Diamond Spear Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Is it X-Files style? Is it Buffy (without the camp)? Is it CoC? Something else? How do YOU define it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? I would classify it as somewhere between X-Files and Buffy, and not so much CoC. One of the major differences between the two (IMO) is that the things that go bump in the night are not as hidden in a Buffy-verse as they are in X-Files. Lately I've been thinking of running a campaign that is something like Surbrook's Phenomena Department. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBunraku Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? When I think "Modern Paranormal", I think of the old Chill game. The paranormal was hidden from the general populace, but a few who had experienced it first hand banded together to fight it. They were also tasked with keeping the general public unaware that there was any "paranormal" activity at all. Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdamnhero Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? Is it X-Files style? Is it Buffy (without the camp)? Is it CoC? Something else? How do YOU define it? Well, the obvious smart@$$ answer is: "Anything in a modern setting that includes the paranormal." But seriously. I'd say X-Files & Buffy (with or w/o camp) both qualify. Arguably, so would The 4400 and even some parts of Lost. I would mostly classify CoC as horror, tho I admit that can be a subjective definition. To me, "modern paranormal" shares many elements of horror, but without the tone of helpless futility. And generally a lower body count, at least among the good guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remjin Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? I have no idea what CoC is... once again, my acronym skill level is too low... I also classify Buffy under "retarded," but that's just my opinion and I'm the minority on that one. Mostly I hate all the soap opera drama... I think another good example might be Hellboy, via the moviebor comic, though I profess very little knowledge of the comic. Anything that surrounds the weird modern environment, with an emphasis on weird, could count. But best is anything that includes the line: "excuse me, could you stop standing on my tail?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanguard Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? For me, I'd classify it as The Dresden Files (by Jim Butcher) as well as perhaps the earlier Anita Blake books (before it all went to S&M porn), maybe the Weather Warden series (by Rachel Caine). As for TV series, I'd think things like X-Files, Supernatural (although I've never seen it) would count. Maybe even Erueka (sp). Buffy counts but it did get . . odd towards the end of the series. You could even throw in my personal Fave, Highlander: The Series as a type of "modern Paranormla" (Although with that one, the only "paranormal" thing around, for the most part, are the Immortals). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teflon Billy Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? Cast a Deadly Spell A lot of lovecraftian horror (Mouth of Madness, Nightbreed, etc...) Ghostbusters (if you can get past the comedy) In fact, I'd say Paranormal could be considered a subgenre of horror (more than Sci-Fi IMO) but not overtly as lethal as mainline Horror. TB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufea Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? Call of Cthulhu isn't modern paranormal. For a start, it's last century (the 20th)- unless you are playing Cthulhu Now! or Delta Green. Secondly, I'd regard it as supernatural, not paranormal. Paranormal to me implies modification to humans or normality. Supernatural implies a more fantastical exageration of that. Paranormal would be psychics. Supernatural would be superheroes or ghosts. Modern - it'd have to be set within the last 30 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEFCON Clown Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? I would say that the show Supernatural is the perfect example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddHat Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? Magic and monsters in a modern setting that remains largely unaware of them, with a chance for the Heroes to make a difference, but without the Heroes being overwhelmingly powerful. Buffy and Angel were often at the high end, crossing into Superheroics. X-Files was about the standard for a modern paranormal setting. The main distinction from Horror is that the protagonists ultimately make a real differnece and can hope to win. As that fades, the genre moves closer to horror. The main distinctions from Superheroics are the lack of public knowledge and recognition, the somewhat narrower range of threats, and thesomewhat lower power levels. As the power levels go up and the public becomes more aware of the paranormal, the genre moves closer to Superheroic Adventure. Hellboy was Superheroic in power level, action and character motivation, with enough touches of horror and secrecy to give it an overlay of Modern Paranormal. All three genres (Horror, Modern Paranormal, Superheroic Adventure) touch on each other and borrow from one-another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remjin Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? perhaps the earlier Anita Blake books (before it all went to S&M porn) Yeah, I really liked these books until the S&M and porn stuff. I mean, what's better than blasting vampires and monsters all day? =) I almost went to our local Vampire: the Masquerade LARP to play my own part... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susano Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? Hellboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucius Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? perhaps the earlier Anita Blake books (before it all went to S&M porn) I've got to get hold of some of those books some day. "Modern" is a pretty subjective term; depending on context, I could use it to cover the entire last century. Actually, before answering the question, I think I want to ask one. What would constitute NONmodern paranormal? Lucius Alexander And a modern paranormal palindromedary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prodigyduck Posted September 25, 2006 Report Share Posted September 25, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? If you are looking for supernaturally-based paranormal settings, I seriously recommend the Dresden Chronicles by Jim Butcher. Soon enough, it will be released on SciFi Channel as a series (and Jim, himself, loves what they are doing with it). The book, themselves, are wonderful mysteries to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Johnston Posted September 25, 2006 Report Share Posted September 25, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? It's not an expression I use. I use: Horror: Stories about people helplessly meeting dire ends Urban Fantasy: Stories about creatures of myth and folklore in the modern day. Superhero: Stories about quasi-human people with superhuman powers beating down the bad guys. Magical Realism: Stories about sensawunda encounters with the supernatural that are nonviolent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susano Posted September 25, 2006 Report Share Posted September 25, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? If you are looking for supernaturally-based paranormal settings' date=' I seriously recommend the Dresden Chronicles by Jim Butcher. Soon enough, it will be released on SciFi Channel as a series (and Jim, himself, loves what they are doing with it). The book, themselves, are wonderful mysteries to read.[/quote'] There's also an RPG in development. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufea Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? Actually speaking of novels to films - Nightwatch and Daywatch (and soon, I hope, Twilightwatch) are modern supernatural. I recommend seeing the movies if able. I don't know if there are english translations of the books yet though. BTW - the DVD I found of Nightwatch was cut, it was missing a few character developing scenes (Why cut a DVD for time? It's a DVD!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Cross Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? I have GOT to finish reading my copy of The Night Watch ( the English translation,that is). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufea Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? Where did you get it? I want to read it after seeing the movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Cross Posted September 27, 2006 Report Share Posted September 27, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? I got my copy at the Borders store in Queen Street,Auckland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetle Posted September 27, 2006 Report Share Posted September 27, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? I pretty much agree with Vanguard - especially about Highlander and the Anita Blake novels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenrisUlf Posted September 27, 2006 Report Share Posted September 27, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? Hellboy Isn't that more "superhero paranormal"? Though I love it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susano Posted September 27, 2006 Report Share Posted September 27, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? Isn't that more "superhero paranormal"? Though I love it myself. Yes... but it occurs in the modern era. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufea Posted September 27, 2006 Report Share Posted September 27, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? Carnivale is pulp paranormal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketchpad Posted September 29, 2006 Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 Re: What do you consider “Modern Paranormal”? I see it as Poltergeist: The Legacy, Chill's SAVE, Supernatural and maybe a smattering of Freaky Links Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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