well, i don't know why, but i have the urge to see some crappy 70's-80's (the best time for movies ever, of course!) fantasy movies. expecially ones so bad, they hurt. I can't explain it, it's like the time i got the urge to see documentaries on nuclear war. anyhow, just wondering if anyones got any titles, cause video stores often don't have a fantasy section. (cause, of course, there aren't that many fantasy videos. they normally just get put in with the sci-fi's. kinda weird when you consider that sci-fi is really a sub-genre of fantasy in the end. Well, sci-fi is better than anything else (and makes up the vast majority of my favprite video list) than any other genre. so it makes sense to put those fantasys in their place. feel the steely boot of sci-fi, reneisance fair pansies! mwahaha!). anyhow, any help will be much apreciated.
Oh, yeah. A real thread at last!
1. Do a search for "Cave Dwellers." Yeah, baby. Watch that one. The Mystery Science Theater version, or just raw.
2. With the neurons that remain (if the ones that work your arm, and your dominant hand, and legs if you need 'em to reach your movie playing hardware, still remain) after watching "Cave Dwellers," watch "Krull," which is a jewel of cheesy 80's fantasy/sci fi.
3. Must watch "Dragonslayer."
4. Must watch "The Sword and the Sorceror."
5. "Beastmaster." Bwahaha!
6. Oh! "Yor - The Hunter From the Future." Must see that one.
7. "Deathstalker" or its sequels. Ugggggg.....
8. Do watch "Ladyhawke" (which I don't consider to be bad, quite fond of that one, so it doesn't quite fit your request)
9. The "Conan" movies.
10. Whoooo! Last but definitely not least, "Kull the Conqueror." (not from the 80's, but as GOOD as from the 80's, in the special bad way.)
I agree, Deathstalker [though I have yet to even find it's sequels] is a favourite of mine, as are the Conan movies.
I guess it counts, in some sort of way, but 'Masters Of the Universe' with Dolph, and a young Courtney Cox is perhaps my favourite choice of 80's fantasy film. How can one go wrong with a He-Man live action movie, in which particular importance is placed on a musical synth machine!
There's a reveiw for both Masters of the Universe and Deathstalker on this site.
Labrynth and Time Bandits are my two recommendations.
yeah, i saw the mst3k version of cave dwellers, love that episode. And, unfortunately, i OWN yor. that takes a bit of explaining, doesn't it? well, i saw it at the thrift store, and i just took the chance and picked it up. i take prehaps a few too many chances, and as a reasult own some pretty bad movies. but then again, ocasionally i find something like Starchaser. and my freind, that was an AMAZING movie. anyways, ive also seen masters of the universe, wonderfully campy movie. anyhow, ill be sure to watch those. Also, i remmember seeing this fantasy movie on the sci-fi channel a while ago, before they turned pure evil, with that city in the sky, and that evil queen with that giant clock speeding up time, and all that? what was that?
Dude,
Time Bandits Rules!
I have the special edition DVD.
I love the scene in the beginning when the dwarves push up against Kevin's wall and it moves and he says, "It's never done that before!!"
Can't watch Cave Dwellers without seeing the first Ator movie featuring miles and Miles O'Keefe - Ator, the Fighting Eagle. Comparing it and non-MST Cave Dwellers, I'd say it's the funnier movie.
I would also add Robot Holocaust. I know it's a robot movie, but it is most definitely in the mold of the cheesy sword-and-sorcery quest picture - chosen one and band of heroes overcome various obstacles (amazons, mutants, puppets and the obligatory giant spider) on their way to stopping the oppressive villain.
LEGEND- because Tim Curry is way too wicked
DRAGONSLAYER - hands down the best dragon movie ever made
SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER- the least appreciated sinbad movie. The cheesiest, but boy do i love it.
MYSTERIOUS ISLAND - don't we all love movies that somehow incorporate giant insects and chickens attacking people?
KRULL - the quintessential 80's fantasy movie
as far as bad...well, there's always TROLL
Squeakmeister:
You don't have to apologize, here, for owning a copy of "Yor." That'll win you points, here.
Legend! How could I have forgotten Legend! Tom Cruise was in that one, and some of the most weird-ass costume work I've ever seen. And Tangerine Dream on the soundtrack!
"Dark Crystal."
And although it's really a horror movie, more than a fantasy, there's the awesomely bad.... wait for it....
PHANTASM.
Many good/bad ones (like CONAN - very good!) were already mentioned. Here just some real stinkers I experienced myself (and not only one time):
"TROLL" -> Good-made but unwillingly funny... very unwillingly funny.
"TROLL 2" and "TROLL 3 / Quest for the Mighty Sword"
-> Probably the ugliest trolls you have ever seen... "Troll3" is sooo crappy - stupid actors, silly monsters, horribly bad plot - it is total trash!!!
"RED SONYA" -> Not that bad.
"HOBGOBLINS" -> You won´t believe it! That is what I call "mindf**k"...
Special Tip: "THE IMMORTAL"
Ok, that is no 70ies/80ies series, it is relatively new, but it represents the kind of fantasy that lovers of the bizarre, freax of scum, followers of bad taste really enjoy...
For good is the first Conan movie. AWESOME!
For Bad: Deathstalker III. It's tongue and cheek attitudute saves it somewhat.
"Sinbad of the Seven Seas" (1989)
Starring Lou Ferrigno as Sinbad
IMDB:
>>Plot Outline: Sinbad and his shipmates aid a young prince, who must battle an >>evil wizard to gain the hand of a beautiful princess. (more) (view trailer)
Very cheesy, very bad and very funny!
ANY movie with Lou Farrigno sans green makeup is a hoot. As far as really bad, I can't help but think of the 1970's remake of Flash Gordon... Must be seen to be misbelieved.
Oooo, Lou Ferrigno! Hercules 2 was just on TV yesterday afternoon. Gotta love those Italian sword and sorcery flicks. This thing was like Hercules meets Starcrash.
Also funny that both Arnold and Lou have played Hercules in an extremely cheesy movie, and both got dubbed. Hard to decide which Hercules voice would be more interesting, Austrian Hercules or hearing-impaired Brooklyn Hercules.
The Dungeonmaster (1985) - It's like Charles Band told a group of young directors and writers, 'Ok, you guys write a 10 minute story, and you guys write a 10 minute story, and so-and-so already has an idea. Let's try to get it to feature length.' Entertaining in a very weird way, mainly because of Richard Moll.
You guys are all wusses. You haven't even mentioned any of the truly bad fantasy movies of the 80s like:
THE WARRIOR AND THE SORCERESS - this is the one with David Carradine and the quatruple-breasted woman.
BARBARIAN QUEEN - Lana Clarkson and the rack...oh the rack!
BARBARIAN QUEEN II: THE EMPRESS STRIKES BACK - more rack more rack!
IRONMASTER - despite the kickass cover, was a lamo caveman discovers iron movie, but has a cool fantasy cover!
HEARTS AND ARMOUR - redeemed by Tanya Roberts in a small role and lotsa nekkid chicks.
IRON WARRIOR - bad bad bad.
FLESH + BLOOD - Paul Verhoeven pre-ROBOCOP movie with Rutger Hauer and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
DEATHSTALKER has been mentioned, but I wanted to chime in and say that of the sequels II and IV are the best. I would in no circumstance recommend III.
If a noteworthy good movie (Time Bandits) gets a mention in this thread, then another one should as well: The Princess Bride.
How could I forget about 'Hearts and Armour'? I will say that costumes are excellent (as is Leigh McCloskey's acting), and I've heard that the uncut Italian miniseries was very good.