REEL Sci-Fi
My list title is an oxymoron where movies/TV are concerned, but there are a few nice mindbenders out there. Hardly any rise to the quality of books, alas, but maybe that is just not possible, or has to do with choice/taste of the powers that be. Sci-fi is not limited to space themed movies nor is this list. Very few blockbusters here. Suggestions are welcome.
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- DirectorJim JarmuschStarsJohnny DeppGary FarmerCrispin GloverOn the run after murdering a man, accountant William Blake encounters a strange Native American man named Nobody who prepares him for his journey into the spiritual world.One of Jim Jarmusch's best. I love this quirky Western which deals with the themes of murder and death. No suspense or battles, but a journey Depp's character is taken on when an Indian mistakes this accountant for the poet William Blake, whom the Indian idolizes. One of Depp's best, but, alas, least known, roles. Not always comfortable to watch or cheery, but it has its other rewards. Should be in all lists of great films.
- DirectorLars von TrierStarsKirsten DunstCharlotte GainsbourgKiefer SutherlandTwo sisters find their already strained relationship challenged as a mysterious new planet threatens to collide with Earth.Not the usual Lars von Trier movie, esp if you compare it to, say, Manderlay or Dogville; much more mainstream than those. Unpretentious, well crafted, straightforward (BIG metaphor aside) film with first rate acting by all concerned. Story of what it might be like if a previously unknown planet, named Melancholia here, popped by Earth on its travels. The planet's name and existence are important (too important to be weighed down by plausibilities). Excellent character study alongside the suspense of the planet's trajectory as the main character (Dunst) deals with the affinity between the planet and herself. Lushly shot with bright color grading which offsets the foggy weather/depression. The details of the Greek 'humor', melancholia, are not used in the production values, only the basic meaning (much more 'phlegmatic' in set design). The soundtrack, which is from Wagner's opera "Tristan and Isolde", could not be more perfect. A movie I watch again and again. Gives me hope for the genre. Comes pretty much as close as it gets to a great sci-fi novella.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsSean GulletteMark MargolisBen ShenkmanA paranoid mathematician searches for a key number that will unlock the universal patterns found in nature.Darren Aronofsky's mathematician's or software engineer's worst nightmare. Or migraine sufferer's. LOL This is a wild ride of a film, emotionally and realistically (or unrealistically). At times hard to watch, but worth it and too good to turn off. If you like this, Dead Man (also in this list) will seem like a romantic comedy in comparison (and you are probably good audience for Dead Man). Shot in black and white (HAD to be!). One of Aronofsky's best.
- DirectorFred M. WilcoxStarsWalter PidgeonAnne FrancisLeslie NielsenA starship crew in the 23rd century goes to investigate the silence of a distant planet's colony, only to find just two survivors, a powerful robot, and the deadly secret of a lost civilization.Essential if you want to learn more about this genre's film history. One of the best and most ahead of its time sci-fi movies. And not even very dated, at that, although it has its original Captain Kirk moments (not much camp here, go elsewhere for that). It contains many concepts and characters first seen here that we now take for granted in sci-fi films. The set it was completely shot on, is well used in place of fancy/modern fx (and the fx it does have are well done). The house and living arrangements are interesting, in and of themselves (one of Ray Bradbury's devices I always enjoyed; carried through the years by authors like John Varley). The main plot and concepts are satisfying and deep, with a nice ending; all the more amazing given the year it was released. A fun ride of a Classic movie and in the small group of early, serious sci-fi movies.
- DirectorCameron CroweStarsTom CruisePenélope CruzCameron DiazA self-indulgent and vain publishing magnate finds his privileged life upended after a vehicular accident with a resentful lover.English remake of Abre los Ojos (Open Your Eyes), also starring Penelope Cruz (though as ballerina, not mime).
- DirectorAlejandro AmenábarStarsEduardo NoriegaPenélope CruzChete LeraA very handsome man finds the love of his life, but he suffers an accident and needs to have his face rebuilt by surgery after it is severely disfigured."Abre los Ojos". Original version of Vanilla Sky. Also starring Penelope Cruz, but no Tom Cruise, but has Alejandro Amenábar as director. Enough said. Spanish.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTom CruiseColin FarrellSamantha MortonJohn works with the PreCrime police which stop crimes before they take place, with the help of three 'PreCogs' who can foresee crimes. Events ensue when John finds himself framed for a future murder.Another excellent Philip K. Dick story (Blade Runner) and when you mix in Spielberg as director...well, it gets awfully good. Plenty of action, which you'd expect, but not gratuitous. Excellent story is the main point here. One of Cruise's best, by far. I watch this one once a year, at least.
- DirectorAndrew NiccolStarsEthan HawkeUma ThurmanJude LawA genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.The 3 main characters make this a pure delight. The 'what-ifs' for privacy and genetic engineering are more relevant today than when it was released. Warm character study, even in their DNA driven world...
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsHugh JackmanRachel WeiszSean Patrick ThomasAs a modern-day scientist, Tommy is struggling with mortality, desperately searching for the medical breakthrough that will save the life of his cancer-stricken wife, Izzi.Takes me back to 2001: A Space Odyssey in its various milestones/innovations and "what does it all mean?" aspect. Film as painting. Completely new type of sci-fi presentation (back to the books :) ). Rubic's cube of interpretations. Fun, fun, fun mental puzzle. Cult film, very underrated. Thank goodness, as it will always be an iconic film. You can't buy that but I hope Aronofsky winds up being at least paid for his 7 yrs of work. The missing director's commentary, which he eventually did on his own, is available on the 'net. The studio denied him this for the DVD, the rats. Good commentary as he gives nothing away, but some valuable hints and nice info re making of.
- CreatorGlen A. LarsonRonald D. MooreStarsEdward James OlmosMary McDonnellJamie BamberWhen an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protect a small civilian fleet - the last of humanity - as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth.One of my favorite sci-fi anything! The best attempt at this series by far (although if you can get by the 'space cowboy', 70s cliche junk of the original 1978 series, the story is there and good). Many have said that you could take away all the sci-fi elements from this series and it would still be great, are not quite getting it, IMHO. But I understand as it is a huge character study, but stops short of a soap opera, tg. Top notch acting by all. Really amazing, beyond pretty much anything I've seen. Script/story to thank for that, plus the actors, of course! The various elements all seem to stay on the knife's edge without falling too far either way, into melodrama or too much action/adventure, although there is that, but it is justified by the plot. I watch the 4 too-short years of this series (but they told the story, completely, and it didn't die in desperation or repetition like most series) about once a year or when I need a complete escape. Check out the prequel, Caprica.
- CreatorRemi AubuchonRonald D. MooreStarsEric StoltzEsai MoralesPaula MalcomsonTwo families, the Graystones and the Adamas, live together on a peaceful planet known as Caprica, where a startling breakthrough in artificial intelligence brings about unforeseen consequences.Prequel to Battlestar Gallactica 2004. Highly flawed, but still very good, series. Just a year, but really, they did all they needed to do...otherwise you'd run smack into BSG! Or Attack of the Clones LOL. Answers a lot of questions about the BSG story, which is complex and not obvious. Good cast, some cable series regulars, which are great to see. This is esp interesting for those into virtual reality or what now passes for that on the 'net; Second Life and the metaverses in general, all of them.
- CreatorGene RoddenberryStarsWilliam ShatnerLeonard NimoyDeForest KelleyIn the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets.If you watch the *absolutely brilliant* restored/remastered series, it removes the dated sfx and much of the camp so you can more easily get to the, often, great stories and concepts that are here and that made Star Trek the franchise that it is. The episodes that they made the first two Star Trek movies from are here. IOW, mine from the best. I am not a Trekkie in any way, in fact, looked down on it as 'lesser, pulp sci-fi', at least after I grew up, as I did watch it in its first run, and ad nauseum re-runs due to various friends, housemates, and sig others in the house, not by choice, although I did find myself enjoying a few episodes/stories. But in watching TOS (The Original Series) again, esp remastered, I realize that there are so many great sci-fi short stories here; far better than much of the later spin-offs and films. Not to mention a great ensemble cast. Gene Roddenberry was optimistic about the future, which is a wonderful change of pace from today's usual dystopian fare. Nothing need be said about Star Trek, of course, but I think people overlook TOS too much. I know I did. And no doubt the remastered version is a huge game changer.
- DirectorThomas VinterbergStarsJoaquin PhoenixClaire DanesSean PennTwo lovers attempt to save their relationship in a near-future world on the brink of cosmic collapse.A Dogme 95 film, and very much so, so the von Trier influence is felt immediately in Thomas Vinterberg's direction, since he and von Trier founded the Dogme 95 concept for films. Odd film involving an ice skating star (and I am a skater/fan, so not sure how much that biases me), loss of gravity, clones, and global warming. The skating can easily be explained as it is a big sport for the Dutch, so rather like substituting football for us in the U.S., or soccer in other countries, although the Dutch could easily have used soccer as the sport, skating just seems to work best for what Vinterberg is trying to do. Not a great comparison, but helps us in lower latitudes understand what the heck skating is doing here. Again, it's one of those films that has the qualities that I never tire of watching. Claire Danes is wonderful as the skater, accent and everything. Much has been said about Joaquin Phoenix's accent in it, but after some consideration, perhaps it's not so off the mark. Good cast overall (Sean Penn is also in it, with interesting accent, too). Good pacing. Probably too much is packed into this but you don't go hungry. Some of the sci-fi is fantasy LOL, but hey, that's just part of it. Helps to think of it as a short story or novella. I hesitated to put it here, but it does pass my 'book test', and there must be some reason I return to it again and again beyond my Dogme 95 fandom.
- DirectorJames CameronStarsSam WorthingtonZoe SaldanaSigourney WeaverA paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.Oh, jeez, not a certified blockbuster! Yet here it is. And we all know why. I love it and it's always a delight to watch, esp if I concentrate on the true sci-fi part of the plot and not the conquering the natives/action part. Definitely has a place in film history for its sfx and cinematic techniques. It almost didn't make the list due to Cameron's love of his toys almost overriding the more subtle plot turns. Dogme 95, where are you? LOL
- CreatorJ. Michael StraczynskiLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsBae DoonaJamie ClaytonTina DesaiA group of people around the world are suddenly linked mentally, and must find a way to survive being hunted by those who see them as a threat to the world's order.
- CreatorJoseph MallozziPaul MullieStarsMelissa O'NeilAnthony LemkeAlex Mallari Jr.In the dystopian 27th century, six people wake up on a deserted spaceship with no memory of who they are or what they're doing there. They reluctantly team up and set off to find answers with the help of a female android.
- DirectorAlex GarlandStarsAlicia VikanderDomhnall GleesonOscar IsaacA young programmer is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a highly advanced humanoid A.I.
- DirectorTom TykwerLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsTom HanksHalle BerryHugh GrantAn exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.
- DirectorRobert ParrishStarsRoy ThinnesIan HendryPatrick WymarkThe European Space Exploration Council sends two astronauts to explore a planet similar to the Earth but located on the opposite side of the sun.
- DirectorSebastián CorderoStarsSharlto CopleyMichael NyqvistChristian CamargoAn international crew of astronauts undertakes a privately funded mission to search for life on Jupiter's fourth largest moon.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsHarrison FordRutger HauerSean YoungA blade runner must pursue and terminate four replicants who stole a ship in space and have returned to Earth to find their creator.
- CreatorAdrian CruzPhilip LevensStarsTricia HelferGil BellowsBrian Van HoltA young woman's murder causes the subjects of a century-long mission to populate a new world to question the true nature of the project as they approach the point of no return.
- DirectorTerry GilliamStarsBruce WillisMadeleine StoweBrad PittIn a future world devastated by disease, a convict is sent back in time to gather information about the man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population on the planet.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsKeir DulleaGary LockwoodWilliam SylvesterAfter uncovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, a spacecraft is sent to Jupiter to find its origins: a spacecraft manned by two men and the supercomputer HAL 9000.
- DirectorJoseph KosinskiStarsTom CruiseMorgan FreemanAndrea RiseboroughA veteran assigned to extract Earth's remaining resources begins to question what he knows about his mission and himself.
- DirectorJonathan MostowStarsBruce WillisRadha MitchellVing RhamesSet in a futuristic world where humans live in isolation and interact through surrogate robots, a cop is forced to leave his home for the first time in years in order to investigate the murders of others' surrogates.