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 ;)
GATEWAY
Woo Hoo, would I ever like to see that done well!
I’ve read the whole series, and I met Mr Pohl a few years back, he plans to write more (he was working on his eternity series at the time).
I’ve watched a lot of sci-fi over the years, but these are some of my favorites, in not particular order.
Films:
Star Wars
Matrix
Fifth Element
Serenity
X-Men 1 and 2
Matrix
TV shows:
Firefly
Doctor Who
Stargate SG-1
Torchwood
Star Trek
Angel
Buffy
Heroes
Lost
I also just discovered a British TV show called Primeval (it’s sort of like Torchwood with dinosaurs instead of aliens, and no gay people) and I really like it, but the problem is I can’t find on TV or DVD in America, or in a format that would play on American DVD players and TV’s.
I don’t know - there just doesn’t seem to be any backing/market for thoughtful sci-fi films, where the story and themes awe you instead of the SFX. Not many risks are being taken.
Children of Men had the most original and thought provoking premise to a scifi story in years.
Haven’t seen that one.
Is it out on DVD yet?
Thx.
Have not read this whole thread but have not seen Jack Vance’s “Dragon Masters” mentioned. It’s a bit more Scifi than the title suggest’s and could be made into a good movie with todays special effects. Also has a set of characters that Hollywood would love to cast.
Well, there have been films like The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind that have been simple, thought-provoking tales of speculation.
And while more of a fantasy, I found Stranger Than Fiction to be somewhat Dickian in its approach to the question of “what is real?/What is fiction?”
Yeah I would put Truman Show in that category - original in scope forces you question things during the film.
Later on I remembered The Fountain which was one of my favorite movies from last year.
Season 4 comes out in May and Seasons 1-3 are already out. Start renting.
Will do...
I think the show was a victim of the writer’s strike, unfortunately.
Just watch congress
It could also be that the USA Network is going into a different direction...
The oldish movie
UFOS—IT HAS BEGUN
A Rod Serling intro’d movie . . . available here;
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8513138217495837643&hl=en
Harry Potter is bland, predictable, over-hyped crap.
'Earth vs The Hildabeast' comes to mind...
‘Primeval’ Jumps Pond to BBC America
By Jon Lafayette
BBC America acquired a show it describes as “Jurassic Park” meets “Doctor Who.”
The series, “Primeval,” a hit in the U.K., will start airing on the cable channel in August [2008]. BBC America has acquired two seasons of the series, the first with six one-hour episodes, the second with seven episodes.
BTW, have you actually read any of the books in the series? The writing style markedly improves as the series continues. It isn’t Great Literature, but it does entertain.
Yay! The best part is, I’ll probably be getting BBC America by then =D
My day just got SO much better...
My pleasure, ma’am...
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