riddler 0 #1 December 1, 2009 There have been only two really great Sci-Fi movies in my lifetime. They are Star Wars (trilogy) and The Matrix (trilogy). I'm counting the trilogies as one movie, which is entirely unjust, because we all know that The Empire Strikes back beat the crap out of the other two Star Wars films, and The Matrix started out great, then went downhill fast. Yeah, I know the Star Wars plot was a rip-off of Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress, but it had laser-sword-wielding Shaolin monks with new-age mind-powers! How cool was that? Star Wars came out 1977-1983, and I had to wait sixteen years for another good series to start (Matrix came out in 1999). Matrix was very original and awesome, IMO, with good theological references, and human drama, but not enough cool ships. I don't exactly see Hollywood getting more creative, so I'm guessing there will be even a greater time gap before someone busts out with another sweet Sci-Fi movie. Don't get me wrong, I love Firefly, but it's television with limited effects, and Serenity was just OK. Even a great indie film would be fine with me, like THX1138 without the love story, and a lot more CGI. Except it can't be really, really complicated, like Primer; there's something like eighteen different timelines in that brain-lock of a film. It seems like there is more often good fantasy than good Sci-Fi in film. I heard that they are making "Ender's Game" into a feature film, and I hope it's as good as the book (or books, since they are supposed to build Ender's Shadow into the same script).Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #2 December 1, 2009 Maybe 18 days . . . maybe a lot longer.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #3 December 1, 2009 Well past 2012. (What a piece of shit that was.)---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gene03 0 #4 December 1, 2009 Are you a fan of Babylon 5?“The only fool bigger than the person who knows it all is the person who argues with him. Stanislaw Jerzy Lec quotes (Polish writer, poet and satirist 1906-1966) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dougiefresh 0 #5 December 1, 2009 District 9.Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #6 December 1, 2009 QuoteDistrict 9. Was not the answer he was looking for.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #7 December 1, 2009 It's hard to even call the first Matrix good since the next two of the trilogy were garbage. So as far as Sci Fi goes you didn't care for Dune or Blade Runner?"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #8 December 1, 2009 Avatar comes out soon. (i'm guessing that what quade's comment was about) saw a trailer for it last night. neat concept if it doesn't get oo heavy handed with morals."Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #9 December 1, 2009 What are your criteria for a movie to qualify as sci-fi? Maybe Children of Men doesn't really meet them, since its 'science' is kind of peripheral - but I thought it was the best future-set film I'd seen in a long time. It is a bit uneven, but overall I was blown away by it. Even Clive Owen wasn't able to spoil it for me. I don't see the need to consider The Matrix as a Trilogy. The original was fresh and groundbreaking and cool. Reloaded and Revolutions were so disappointing that I prefer to pretend they don't exist. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aresye 0 #10 December 1, 2009 Clive Owen is a great actor in my eyes, but it depends on what movie he's doing. Children of Men was exceptional, in my books.Skydiving: You either learn from other's mistakes, or they'll learn from yours. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #11 December 1, 2009 Myself, I enjoyed Matrix and Revolutions, but thought Reloaded was the shriveled turd that the pissed-off cat left behind the dresser for three weeks before we found it (not actually true, just thought it made for a good image). SO, I find it interesting that out of the trilogy that everyone seems to have a different opinion about which were the good ones and which were the bombs. I LOVED Alien and Aliens, and still think ithey're pretty good after all these years (except for the Newt subplot, screw that little pain in the ass). The rest of the series went down the drain after that, but it was a good start. How about Black Hole? Deep space, lotsa ships, maniacal madman, robots, more robots. Actually, pretty ripe for a remake. Speaking of remakes, I'll get flamed for it, but TRON was pretty sweet. WAY ahead of its time. I will also get flamed for THIS, but I'm really looking froward to the remake. I'll agree with the OP only moreso: I've always been a fan of Firefly and Serenity. It's a very "two great tastes that go great together" that I never would have thought of combining, like proscutto (sp?) and melon. I dunno why, but I guess sci-fi is hard to make because, inherently, it appeals to a more educated, geeky fan base (yep, that's us) and we may tend to expect the best of all worlds: good effects, great story, good acting, and ALWAYS a hot chick who digs the engineer or scientist in the story. And, when the movie comes up short in any of these regards, we pan it. Elvisio "strong coffee, long post" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,594 #12 December 1, 2009 QuoteThere have been only two really great Sci-Fi movies in my lifetime... Star Wars came out 1977 Well, since then... Alien? Bladerunner? ET? Terminator? Brazil? Twelve Monkeys? Fifth Element? Solaris? Night Watch? Wall-E? Moon? (possibly) Avatar? Some real classics in there...Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #13 December 1, 2009 You had me... right up to Solaris. But otherwise, FUCK! Fifth Element! One of my all-time favs! Never leaves my Netflix queue. How could I forsake thee? Bladerunner was also noteworthy. Terminator was great. Twelve Monkeys was quite wacked out. Elvisio "even Clooney fans thought it was wretched" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stitch 0 #14 December 1, 2009 QuoteYou had me... right up to Solaris. The original Russian film is a classic. Yes I said Russian."No cookies for you"- GFD "I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65 Don't be a "Racer Hater" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #15 December 1, 2009 QuoteSpeaking of remakes, I'll get flamed for it, but TRON was pretty sweet. WAY ahead of its time. I will also get flamed for THIS, but I'm really looking froward to the remake. I actually agree with you here. I'm looking forward to the remake of the film. The Fifth Element was a good choice but it was more Action then anything else unlike the subtle morality and religious undertones that were present in some of the other mentioned movies. Avatar looks to be really good. I'm not sure of how heavy handed they are going to make the story though so I'll hold judgment on it until I see it.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #16 December 1, 2009 Good movies vs. great movies. A great Sci-Fi movie has: 1. At least two different planets (Matrix counts, because Machine World and Zion are different enough) 2. Really cool spaceships (Matrix barely makes it with hovercrafts and squids) 3. Religious undertones that make me question atheism. 4. Love stories are minimized, because they make me feel uncomfortable with my emotions. Not that the movies mentioned here aren't good (or even very good): Aliens - very awesome, I have it on DVD, but Newt isn't all that appealing, and there is no religious reference. Fifth Element - also awesome, I own it. Too much comedy to be great Sci-Fi. District 9 - not bad, but no other planets, thinly-veiled apartheid message was too "human" to be good Sci-Fi, and unforgivable plot holes. Children Of Men - loved this movie, love Alfonso Curan - wouldn't call it Sci-Fi, more like a genetic drama in the near future (I want my spaceships, dammit!). Bladerunner - right on the border of great, with it's awesome Vangelis soundtrack, but a bit over-immersing, and IIRC, the entire thing was on Earth, with only references to "off-world" colonies. Terminator - also on the border of great. Future Earths count as different worlds, IMO. Spaceships and religious references are the only thing missing. Dune - great book(s), nonsensical, confusing movie. Black Hole - remake has potential! In general, I don't think the "classic" Sci-Fi films are all that appealing. The Day the Earth Stood Still and it's remake aren't that good, IMO. Metropolis get a mention for a great silent film. Planet of the Apes - awesome movie, awesome plot, the "future ship" doesn't really count as a spaceship. Maybe this counts as great Sci-Fi, but it was missing something. E.T. - please It was a love story with kids and a squishy alien. Could've been a smart dog running from the dog-catcher, and the plot would be nearly the same. Close Encounters - good movie, nice government conspiracy, no other planets. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,594 #17 December 1, 2009 Quote Good movies vs. great movies. A great Sci-Fi movie has: 1. At least two different planets (Matrix counts, because Machine World and Zion are different enough) 2. Really cool spaceships (Matrix barely makes it with hovercrafts and squids) 3. Religious undertones that make me question atheism. 4. Love stories are minimized, because they make me feel uncomfortable with my emotions. Rubbish! Those are just things, they have nothing to do with great movie making. A sci-fi movie could have all 4 of those and still be a steaming turd, or none of them and still be sensational. And under rule 4, I would question allowing The Star Wars trilogy 'cos of Han and Leia, and definitely exclude The Matrix, where Trinity kisses Neo back to life under a slo-mo shower of sparks. Not exactly minimised!Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #18 December 1, 2009 Quote Bladerunner - right on the border pinnacle of great, with it's awesome Vangelis soundtrack, FIFY"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stitch 0 #19 December 1, 2009 How about "When mars attacks, Plan 9 from outerspace, and Spaced invaders" ? Those involved two planets."No cookies for you"- GFD "I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65 Don't be a "Racer Hater" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #20 December 1, 2009 honestly (and i might get flamed here), it seems to me that the best sci fi stories lately aren't coming from movies, but from the biggest entertainment medium out there, video games. There have been some truly amazing sci fi games. Most of them don't really have romance (except some optional things). Going back a bit, try Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (which is closer to true "Star Wars" than anything George Lucas has made in this decade...) Newer, there's Mass Effect, Bioshock, Dead Space, and a few others. It just seems like moviemakers are slowly letting game developers take over Sci Fi, which in my opinion is fine. Besides, the line between "movie director" and "game developer" is blurring, anyway. the rest of the industry is recognizing the legitimacy of games as a storytelling and even artistic medium. I just played a game (it was fantasy, more than sci fi though) that featured a voice cast of about 7 star trek actors (from various series), Tim Curry, and a few other big names. Gaming is BIG SHIT now...Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,587 #21 December 1, 2009 Battlefield Earth has aliens, ships, and the aliens have to have come from somewhere. Other than that, it definitely qualifies as a steaming turd of a movie Wendy P. There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stitch 0 #22 December 1, 2009 Everybody knows aliens come from Mexico. "No cookies for you"- GFD "I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65 Don't be a "Racer Hater" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #23 December 1, 2009 Quote Everybody knows aliens come from Mexico. that was 'men in black' wasn't it? "Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #24 December 1, 2009 Quote How about Black Hole? Deep space, lotsa ships, maniacal madman, robots, more robots. Actually, pretty ripe for a remake. I have not seen that movie in probably 20 years. Maybe longer. I never seem to find it on TV, and it's hard to find at the rental stores. Of course, the way a black hole was depicted in that movie is not what a black hole is like now that we know a lot more now than we did then. Nobody mentioned "Contact" with Jodie Foster. I thought it was interesting, but not great."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stitch 0 #25 December 1, 2009 Oh, ooh, 3 more.... Lost in Space 2010 Event horizon"No cookies for you"- GFD "I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65 Don't be a "Racer Hater" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
