Just a forum survey to investigate people's favourite, or in their opinion, best science fiction films ever made. This though EXCLUDES Star Trek and Star Wars movies. This category also excludes fantasy films.
Not in precise order, because it's so tough:
2001: A Space Odyssey Aliens Contact Stargate Planet of the Apes The Abyss Close Encounters of the Third Kind Cocoon Terminator 2 Jurassic Park (it was a type of science fiction)
Other sci-films enoyed and admired would include:
The Fifth Element Solaris Dune Enemy Mine ID4 (some of it) The Day The Earth Stood Still Back to The Future (the saga) They Live Starship Troopers This Island Earth Armageddon (again, like ID4, some of it)
....and others I probably can't think of right now. Please remind me of the ones I've forgotten!
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Blade Runner Planet Of The Apes 2001: A Space Odyssey The Andromeda Strain Silent Running The Time Machine War Of The Worlds Wings Of Honneamise Ghost In The Shell
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
I think you guys may have gotten the best ones. However, my list...
2001 2010 Back to the Future Apollo 13 (Does that qualify as sci-fi?) Planet of the Apes Contact T2: Judgement Day
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
I don't think that Apollo 13 should tecnically qualify as sci-fi, since there was no ficticious science in it. But we'll let you off.
Red Admiral: You can't have Aliens without Alien. It's not allowed.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
I like Dark City and 12 Monkeys and Forbidden Planet, at the moment.
Posted by The Red Admiral (Member # 602) on :
"Red Admiral: You can't have Aliens without Alien. It's not allowed."
Lol PsyLiam. Perhaps you're right, Alien is one of the best films in the sci-fi (and horror) genre. So I'll include Alien with Aliens for that list. The reason I didn't put simply 'The Alien saga', is because I didn't want to include Alien 3, and the dreadful Alien: Resurrection. For me that saga ended with the brilliant Aliens.
And thanks for saying Dark City Sol System, I forgot that, a truly fascinating film.
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
"The Matrix." How could I forget "The Matrix?"
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Because "The Matrix" isn't outstanding. It's a steaming heaping pile of shit.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
All I can think of right now is Ghostbusters and the Final Countdown. I like a lot of movies, but only a few that I can watch over and over without getting bored.
Posted by MIB (Member # 426) on :
No it isn't Shik. If you really do think so, then you would probably be horrified to know that the Matrix is going to be a trilogy. The Matrix 2 and 3 are gonna be released back to back much like the way Back to the Future 2 and 3 was released back to back.
As for the best sci-fi movies; Did everybody forget about Gattaca!?!?!? What about The Arrival?!?
The Arrival 2, however, is so bad that I don't even consider it to be the "official" sequil to The Arrival. HBO (the people behind The Arrival 2) should be banned from doing original movies forever!
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
Forgot something, you have. Correct it, I must. Myes, mhmhmhm, yeeessss!!!
Yes, and also Event Horizon would be my suggestion. That movie scared the shit out of me... And the setting was so cold, like in deep space.
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
A friend of mine really loves "Screamers", so I'll put that one in there too.
On my to-see list: 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Forbidden Planet (Frank Drebin with RED HAIR???)
[ June 17, 2001: Message edited by: Nimrod ]
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Some of these lists are starting to scare me.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
I haven't seen 1984, but read the book. Afterwards, I saw references from it in other books and shows. B5 probably had the most 1984 references than anything else.
Posted by MIB (Member # 426) on :
quote:Originally posted by Nimrod: Yes, and also Event Horizon would be my suggestion. That movie scared the shit out of me... And the setting was so cold, like in deep space.
Event Horizon?!?! *backhands Nimrod* What's wrong with you!
Posted by The Red Admiral (Member # 602) on :
Yeh I also really enjoyed Gattaca and The Arrival. Very creepy film that and imaginative. I was really interested to see the sequel released, but yes MIB, a terrible mistake....
Hobbes, was The Final Countdown that mid eighties, time travelling Pearl Harbour affair? If so, I haven't seen that for absolutely years, but recall that it was a damn enjoyable movie. I used to have it on video and its aroused my interest to acquire on tape again. It needs to be added to my collection! I'm a sad movie and sci-fi buff with over 1000 tapes. Including all Trek episodes up to and including the mid-seventh Voyager season. Hence, this is why I've stayed away from any 'Endgame' threads as it doesn't screen here for another couple of months.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
I don't think anyone's mentioned Cube. Or Slave Girls from Beyond Infinity for that matter. 8)
Posted by MIB (Member # 426) on :
I've seen Cube. I don't know. I mostly found it depressing.I forgot one thing though. Did any of the people involved find out what the point behind the cube was?
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
Yes Red. I still have an old worn out VHS copy. I'd love to have it on DVD though.
Posted by USS Vanguard (Member # 130) on :
No, they never found out the use of the cube. one of the reasons that movie pissed the hell out of me.
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
*hi-fives MIB* You make a very persuasive argument, Fry! And that being so, why don't you go outside and play hide-'n-go-fuck-yourself!
(not to be taken seriously)
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
The Thomas Crown Affair!
Posted by Gurgeh (Member # 318) on :
The Thomas Crown Affair was by no stretch of the imagination a sci-fi film.
I agree with most of the ones people have mentioned so far, such as Contact, 2001, The Matrix, and the manga ones Shik mentioned. I'd be inclined to add "Sphere" and "Red Planet".
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
Let's not forget:
THX 1138 Contact Life Force Logan's Run Westworld Escape From New York Final Programme
MIB: I may have to disqualify The Arrival on account of the fact that the film has Charlie Sheen in it. (Had anyone suggested it, Freejack would be similarly disqualified for having not only Emilio Estevez, but also Mick Jagger.) Your namesake would be a more suitable choice.
Hobbes: Final Countdown big thumbs up.
Vogon Poet: Cube = A+, Slave Girls From Beyond Infinity = DoubleD- (seriously, LOL) Go see Starcrash.
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Anime, not manga.
Contact, Matrix, Sphere, red Planet, et. al. = steaming heaping dung piles. Muy gunpowder there.
Posted by Gurgeh (Member # 318) on :
Sorry, Shik, I confused the genre with the distributor. Although I have seen some magazines refer to the genre as manga, which translates as "irresponsible pictures".
While I'm at it I might as well mention a couple of other good sci-fi anime films: -Wind of Amnesia -Akira (of course) -Cyber City Oedo 808 -Battle Angel Alita -Patlabor -Appleseed
Posted by The Red Admiral (Member # 602) on :
Contact and The Matrix cannot possibly described as
"steaming heaping dung piles"
Utter nonsense, but that's you're opinion, and I respect it. My opinion though says that all anime and manga (or whatever its called) falls into the eloquent description so posted above...
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
I hadn't met or heard of anyone who disliked Matrix, friend, foe or critic.
Patlabor is so damn good, after I'd watched both movies I started going after "The TV Series", I'm at tape 4 there, then I'll try "The New Files", if it's any good.
What would "Princess Mononoke" classify as? Aside from Anime...
Posted by USS Vanguard (Member # 130) on :
Fantasy?, epic?
Posted by MIB (Member # 426) on :
I stick to my original position that The Arrival was one of the best sci-fi movies ever made. Despite the fact that it starred Charlie Sheen.
Posted by The Red Admiral (Member # 602) on :
I really liked The Arrival as well, but I see it as more of a TV movie, as it never hit the cinemas over here, it went straight to video. But damn it, it was a really good atmospheric and original movie. Sheen didn't bother me at all though.
From Balaam's selection I have to pick THX 1138, Contact, and Westworld. 'Final Programme' - what's that? I've never heard of that movie.
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
Red: Final Programme is a pretty darned surreal flick. I've never read any Moorcock, but I am certainly curious about it now.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Logan's Run? Ok, come on people, put aside the camp appeal and the brief nude scene.
Posted by USS Vanguard (Member # 130) on :
Most of these films are what i would classify "okay-good" films, but not outstanding. i mean, was anyone left with a extreme sense of "awe" after seeing Red Planet, as opposed to 2001. for example. I couldn't stop thinking after seeing Aliens, it was such a visceral action trip, but aliens clones (i.e. virus, etc., etc.,) don't leave me with the same feelings.
[ June 19, 2001: Message edited by: USS Vanguard ]
Posted by Mr. Christopher (Member # 71) on :
Why hasn't anyone mentioned Titan A.E.?
Or Mission To Mars? That was a good movie, IMHO. 2010 gets my vote, too.
Posted by USS Vanguard (Member # 130) on :
OOh Mission to Mars, did not like that movie AT ALL. But i guess that's because i was expecting a masterpiece. A friend of mine said he liked it, but only because he thought it was going to be total shite. which it wasn't. it just let me down. not brian de palma's finest hour imho.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
I liked Mission to Mars. Not saying it was a particularly great film, but I just plain liked it.
Posted by Treknophyle (Member # 509) on :
- Forbidden Planet (one of the top 5 in ANY list) - MIB (I have a functional sense of humor) - RAH's The Puppet Masters (good adaptation) - Highlander (oh yes it was) - Deep Impact (wonderful characterization) - Stargate ('nuf said) - Independence Day (okay, I admit it - I liked it) - Destination Moon (George Pal's adaptation of RAH) - Star Wars - a New Hope - Matrix (just for the concept)
Posted by The Red Admiral (Member # 602) on :
Firstly Trekno, I would've definitely had Highlander in any best movies list. But I didn't put it in the original thread post as I could not in any way classify it as science fiction. It's more mytho-fantasy. And please, don't anyone quote the 'alien' connction to me from Highlander 2 etc, both sequels are in many people's minds utterly divorced from the infinitely superior first film.
Deep Impact tho. I've deliberately watched that film about four times now because I prefer GOOD stories to JUST simple FX fests. But Deep Impact I thought got in such a terrible mess with the direction it was trying to take I ended up unfortunately not giving a shit about anyone in that movie (or I would sometimes just fall asleep). In the end I couldn't wait fo that comet to just wipe everyone out. I will rarely ever say this about any sci-fi movie, but this is one instance, in my mind, where the special FX were the best thing about the film. ID4, Lost in Space are other examples.
Do we count horror/sci-fi films here? 'Alien' is here so what the hell. Then I have to nominate David Carpenter's 'The Thing'. I saw it when it first came out and it scared living shit out of me.
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
If we count Alien then hell yeah! "The Thing" is nothing less than a classic. Required viewing at Academy of Scary Movies.
That low, thumping soundtrack with the synth and bass and that, just like in "Escape from New York" (Carpenter probably took the sound guys with him).
Posted by Treknophyle (Member # 509) on :
I included Highlander NOT because of that awful 2nd movie (I retch thinking about it), but because if Anne McCaffery's Dragon stuff qualifies as Sci-Fi-Highlander sure does.
Whoops, I forgot 2001.
And yes, I did include ID4. No apologies, I thought it delivered what I paid for. It wasn't Forbidden Planet - but what is?
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Who is David Carpenter? Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
Jesus' half brother, the real Wandering Jew. Condemned to wonder the Earth forever, until he admits that he framed his big brother for breaking the neighbour's window. 8)
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
The wandering Jew that wonders the earth? Or is it the other way around? They sure did a lot of thinking back in them days, that's for sure. Posted by NightWing (Member # 4) on :
Here are some of my favourites:
Contact Fifth Element Cube Star Trek 4 Star Trek 6 Dune (I'm suprised no-one mentioned this one!) Stargate
I have the feeling that I'm missing one or two here. Maybe I'll remember them later.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
RE: The Final Countdown. I think it came out in late-70's. I didn't know if anyone else here had heard of it.
Stargate is a good movie too, but I think the series is much better. I only wish I could watch it again, damn Fox stopped airing it for Nash Bridges.
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Heh...I loved "Final Countdown". And that's funny, Hobbes...because back home, a station moved Stargate for Nash. Guess which one I preferred, Bubba.
Posted by The Red Admiral (Member # 602) on :
In fact I mentioned Dune in my original thread Shik, I definitely have an appeciation of that epic, more though I think the literature than the '84 movie.
Hobbes, I think The Final Countdown came out in about '85 or near that time. I believe it might have been inspired by the Philadelphia Experiment that came out the year before.
I've never worked out if I prefer the original Stargate concept, or the SG-1 TV series. I was always a fan of the movie, it was so damn cool and original, but the series (although a significant storyline departure from the movie) impressed me from day one
Posted by The_Evil_Lord (Member # 256) on :
I am surprised and shocked that The Empire Strikes Back hasn't even been mentioned once! How people can overlook that classic is beyond me.
Other SF which rates highly on my all-time favorite list:
-Contact -The Matrix -Star Trek 3/4/6/8 -Alien(s) -Close Encounters of the Third Kind -2001/2010 -Terminator 2 -Jurassic Park (sort of)
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
But this isn't about your favorites. It's about outstanding films. Two of my all-time favorite flicks are "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai" & "Big Trouble In Little China," but they're both fucking horrible movies (which adds to their appeal)....so they don't apply here.
To recap, "outstanding" does not mean "I think it's quul."
Posted by The Red Admiral (Member # 602) on :
Certainly Evil Lord Star Wars and Trek movies would appear on any list. But the initial thread was designed to outline all outstanding sci-fi films EXCLUDING SW and Trek
Posted by The_Evil_Lord (Member # 256) on :
Well, someone else mentioned A New Hope My bad though, I skimread the thread a bit.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
There's a difference between a film being bad and a film being...an outsider work.
Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
In order:
2001: A Space Odyssey Blade Runner Dune (Sci-Fi Channel version, not 80s "blink and you miss half the plot") A Clockwork Orange 2010: The Year We Make Contact The Abyss Terminator 2 Strange Days Mad Max THX-1138 Back To The Future Gattaca Dark City Total Recall Planet of the Apes Close Encounters of the Third Kind E.T. The Extra Terrestrial Alien Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb Fail-Safe The Andromeda Strain
(The IMDb lists Dr. Strangelove, Fail-Safe, and A Clockwork Orange as Sci-Fi Films)
I am personally surprised no one has mentioned Metropolis or Brazil
[ July 02, 2001: Message edited by: The359 ]
[ July 24, 2001: Message edited by: The359 ]
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
"The Abyss"
Regular or premium?
Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
Oh, definatly the 3-hour version (or 4-hours if you watch it on TV).
Posted by The Red Admiral (Member # 602) on :
The more i look at this thread the more movies I spot that I forgot about. About Blade Runner though, I'm a hard core sci-fi fanatic, and I have this film in widescreen, Director's cut etc etc, and I've watched it several times, but I never liked it much, it never really compelled or satisfied me. Am I the only one?? So many other sci-fi fans want to shoot me when I say this, but I stand by my convictions. The Atmosphere and cinematography are stunning, but as a movie it failed to cut it with me.
Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
I'd like to now add A.I. to my list...
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
Oh you've seen it? I don't know jack shit about that movie.
Rote K�nigsAdmiral: Me too, it's special but not that many things happen in it. Boy meets girl. Girl is vegetable. Vegetables kill people. Boy kills Vegetables. Bleeched Vegetable dies in front of boy. Boy and girl take trip to countryside whilst listening to synth-bass music.
I haven't seen the DC, tho. Will do that.
Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
Oh man, there's so much more to the movie then that, Nimrod. If you watch the Director's Cut (which takes out all the narration and the "synth music" ending, as well as adding Deckard's "dream") you come to the major part of the story that you are missing:
Boy finds out he is vegetable.
[ July 03, 2001: Message edited by: The359 ]
Posted by The Red Admiral (Member # 602) on :
Lol!
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
I hope you're kidding.
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
Nice $poiler, chief...
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
Well good, then I don't have to watch that buttock of a movie.
Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
Spoiler...well...maybe...but you could have figured that out from the original version too, if you really wanted to. And it isn't given away either in the Director's Cut without much thinking after the movie is done by the viewer. Trust me though, still watch the Director's Cut, it's much better.
Posted by Wes1701E (Member # 212) on :
I do belive that "The Matrix", "Contact", "The Fifth Element" are some of the most oustanding movies ive ever seen.
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
Yes, "The Matrix" is going to be my next DVD conquest. I just loved the way the good guys conveyed that "guerilla" feeling by not using stainless, polished, expensive futuristic weapons (MIB?). They had M4A1's, AK's, berettas, used and bruised stuff with some paint missing. And that Huey with the gatling gun, very retro. The enemy had shining silver Deagle's, good contrast methinks.
(small note: does anyone know what kind of hardware that mouse-kid pulled out of the coffin, akimbo style, in that police ambush?)
[ July 09, 2001: Message edited by: Nimrod ]
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Though it seemed a bit silly. If you could hack into the program to give yourself all sorts of firearms, why stop there? Why not code in some fancy plasma weapons and one of those flying hovership things? Or some powered armor?
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
Aah, maybe it would've been sensed by the net and an alarm would go to high command, warning of "lethal weapons acquired". Remember, the Agent-type enemies were able to evade normal "slug throwers", maybe they don't think much of it and allow a certain amount of normal weapons to exist in the illusion, to make it real. Now, acquired laser weapons and other unconventional arms might point to someone out there being a bit too clever.
I mean, for the grand illusion to hold, there must be some of those dreaming humans that are dreaming they are thugs and robbers or simply weapon enthusiasts, carrying or owning weapons. Maybe the boys and girls in leather wear borrowed their worth of guns.
Hehe, just speculating, the whatif element is kind of pointless.
Posted by RAMA (Member # 380) on :
Ack
Delete these please
[ July 22, 2001: Message edited by: RAMA ]
Posted by RAMA (Member # 380) on :
beep
[ July 22, 2001: Message edited by: RAMA ]
Posted by RAMA (Member # 380) on :
.
[ July 22, 2001: Message edited by: RAMA ]
Posted by RAMA (Member # 380) on :
1. Things to Come(1936) 2. Metropolis(1926) 3. King Kong(1933) 4. Frankenstein(1931) 5. Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde(1932) 6. The Island of Lost Souls(1932) 7. The Invisible Man(1933) 8. The Lost World(1925)
1950s:
1. Forbidden Planet (1956) 2. War of the Worlds (1953) 3. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) 4. Quatermass II: Enemy from Space (1957) 5. The Thing (1951) 6. The Incredible Shrinking Man (1952) 7. Invasion o the Body Snatchers (1956) 8. This Island Earth (1955) 9. When Worlds Collide (1951) 10. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) 11. Invaders from Mars (1953) 12. The Creeping Unknown (1955) 13. Destination Moon (1956) 14. Conquest of Space (1955) 15. 1984 (1956)
1960s:
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) 2. Dr. Srangelove..(1964) 3. Charly (1968) 4. Planet of the Apes (1968) 5. Failsafe (1962) 6. 5 Million Years to Earth (1968) 7. Alphaville (1965) 8. Farhenheit 451 (1967) 9. The Time Machine (1960) 10. On the Beach (1966) 11. Day of the Triffids (1963) 12. Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) 13. Fantastic Voyage (1966) 14. The Illustrated Man (1969) 15. First Men in the Moon (1964)
1970s:
1. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) 2. Solaris (1972) 3. Alien (1979) 4. Star Wars (1977) 5. The Andromeda Strain (1971) 6. A Clockwork Orange (1971) 7. Superman (1978) 8. Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) 9. Time After Time (1979) 10. ST:TMP (1979) 11. Slaughterhouse 5 (1972) 12. Invasion of the Bodysnatchers (1978) 13. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) 14. Westworld (1973) 15. Soylent Green(1974)
1980s:
1. Blade Runner (1982) 2. Star Trek II (1982) 3. 2010 (1984) 4. The Empire Strikes back (1980) 5. Brazil (1985) 6. The Terminator (1984) 7. ST IV (1986) 8. Aliens (1986) 9. E.T. (1982) 10. Return of the Jedi (1983) 11. The Abyss(Director's Cut) (1989) 12. War Games (1983) 13. Enemy Mine (1985) 14. Mad Max II (1981) 15. Robocop (1987)
1990s:
1. The Matrix(1999) 2. Contact(1997) 3. ST:First Contact(1996) 4. Twelve Monkeys(1995) 5. Dark City(1998) 6. The Bicentennial Man(1999) 7. The Thirteenth Floor(1999) 8. Gattaca(1997) 9. Jurassic Park(1993) 10. STVI(1991) 11. Strange Days(1995) 12. Deep Impact(1998) 13. The Truman Show(1998) 14. Total Recall(1990) 15. Terminator II(1991) 16. Fifth Element(1997)
2000s:
1. Red Planet(2000) 2. The 6th Day 3. Mission to Mars
RAMA
Posted by RAMA (Member # 380) on :
Nothing to see here
Posted by David Templar (Member # 580) on :
My fav? The End of Evangelion. A cookie to anyone who's seen it.
Posted by Wes1701E (Member # 212) on :
quote: They had M4A1's, AK's, berettas, used and bruised stuff with some paint missing. And that Huey with the gatling gun, very retro. The enemy had shining silver Deagle's, good contrast methinks.
No M4A1s, I have that gun. They were M16 VNs. They did not use AKs. They did, however, use a Spaz 12, akimbo micro Uzis, akimbo scorpions, akimbo MP5ks, and some other weapons that i dont remember.
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
akimbo? i thought Heckler and Koch made the Mp5k. hmm. m4a1, can't remember what it look like. the coolest looking gun is the Steyer AUG, and the H&K G11.
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
those two big guns the mouse guy pulled out of the coffins might be slugthrowers. or they look like the grenade launcher from goldeneye. but that's a bad reference cause they don't even use proper names in the game.
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
what about Independance Day? that movie was ok.
Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
Oh, I gotta update my list some now...
Posted by Wes1701E (Member # 212) on :
akimbo is a Japanese word. It basicly means one gun in each hand. H&K does make the MP5k.
(Ok, final gunnut-post from me) I stand corrected aboot the M4A1, I now remember the one Reeves had on the poster, it's got the solid stock, yes. I guess they didn't fire any AK's but I believe I saw some in the "flying gun racks". Good thing Neo didn't move there.
When did they use SPAS12's? And am I the only one who thinks the SPAS12 Sam neill fired in Jurassic Park made far too small holes in the kitchen window?
Da_bang80: I thought so too at first, but the shells in the drum magazine looked like they had brass finish with red tips, and they're too small to be 40mm. I've only seen the damn movie once, I just HAVE to get this bad boy on DVD.
