In the wake of my review of the dismal Prometheus (the word still prompts that “I feel a yawn coming on” feeling), a reader asked for my own Top Ten list of favorite science fiction films. Below is a list of more than ten, in no particular order. A few notes are in order: (1) I have excluded super hero films (e.g., The Dark Knight, Avengers, etc.) and fantasy (e.g., Lord of the Rings, Princess Bride), since those aren’t science fiction. (2) inclusion on the list means I have watched them all multiple times — the sort of movie that, if I see it while someone is channel surfing (I rarely watch TV), I’ll feel the urge to make them stop so I can watch at least some of it. (3) I like these movies for different reasons — a clever premise, several great scenes, imagination, that sort of thing. Here they are:
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The Matrix
Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek (2009)
Alien
Aliens
Star Wars
Empire Strikes Back
Contact
Knowing
Stargate
Super 8
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Jurassic Park
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Independence Day
Gattaca
X-Files: Fight the Future
Predator
The Boys from Brazil
No Phantom Menace??
j/k
I’m wondering why you didn’t like Return of the Jedi as much as the first two?
Really didn’t like the first three prequels.
I’m wondering what you think about Blade Runner and K-Pax?
I’ve never seen all of Blade Runner, so I didn’t feel I could include it. I should watch the whole thing soon. Never saw K-Pax. Can’t say I’ve ever had anyone recommend it.
Godzilla!
@Keith
K-Pax: unfulfilled potential
my son and I have watched a few Godzilla, Mothra, and Gamera movies recently. Had to expose him to some high culture.
Have you seen Primer … the low budget time travel film?
nope.
I thought Pandorum was very creative. What other movie could make evolution so horrifying (har har)?! No, but really, interesting use of evolution in sci-fi. And of course, it has your typical starship, energy weapons, and optional destruction of Earth bit.
I’ll have to look up the plot on this one; had not heard of it.
Gamera is my favourite. (Gamera vs. Guiron has a spaceship too!)
Have you ever posted on your favorite sci-fi novels?
nope; I don’t read much fiction anyway.
IMHO, Bladerunner is a cut above the rest,far in front of the second best
science fiction movie made, Gattaca. My dad had taken me to see this dark dystopian movie at the theater when it first came out.This movie requires a thinking cap and you may not perceive the whole story upon one veiw.Not unlike Buckaroo Banzai(the third best SF movie)You pick up more insight upon a second or third(many more with me!) veiwing.
I have found a wondefull site that reveiws movies.I find this indispensible as he disects movies and trully gets behind the story to bring truth from a ‘truth’ perspective. Test for yourself and see> (I suggest you watch Bladerunner first and than read the reveiw as it may spoil some of the movie and you will get a great appreciation for the movie reveiw site,Metaphilm, that i have found! Or read some of his other reveiws to get a feel of what he is about.)
http://metaphilm.com/index.php/detail/blade_runner/
Having stated all that,i wish to leave you with one of the best of the movie that always gives me goosebumps and a feeling of energy,anticipation and wonder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTzA_xesrL8
I will have to watch this very soon.