren't for the cheesy '80s music in it.

[Wiggum]

I wasn' t calling EVERYBODY youngsters, I was just saying its a fairly old movie that some of those who haven't reached the staus of old man (myself) might not be aware of it. Although I'm glas your comfortable with your age. Ladyhawke was good, and I've got to admit I've got a soft spot fot Legend (not based of a writing, just as a fantasy flick).

[Arctic]

"I was just saying its a fairly old movie"

old as in 1981 ;) yup if that's old, then i *must* be old as well. sad times these.

Legend was enjoyable also. Tom cruise is nice to look at.

Labyrinth is another childhood favorite of mine. though i rewatched it recently and wasn't nearly as impressed as i was when i was 10 or 11. same with Dark Crystal and the Neverending Story. The Last Unicorn, though, now there's an enjoyable story.

[Brian]

I'll pick it up some time (good thing it's before LOTR because I'll never get through that ;) ).

[Arctic]

lol so you haven't read HHG or LOTR. hmmm...so what might be your favorite 20 books then, i wonder ;)...

*points at sig*