This list is entirely opinion based. I'm not an expert on science fiction movies or movie making for that matter. The list is based on the movies I've seen and biased toward live action films.
Sunshine: Many people assume that Sci fi movies set in space are supposed to be all about stylistic spaceships and ominous planets filled with bloodthirsty aliens and the fact is one way or the other that’s what these kind of movies are always all about. Sunshine by Danny Boyle is truly a breath of fresh air in this genre. Its realistic, believable and mostly what Sunshine is, is a beautiful work of art. I think this is one of those movies that truly gave it’s subject the respect and genuine appreciation it deserves. The obdurate surface of mercury, the details of Icarus II and the beautiful surface of the sun are just stunning. And below the surface of this beauty there is always the unrelenting loneliness of space surrounding everything, spreading its oxygenless presence like Sauron over middle earth, waiting to suck this band of astronauts to oblivion. Its very likely that a man alone in this atmosphere became a nutcase, as was with the Icarus I captain.
Sunshine did not exactly push the envelope as fars space Sci Fi films are concerned, but what it does is showed exactly how these kind of movies are supposed to be made in the first place, like an intricate piece of artwork.
Dark City: Although I like Dark City I have to admit the casting was a little off the mark. Rufus Sewell just don’t cut it as Murdoch in my opinion. What I like about this movie though is the production design. The dark foreboding city as the camera widens in the beginning just suck you in. This is like the Matrix and Bioshock messed together with a better story. And it has such a perfect ending too.
Blade Runner: I was reading an article by Julian Jonker at Ctheory.net the other day that reminds me of why I chose to be buried inside this hellhole I’m living in and why I love Blade Runner so much. For me this movie is the epitome of how a dystopian society that we are inevitably moving toward is portrayed in its entirety. The production design and cinematography is near perfection.
The Abyss: This is actually the movie that had me interested in Science Fiction when I was younger. It was so utterly different for its time that for most people it was a borefest. I think though that the most impressive aspect of this movie is the sound. The echoing sonar beep of the ship is what really transported me to the hopelessness and loneliness of the ocean. Two thumbs up for immersiveness and the greatness that is James Cameron.
Alien: I recently saw Wall E and was debating whether I should let it take the 5th spot but decided Alien deserved it more not just because of the entertainment factor, in which Wall E would’ve won hands down, but because of the authenticity that Alien is. In the fifteen years or so that I’d seen Alien, I’ve never been so scared of outer space as a place inhabited by ruthless killing beings. And the miraculous thing about Alien is that this creature is not just a dog like animal that’s protecting it’s turf with a vengeance, like most killing space beings in movies tend to be, but a creature with a purpose, and that purpose is survival. It’s like the crew and the alien are fighting it out to survive. The alien is the T 1000 of space.
Top 5 science fiction movies of all time
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Labels: Movies
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7 comments:
You can't put "Sunshine" on the same list as "The Abyss," "Alien," and "Blade Runner." You simply can't. Boyle and Garland's sorry film is nothing but an exercise in unrelenting depression and stupidity with a few pretty visuals thrown in. An utter piece of pompous, empty-headed (and empty-hearted) trash. (Seriously, would YOU have picked the bickering, hapless morons aboard the Icarus II as the people you'd trust to save the world? If you say "Yes," you're far more naive than I'd ever care to be.) Just because it's nice to look at (and then only in places; Boyle directs like someone suffering a grand mal seizure) doesn't mean it's good.
if you are at all depressed by this film, i don't know how you managed to walk out after blade runner or the abyss for that matter. or are you a little judgmental toward british sci fi (prolly not but hey you can't help noticing kubrick's influence on this).of course you are right about the cast though, sanada and troy garity would've been done away with.chris evens was obnoxious as is par his other works but he was at least tolerable here. i was specifically stressing the effect of the 'pretty visuals'or cinematography here because it's what sucked me in the movie and dismiss the acting and some of the more obvious plotholes. if you're into sci fi more for the people rather then the visuals, i'm sure the likes of pitch black would appeal to you too.
SciFi is almost a dirty word here, i think i'm the only one who enjoys it in my immediate circle of friends here on campus. i don't know abt the medium of film for the genre... ends up a bit like LOTR movies... the execution of graphics and visuals tends to limit the effective impact of the story. Sunshine: no, can't comment w/o seeing; Dark City: loved it, beautifully done; Blade Runner: was okay, i usually don't like the ones the critics like; The Abyss was a horrible experience for me. the characters sucked and the whole story lacked polish for a Hollywood movie of its pretentions. i wldn't forgive the movie for the sonic landscape still. ALIEN: was fucking cool, enough said.
Tarkovski's SOLARIS was a Sci Fi movie.
Don't make lists.
i'm reading the Star WArs series from Dark Horse.
i didn't know you were a fan of tarkovsky, i'm not a fan myself though, his films tend to be a lil drawn out,long drawn out shots with disconnected dialogues, kind of like pulp fiction without the testosterone.arty flicks thats so self indulgent that only a handful of 'experts' even claim to decipher the true purpose of them, hardly a weekend entertainment material. you cant blame the period either because people like kurosawa were already producing engaging movies that are not boring either.
i'm not much for star wars, i havn't finished any of the films if you can belive that. half the time i just fell asleep because they seem a lil kiddish then , i'll check out the books though, hope they're a lil more mature.
i haVE TO agree with the first comment,sunshine has no right to be in the same list as dark city and blade runner. you complain about Tarkovsky being self indulgent and lauded Boyle for what? for accessibility? IMHO Boyle is one of the most, if not "the" most, self indulgent directors in a decade. sunshine is a waste of time for everyone who's seen it. Tarkovsky is god compared to Kurosawa, they're not even in the same league, having the gall to compare them just goes to show what little understanding you have of what good movies are all about.
they should make it a sin to be so blighted by the fanboy hysteria that people feel the need to adjudicate anyone who may not be as awed by their heroes. as 'godly' as you might've considered Tarkovsky, i happen to think that he has chosen the wrong genre of films to direct, much like kevin smith on mallrats and dogma, as smith's strengths lies in engaging dialogues and not action, tarkovsky's talents would've been used much more effectively in something else of which i don't think he bothered to explore very much. i never 'lauded' Boyle for anything in my post but just for the record i'll say that i think he's one of the greatest directors in a decade. do yourself a favor and write something of your sentiments on a blog instead of anonymously bashing someone for something they don't even insinuate. peace
looks like this is a very engaging discussion between u 2 lovers, i just wanna say watch how you praise the stuff you love. don't be dogmatic. i don't really fully understand how u 2 are judging these films and artists. but i definitely have an opinion on Tarkovsky, i studied the motherfucker and watched his movies till i had migraines and i didn't even get an 'A' for it. I think Tarkovsky is still as relevant and good things should not be dismissed with witty cynicism.
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