It will be interesting where they go with re-making The Day the Earth Stood still next December. The "peace in our time" theme will probably be very strong if Hollywood has a say...
Surely they can do better. What about a film depicting a resistance movement in post-war Islamicized Europe? Or a time traveler returning to help stop a nuclear terrorism disaster? Or an elite team responding to a cyber-attack on the electrical grid? Or a scientist accidentally goes in hibernation in Southwest, awakens to see Mexico/China controlling parts of the US. Or a future oil rush in the arctic, with mega companies scrambling for outposts and making claims in the glaciers. Just some ideas.
Thank George Lucas and Lucas Films for the ushering in of CGI and ruining movies. His first 3 (or last 3 in the saga) Star Wars were great. Then he went CGI and the plot lines and good writing meant nothing, and why should they when you can have super cool computer effects!
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/battle_in_outer_space.htm
What about Cloverfield?
Sci-fi suffers from a lack of writers of the caliber of Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke and a score of others.
If you ever wanted to see a "time-travel" story done right, this is it.
It was made on a 7,000 dollar budget.
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
starring the Air Blaster by Whammo!
We just signed on to HDTV and in NJ where we live, have Channel 777, “The Monster Channel” It has been airing 50’s black and white grade-B horror films and last night, aired Journey to the Center of the Earth. It’s refreshing to see corny deep-sea creatures instead of slicing and dicing.
I saw Cloverfield and LOVED it.
Babes, explosive action and a badass monster ‘nuff said.
I am waiting for
Incredible Hulk, Ironman, Batman Dark Knight and Hellboy 2.