Posted on 09/24/2017 12:04:34 PM PDT by EveningStar
By its very nature, the sci-fi genre is relatively complex: the short stories, novels, TV series and films that comprise speculative fiction necessitate detailed expository passages to build its far-flung futures, reality-bending premises, and stories set in a galaxy far, far away.
Whether the story is set on an alien world populated by creatures markedly different from human beings, in a future separated by centuries or eons from the present in which society, technology, science, and civilization itself have evolved into a nearly unrecognizable state, or center around time or space travel, sci-fi stories require complex set-ups to create a believable reality that’s very different from our own.
Because of this, the sci-fi genre also allows for its stories to become quite complex. Time travel stories thrive on complexity while, depending on the story, other elements may be willfully obtuse to create an air of mystery or disorientation in the viewer–and some sci-fi stories are much more complex than others.
Here are 10 sci-fi films that are purposely complex ...
10. Predestination (2014) ...
9. The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976) ...
8. The Fountain (2006) ...
7. Coherence (2013) ...
6. Upstream Color (2013) ...
5. Primer (2004) ...
4. Inception (2010) ...
3. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension (1984) ...
2. Solaris (1972) ...
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) ...
(Excerpt) Read more at tasteofcinema.com ...
I’ve seen 1,3, 4, and 9. I’ve heard of 2 and 8.
I liked Looper. But it contains so many plot holes as a result of time travel that it’s better to actually not think about it. The problem is that sci fi movies should inspire a person to think instead.
Ice Pirates was one of favorites.
Also, Galaxy Quest.
Ender’s Game was phenomenal.
Clarke’s novel actually came after, and was based on, the screenplay for the film. early in the project, Kubrick told Clarke “A movie is about 2 hours long, composed of scenes that average about 2 minutes. Each scene can be described in a single sentence. What I want from you is 60 sentences.”
Then, the lights came on.
When you were young, did you ever read Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein and Andre Norton? Did you thrive on anything written or edited by John W. Campbell? A great understanding of Science Fiction and futurist thought has to be exercised and cultivated.
Battlestar Galactica (the latest version).
The Expance.
Did I get the record with having seen seven of them?
What did you think of Solaris?
It's the movie that I think has the best ending.
> By Grabthar’s Hammer, Galaxy Quest is fantastic! I can’t watch it without missing Alan Rickman, though. He was great...
Galaxy Quest is actually studied in screen writing classes. It is supposed to be the most perfect example of a three act play there is.
You're kidding, right? Please say you're kidding. The movie adaptation was AWFUL. When it was finished, I was sitting stunned in the chair, unsure if I wanted to cry. There was so little of the book actually in the movie, that I actually say it ruined my childhood a little bit. I first read the book when I was 11, and was sooooo excited for it. Then I saw it, and was incredibly disappointed.
If I was OSC, I would've distanced myself from it. The deep parts of the story were completely missing from the movie. Ender smile? He smiled in the movie!?!?!? Where in the book was there ANY indication that he ever had a smile on his face?
I read a lot of SF in college, then quit. It’s been over 40 years. Was a big fan back then.
Initially, Kubrick planned narration for the film, so that it would make sense. But once he saw the visual impact along with the temporary classical music (the movie also had an original score that Kubrick dumped), Kubrick decided to make the movie mysterious and puzzling. And most importantly, like with all his films, he wanted it to make money.
It made money, but after struggling at first it was a big success. People still quote the movie and talk about it fifty years later. If somebody wants to make sense of the story, they can. It’s easy to do now with the Internet.
It’s too bad that people who so easily dismiss the movie don’t know what they’re dismissing. Back in 1968 on the big screen with the format Kubrick used it was breathtaking and nothing like it up until that time. It took another 10 years for Star Wars to come out with a similar effect but with a much easier story to understand. Many film makers were influenced by 2001.
Doctor Who
Especially the episode “Blink” with the Weeping Angels.
Also ‘Vincent’ and ‘The Girl in the Fireplace’.
Doctor Who
Especially the episode “Blink” with the Weeping Angels.
Also ‘Vincent’ and ‘The Girl in the Fireplace’.
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