Sci-Phi Film Festival

A local theater had its second annual Sci-Phi Film Fest this past weekend and we made an amazing weekend out of it.  Never EVER thought I'd see CLOSE ENCOUNTERS or ROBOCOP on the big screen ever again.  The festival started out on Friday night with a 35mm print of MARS ATTACKS!, and it's funny how dated that one has become.  Though seeing it with a packed house was a blast.  KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE was the second feature.  Saturday night was bananas with ROBOCOP and SCANNERS.  Based on the crowd reaction, I think ROBOCOP was the highlight of the weekend.  It definitely was for us.  That final scene in the boardroom as justice is served to Dick Jones was incredible -the audience roared and cheered and clapped, and then again when Robocop was asked his name and replied "Murphy."  The event ended on Sunday afternoon with CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND.  Holy moly to see that larger than life was quite an experience.  Seeing it in this setting reconfirmed my often-posted-on-this-blog sentiment that this film is a science fiction horror movie.  The abduction of the little boy Barry, being seen in a dark movie theater, was really powerful (and horrifying).  And the rumble of the massive alien craft rising over Devil's Tower was breathtaking.  

When you see old classics on a big screen, it's easy to remember why going to the movies was such an amazing thing in the past (and why it really isn't these days).  You can feel how so much in these films was specifically designed to be on a massive screen in a darkened theater.  And you can sense how the studios strived to give us something original, something none of us had ever seen before.  

Below are some photos we snapped of this neat weekend.  

Robocop

The remake turned out to be a pretty decent stand-alone film that did nothing to tarnish all the things I dug about the original.  More of a drama than an action-packed scifi film, and that was just fine with me.

Click below for a scene right after Murphy wakes up to find himself in his new body.

Cardboard Costumes

Click below:

Hollywood, You Have My Attention

Though I'm sure it's just a case of Robot Syndrome.
As a male, I have a bad case of it.

Click below:

1987 Vs. 2012

The original Robocop design...


The new suit from the upcoming remake...


I'm very VERY grateful for the creativity and ingenuity that the 80's gave us. I think this comparison says a lot for modern Hollywood. Few new ideas and very little risk.


Since I'm feeling nostalgic, click below for a track from the Robocop soundtrack by the late Basil Poledouris.


And click here to see the new suit in action.

OmniCorp

Creating a better tomorrow.

OCP

Detroit Mayor recently asked his Twitter followers for suggestions on how to improve the city. He got lots of replies, including one from a Massachusetts resident, who proposed putting up a RoboCop statue similar to the Rocky one in Philadelphia.

The idea was backed by many people, but the Mayor didn't see the benefits of a RoboCop statue, so he quickly rejected it. As a result, backers of the idea took it to KickStarter to raise the $50,000 they believe is necessary to build the statue.

Click below for a message from Peter Weller himself: