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JJ Abrams Star Treks are good but [b]not really Sci-Fi[/b]
You've lost me there....
"Sci-Fi" is literally [b]fiction based on science[/b]. Mostly based on some kind of "what if..." premise, eg "what if we could time travel" etc. The recent Star Trek films are fantasy films not sci-fi because it could just as well be about wizards and magic but retain the same plot - they're just adventure films. Even the original Star Trek was more about sociological issues than science.
A lot of what most people think are sci-fi films/tv series really aren't, and for some (mainly books) really old stuff (e.g. Frankenstein) the opposite is true.
Fringe is well worth the effort, first half of season 1 is like said above a bit close to x files, but then it heads off on its own eccentric path. Great through to at least end of season 3. Some top characterisation from John Noble as well.
I recently watched THX 1138, which was George Lucas' first ever film, made in 1971. A complete contrast to Star Wars in every way possible.
The story line is quite predictable but the film itself is a good sci-fi thriller and if you're into dystopian films then 100% worth a watch.
[url= http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066434/ ]IMDB link[/url]
"Sci-Fi" is literally fiction based on science. Mostly based on some kind of "what if..." premise. The recent Star Trek films are fantasy films not sci-fi because it could just as well be about wizards and magic but retain the same plot. Even the original Star Trek was more about sociological issues than science.
This is pedantic bs. I would suggest that you're referring to the niche 'hard sci fi'.
Not really. The difference is, something like Back to The Future is sci-fi, even though (the original) is set in the past. Something like Babylon 5 isn't sci-fi, it's a (political) drama that happens to be set on a space station, in the future.
If "sci-fi" means "space ships & aliens" to you, then that's fine, but that is not the correct meaning.
new star trek films are just standard hollywood action blockbusters in space
and as such they dissapoint me also
thx1138 is great, especially if you are a NIN fan
the john carpenter Thing is well worth it even the 'sequel' is ok, but not a patch on the kurt russel one
Are we talking classics without mentioning "Close Encounters"? But if you watch that, you have to watch "Paul".
I used to have a pretty large collection of sci-fi back in the day on VHS. I really should get round to putting them all on DVD or .mp4 or something.
How about comparisons? Go for the Arnie version of "Total Recall" followed immediately by the new version. Then discuss. Repeat the process for "The Day The Earth Stood Still", or "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", or "I Am Legend"/"The Omega Man".
Failing that, go all B-movie and take in some quality 50's black and white films if you can find them.
Not really. The difference is, something like Back to The Future is sci-fi, even though (the original) is set in the past. Something like Babylon 5 isn't sci-fi, it's a (political) drama that happens to be set on a space station, in the future.If "sci-fi" means "space ships & aliens" to you, then that's fine, but that is not the correct meaning.
You must be great to sit and have a pint with.
Good old STW 🙂
I like both Scifis discussed above. They're all scifi to me.
I can REALLY get going after a few beers 🙂You must be great to sit and have a pint with.
Are you one of the characters in The Big Bang Theory? 😉
Monsters is good.
Not Sci Fi really, but a bloody good UK indie film.
Well worth a watch.
zilog are you the blonde girl whose always smuggling peanuts?
I was thinking this more
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That would probably make negotiating a discount in LBS a bit easier!zilog are you the blonde girl whose always smuggling peanuts?
Back to the Future?
It's about this guy who jumps in his mad mates time machine and almost ends up being his own Dad. It had 2 lesser sequels as well which are worth watching as well.
That sounds rubbish. I can't imagine that would ever be a popular film...
"Repo men", body part loan people.
If you don't mind subtitles, then Chrysalis isn't too shabby. Better than it's score of 5.1 on IMDB would have you believe.
Agree with verses about Super 8...thought that was a cracking watch.
I'm afraid I didn't... 😉
lots been suggested that I would have said, so rather than repeat I'll add, these sci-fi (or non-sci fi accord to zilog 😉 )
Skyline.. (yes I know it mentioned above) I loved it for the effects/aliens, just fast forward the 1st twenty minutes, you'll thank me.
Battle: Los Angeles.. Blackhawk down with aliens.. entertaining but rubbish.
Battleship .. brainless pap but it's watchable at least once.
Inception, definitely worth a watch at least once.
The book of Eli - hey it's Denzel Washington, everything he's in is worth a watch (ok, most of what he's in..)
Tron: Legacy, if only to oggle 13
Classic: Outland - Sean Connery being ace.
The Fifth Element
The Twelve Monkeys
After Earth is very good IMO
Titan AE - a kids film is pretty good fun
Source Code I really enjoyed but thought it should've ended about 10mins earlier - I think the actual end was tacked on thanks to test audiences, but had it ended where I think it should've ended it would be regarded as a classic.
Outland +1
The Fly
If post apocolypse counts Mad Max II
The Abyss
Robocop
Dune
no classics yet?
forbidden planet
the day the earth stood still
dark star
or what about
ghost in the shell
akira
proper sci fi (i concur with zilog)
eternal sunshine of the spotless mind
solaris (both versions)
and stuff blows up
the riddick movies
starship troopers
wrath of khan
the abyss
and nobody for zardoz? really?
Omega Man was good and also enjoyed The Martian Chronicles
Quatermass and the Pit (classic)
Silent Running (cool robots)
Sunshine
Blackhole (sorry)
Forbidden Planet (yes - that is Leslie Nielsen)
I love Blackhole, probably because I was so young when I first saw it and it made such an impression. I've watched it a few times recently - great sound track.
I also live Tron (the original), which I think stands up really well for it's age.
I've got quite an extensive Sci-fi collection. been finding online lists then downloading any I don't have and catching up with classics oldies like Soylent Green, Silent Running, Zardos etc.
Videodrome
Barbarella 🙂
Dark Star
Forbidden Planet
Soylent Green
Planet of the Apes
2001
Silent Running
The Day the Earth stood still
Akira (but only in Japanese with english subtitles)
BSG
ST2 Wrath of Khan
ST First Contact
Dune (but book is MUCH better)
Three pages in and no-one's recommended Escape From New York? I've half a mind to ban the lot of you.
That is, apart from PrinceJohn who redeemed himself with:
Titan AE - a kids film is pretty good fun
Don Bluth (Dragon's Lair, Space Ace) and Joss Whedon, what's not to like? Titan A.E. is a vastly underrated little movie.
Thanks everyone. I think I've seen most of the suggestions but there are a few to check out.
Oh yeah, and in terms of series, no Farscape love?
Farscape, Firefly, BSG. For very different reasons, three of the finest sci-fi shows ever to grace our screens. And Deep Space 9 only dodges that accolade by being shit for two seasons before being awesome.
Okay, here's a couple of extraordinarily good indie sci-fi films. The type which will stick with you and keep you thinking well after the CGI bombast of blockbusters have faded away.
Primer (as mentioned in the first reply) is indeed brilliant. It was made by the genius Shane Carruth. He wrote, directed, edited, composed the soundtrack and acted in it.
Better still is [url= http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2084989/?ref_=nv_sr_1 ]Upstream Color[/url] . The best film I have seen this year. Beautiful, bewildering and very, very clever.
Then there's [url= http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2051879/?ref_=nv_sr_1 ]Europa Report[/url] . The majority of the look of the film is very much like familiar NASA type onboard filming. Plenty of science and believability but I found it drew me in to the drama in a very unforced way and had me completely gripped by the end. I have no idea how they did the gravity to no gravity shots in the space craft.
Don't think anyone's mentioned Existenz which is a bit divisive in the way its shot but has more layers and questions than inception.
Strange Days. It's lost some of its pre-millenial tension but still superb.
Hunter Prey is entertaining. On Netflix I think.
Limitless is good (assume that's real SciFi as it's plausible, scientifically).
Existenz excellent film
swiss 01 some good calls
classic
Invasion of the body snatchers original 56 version
Metropolis
The Time Machine
different sci fi
Brazil Terry Gilliam
Donnie Darko
west world
Flash Gordon
Total recall arnie
Predator arnie
Predator 2 better with danny glover
That is, apart from PrinceJohn who redeemed himself with:Titan AE - a kids film is pretty good fun
Don Bluth (Dragon's Lair, Space Ace) and Joss Whedon, what's not to like? Titan A.E. is a vastly underrated little movie.
😀
Also just thought of Disney's The Black Hole
Just in the mood for a veg out to a film so downloading "primer" from itunes now, cheers peeps.
Edit : surprised no one has mentioned "metropolis" yet?.
^ me up there Metropolis
2010
The abyss
Sphere
I don't think they have been picked up yet. although I guess you may have seen them.
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