Favourite Sci Fi movie

[FalloutJack]

Well, personally, I think we need a better word for "realisticish Sci-Fi" and keep the term Sci-Fi itself the umbrella term including Wars, Trek, Alien, Terminator, Warhammer 40k, etc.

We already have a term for realistic sci-fi, it's hard science fiction. I agree, sci-fi doesn't have to be very realistic. But Star Wars is fantasy because the world is completely fantasy/made up. And it's mystical, from the force to the characters.

Star Wars is a science fiction universe with some fantastical elements inserted. For why? Because of the science, as in technology. Gobs of it! Spaceships with their own gravity, hyperdrives, energy weapons, androids and robots, tons of aliens - Examples of science that does not currently exist (or provable), a fictional science.

OT: Sadly, I cannot pick a favorite movie. My head explodes every time I try because I love the genre too much.

 

[fenrizz]

If I could only pick one it'd have to be The Matrix.

No other movie has had such an impact on me (I was 13).
It was so cool, so new and fresh.
Blew my mind.

Too bad they never made a sequel.

 

[Kyrian007]

Well, as hard as it is to not say "Space Truckers" I'd have to say Blade Runner. But that's a hard choice, The Man from Earth is super good and easily counts as science fiction. I also happen to like Harrison Bergeron, but few seem to have seen it.

It's gotta be Blade Runner, although several of the Phillip K Dick adaptations are pretty good. It's too bad Arthur C. Clarke doesn't have as many good adaptations. A good adaptation of "The Hammer of God" would make Armageddon and Deep Impact look like "Space Mutiny." And although there was an episode of "Black Mirror" that dealt with some of the same issues, a good movie adaptation of "The Light of Other Days" would be A: an instant classic and B: a really, really, really, really, appropriate (message wise) movie to release right now.

 

[Glongpre]

Edit: Anyone interested in favorite sci-fi shows? Because I need something to assure me that Star Trek isn't the be all and end all of sci-fi TV. 0_0

The Outer Limits is a 60's b&w sci-fi show that romanticizes much of the science and has earned my adoration in result.
Has 49 episodes with 51 minute run times.
Features several monster/alien/robot costumes being fashioned.

 

[Glongpre]

Too bad they never made a sequel.

I love the idea in that movie. So good. Yeah, too bad they couldn't make a proper sequel
My favourite part is Agent Smith talking about humanity. And I rather enjoy Keanu's acting, I don't know why, he just always seems down to earth, like he is playing a real dude and not acting. Could be because of his real life experiences.

a good movie adaptation

I'd like to see a movie adaptation of The Forever War. It would be cool to see someone tackle the effects of light speed travel, and how that would feel to the traveler. I also liked how it ended, a more optimistic view of how alien life forms would act if they found us (that is, that they are peaceful).

Were humans actually guided in 2010? The Leonov is a joint Soviet-US venture to recover the Discovery before it falls into Jupiter due to its decaying orbit. Them going out there is on their own volition. Dave does help them and uses HAL to send a message to Earth, but that's about it. If the Leonov didn't leave Earth, everything that occurred concerning Jupiter/Europa would occur regardless.

I guess to summarize, Dave in 2001 is part of the monoliths'/Firstborn's plan for humanity, to elevate them (though that's only made clear in the novel, the film leaves it up to your interpretation). Dave in film!2010 is used as a medium to give a message to humanity, at least by Floyd's interpretation. In book!2010, Dave is acting more on his own volition, in order to save the crew of the Leonov, despite the Firstborn/monoliths making it clear that the transformation of Jupiter isn't going to be interrupted.

They weren't specifically guided in 2010, no. But I would say they were in 2001, to the monolith over Jupiter, which would certainly make others want to come check it out.
So the aliens obviously wanted to give humans more planets to inhabit, but not Europa. So the aliens had two objectives then, to create new life, but to also help humans expand.
But Dave is the only one to achieve the evolution, not any other human. Can Dave go to other humans all Zeus-like, and pass on his evolutionary genes?? haha.

 

[Hawki]

Too bad they never made a sequel.

I love the idea in that movie. So good. Yeah, too bad they couldn't make a proper sequel
My favourite part is Agent Smith talking about humanity. And I rather enjoy Keanu's acting, I don't know why, he just always seems down to earth, like he is playing a real dude and not acting. Could be because of his real life experiences.

Can I just but in and claim that The Matrix trilogy is a case of an excellent first movie, followed by a good second movie, followed by an average third movie, and that I still see the trilogy as a net positive? Pretty please?

I'd like to see a movie adaptation of The Forever War. It would be cool to see someone tackle the effects of light speed travel, and how that would feel to the traveler. I also liked how it ended, a more optimistic view of how alien life forms would act if they found us (that is, that they are peaceful).

You do know that Ridley Scott is making an adaptation, right?

Though after reading the summary on Wikipedia...holy bum nuggets, I've no idea how the story would fly in the current climate given its content. 0_0

They weren't specifically guided in 2010, no. But I would say they were in 2001, to the monolith over Jupiter, which would certainly make others want to come check it out.
So the aliens obviously wanted to give humans more planets to inhabit, but not Europa. So the aliens had two objectives then, to create new life, but to also help humans expand.
But Dave is the only one to achieve the evolution, not any other human. Can Dave go to other humans all Zeus-like, and pass on his evolutionary genes?? haha.

Transforming Jupiter into Lucifer was probably more for the Europans than humanity though - as I mentioned, while life on Europa is confirmed to exist, there's no chance of its reaching sapience given the hostile conditions. It's also established in the novel that the solar system gaining a second sun does have adverse effects for life on Earth, especially animals that rely on a fixed day-night cycle. Mankind is allowed to colonize the Jovian system, but Europa is for the Europans. Even by the year 20,001, even though it's implied that mankind has incredible space-faring technology, they still can't land on the planet (not sure how Odyssey Three factors into this yet).

As for Dave, at least what I drew away from it is that he represents the potential/evolutionary path of humanity, since him being drawn into the monolith is an experiment on the Firstborn's part. But no, I don't see him imparting any genes anytime soon. But who knows? Maybe he could get someone to open their, er, pod bay doors. XD

 

[stroopwafel]

The original Terminator and the original Alien are by and far still my favorite sci-fi movies. Both were really such huge influence on pop culture and a continued source of inspiration to this day(not the least for videogames).

Just the mood and the story and the ideas these movies introduced is just so, so good. So innovative, imaginative and creative that they are still my favorite.

 

[Glongpre]

The original Terminator and the original Alien are by and far still my favorite sci-fi movies. Both were really such huge influence on pop culture and a continued source of inspiration to this day(not the least for videogames).

Just the mood and the story and the ideas these movies introduced is just so, so good. So innovative, imaginative and creative that they are still my favorite.

Oh man, Terminator and Alien are freaking amazing. Both remarkably well done, and they are still both very unique movies. Just thinking about a Terminator situation is crazy. Like you are just walking down the street and some dude gets shot, but then just gets up and starts chasing the guy, and you would be standing there in awe! Like what the fuck is going on?!
Or if I was an astronaut I would be thinking about aliens on my ship haha. It would be unnerving, worse than worrying about the boogeyman in my closet (damn that movie!).



I also just stumbled on this guy's analyst videos, and they are interesting to listen to. This one on Children of Men (another fantastic scifi movie) was cool because I never really thought about trying to look at the background, but it really shows a lot about the setting. Will have to watch this movie again!

Spoiler: Children of Men Analysis

Can I just but in and claim that The Matrix trilogy is a case of an excellent first movie, followed by a good second movie, followed by an average third movie, and that I still see the trilogy as a net positive? Pretty please?

I will allow it. (They aren't terrible sequels, but they just went much more fantastical than the first, which killed the scifi aspect of it for me).

You do know that Ridley Scott is making an adaptation, right?

Though after reading the summary on Wikipedia...holy bum nuggets, I've no idea how the story would fly in the current climate given its content. 0_0

:O Really? Cool. And I don't remember anything too crazy...I mean, it was created after the Vietnam War, so some of the issues there shouldn't really be offensive, we are kinda past that.
Although, I am sure lots of war vets would empathize with the story, since the whole light speed travel relativity thing is supposed to be a comparison to coming home from a war. And how the Tauren conflict was started just from the inability to communicate and fear.

I'd want Chris Nolan to direct it.


All of you peoples entries are making me want to rewatch a bunch of these movies. But so little time
Maybe a little Alien tomorrow, maybe a little Children of Men...

 

[Hawki]

:O Really? Cool. And I don't remember anything too crazy...I mean, it was created after the Vietnam War, so some of the issues there shouldn't really be offensive, we are kinda past that.
Although, I am sure lots of war vets would empathize with the story, since the whole light speed travel relativity thing is supposed to be a comparison to coming home from a war. And how the Tauren conflict was started just from the inability to communicate and fear.

I'd want Chris Nolan to direct it.

Actually I was referring more to how the storyline encourages homosexuality as a means to combat population growth.

I can't see that going down well. On one hand, some might claim that it perpetuates the concept that homosexuality is a "lifestyle choice," and call it homophobic. The other side of the spectrum might claim that it's encouraging and trying to "normalize" homosexuality. I can't comment on the author's intent (and I haven't read the book either), but, yeah. We're living in an era where a sizable portion of people (though not a majority), freaked out over a black actress playing Mary Jane, and an all female cast for Ghostbusters. And I'm not saying that disliking those choices makes one racist/sexist, but it's naieve to think that there'd be some who'd be put off for those reasons.

Which is a shame, because by the looks of it, Forever War does have an interesting premise (waging war over light years and factoring in relativity), and potentially interesting social commentary (returning veterans, Vietnam War, etc.)

 

[Addendum_Forthcoming]

Does Patlabor 2 count as sci-fi?

I don't think it's my favourite movie, or even favourite sci-fi movie.... but it combines so many elements it's just sublime. To me ... it's probably the best reflection of what a civil war of the future will actually look like in a Western country.

It's grasp of geopolitics is particularly beautiful. The romantic elements seem muted yet very human. The political thriller context is far more nuanced and tiered than longer movies like it and it effectively tries to communicate the difference between keeping the peace, or keeping invisible the war.

 

[Nazulu]

Too bad they never made a sequel.

I love the idea in that movie. So good. Yeah, too bad they couldn't make a proper sequel
My favourite part is Agent Smith talking about humanity. And I rather enjoy Keanu's acting, I don't know why, he just always seems down to earth, like he is playing a real dude and not acting. Could be because of his real life experiences.

Can I just but in and claim that The Matrix trilogy is a case of an excellent first movie, followed by a good second movie, followed by an average third movie, and that I still see the trilogy as a net positive? Pretty please?

I found the 3rd movie just average (not bad), but I love the 2nd film (possibly more than the 1st). Incredible memorable fight scenes, incredible music to go with those fight scenes, other weird scenes, some interesting dialogue here and there, and what did you think the writer was going for when Neo decided to save Trinity instead?

Even if that's a flaw, I fucking love it!

 

[Hawki]

...and what did you think the writer was going for when Neo decided to save Trinity instead?

I don't know if it necessarily symbolizes anything. It could be simply "guy loves girl, true love prevails" (in that he saves Trinity, and that in doing so, paves the way to bring about an end to the war rather than letting the cycle perpetuate itself. That said, I can see a number of interpretations for that scene:

1) Neo prevails because he chooses to go against the cycle. "The problem is choice," as he says, but in the end, choice carries the day (standing in contrast to the Merovingian's ideology). He chooses to save Trinity, and the new version of the Matrix that ends up being created allows red pills to choose to leave.

2) Neo stands as testament to the self-interest of human beings. Instead of guaranteeing the survival of mankind, he chooses to save one person, despite the Architect's assurances that this will result in the extinction of humanity through Zion being destroyed, and the Matrix having a system crash. Even as he saves her, there's no doubt that he's killing blue pills along the way (e.g. the cars caught up in the wind funnel his speed creates). Even while he saves Trinity, he's done so on a whim, with no plan beyond that. Human beings are selfish creatures, and that can result in great deeds, but also terrible acts.

I'm more akin to side with the first interpretation, because red pills generally seem to be blase about innocents dying in the Matrix. Morpheus does lay it out in the first film after all (the "Matrix is a system" scene), where he basically says that if Neo isn't "one of us, then you're one of them (blue pills)."

 

[Nazulu]

...and what did you think the writer was going for when Neo decided to save Trinity instead?

I don't know if it necessarily symbolizes anything. It could be simply "guy loves girl, true love prevails" (in that he saves Trinity, and that in doing so, paves the way to bring about an end to the war rather than letting the cycle perpetuate itself. That said, I can see a number of interpretations for that scene:

1) Neo prevails because he chooses to go against the cycle. "The problem is choice," as he says, but in the end, choice carries the day (standing in contrast to the Merovingian's ideology). He chooses to save Trinity, and the new version of the Matrix that ends up being created allows red pills to choose to leave.

2) Neo stands as testament to the self-interest of human beings. Instead of guaranteeing the survival of mankind, he chooses to save one person, despite the Architect's assurances that this will result in the extinction of humanity through Zion being destroyed, and the Matrix having a system crash. Even as he saves her, there's no doubt that he's killing blue pills along the way (e.g. the cars caught up in the wind funnel his speed creates). Even while he saves Trinity, he's done so on a whim, with no plan beyond that. Human beings are selfish creatures, and that can result in great deeds, but also terrible acts.

I'm more akin to side with the first interpretation, because red pills generally seem to be blase about innocents dying in the Matrix. Morpheus does lay it out in the first film after all (the "Matrix is a system" scene), where he basically says that if Neo isn't "one of us, then you're one of them (blue pills)."

This is an awesome response. I never feel like I deserve these

I'd say both. Neo makes a quick confident decision to go against the cycle, and at the same time, it felt like he couldn't go on without her, with certain moments making him look uncomfortable alone (or maybe that's just me). Him being the testament to self-interest as well, because throughout the film we often hear philosophy about how people/the world functions, and it reflects on him before making that ultimate choice.

 

[Glongpre]

Actually I was referring more to how the storyline encourages homosexuality as a means to combat population growth.

Oh, yea, I vaguely remember that. I forget when it happens though...might be toward the end in the far future, or it could be after his first tour and the world is in a food crisis. Anyway...

Yeah, some people would be vocal about that I am sure. I don't like those kinds of people.

Does Patlabor 2 count as sci-fi?

Yea, sure, sounds like it could be classified as scifi because of the future angle. I will allow it.

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

Pre-Destination. Really surprised me, more than any other sci-fi. Have yet to see Ex Machina...but it is on the list.
Watched Blade Runner too late to find it particularly inspiring or amazing.
There was this weird European time-travel film I saw once, was quite mesmerising even if low budget. Have no idea what it was called though.
I tell you though, Interstellar had a few great moments, awe inspiring moments. Not spoiling anything, but the few when it came to the thing near the end with the black hole, I was completely transfixed throughout it all.

Has anybody mentioned Lawnmover Man yet?

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

The Prestige is perhaps my favorite movie of all time and I don't even care for magic that much. I always sell the movie to friends that it's Batman vs Wolverine in MAGIC!!!

Oh man it is so good. How the movie itself is structured like a magic trick is genius. I always loved Caine's line about the sailor who told him about drowning. At first he tells the guy, "drowning was like going home". Then you are hit with the hammer at the end, "I lied. He said it was agony.". I don't know why I like it, the delivery is just great. Maybe it is because Jackman had unwittingly been putting himself in one of the worst ways to die, just to stick it to Bale.

The one thing that has always bugged me about Inception is...

Spoiler

Cobb's totem of the spinning top. The whole point of the totems is that the dreamer would dream each totem as an ordinary object like a die not being weighted. But normal top wouldn't spin forever. I think the top might be the key to the movie being a dream or not a dream because it's the one thing that doesn't make sense. Everyone online seems to be obsessed with Cobb's wedding ring. On each viewing though, I haven't had that eureka moment where I've sorta put it all together. It really seems odd that Nolan would overlook something as important as the main character's totem. Also, it's cool if the movie is all a dream because that would make Michael Caine's character right just like he was in The Prestige all along.

I think it has more to do with his character arc. It is part of his guilt over Mal(it was Mal's totem), and it reminds him of that guilt. He can't take a leap of faith, and obsesses over being in reality. By the end, he is free of his guilt and he can allow himself to just live happily with his kids. It is ambiguous at the end if the top falls, because it doesn't matter to Cobb anymore, he has moved on.
I don't think it was overlooked at all.

Aww crap, I forgot about The Prestige...yes, that too!

A tie between fifth element and galaxy quest

A tie? You can't have a tie!

Oh wait, you have a multi-pass. Carry on.

Anybody remember Farscape? That was alright. Have yet to see Firefly, though Serenity was OK, but now I understand why they seemed to be so chummy with each other for apparently no justifiable reason.

 

[Hawki]

Anybody remember Farscape? That was alright. Have yet to see Firefly, though Serenity was OK, but now I understand why they seemed to be so chummy with each other for apparently no justifiable reason.

Farscape is my #2 sci-fi series, so yeah, I remember it. Quite fondly too.

Firefly is quite good as well, coming in at #6 for me. I'd reccomend it - at only about 13 episodes, it's easy enough to blast through.

 

[Remus]

Is it bad that I really, really love the Time Machine, with Guy Pierce? It's both tragic and filled with hope, as well as very quotable thanks to the addition of Jeremy Irons. It's one of those odd movies I have to watch whenever I see it on dish, plus who doesn't love a good timetravel movie about a man haunted by those two most terrible words, "What If?" Also, 9. Postapocalyptic sentient ragdolls. It's like Little Big Planet meets Terminator.

 

[Tiger King]

:O Really? Cool. And I don't remember anything too crazy...I mean, it was created after the Vietnam War, so some of the issues there shouldn't really be offensive, we are kinda past that.
Although, I am sure lots of war vets would empathize with the story, since the whole light speed travel relativity thing is supposed to be a comparison to coming home from a war. And how the Tauren conflict was started just from the inability to communicate and fear.

I'd want Chris Nolan to direct it.

Actually I was referring more to how the storyline encourages homosexuality as a means to combat population growth.

I can't see that going down well. On one hand, some might claim that it perpetuates the concept that homosexuality is a "lifestyle choice," and call it homophobic. The other side of the spectrum might claim that it's encouraging and trying to "normalize" homosexuality. I can't comment on the author's intent (and I haven't read the book either), but, yeah. We're living in an era where a sizable portion of people (though not a majority), freaked out over a black actress playing Mary Jane, and an all female cast for Ghostbusters. And I'm not saying that disliking those choices makes one racist/sexist, but it's naieve to think that there'd be some who'd be put off for those reasons.

Which is a shame, because by the looks of it, Forever War does have an interesting premise (waging war over light years and factoring in relativity), and potentially interesting social commentary (returning veterans, Vietnam War, etc.)

I have read the book, some time ago now and my memory is hazy, but I do recall one part where it is explained that whilst most people in the book accept being homosexual, there are a number of the population that have to be 'conditioned' to be gay, which puts a spin on things I suppose.

Also the main character is referred to as 'the queer' behind his back by his troops because he is heterosexual.
Made me think I guess that's what it's like to be gay. all that prejudice and alienation.

Anyhow I pick event horizon.
I liked the idea that going through a worm hole could possibly be a seriously bad idea.

 

[pookie101]

favourite sc-fi movie.. would have to be eternal sunshine of the spotless mind

favourite sci-fi tv episode would be a deep space 9 episode called the visitor