Why do SyFy movies Suck so bad?

[Akaimizu]

I actually agree with Blue-Hawk, on that. I actually think stuff like Sharktopus was supposed to be bad. Even from the previews, it looks like a parody of actual bad B-movie horror flicks. The campy and silly ones, at least. Just when I first saw the preview, I thought of stuff like Shark Attack (of which there was actually 3 of those movies made).

In fact, by the time they got to Sharktopus, I pretty much said, "Ok. Now I know they have to be making it bad on purpose. A kind of, 'Remember when movies would take the most ridiculous idea and try to spin it into a horror flick?'" Like when Monty Python entertained the idea of a movie called, "Attack of the Keep Left signs."

But instead, they read from the book of old bad late 80s early 90s horror flicks and seemed to (by imitation) try to capture the same spirit. Kind of like when Mad TV did Son of Dolemite to pay homage to the so-bad-it's-funny aspect of the actual Dolemite films.

May they don't have the capacity to make good films and decided to fall back on this. I don't know. But I believe they think they have their 'niche' on getting an audience that enjoys trainwreck horror movies. In the same vein that Showtime (the channel) used to air stuff like Jo Bob Briggs. Or the added aspect of Mystery Theatre 3000 where they decided to do the same thing but add running commentary to them.

[Dongra]

I thought of stuff like Shark Attack

[Sinue_v2]

Eh, my problem with SciFi flicks isn't so much the cheesy special effects... it's the liberties taken with actual science that leave false impressions of what science really is and what the theories actually describe. To a degree, you can't get away from this, because SciFi limited to just what is already known to science would be fairly humdrum. Still, it's annoying when you run into people who's understanding of various fields of science are (mis)informed by Hollywood movies and popular media. Evolution, especially. Then again, you have shows like Futurama which, while reveling in the worst excesses of the above mentioned category... will also be littered with gems like Prof. Farnsworth contesting a horse race so close the judges needed a quantum microscope to judge the winner, changing the result by measuring it and causing his horse to lose.

Spoiler!

(And I still think A Clockwork Origin was critical jab at the hype surrounding Darinius Massillae and creationism by placing it as a missing link between apes and man, showing that the fossil record is so abundant with transitional forms that they were arguing over a fossil that far predates the emergence of apes to demonstrate the link between apes and man.)

Anyhow, I find cheesy special effects much more distracting in horror movies. SciFi is meant more to excite the mind and imagination while providing a thrilling adventure... and in a way is at least complimentary to suspension of disbelief and filling in the blanks. Horror movies, on the other hand, are meant to scare you and in that they need a properly executed atmosphere that draws you into the story so it can build tension and suspense. The problem is, the set pieces for atmosphere building are by now far too predictable... and the execution (literally or not) is marred by cheap special effects and camera angles that break the atmosphere by prominently displaying the seams in their patchwork construction. So rather than having the intended effect of frightening me, they become a sort of sadistic comedy of cheese. I can't help but giggle and laugh at the over-the-top gore, which ruins the mood for everyone else watching.

[Kyrith_Ranger_Pso]

Sci-Fi movies are awesome, TV Sci-Fi movies are a different matter, all those crappy movies made for the Sci-Fi channel are probably what you've been watching

[Nitro Vordex]

Titan A.E. is one of my favorites, for sure.

[amtalx]

SyFy movies are intended to be campy. Can we all get over it now?

[Split]

What the hell are you talking about

There have been a ridiculous amount of great Sci Fi movies over the years, from the original Star Wars movies, to the first Matrix, to District 9. So bit your tongue.

Also, Scorpion King 2: Not sci-fi.

EDIT: Ohhhhh hahaha just realized you're talking about the channel, not the science fiction genre in general. The channel's called "SyFy" now, so you might want to change the topic title. Or not. Whatever...

[The Last Baron]

ITT: People taking shit way too seriously. Entertainment. Look it up. You don't sip your coffee in a bath robe wearing wool slippers while talking about the finer points of the Klingon wedding ritual, or the historical accuracy of Dinoshark.

[Sinue_v2]

ITT: People taking shit way too seriously. Entertainment. Look it up. You don't sip your coffee in a bath robe wearing wool slippers while talking about the finer points of the Klingon wedding ritual, or the historical accuracy of Dinoshark.

You don't want me to take the shit too seriously, then tell people to stop basing their opinions and objections to technology and policies towards science on these stupid sci-fi tropes. I'm tired of every single fucking advancement in AI and Robotics being judged through the lens of the Terminator or Matrix movies.

Also: Fuck Giant Sharks and Octopuses. Gorgonopsid bytches; that's how I roll.



Mammal-Like Reptiles are the best reptiles.

[Sord]

You don't want me to take the shit too seriously, then tell people to stop basing their opinions and objections to technology and policies towards science on these stupid sci-fi tropes. I'm tired of every single fucking advancement in AI and Robotics being judged through the lens of the Terminator or Matrix movies.

Also: Fuck Giant Sharks and Octopuses. Gorgonopsid bytches; that's how I roll.

Spoiler!

YouTube - Gorgonopsid

Mammal-Like Reptiles are the best reptiles.

I do believe that was the Wilhelm scream at 5:04 ;o

I kind of expect, neigh, DEMAND that my shitty SyFy movies have shitty graphics. It just wouldn't be the same (and as easy to make fun of.)