Posted on 02/19/2008 11:03:14 AM PST by rjp2005
Where have all the sci-fi films gone?
Those simple, thought-provoking speculative tales about how people respond to something new, what kind of moral choices they make, keeping traditions in the face of technological change. Essentially, the kind of films that were thought provoking and story/character driven - Day the Earth Stood Still, Planet of Apes, 12 Monkeys, Minority Report (more action though but good), etc.
The "Superhero and Fantasy Genre Craze" since Spiderman and LOTR has really eaten up a lot of support for original sci-fi works to film...
For 2008, we have two horror/slasher types "I Am Legend" (Omega Man remake) and "Death Race" (revisiting the 70's version), another superhero film in "Jumper", "Iron Man", which could be a treat, and maybe the only true sci-fi attempt, "Babylon A.D.". There was also "Sunshine", a late 90's disaster film leftover, possibly funded by Global Warming-mongers ;)
Ender’s Game (based on Orson Scott Card’s novels) is a potential barn burner, but it doesn’t seem to be high on Wolfgang Peterson’s priority list.
There was some hype over development of Rendezvous w/Rama (Arthur C. Clarke/Gantry Lee’s story), but it seems to be stuck in limbo.
Anybody seen “Howard the Duck” from 1986? A duck from a parallel universe saves Earth from the dark overlord!
One of the best sci-fi movies I have seen recently is a Japanese sci-fi from 2003, called Casshern. It is better than Matrix! View it on HD if you can.
A remake today would probably have the Krell going extinct because of global warming, or some other such nonsense, instead of them forgeting their innate selves, which I always associated with liberalism ( like how they blame an object instead of human nature.)
There is very little good science fiction in the realm of literature. Then, when that which is actually good is made into a movie, the story is sacrificed for special effect. If that weren’t enough, Will Smith or Tom Cruise are cast in the major role to insure it will be a dud.
I really liked Outer Limits, the series. I even went back and found the old black & white series, which was just cheesy enough to be enjoyable. Most sci-fi is best viewed with Mike, Tom Servo and Crow. That way, even if it is bad, it is good.
Even though Lucas got trashed by the critics, I enjoyed HTD, but could have done without the interspecies sex.
Carolyn
The first Matrix was pretty good./Just Asking - seoul62...........
I think anime has offered some of the most thought-provoking storylines in the sci-fi genre.
Voices Of A Distant Star is one the most outstanding sci-fi stories I’ve seen in many years:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voices_of_a_Distant_Star
Firefly.
B5 was a great series...far from the best though.
Here’s my list:
Star Trek (TOS)
Deep Space Nine
Firefly
Stargate (SG1)
Battlestar Galatica (remake, original sucked)
Babylon 5
Star Trek (TNG)
Stargate (Atlantis)
Farscape
Enterprise (hey, some people did like it)
Space: Above and Beyond
Lexx (just kidding, I hated that show)
I just included the Space Opera shows, otherwise the X-Files and the like would be up there.
I'll be in my bunk.
You forgot the new Star Trek movie (just heard they moved it from Christmas to next summer so I guess it might not count though)
One of my favorites as well! My list:
Minority report sucked. Just a bit of trivia on I Am Legend, they hired a special effects artist who created really gruesome mutants, but Will Smith thought they were too scary and had them replaced with CGI. Essentially, Will Smith just wanted another I Am Robot vehicle for himself.
How I loved MST 3000! I still miss them on TV. I should buy more of their DVDs.
As far as “science fiction” is concerned, it looks to me like most of what’s on the Sci Fi channel is more horror oriented. Gory gruesome films are not science fiction, IMO. There is enough death and horror in real life.
LSD (actually the word(s) were pronounced by Vincent Price (as the mad doctor) .. ) .. Lysergic Acid Diathylimide ... as the agent to produce The Tingler ... a theorized (by Vinny) creature that actually materializes at that point JUST before (being frightened to) death.
THEN came the '60's .... and I remembered.
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