Today's blog entry reveals the Top 5 in my list of favorite science fiction movies. Rango will be up tomorrow.
My Top 20 science fiction movies (continued)
[Show spoiler]
If you have been following this series, you’ll know numbers 6-20 in my Top 20. My tastes won’t appeal to everyone. I’m sure most people would include a couple of Star Wars movies in their own Top 20, while others might like Jurassic Park. The good news is you can just ignore my opinion and buy both when they hit Blu-ray later this year.
Here are my five favorite science fiction movies:
5. I Am Legend (2007)
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Starring Will Smith, Alice Braga and Charlie Tahan
Will Smith was a good choice for the role of Robert Neville. His character looks like he can take care of himself, but he also looks intelligent enough to conduct scientific experiments. I’m fond of post-apocalyptic stories because they encourage me to think. What would life be like if you lived without any human contact? Where would you find food? How would you spend your time? What would your purpose in life be? Neville has adapted to his solitary existence and seeks a cure for the infection which has affected most of the human race. I find it interesting watching actors carry a movie. Tom Hanks had to do it in Cast Away and James Franco had a similar role in 127 Hours. Both are stories that I keep revisiting. I Am Legend has extended periods of quiet reflection as we are shown how Neville lives. When he does encounter somebody, his reaction is believable. The special effects aren’t entirely convincing, but I still love visiting Neville’s world. There’s a little action thrown in, but this is mainly a thought-provoking psychological study. The Blu-ray has been out a while, but the presentation is almost reference quality.
4. Avatar (2009)
Directed by James Cameron
Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver
Here’s a movie that you won’t have to think about at all. The dialogue is dumb and the second half of the movie is just a standard science fiction battle sequence. So why do I like it? The look of the movie is incredible and genuinely makes me feel like I’m visiting an alien world. There’s also an excellent sequence which lasts for about an hour in which Jake Sully (Worthington) meets some of the native population and learns how they live. The training sequence is easily the most interesting part of the story and I never tire of watching it. Avatar isn’t a great movie; it’s a piece of entertainment which appeals to a vast number of people. Sometimes, that’s exactly what I want. There isn’t a better looking Blu-ray than this and it’s pure escapism. I prefer the extended version which explains a couple of things in more depth and ties up an important loose end.
There's a full review in this thread or on my blog.
3. The Matrix (1999)
Directed by Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss
The Matrix is a strange movie. Although it seems like an obvious story on the surface, there are a number of deeper themes if you choose to dig deeper. When it was released, it looked like something that had never been seen before. The use of slow motion adds to the overall feel and the special effects are still pretty cool. It’s an exciting ride in which Neo (Reeves) learns the truth about his existence. We see that there’s nothing he can’t do once he has been exposed to the relevant training, and that knowledge is downloaded in seconds. The story is also about belief in your own ability and acceptance of the real situation, as well as philosophical layers that make you question things such as religion and fate. The movie is an exercise in style, but it works well because of the action, effects and acting. Reeves is often ridiculed for his acting ability, but he’s certainly a good choice. He’s not meant to know anything, and he plays it exactly right. The Blu-ray release is decent considering the age of the movie and some of the chase sequences will fully test your home theater system.
2. Inception (2010)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page
Christopher Nolan delivers good movies on a consistent basis and hasn’t disappointed me so far. I’m not a fan of comic book characters, but Batman Begins and The Dark Knight took the genre to a different level. The Prestige and Memento are presented in an intriguing way and both are among my favorites. Inception is arguably Nolan’s most ambitious effort to date. The plot is complex and it must have taken a long time to get things exactly right. I imagine that many viewers won’t understand everything that happens and Nolan doesn’t dumb things down. Inception could work on some level even if you don’t grasp the whole story. It’s a visual feast with stunning special effects happening at several different rates of speed. The acting is good and there is no shortage of action. The ambiguous ending angered some, but I quite like it. This is a movie that I already love after two viewings, and I’m looking forward to seeing it again.
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood and William Sylvester
This is a prime example of how my tastes have changed over the years. The first time I saw 2001, I think I fell asleep. When I revisited it on cable many years later, I couldn’t get past the first act with the apes. But in recent years, I have started to appreciate what Kubrick achieved. The first thing to remember is what science fiction movies were like before 2001 was released in 1968. Most were laughable, predictable and not even remotely believable. Kubrick’s film completely changed the genre. It’s epic in scope, spanning around 6,000 years, and over half of the film is told without the use of dialogue. It may be easy to show apes or people floating around without gravity with the use of modern special effects, but consider what was available in 1968; even making a pen appear to float was a challenge. Actors had to dress up as apes and study the movements of real animals to produce the opening act. Kubrick’s use of music was another innovation. Think about the docking sequence and how Kubrick made it seem like a dance. He also got the details right. How many directors would have shown an explosion in space without sound? It’s not an easy film to watch by any means. If you go in expecting action, you’ll be sorely disappointed. It’s a film that will stay with you a long time after you see it and might even encourage you to investigate some of the deeper themes. If you don’t know what the monoliths represent, it’s interesting finding out. The story does make sense when you take the time to research it, and it’s a work of genius. It also contains my favorite cut sequence, when a bone is thrown in the air and we move on to the next act. I’m sure a lot of people have never seen 2001, while others may have seen it and written it off as meaningless or boring. If that’s the case, I urge you to look at it again. It has to be the most influential science fiction film ever made. How many times have you heard Thus Spake Zarathustra when watching a documentary about space? It’s actually a piece of art as much as it is a film. The Blu-ray looks stunning considering the age of the film.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to comment or post your own favorites.
Wowzers Steve! That is quite the list! Was very surprised by some choices (Inception and I Am Legend) and of course agree completely about 2001 I was expecting to see at least one Star Wars film - but that was before reading what you said of course
Was interesting seeing so many newer films with a nice mix of older works as well. I thought though you were a big fan of Dark City? Surprised to see that MIA from the whole list. Unless of course I'm not remembering correctly and you in fact don't like / haven't seen it lol
Wowzers Steve! That is quite the list! Was very surprised by some choices (Inception and I Am Legend) and of course agree completely about 2001 I was expecting to see at least one Star Wars film - but that was before reading what you said of course
Was interesting seeing so many newer films with a nice mix of older works as well. I thought though you were a big fan of Dark City? Surprised to see that MIA from the whole list. Unless of course I'm not remembering correctly and you in fact don't like / haven't seen it lol
It's not like me to be surprising.
Here's a list of near misses:
Donnie Darko
Knowing
Dark City
Serenity
Sunshine
Gattaca
The Man Who Fell to Earth
The Day the Earth Stood Still
2010: The Year We Make Contact
I saw the trailer and some clips for Horrible Bosses.
Jennifer Aniston constantly coming on to you and walking around her office topless (with coat) and in her underwear...and he plans to kill her.
This movie has no sense of realism AT ALL
She plays Dale's boss. Dale is engaged. And she threatens to blackmail him with some "evidence" of his cheating said fiance, so that's why he wants her dead. It makes sense
Of course, only because, you know, he "cares" about his future wife and all.
If that was me in his position? I'd have forgotten my fiance even existed in about 5 minutes!
Today's blog entry reveals the Top 5 in my list of favorite science fiction movies. Rango will be up tomorrow.
My Top 20 science fiction movies (continued)
[Show spoiler]If you have been following this series, you’ll know numbers 6-20 in my Top 20. My tastes won’t appeal to everyone. I’m sure most people would include a couple of Star Wars movies in their own Top 20, while others might like Jurassic Park. The good news is you can just ignore my opinion and buy both when they hit Blu-ray later this year.
Here are my five favorite science fiction movies:
5. I Am Legend (2007)
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Starring Will Smith, Alice Braga and Charlie Tahan
Will Smith was a good choice for the role of Robert Neville. His character looks like he can take care of himself, but he also looks intelligent enough to conduct scientific experiments. I’m fond of post-apocalyptic stories because they encourage me to think. What would life be like if you lived without any human contact? Where would you find food? How would you spend your time? What would your purpose in life be? Neville has adapted to his solitary existence and seeks a cure for the infection which has affected most of the human race. I find it interesting watching actors carry a movie. Tom Hanks had to do it in Cast Away and James Franco had a similar role in 127 Hours. Both are stories that I keep revisiting. I Am Legend has extended periods of quiet reflection as we are shown how Neville lives. When he does encounter somebody, his reaction is believable. The special effects aren’t entirely convincing, but I still love visiting Neville’s world. There’s a little action thrown in, but this is mainly a thought-provoking psychological study. The Blu-ray has been out a while, but the presentation is almost reference quality.
4. Avatar (2009)
Directed by James Cameron
Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver
Here’s a movie that you won’t have to think about at all. The dialogue is dumb and the second half of the movie is just a standard science fiction battle sequence. So why do I like it? The look of the movie is incredible and genuinely makes me feel like I’m visiting an alien world. There’s also an excellent sequence which lasts for about an hour in which Jake Sully (Worthington) meets some of the native population and learns how they live. The training sequence is easily the most interesting part of the story and I never tire of watching it. Avatar isn’t a great movie; it’s a piece of entertainment which appeals to a vast number of people. Sometimes, that’s exactly what I want. There isn’t a better looking Blu-ray than this and it’s pure escapism. I prefer the extended version which explains a couple of things in more depth and ties up an important loose end.
There's a full review in this thread or on my blog.
3. The Matrix (1999)
Directed by Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss
The Matrix is a strange movie. Although it seems like an obvious story on the surface, there are a number of deeper themes if you choose to dig deeper. When it was released, it looked like something that had never been seen before. The use of slow motion adds to the overall feel and the special effects are still pretty cool. It’s an exciting ride in which Neo (Reeves) learns the truth about his existence. We see that there’s nothing he can’t do once he has been exposed to the relevant training, and that knowledge is downloaded in seconds. The story is also about belief in your own ability and acceptance of the real situation, as well as philosophical layers that make you question things such as religion and fate. The movie is an exercise in style, but it works well because of the action, effects and acting. Reeves is often ridiculed for his acting ability, but he’s certainly a good choice. He’s not meant to know anything, and he plays it exactly right. The Blu-ray release is decent considering the age of the movie and some of the chase sequences will fully test your home theater system.
2. Inception (2010)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page
Christopher Nolan delivers good movies on a consistent basis and hasn’t disappointed me so far. I’m not a fan of comic book characters, but Batman Begins and The Dark Knight took the genre to a different level. The Prestige and Memento are presented in an intriguing way and both are among my favorites. Inception is arguably Nolan’s most ambitious effort to date. The plot is complex and it must have taken a long time to get things exactly right. I imagine that many viewers won’t understand everything that happens and Nolan doesn’t dumb things down. Inception could work on some level even if you don’t grasp the whole story. It’s a visual feast with stunning special effects happening at several different rates of speed. The acting is good and there is no shortage of action. The ambiguous ending angered some, but I quite like it. This is a movie that I already love after two viewings, and I’m looking forward to seeing it again.
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood and William Sylvester
This is a prime example of how my tastes have changed over the years. The first time I saw 2001, I think I fell asleep. When I revisited it on cable many years later, I couldn’t get past the first act with the apes. But in recent years, I have started to appreciate what Kubrick achieved. The first thing to remember is what science fiction movies were like before 2001 was released in 1968. Most were laughable, predictable and not even remotely believable. Kubrick’s film completely changed the genre. It’s epic in scope, spanning around 6,000 years, and over half of the film is told without the use of dialogue. It may be easy to show apes or people floating around without gravity with the use of modern special effects, but consider what was available in 1968; even making a pen appear to float was a challenge. Actors had to dress up as apes and study the movements of real animals to produce the opening act. Kubrick’s use of music was another innovation. Think about the docking sequence and how Kubrick made it seem like a dance. He also got the details right. How many directors would have shown an explosion in space without sound? It’s not an easy film to watch by any means. If you go in expecting action, you’ll be sorely disappointed. It’s a film that will stay with you a long time after you see it and might even encourage you to investigate some of the deeper themes. If you don’t know what the monoliths represent, it’s interesting finding out. The story does make sense when you take the time to research it, and it’s a work of genius. It also contains my favorite cut sequence, when a bone is thrown in the air and we move on to the next act. I’m sure a lot of people have never seen 2001, while others may have seen it and written it off as meaningless or boring. If that’s the case, I urge you to look at it again. It has to be the most influential science fiction film ever made. How many times have you heard Thus Spake Zarathustra when watching a documentary about space? It’s actually a piece of art as much as it is a film. The Blu-ray looks stunning considering the age of the film.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to comment or post your own favorites.
Donnie Darko
Knowing
Dark City
Serenity
Sunshine
Gattaca
The Man Who Fell to Earth
The Day the Earth Stood Still
2010: The Year We Make Contact
Donnie Darko is one of my fav's of sci-fi (and in general) as is Sunshine although many hate what happens in the third act. Serenity I have to see yet, Gattaca I found okay, and Knowing was real great until the flashlight mouth guys and the rocks or something it got a little to weird for what came before it. Dark City I wasn't a fan of and the rest I haven't seen.
A lot of what's in your Top 20 would make mine as well
Donnie Darko is one of my fav's of sci-fi (and in general) as is Sunshine although many hate what happens in the third act. Serenity I have to see yet, Gattaca I found okay, and Knowing was real great until the flashlight mouth guys and the rocks or something it got a little to weird for what came before it. Dark City I wasn't a fan of and the rest I haven't seen.
A lot of what's in your Top 20 would make mine as well
Thanks. I feel like watching one of them tonight. I need to see Inception again soon.
I've almost watched my copy of Inception a number of times in the last few weeks. I reach for it...and then stop. It's one of those movies I definitely have to be in the 'mood' for. It's not a "Oh, pop it in" movie for whenever.
I ranked it #15 in my recent Top 20 animated list. It's a great story. Quite bloody and not everyone survives, but pretty heroic and inspiring.
My German import arrived yesterday so I watched it immediately. It played just fine on my Region A player and the special features were also viewable. It was a bit grainy at the start, but very good overall. I would say 4/5 for PQ. The audio was lossless too.
It was very cheap. Around $15 delivered from Grooves Inc., so I wouldn't bother waiting for a North American release if you are a fan of the film. I was very happy with it.
The Film 4.5/5
Here's what I said earlier:
Quote:
15. Watership Down (1978)
Directed by Martin Rosen
Starring the voices of John Hurt, Richard Briers and Ralph Richardson
The first thing you should know is that I love rabbits. That made me curious about Watership Down, so I borrowed the DVD from my local library. Richard Adams’ novel tells the story of a small group of rabbits threatened by a development scheme which could destroy their home. Fiver (Briers), is a young rabbit with a gift; he catches glimpses of the future. He sees imminent danger and encourages the other rabbits to leave, but only a small group listen. Hazel (Hurt) is Fiver’s brother and leads the group as they search for a safer home. They are joined by Bigwig, Silver and Buckthorn. The group faces dangers from other animals, rival warrens and humans, and the quest continually encounters perilous situations. The film is informative for anyone interested in group dynamics as we see how the individuals find their roles in the new order. It also shows the difference between those with strong character and those who are too weak to do anything but follow the established rules. There’s a lot of blood as the rabbits fight for survival, and there is no shortage of death.
I wouldn’t recommend showing this to small children as it could give them nightmares for years to come. It’s suitable for older teens and up though.
Today's blog entry reveals the Top 5 in my list of favorite science fiction movies. Rango will be up tomorrow.
My Top 20 science fiction movies (continued)
If you have been following this series, you’ll know numbers 6-20 in my Top 20. My tastes won’t appeal to everyone. I’m sure most people would include a couple of Star Wars movies in their own Top 20, while others might like Jurassic Park. The good news is you can just ignore my opinion and buy both when they hit Blu-ray later this year.
Here are my five favorite science fiction movies:
[Show spoiler]5. I Am Legend (2007)
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Starring Will Smith, Alice Braga and Charlie Tahan
Will Smith was a good choice for the role of Robert Neville. His character looks like he can take care of himself, but he also looks intelligent enough to conduct scientific experiments. I’m fond of post-apocalyptic stories because they encourage me to think. What would life be like if you lived without any human contact? Where would you find food? How would you spend your time? What would your purpose in life be? Neville has adapted to his solitary existence and seeks a cure for the infection which has affected most of the human race. I find it interesting watching actors carry a movie. Tom Hanks had to do it in Cast Away and James Franco had a similar role in 127 Hours. Both are stories that I keep revisiting. I Am Legend has extended periods of quiet reflection as we are shown how Neville lives. When he does encounter somebody, his reaction is believable. The special effects aren’t entirely convincing, but I still love visiting Neville’s world. There’s a little action thrown in, but this is mainly a thought-provoking psychological study. The Blu-ray has been out a while, but the presentation is almost reference quality.
4. Avatar (2009)
Directed by James Cameron
Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver
Here’s a movie that you won’t have to think about at all. The dialogue is dumb and the second half of the movie is just a standard science fiction battle sequence. So why do I like it? The look of the movie is incredible and genuinely makes me feel like I’m visiting an alien world. There’s also an excellent sequence which lasts for about an hour in which Jake Sully (Worthington) meets some of the native population and learns how they live. The training sequence is easily the most interesting part of the story and I never tire of watching it. Avatar isn’t a great movie; it’s a piece of entertainment which appeals to a vast number of people. Sometimes, that’s exactly what I want. There isn’t a better looking Blu-ray than this and it’s pure escapism. I prefer the extended version which explains a couple of things in more depth and ties up an important loose end.
There's a full review in this thread or on my blog.
3. The Matrix (1999)
Directed by Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss
The Matrix is a strange movie. Although it seems like an obvious story on the surface, there are a number of deeper themes if you choose to dig deeper. When it was released, it looked like something that had never been seen before. The use of slow motion adds to the overall feel and the special effects are still pretty cool. It’s an exciting ride in which Neo (Reeves) learns the truth about his existence. We see that there’s nothing he can’t do once he has been exposed to the relevant training, and that knowledge is downloaded in seconds. The story is also about belief in your own ability and acceptance of the real situation, as well as philosophical layers that make you question things such as religion and fate. The movie is an exercise in style, but it works well because of the action, effects and acting. Reeves is often ridiculed for his acting ability, but he’s certainly a good choice. He’s not meant to know anything, and he plays it exactly right. The Blu-ray release is decent considering the age of the movie and some of the chase sequences will fully test your home theater system.
2. Inception (2010)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page
Christopher Nolan delivers good movies on a consistent basis and hasn’t disappointed me so far. I’m not a fan of comic book characters, but Batman Begins and The Dark Knight took the genre to a different level. The Prestige and Memento are presented in an intriguing way and both are among my favorites. Inception is arguably Nolan’s most ambitious effort to date. The plot is complex and it must have taken a long time to get things exactly right. I imagine that many viewers won’t understand everything that happens and Nolan doesn’t dumb things down. Inception could work on some level even if you don’t grasp the whole story. It’s a visual feast with stunning special effects happening at several different rates of speed. The acting is good and there is no shortage of action. The ambiguous ending angered some, but I quite like it. This is a movie that I already love after two viewings, and I’m looking forward to seeing it again.
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood and William Sylvester
This is a prime example of how my tastes have changed over the years. The first time I saw 2001, I think I fell asleep. When I revisited it on cable many years later, I couldn’t get past the first act with the apes. But in recent years, I have started to appreciate what Kubrick achieved. The first thing to remember is what science fiction movies were like before 2001 was released in 1968. Most were laughable, predictable and not even remotely believable. Kubrick’s film completely changed the genre. It’s epic in scope, spanning around 6,000 years, and over half of the film is told without the use of dialogue. It may be easy to show apes or people floating around without gravity with the use of modern special effects, but consider what was available in 1968; even making a pen appear to float was a challenge. Actors had to dress up as apes and study the movements of real animals to produce the opening act. Kubrick’s use of music was another innovation. Think about the docking sequence and how Kubrick made it seem like a dance. He also got the details right. How many directors would have shown an explosion in space without sound? It’s not an easy film to watch by any means. If you go in expecting action, you’ll be sorely disappointed. It’s a film that will stay with you a long time after you see it and might even encourage you to investigate some of the deeper themes. If you don’t know what the monoliths represent, it’s interesting finding out. The story does make sense when you take the time to research it, and it’s a work of genius. It also contains my favorite cut sequence, when a bone is thrown in the air and we move on to the next act. I’m sure a lot of people have never seen 2001, while others may have seen it and written it off as meaningless or boring. If that’s the case, I urge you to look at it again. It has to be the most influential science fiction film ever made. How many times have you heard Thus Spake Zarathustra when watching a documentary about space? It’s actually a piece of art as much as it is a film. The Blu-ray looks stunning considering the age of the film.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to comment or post your own favorites.
Woo! I Am Legend is a personal favourite of mine and I've seen 4 of these! Though I must admit I've never seen 2001: A Space Odyssey... I have the Stanley Kubrick Collection on blu-ray but I've not got around to watching it yet.
After seeing your list I'll try to watch it soon .
Woo! I Am Legend is a personal favourite of mine and I've seen 4 of these! Though I must admit I've never seen 2001: A Space Odyssey... I have the Stanley Kubrick Collection on blu-ray but I've not got around to watching it yet.
After seeing your list I'll try to watch it soon .
I hope you like 2001. Don't expect any action though
Some people hate it, others think it's a masterpiece. It's one to watch when you don't have any possible distractions. Think about how ahead of its time it was when you see it.
I hope you like 2001. Don't expect any action though
Some people hate it, others think it's a masterpiece. It's one to watch when you don't have any possible distractions. Think about how ahead of its time it was when you see it.
Got ya . Yup, I know what you mean when you say some people hate it. One of my friends wouldn't shut up about how crap he thought it was a few months back. It hasn't made me think any less of it though because he thinks Alien vs Predator is better than Aliens and Alien.
Got ya . Yup, I know what you mean when you say some people hate it. One of my friends wouldn't shut up about how crap he thought it was a few months back. It hasn't made me think any less of it though because he thinks Alien vs Predator is better than Aliens and Alien.
The first three minutes is music with a totally black screen. That's the way it's supposed to be
Well this was my first time seeing the movie in its entirety and i have to say that this is one of the most Original movies i've ever seen. It takes a while to get into the story and also is quite a long movie but for the message it brings and class A acting this movie is a winner without thinking. The story is bold and once again the acting is phenomenal Daniel Day-Lewis is PERFECT in this movie and just might be his BEST performance yet.
Warning this is a slow burner with MUCH to offer.
5/5
Last edited by lDlisturb3d; 07-09-2011 at 10:45 PM.
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it got a little to weird for what came before it. Dark City I wasn't a fan of and the rest I haven't seen.
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