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Brazil
Demolition Man.
I still can't decide if it's so bad it's good or if it is in fact a very underrated B-movie classic of satirical sci-fi.
But it's always fun!
Barbarella. Which introduced us to Duran Duran.
Thunderbirds, there's a film but the TV series is a favourite. Judge Dredd and Dredd. The fifth Element.
I can't take sci-fi films seriously in that there's rarely anything vaguely scientific about them and they fall down on even vague compliance with the laws of physics. They therefore have to stand on other values of which humerous absurdity is one I appreciate. So not the best but:
I can’t take sci-fi films seriously in that there’s rarely anything vaguely scientific about them
I think this somewhat missed the point of sci-fi. Some are pure entertainment but the best sci-fi uses the futuristic element as a means to explore the human condition.
Preferred Rogue One to Star Wars
Rogue One is superb IMHO.
The whole Rogue One/Andor story is superior to everything else in the Star Wars universe IMO.
I think you somewhat missed my point, Spin, or deliberately selectively quoted. Because this followed:
They therefore have to stand on other values
I think you somewhat missed my point, Spin, or deliberately selectively quoted.
No, I don't think so.
So why did you choose my post to slag off then amonst the 80 odd that went before it ? It's not particularly controversial, just an opinion on something of no importance. Perhaps I should be flattered by the attention you pay to my posts.
Have a good day.
So why did you choose my post to slag off
Jesus, chill out, I was just making a comment, why take it so personally? I rarely even look at the names before responding to a post so it's not some sort of vendetta.
I always look at names before responding to a post. And read every post in the context of the posting history of the member making the post.
End of hijack, as you were, more ideas of sci-fi films to watch/avoid welcome.
*insert appropriate Judge Dredd quote here*
I can’t take sci-fi films seriously in that there’s rarely anything vaguely scientific about them and they fall down on even vague compliance with the laws of physics.
If you strategically analyse any film by that method, they all fall down gaping plot holes, inconsistencies and errors tumbling from them as they plummet down the plot hole of doom.
Jurassic Park / World franchise is a good example. The actual "sci" within it isn't bad, there are attempts made to explain the basic premise of it all but the whole situation and plot is very firmly in the "fi" universe!
Absolutely, crazy-legs. My mind can cope with most plot holes of doom and almost any plot hole of doom that's amusing/entertaining enough. My point was that I can't take them seriously, which means that the ones that try to be serious whilst being unter nonsense such as Star Wars I don't get beyond 15 minutes before walking out or turning off, but the ones ones that don't take themselves seriously and make some attempt to be funny/amusing/entertaining I enjoy, for example Fifth Element or Stalone as Dredd.
I can’t take sci-fi films seriously in that there’s rarely anything vaguely scientific about them
On that note... This is quite interesting...
Scientist ranks sci-fi films on scientific accuracy...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TAKXQKMTAU0&pp=ygUgbmVpbCBkZWdyYXNzZSBUeXNvbiBzY2ktZmkgZmlsbXM%3D
the best sci-fi uses the futuristic element as a means to explore the human condition.
Ex Machina is brilliant if you like that sort of stuff!
The Abyss FTW.
I'm going off-piste here but, since the thread title is 'not the best but your favourite', I think Third Rock From The Sun needs an honourable mention, especially when the Big Giant Head flies in. As an exploration of the human condition from the viewpoint of an alien culture it is without equal. 😀
Battleship
Just watched Neil deGrasse Tyson on the science of The Martian, it should be pretty accurate due to how much input NASA and the JPL team had into it.
If you strategically analyse any film by that method, they all fall down gaping plot holes, inconsistencies and errors tumbling from them as they plummet down the plot hole of doom.
Coming to pretty much any film with a degree of specialist knowledge rarely ends well. You usually have to leave it at the door.
That said, some are far better/worse than others.
The Day After Tomorrow is a documentary
Discussion of Zardov is useless without pictures.

Under the Skin. Some people hate it, but I love its mood and realism. A radical departure from the book, and all the better for it.
Kuco
Full Member
Just watched Neil deGrasse Tyson on the science of The Martian, it should be pretty accurate due to how much input NASA and the JPL team had into it.
If I remember correctly, the only real big liberty the author took was to have the lander in jeopardy of being blown over by the storm on Mars. In reality the atmosphere is way too thin to have done it, even at it's huge speeds.
Alita Battle Angel or whatever it’s called. Good but needs a part 2
In cinemas later this year....
My favourite is probably Moon.
For those that like The Martian - Project Hail Mary is in the works, release date 2026 ATM. Should be, interesting....
My point was that I can’t take them seriously, which means that the ones that try to be serious whilst being unter nonsense such as Star Wars I don’t get beyond 15 minutes before walking out or turning off
Just because a movie isn't full of jokes doesn't mean they expect you to think that the science is actually feasible. Star Wars is essentially a fantasy film in space, it is set far in the past and has literal magic in it.
Just because some people have fun by obsessing over the lore and 'science' - which is fine - doesn't mean that the rest of us need to think that hyperdrives, lightsabers and force fields are possible in order to enjoy it.
For those that like The Martian – Project Hail Mary is in the works, release date 2026 ATM. Should be, interesting….
You'd also probably enjoy 'For All Mankind' on Apple TV. It's an imagining of how things might have looked if the space race had continued beyond the moon.
the only real big liberty the author took was to have the lander in jeopardy of being blown over by the storm on Mars.
The whole 'I'll use the pressure in my suit to fly accurately through space' was probably pushing it a bit!
For sheer good fun, probably Star Trek IV......not least for "nuclear wessels".
I love the old black and white sci-fi too. Some of them just plain silly, some of them really quite superb. The Day the Earth Stood Still for example.
If I remember correctly, the only real big liberty the author took
The plot device of having the Chinese deciding to help rescue an American standard on another planet at the expense of their own programme is wildly unbelievable.
The plot device of having the Chinese deciding to help rescue an American standard on another planet at the expense of their own programme is wildly unbelievable.
I was only referring to the science in the book to be honest.
'In time' . Yes, it's got Justin Timberlake in it, but I really like the idea of time being a currency. When your time runs out, that's it.
FWIW this thread brought up memories of another movie which I'd forgotten the name of. Turns out it was Millenium, the one with Kris Kristofferson and Cheryl Ladd. I found it again on YouTube. The effects are all a bit cheesy but it's a decent premise and pretty well played.
Last night Prime offered me Gattaca (becasue it knows, obvs). I remember it as being OK.
I always think The Abyss is one of those films that shouldn’t work but does and I can’t quite put my finger on why.
Without an obvious spoiler, it's hard to explain. I don't do horror films is all I'm saying...
I thought Cypher was mad until I went to my own company's conference
I always think The Abyss is one of those films that shouldn’t work but does and I can’t quite put my finger on why.
Bit of a curve ball but I preferred Sphere, similar but better plot, just not as well executed (great book though).
Fifth Element.
At that time, as far as i could see, at least, Sci-Fi was Grey, and silver and Clean and clinical. We dont have dirt in the future (See StarTrek TNG).
Fifth Element's assault of colour was unforgetable.
I thought Cypher was mad until I went to my own company’s conference
I need to watch it again to refresh my memory exactly how, but Cypher is a film which (like The Sixth Sense) plays heavily with colour pallets. You can tell what's going on - once you know to look for it - from the photography.
I'd forgotten that bit
I was referring to the endless gobbledygook spouted at the conferences and years later realising that we do the same thing but without Lucy Liu
At that time, as far as i could see, at least, Sci-Fi was Grey, and silver and Clean and clinical. We dont have dirt in the future
Apart from in Star Wars, Alien, and Blade Runner, obvs.
Fifth Element did have some extraordinary colour design though.
They Live
I just remembered this beauty
Apart from in Star Wars, Alien, and Blade Runner, obvs.
I think that's kind of his point - i associate the grubby dystopian sci fi aesthetic with the 70s and perhaps early 80s. By the time 5th Element came out, Alien and Blade runner were ancient history
Most of mine have been mentioned.
Silent running for me, but a couple of guilty pleasures I can't see have been mentioned:
'Outland' 1981 with Mr. Connery
'Endangered Species' 1982 with Robert Ulrich.
Lets also not forget Saturn 3.
Don't know if it's been mentioned but 'chappie' is really good too... Same director as district 9
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lyy7y0QOK-0&pp=ygUPQ2hhcHBpZSB0cmFpbGVy