Customer Reviews

Sci-Fi on Tape: A Complete Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy on Video (Billboard Books' Entertaining and Informative)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I go back to this volume when watching episodes of older TV series like SPACE: 1999. This is one of the only books I am aware of that reviews episodes of TV shows as well as movies. There are episode by episode reviews of THE X-FILES, STAR TREK, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, TWILIGHT ZONE, THE OUTER LIMITS, LOST IN SPACE, and other vintage sci-fi shows.

This book is an excellent reference for science fiction and fantasy films, prior to 1997. In fact it's the best book of it's kind, that I have ever read - easy to read, compact, yet comprehensive and well organised (unlike many similar books!).

All films are sorted alphabetically, and the author describes each one with good humour. He even seems to hit the mark in terms of judging each film on it's merits. Because let's face it - only about 5-10% of science fiction or fantasy films are truly great. The rest? They're either admirable B-movies, or C-movies only good for curiosity value. But they're often fun, with redeeming qualities like excellent (or cheesy!) special effects and set design, major actors in minor 'lost' roles (which they'd probably rather forget!), or are full of babes or hunks wearing (or not wearing) memorable costumes.

I discovered dozens of amazing, amusing, and terrible films thanks to this book. And honestly...there is so much covered in this book, you will find yourself referring to it again and again and again. It's a real shame the author has not released an updated version to cover the films released from 1997 - present day. However, if you consider that much of the greatest fantasy/sci-fi films were released prior to the 1990s, you will be enthralled by this book. You probably know most recent movies anyway, whilst most of the movies you DON'T know about yet, are from decades past. An outstanding reference for fans of sci-fi and fantasy movies.

This is a very good, fun to read book. Mr. O'Neill is a very witty and knowledgable writer and frankly, I am puzzled there have been no reviews posted as of yet. This is especially puzzling since Mr. O'Neill's previous companion piece, TERROR ON TAPE (1994) has several reviews on Amazon.

REMEMBER, people, the book only includes films available up to the time the book was written, so if you are looking for some overlooked rarity, you might not find it here. My only complaint is that the author did not include more TZ episodes. And I suppose the PLANET OF THE APRES TV series was not available on VHS at the time?

Yes, it is a little dated, but it is certainly worth it for the older films. You may find yourself going back to it time and time agan.