Mountain Fog5 Movies Every Sci-Fi Fan Should See
September 4th 2008 03:38
Exploring a variety of sub-genres, including noir, horror, adventure, and romance, each of these films are firmly rooted in science fiction. But what they have in common, and what makes each one worth seeing is their ability to transcend genre. These films have timeless themes, beautiful visuals, and they all evoke powerful emotion.
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Intriguing, terrifying, mysterious, bizarre, innovative and beautiful are only a handful of words that could be used to describe Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 masterpiece. Based on Aurthur C. Clarke’s short story “The Sentinel,” “2001: A Space Odyssey” chronicles the entire span of human evolution.
The film is not only technically innovative, it also pushes the boundaries of narrative structure and thematic content. Inspiring countless films and filmmakers, “2001” is considered a cinematic classic.
ALIEN
Ridley Scott’s sci-fi/horror classic follows the mission of a mining ship’s crew that investigates an unusual transmission coming from a dark, barren planet. They encounter an alien species on the surface which violently attaches itself to the face of a crew member. What ensues is a desperate struggle for survival, and one of the most infamous scenes in contemporary film history.
“Alien” is a classic because it delivers thrilling suspense and terror in a thoughtful and well executed way. As Alfred Hitchcock once said, “There is no terror in a bang, only in the anticipation of it.” This film uses both the bang and its anticipation to create a terrifying cinematic experience.
BLADE RUNNER
One could spend hours looking at “Blade Runner” without any sound or dialogue. The art direction, set design, costumes, and lighting are visionary, meticulously detailed and absolutely stunning. That’s not to say the visuals are the film’s only strength. On the contrary, “Blade Runner” tells a stylish and intriguing future-noir adventure rife with subtle depth; something lacking in most action based science fiction.
SOLARIS
Based on the novel by Stanislaw Lem, “Solaris” is a beautiful and thoughtful romantic vision from director Steven Soderbergh.
Psychologist Christ Kelvin is sent to a space station orbiting a mysterious planet called Solaris. Upon arrival, he learns that a crew member has died and that others are experiencing some kind of unknown psychological trauma. As he begins to have anomalous experiences of his own, the unique and mysterious power of “Solaris” is revealed, and Kelvin’s life will never be the same.
“Solaris” has many qualities inherent to great science fiction; intriguing mystery, beautiful visuals, and a uniquely singular power. Even if stripped of its sci-fi elements, this film would remain a stunning achievement. At its core “Solaris” is an endearing and heartfelt romance that transcends genre.
SUNSHINE
It is fifty years into the future and the crew of the Icarus II is carrying a huge nuclear payload towards the Sun in a desperate attempt to re-ignite the dying star. Now the survival of humanity hinges on their success.
In making his science fiction debut, Director Danny Boyle wisely borrows from several classics of the genre. “Sunshine” pays homage to “2001” and “Alien.” by contemplating the significance of absolute power and mystery, as well as utilizing a serenely slow, yet tantalizingly suspenseful pace.
Beautiful to look at and intriguing to think about “Sunshine” should be considered a classic of its genre.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Just for fun I would maybe add-
Children of Men
Gattaca
Dark City
Alphaville
Equilibrium (Only becuase Truffaut's Farenheit 451 was not up to scratch
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Blade Runner is my fave film.
Alien is in my top ten.
Solaris and 2001 are metaphysical masterworks.
My other sf faves are:
John Carpenter's remake of The Thing.
Don Siegel's Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
Chris Marker's half-hour short La Jetee.
Nic Roeg's The Man Who Fell to Earth.
And Paul Verhoeven's RoboCop.
Oh, and Star Wars - Episode IV: A New Hope.
I'm still hoping a great movie will be made of William Gibson's novel Neuromancer.
And Richard Morgan's novel Altered Carbon.
Comment by Cibbuano
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I think I'd add "Silent Running", an hippie precursor to "Alien" and "Star Wars".
I'd also suggest Woody Allen's "Sleeper" for glorious sci-fi comedy.
Verhoeven's "RoboCop" is fantastic, but I'd watch it back-to-back with "Starship Troopers" as well.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i loved Sunshine!
i agree with JohnDoe on Gattaca and would probably also add The Island, Soldier, Serenity, Aeon Flux, and most of the Star Trek films, oh and the Battlestar Gallactica film which started the modern series
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Which Aeon Flux? I hope you're not referring to the terrible Hollywood treatment of the brilliant television series.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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those movies rocked!
just to confirm that is Soldier (1998) with Kurt Russell and Aeon Flux (2005) with Charlize Theron . . . i thought they were both great!
oh actually i should probably put the first two Terminators on that list . . . and A.I. (2001, Haley Joel Osment) . . . oh and The Final Cut (2004, Robin Williams) was pretty good too
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I like Kurt Russell, but Soldier is the worst kind of trash, big budget, yet looks like shite.
I like Charlize, but they should've never made Aeon Flux as a live action movie.
A.I.? Argh! I can't stand Haley. I wish Kubrick had been able to make it.
Never heard of Final Cut though.
However The Terminator is one of my fave sf movies.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is pretty darn entertaining too.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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what about Minority Report or Stargate (the film before the terrible TV show)?
would you count A Clockwork Orange or The Truman Show as sci-fi? they have futuristic elements like conditioning and government control, the whole "big brother" dystopia . . . for a kids movie The Golden Compasswas more sci-fi than fantasy i thought
are you feeling more or less sick now? haha
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Truman Show was okay, a bit Sunday Movieish for me.
Clockwork Orange is seminal, but I find it overlong, and uneven.
Stargate the movie I never saw ...
Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I was going for emotional sci fi's with my choices to match the post, but if we are playing the favourite sci fi's game then most all
Bryn's choices are a big tick and
Cib with Silent Running is also a great one.
Morgan I agree with the BSG revamp for sure!
Here are 10 that pop into mind that I enjoy:
The Day The Earth Caught Fire
[B]The Day the Earth Stood Still
George Pal's [B]The Time Machine
Cube
Primer
Pi
THX 1138
Eternal Sunshine on a Spotless Mind
Franklin J Schaffner's Planet of the Apes
Cronenberg's The Fly
Comment by Morgan Bell
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(yes sorry Patrick for hijacking your post, i just like picking the brains of all the movie buffs)
Comment by Patrick Galagan
I agree with JohnDoe Children of Men, Gattica, Dark City and THX1138 are also four of my favorites.
I was wondering where you guys would place The Fifth Element on this list of Sci Fi films?
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i would rate The Fifth Element about the same as the Back To The Future series, its visually very interesting but the characters are very cartoonish and the story isnt very sophisticated - more of a classic kids movie
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
It's my pet hate movie.