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 done them all. I’m really glad to see Primer make this list - those guys did a bang-up job on this movie.
And The Fountain was beautiful.
Interstellar proves that complex does not guarantee good.
Buckaroo Banzai, 2001 Space Odyssey and A Man who fell to earth.
Oops Inception..
The Butterfly Effect
Jacob’s Ladder
Colossus: The Forbin Project
and, of course, A Space Odyssey
“Predestination” is one of the few movies I’ve seen based on a short story that actually succeeds in adding another layer and enhancing it. It is based on the story “All You Zombies ...”
I like it.
“The Fountain” - one of those beautiful, emotionally evocative films that thanks to or curses to postmodernism has several potential meanings. Did he really live forever and go to that destination or is that a dream of his as he lays dying, remembering his life?
Primer - the scifi movie on alternate time lines created by time travel that it requires an infographic to explain.
I saw "2001" when it first came out in the theaters. I got royally wasted on hashish before going to the movie. During the "Stargate" part of the movie I thought I was falling out of my chair. I wasn't.
#1, #3, #9.
None of the rest.
I agree. It’s a masterpiece. And I love the ‘60s vibe.
Yes that is a haunting movie.
9. The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976)
4. Inception (2010)
3. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension (1984)
2. Solaris (1972)
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Enjoyed them all. Buckaroo Banzai is hilarious. Don’t think I’ve heard of any of the others on the list so now I’ll have to go looking for them.
Neither applied.
"The Man From Earth" - A college professor confesses that he is immortal to his colleagues at a going away party. Could be a brilliant stage play. - no special effects, just compelling dialogue.
"Iceman" - (the 1984 one) A frozen Neanderthal is revived, only only slowly comes to grasp that his wife and child are thousands of years dead. Bittersweet and with one of the most beautiful film scores nobody knows about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=21&v=hY8xx1RLGps
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.