SciFiWire Lists 50 SciFi Films of All Time

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UPDATED: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 15:21
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SNIPER

Friday, February 15, 2008 5:24 PM

Following article:

Pick SCI FI Wire's Best SF Films

The American Film Institute has come up with a list of 50 SF films that it deems among the best ever; it will pick 10 as the best SF movies of all time for a TV special that will air on CBS in June.

But readers of SCI FI Wire don't have to wait until then to come up with their own list of the best SF movies of all time.

Pick from the list below of your top 10 and send it to SCI FI Wire before March 1 with "Top 10" in the subject line. Editors will post SCI FI Wire's Readers' Choice list of the top 10 that week.

If your favorite movie isn't in the list below, feel free to add it to your choice and SCI FI Wire will run a separate list of the top 10 most underappreciated SF movies of all time.

The AFI defines "science fiction" as a genre that marries a scientific or technological premise with imaginative speculation. It has selected the following 50 movies as contenders for the best, in alphabetical order (in the case of movies that have been made more than once, we've designated by date which version the AFI has selected):

A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Alien, Altered States, The Andromeda Strain, Back to the Future, The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms, Blade Runner, Children of Men, A Clockwork Orange, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Cocoon, Contact, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Destination Moon, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Escape From New York, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Fantastic Voyage, The Fly (1986), Forbidden Planet, Frankenstein (1931), The Incredible Shrinking Man, Independence Day, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), The Invisible Man (1933), It Came From Outer Space, Jurassic Park, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, The Matrix, Men in Black, Minority Report, Planet of the Apes (1968), Repo Man, RoboCop, Rollerball (1975), Silent Running, Soylent Green, Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, Star Wars: Episode IV--A New Hope, Starman, The Stepford Wives (1975), Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Them!, The Thing From Another World, The Time Machine (1960), Total Recall, Tron, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The War of the Worlds (1953), Westworld. --Patrick Lee, News Editor

Notice that Serenity isn't on the list. Perhaps we should get it to the top of the unappreciated list by voting it in.

JONGSSTRAW

Friday, February 15, 2008 7:07 PM

Looks like a pretty respectable list...other than the Serenity omission.

ECGORDON

Friday, February 15, 2008 7:48 PM

I just sent my email to them, and I did include Serenity on my Top 10, along with another that I was surprised was also not there.

Alphabetical order only:
Blade Runner
A Clockwork Orange
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Forbidden Planet
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Metropolis
Serenity
The Time Machine (1960)
2001: A Space Odyssey
War of the Worlds (1953)

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

CHRISISALL

Friday, February 15, 2008 7:54 PM

THE LIST IS BULL***T IF SERENITY, STAR TREK TMP AND SUPERMAN TM AIN'T ON IT!!!!

the last angry Chrisisall

HUGHFF

Friday, February 15, 2008 9:13 PM

The inclusion of the following is unjustifiable: Destination Moon, Fantastic Voyage, Independence Day, Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. Each of these occupies a spot where a better movie should have been: Gattacca, Metropolis, The Quiet Earth, Serenity. Tron is lucky to make the cut too. I'll probably think of a fifth movie later.

Anyone who calls Star Wars Star Wars: Episode IV--A New Hope should be shot.

The original Terminator is better than Terminator 2: Judgment Day. If we were ranking movies based on special f/x then T2 but on no other criterion is it superior. (OK, Linda Hamilton does look hotter tanked up.)

For what it's worth - none of the Star trek movies are any good but the first one (fume more chrisisall) is preobably the worst. It's just plain boring, the most inexcusable crime for any movie. The only trek movie I liked was the save the whales one - because it was sometimes funny. In fact, it launched William Shatner as a comic actor.

www.cpfc.org - my life
www.nbhs.school.nz - my work

CHRISISALL

Friday, February 15, 2008 9:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by hughff:

For what it's worth - none of the Star trek movies are any good but the first one (fume more chrisisall) is preobably the worst. It's just plain boring, the most inexcusable crime for any movie.

Frakin' carbon-unit biped, you need to see the Director's Cut!!! If you don't like it still, I'll go on a tirade against your pathetic lack of taste the likes of which this board has n'er seen!!!

...or maybe I'll get a pizza and chill, whatever comes first

Chrisisall

ECGORDON

Friday, February 15, 2008 11:07 PM

I've never seen the Director's Cut of ST:TMP, but I still think the theatrical version is the best of the Trek movies yet produced. I know I am in a very small minority with that opinion, and it's one of the few times lately Chris and I agree on something. Yes, it is overlong and boring in places, but it had more scope and sense-of-wonder than any of the other films, which were more like extended tv episodes anyway.

DESKTOPHIPPIE

Friday, February 15, 2008 11:32 PM

I'm just glad they specified that it was the 1970's Rollerball they were nominating. Because if they had included the modern one and left out Serenity I would have lost all faith in AFI, and it's shaky enough to begin with.

Good list overall but yeah, I agree that Serenity, Gattacca and The Quiet Earth could have replaced some dodgy nominations there. And how the hell did they leave out Metropolis??? That's like doing a list of the best movies of all time and leaving out Citizen Kane!!!

I may be killed for this, but I totally would add Dune to that list. Yes I know, fans of the book loathe it, but it's a very good sci-fi movie when taken by itself and it is so very, very pretty to look at.

Banners, Avatars, LJ Icons and other fun stuff at www.desktophippie.com

DESKTOPHIPPIE

Friday, February 15, 2008 11:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
I've never seen the Director's Cut of ST:TMP, but I still think the theatrical version is the best of the Trek movies yet produced. I know I am in a very small minority with that opinion...

Very, very small. Minute. So tiny it may not exist in a stable reality.

Banners, Avatars, LJ Icons and other fun stuff at www.desktophippie.com

CHRISISALL

Saturday, February 16, 2008 2:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
I've never seen the Director's Cut of ST:TMP

Oh you must- Robert Wise said that it was like time-travel, being able to go back and fine tune what the studio pushed him to spit out so quickly, it really is a must-see!!!!

Quote:
it had more scope and sense-of-wonder than any of the other films, which were more like extended tv episodes anyway.

EXACTLY!!!! It IS one of the best SF films ever made, IMO.
I just feel sad for the fools that need explosions every ten minutes and flash-cutting to hold their attention when character & story can do so very nicely....

V'Gerisall

SIMONWHO

Saturday, February 16, 2008 5:36 PM

I don't think Minority Report should be in there either. Maybe if they had stuck to the original ending.

STRANGEBIRD

Saturday, February 16, 2008 6:08 PM

That's complete crap. Starman is the only movie on that list that I actually feel deserves to be in my top five... not so sure about the rest. Quite a few of them I wouldn't put on a list of the top 50. So seeing as there aren't enough decent films to fill my top ten I won't even bother voting. Whoever put that list together was a flat-out idiot.

<------<<< ~~~~~~~~~~~~~(*)~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>>------>

"When you can't do something smart, do something right." -Jayne quoting Book

2% of teens have not smoked pot, if you are(or were) one of the 98% that have, copy this into your signature.

HUGHFF

Saturday, February 16, 2008 10:23 PM

Actually, on reflection I notice that all the movies seem to be American, which means neither Metropolis (Germany) nor The Quiet Earth (New Zealand) would even qualify. Nor would another movie that I remembered and would've included, Avalon (Poland).

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
I just feel sad for the fools that need explosions every ten minutes and flash-cutting to hold their attention when character & story can do so very nicely....

I do wonder if you've seen Gattacca or The Quiet Earth, which I advocated at the same time as criticising Star Trek. Neither of which has explosions nor flash cutting; both of which are deliberately paced stories developing character (almost half of The Quiet Earth has a single character going slowly mad in his isolation).

www.cpfc.org - my life
www.nbhs.school.nz - my work

REGINAROADIE

Saturday, February 16, 2008 10:57 PM

I think it's a pretty good list. There's enough real thought provoking, legitimate science-fiction films to balance out some of the more "popcorn" titles in there. And I like that the only three sci-fi titles from this decade (A.I., ETERNAL SUNSHINE and CHILDREN OF MEN) are REAL sci-fi movies that are actually about something. While SERENITY is a great movie, admittedly it's more "popcorn" escapism than truly great science fiction.

And include me with chrisisall in the "STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE is awesome" category.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

ECGORDON

Saturday, February 16, 2008 11:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by hughff:
Actually, on reflection I notice that all the movies seem to be American, which means neither Metropolis (Germany) nor The Quiet Earth (New Zealand) would even qualify. Nor would another movie that I remembered and would've included, Avalon (Poland).
I do wonder if you've seen Gattacca or The Quiet Earth, which I advocated at the same time as criticising Star Trek.

But Mad Max was directed by an Australian, and Blade Runner and Alien by a Brit, although they may still technically be considered American films. That is the only legitimate reason I can see for Metropolis not being on the list.
I have seen both The Quiet Earth and Gattaca, and agree with you on both of them.

TRAVELER

Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:58 AM

Everyone has their own tastes. I have seen movies that high ranking critics have stomped on and enjoyed them. So I will not be critical of others. If a movie appealed to me at age ten it may not appeal to me now. Since I enjoyed it, it becomes part of my list. So if some of my movies seem juvenile; know I was immature most of my life.

This list is not in any particular order.

Serenity (No surprise there)
Back to the Future
Blade Runner
Contact
Big
Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan
Battle of the Worlds
Metropolis
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Forbidden Planet
War of the Worlds (Both original and remake)
A.I.
Alien
Rollerball (original) Never saw the remake.
Terminator
Mysterians
Time Machine (The remake)

I am sure my list would be longer, but some movies I so long ago they escape my memory. So forgive me if some of the older films are missing from my list.

http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=28764731
Traveler

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Sunday, February 17, 2008 7:20 AM

?
Terminator?
Predator?
Aliens?
Road Warrior?
War Games?
Star Trek IV: Voyage Home?
The Thing -1982?

Both Serenity and The Last Mimzy were better than some on that list.

T2 was a better action film, but Terminator was a much better SciFi film than T2.
For Alien, the sequel was much more entertaining, and for SciFi, both of The Things were better, being the origin of the film concept.

HUGHFF

Sunday, February 17, 2008 8:06 AM

ecgordan: I think it's the production rather than the direction that determines AFI's US bias. Both Mad Max and Mad Max 2, which were produced in Australia, don't make the list but Mad Max 3, which was produced from America does - even though it is clearly the weakest of the three.

traveler: Your list is interesting though there are no less than three movies on it that, for one reason or another, I've not seen. However, I would argue that by the AFI's definiton, Big (which I also like) shouldn't be there. Viz - marries a scientific or technological premise with imaginative speculation. While Big isn't short of imaginative speculation, it has no scientific or technological premise, therefore it's pure fantasy not sf.

www.cpfc.org - my life
www.nbhs.school.nz - my work

CHRISISALL

Sunday, February 17, 2008 4:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by hughff:

I do wonder if you've seen Gattacca or The Quiet Earth, which I advocated at the same time as criticising Star Trek. Neither of which has explosions nor flash cutting; both of which are deliberately paced stories developing character

I own Gattaca, and REALLY liked The Quiet Earth...the only reason to criticize STTMP I can fathom then is a lingering prejudice from the small screen- it was brilliant, thoughtful, classic SF from the man that brought us Day The Earth Stood Still. As much fun as Wrath Of Kahn is, I think it was a great mistake to take the original Trek in that direction- Roddenberry's vision became clouded with action, leaving actual SCIENCE FICTION more or less in the dust.

Director's Cut rules Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Sunday, February 17, 2008 4:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SimonWho:
I don't think Minority Report should be in there either. Maybe if they had stuck to the original ending.

Fully agree.

Agreeing Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Sunday, February 17, 2008 4:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
While SERENITY is a great movie, admittedly it's more "popcorn" escapism than truly great science fiction.

Ehhhh...I reject the popcorn characterization- it's themes are grand, Shakespeareian even...as far as science fiction goes though, yeah, it's more of a character study than fiction tied closely to science (like STTMP was), it was more like Wrath Of Kahn in that way (only better).

Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Sunday, February 17, 2008 4:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by traveler:

Rollerball (original) Never saw the remake.

No need to.

Quote:

Mysterians

Guess it's a personal thing...

Quote:

Time Machine (The remake)

NO WAY!!! The original is waaaay better IMO!!! What about that final scene where the guy's stuck outside the machine, & our hero watches him age to death- it COULDN'T happen like that!!! That made NO sense!!! That wasn't a science fiction moment, that was dumb inserted poetic justice for it's own sake!!!!
Other than that it was good though.

Eloi Chrisisall

REGINAROADIE

Sunday, February 17, 2008 4:25 PM

I guess you could say that SERENITY has a lot of grand themes, although to classify them as Shakespearian is a bit of a stretch. The only Shakespearian sci-fi whose classification I can agree with is FORBIDDEN PLANET since it is based on THE TEMPEST and they both share the same idea of "if you have all the power in the universe, and your enemies are right in front of you, do you use that power to destroy them?" Even after seeing the movie five times on opening weekend, I can't really think of a great theme or a "what's it all about" idea for SERENITY. I always thought of the film as a great wrapping up of loose ends and payoff for the series.

And I agree with your views on the differences between The Motion Picture vs The Wrath of Khan. The Motion Picture was the only film to have direct influence from Roddenberry and was actually about something in terms of greater meaning. Like 2001 beforehand, it's about man's place in the universe and wondering if one can be able to be more than the sum parts of oneself and if there's the possibility to transcend. Wrath of Khan was basically them going the STAR WARS route and have a giant intergalactic pissing contest. Maybe it moved quicker than The Motion Picture and had more action, but there was no "big idea" that The Motion Picture had.

I dunno. It's been a long time since I saw WRATH OF KHAN. Maybe I need to see it again when it eventually comes out on Blu-Ray to see why everyone considers it to be the best. Personally, I always thought The Undiscovered Country was the best of the sequels, because it successfully managed to blend Roddenberry's hope for peace with Harve Bennet and Nick Meyer's action and suspense injections that were integral to it's allegorical story and the arc's of Kirk and Spock over 25 years of TREK.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

CHRISISALL

Sunday, February 17, 2008 4:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
I guess you could say that SERENITY has a lot of grand themes, although to classify them as Shakespearian is a bit of a stretch.
I can't really think of a great theme or a "what's it all about" idea for SERENITY.

It's about the nature of evil- that it's not Satanic- it's human, born of human misconception, and beliefs that come out of pain, and also that redemption is possible- whether you've robbed banks or killed children.
See, The Operative believed 'too hard', and Mal didn't believe at all- the movie's message is to reach for common solution to life, not to retreat to an extreme to survive...that's pretty deep, IMO.

Quote:

I dunno. It's been a long time since I saw WRATH OF KHAN. Maybe I need to see it again when it eventually comes out on Blu-Ray to see why everyone considers it to be the best.

Nicholas Meyer is a GREAT writer & director, but he didn't write Wrath Of Khan...apart from some clever dialogue, WOK is pretty shabbily written, and even plain stupid from a scientific standpoint.

Quote:
Personally, I always thought THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY was the best of the sequels.

We reach.

Logical Chrisisall

JRC

Sunday, February 17, 2008 4:41 PM

This list is pretty varied, meaning good and not so much. But to include Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and NOT Road Warrior is totally inexcusable!!! MMBT should not even be on this list. To even suggest that it's as good as Close Encounters, The Day The Earth Stood Still, Alien, etc.?? No way. And not to mention The Empire Strikes Back?
But Serenity on the underappreciated sci-fi movies list should be in the No. 1 spot.

Everyone dies alone.

REGINAROADIE

Sunday, February 17, 2008 6:27 PM

A.I. Artificial Intelligence - Absolutely. I've been a champion of the film from day 1 and was not put off by the ending. Totally deserves it.

Alien - While the sequel is arguably superior, the original is still a landmark. I really can't think of another sci-fi thriller more tense than this one.

Altered States - Saw it a while ago. While really trippy at times, didn't really do anything for me when you see William Hurt turn into some weird-ass ape.

The Andromeda Strain - One of the better Crichton adaptations.

Back to the Future - More popcorn than true sci-fi, and personally I loved Part III more than the first two, but it deserves to be on the list.

The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms - Popcorn.

Blade Runner - Jury's still out for me on this one. Everyone sees this as a classic, but I found it to be boring, cold and emotionless. Hopefully when I borrow my friends 5 disc Blu-Ray edition of it, I'll finally have the epiphany about it everyone else seems to have.

Children of Men - Totally agree on this one. I'd call this neo-realist sci-fi. Totally immerses you into it's world, has truly amazing action sequences and is actually about something.

A Clockwork Orange - Classic. No arguements here.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Classic as well. Perfect blend of hardcore sci-fi and popcorn escapism. Can't believe Joss lost his faith in God because of this. To me, the whole film is a metaphor for believing in a power bigger than you can comprehend and the transcendence one can get from it.

Cocoon - Never seen it, but would like to.

Contact - True hardcore sci-fi flick that blends spirituality with science perfectly.

The Day the Earth Stood Still - Classic. Will see remake with extreme prejudice because the original is so perfect.

Destination Moon - Never seen it, but can agree with it being on the list since it was pretty revolutionary at the time.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial - Personally, I hated E.T. Scared the crap out of me as a kid. Objectively, more of a popcorn flick than real sci-fi.

Escape From New York - Never seen it. Could never find good DVD of it. But from concept alone, it seems more "popcorn" than true sci-fi.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Maybe a little dry and pretentious, but the concept itself is pure sci-fi with a true emotional core.

Fantastic Voyage - Popcorn through and through. INNERSPACE had more fun with the concept.

The Fly (1986) - Definitely a remake that's superior to the original.

Forbidden Planet - Classic.

Frankenstein (1931) - Classic.

The Incredible Shrinking Man - While the "pesticide radiation cloud" excuse is laughable, and the fx a bit cheesy, the main spirit shines through and the ending is just mindblowing.

Independence Day - Pure popcorn. Not sure if this should be on the list.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) - While I think the remake is superior in it's bleak and terrifying ending, I can see why they'd go with the original.

The Invisible Man (1933) - OK, I'll bite.

It Came From Outer Space - A better than average 50's B movie. I'll also bite.

Jurassic Park - More popcorn than sci-fi, but the sci-fi themes do shine through on occassion, so I'll let it slide.

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome - Agree with others in that this shouldn't be on the list. Mind you, the MAD MAX movies have always been more action that pure sci-fi.

The Matrix - Personally I find it a knock-off of DARK CITY and that the humans are as robotic and emotionless as the machine's they're fighting. But can see why people would put it on the list.

Men in Black - A highly enjoyable movie, but not real sci-fi. Barry Sonnenfeld himself says that he sees the movie as a comedic remake of THE FRENCH CONNECTION which happens to have aliens in it. So it's a more questionable entry.

Minority Report - I'm not aware of the original ending, so I think this is a pretty solid sci-fi piece.

Planet of the Apes (1968) - Classic. No dispute whatsoever.

Repo Man - Meh. Didn't do anything for me.

RoboCop -

CHRISISALL

Sunday, February 17, 2008 6:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
A.I. Artificial Intelligence - Absolutely. I've been a champion of the film from day 1 and was not put off by the ending. Totally deserves it.

Absolutely.

Quote:

Westworld - Never seen it, can't comment.

Shirley you jest. The DVD ain't the best quality, but it sure is cheap- a must-see to find out where Cameron got one of his Terminator ideas from- and a good movie too!

Quote:

As as for stuff not on the list that should've been on there, I'd like to nominate LAST NIGHT

I will see this movie, I swear, no matter that it take an eternity!

Zodisall

REGINAROADIE

Sunday, February 17, 2008 6:50 PM

I do not jest. And don't call me Shirley.

You won't regret it when you finally see LAST NIGHT. Leaves every other disaster and end of the world movie in the dust, and you'll never listen to "Guantanamara" the same way again.

Also, you mentioned earlier the omission of the first SUPERMAN. While it's still in the top 5 of best comic book movies ever made, I wouldn't necessarily classify it as real sci-fi. The only comic book movies I'd consider to be sci-fi would be the first two X-MEN movies since they have a scientific basis and powerful allegory to their stories, as opposed to "red sun vs yellow sun" or some weird shit giving a normal person powers.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

CHRISISALL

Sunday, February 17, 2008 7:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
The only comic book movies I'd consider to be sci-fi would be the first two X-MEN movies

I see your point I guess, but I think X-2 is a collection of amazing scenes, not nearly as good a movie as the first one.

Also, I REALLY liked I, Robot...I'd put that on the list, personally.

I did not murder himisall

REGINAROADIE

Sunday, February 17, 2008 7:15 PM

"You wanted me to cure your son. Mutation isn't a disease-"
"YOU'RE LYING!!"

That single moment elevated X2 above not only the original, but every other comic book film in the last decade. I'd put X2 in the top 5 best comic book films ever made because it takes all the stuff that was set up in the first movie and multiplies it to new heights. Stronger story, stronger characters, stronger action, stronger allegory, stronger everything.

And while we're on the topic of "classic sci-fi stories turned Will Smith vehicles", I'm holding out for the alternate version of I AM LEGEND that's going to be out next month that's supposed to have the controversial (read, original ending of the book) ending. Hopefully, this will correct the major flaw of the movie (bad fx notwithstanding) and elevate it to true classic status, or at least good status.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

CHRISISALL

Sunday, February 17, 2008 7:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
"You wanted me to cure your son. Mutation isn't a disease-"
"YOU'RE LYING!!"

Great moment. I guess what sticks in my craw is Wolvie getting knocked out (!) by a mere bullet that didn't even have the trajectorial correctness to even ricochet off his adamantium skull.

Details details Chrisisal

REGINAROADIE

Sunday, February 17, 2008 7:40 PM

You could say that the skin that covered his skull would have been able to catch it. I think it would be more realistic for Wolverine to be shot in the head, and that because of the adamantium, it would just knock him out instead of right out kill him. He's not Superman or the Terminator where bullets would just bounce off of him.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

CHRISISALL

Sunday, February 17, 2008 7:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
He's not Superman or the Terminator where bullets would just bounce off of him.

It would bounce off his skull, leaving a momentary gash, like that chunk-o-metal did in the Danger Room in X-3. And it would ring his bells, but not knock him out cold.

Getting realisall

Chrisisall

TRAVELER

Sunday, February 17, 2008 9:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by traveler:
Time Machine (The remake)
NO WAY!!! The original is waaaay better IMO!!! What about that final scene where the guy's stuck outside the machine, & our hero watches him age to death- it COULDN'T happen like that!!! That made NO sense!!! That wasn't a science fiction moment, that was dumb inserted poetic justice for it's own sake!!!!
Other than that it was good though.

Eloi Chrisisall

Don't mince words Bones. What do you really think?

Select to view spoiler:

I liked the plot of this movie. That Alex was motivated to create his time machine to save the life of his love. Then to finally realize that he could not defeat fate. So he trys to escape with the use of his time machine only to meet up with fate again.

In the end it was his enemy that foolishly gave him the clue that helped save Mara and stopped him from running.

Unlike most time travel movies, I have watched, this one faced the paradox of time travel.

Unlike "Somewhere in Time" that does not explain where the watch came from in the first place. Curse that watch.

Finally, I would add the original movie to my list, but it has been many years since I have seen it and I don't remember it to well. That would be unfair to include a movie I can hardly remember. I will add it to my ever growing list of movies to watch. To many movies and not enough time. Such is life.

Oh yea the Mysterians. I was young and it was fun.

Your fellow Browncoat;
Traveler

http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=28764731
Traveler

KAYNA

Monday, February 18, 2008 1:13 AM

I've seen surpisingly few of these films for someone who considers themself to be a scifi fan. I know what most of them are and have been attempting to get a hold of some of them but most of the pre 80's films are question marks for me.
Still, I have a few issues.
Jurassic Park? Men in Black? Independance Day? No, no, no! As for Thunder Dome, I have to agree with previous comments. Not nearly as good as the first two.
And while I understand why Escape from New York is up there instead of Escape from LA, the fan girl in me is crushed. They are essentially the same move so the orignal would naturally go on the list but I have always prefered LA. Mostly because the ending is one of my all time favorites.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Op: You're fighting a war you've already lost.
Mal: Yeah, well I'm known for that.

CHRISISALL

Monday, February 18, 2008 1:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kayna:
I have always prefered LA. Mostly because the ending is one of my all time favorites.

YES!!!! THANK YOU!!!!
You GO girl!!!

Uh-huh Chrisisall

ECGORDON

Monday, February 18, 2008 1:59 AM

I also think the list is highly suspect because The Thing from Another World is included, but not John Carpenter's The Thing. My list would reverse that situation.

CHRISISALL

Monday, February 18, 2008 2:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
I also think the list is highly suspect because The Thing from Another World is included, but not John Carpenter's The Thing. My list would reverse that situation.

Again, agreement.

I agree to muchisall

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Monday, February 18, 2008 8:15 AM

I forgot to add Waterworld and The Postman - both better than Mad Max BT.

Why not Sixth Sense? But really, communicating with dead people? Isn't that something out of science fiction, like being psychic?

In Depp's Time Machine. why is the dying guy not the way it would happen? I can't accept the way this story or effects treats time travel, but if you do then why is this scene unacceptable?

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Monday, February 18, 2008 8:39 AM

I don't see too many time travel films that don't deal with paradox - which have you seen that don't?
Didn't see Butterfly Effect on the list, but it wasn't really breakthru.

Quote:
Originally posted by hughff:

The original Terminator is better than Terminator 2: Judgment Day. If we were ranking movies based on special f/x then T2 but on no other criterion is it superior. (OK, Linda Hamilton does look hotter tanked up.)

Sorry, no. She was hotter with her top off in the original, which was why she became the wife.

ASARIAN

Monday, February 18, 2008 8:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:

It's about the nature of evil- that it's not Satanic- it's human, born of human misconception, and beliefs that come out of pain, and also that redemption is possible- whether you've robbed banks or killed children.
See, The Operative believed 'too hard', and Mal didn't believe at all- the movie's message is to reach for common solution to life, not to retreat to an extreme to survive...that's pretty deep, IMO.

Excellent observations!

Also, the evil in Serenity ain't pathetic. :) There's no drooling bad guy (like in Highlander); instead, their evil incarnation, the Operative, is a man who can be surprisingly human. For instance, Dr. Mathias thinks it's madness, but it's the Operative who recognizes that "It's Love. In point of fact." The evil in Serenity is entirely human. And yet, to quote Inara, we've every reason to be afraid. Because he's a believer. He's intelligent, methodical, and devout in his belief that killing River is the right thing to do.

So, thank you for a memorable post, chrisisall. :)

--
"Mei-mei, everything I have is right here." -- Simon Tam

SERENITYINSCOTLAND

Monday, February 18, 2008 1:45 PM

Contact? Most boring film ever, I feel asleep in the cinema.

Independence Day? Awesome, the world needs more films like this.

This probably doesn't make me sound like much of an intellectual but if a film can't entertain and make you think, the least it can do is one of them. And I was entertained by Independence Day.

REGINAROADIE

Monday, February 18, 2008 4:40 PM

You know, it just occurred to me that maybe someone should make an international list of the best sci-fi films of all time.

I remember reading one big magazine done by Film Threat or Total or one of the big UK movie magazines that looked at a lot of international titles and gave a lot of obscure movies that not every sci-fi fan would know due diligence. So if some international film organization along the lines of the AFI could put together a more comprehensive list of sci-fi movies made around the world, then maybe we can get a better list. One that would include undisputable classics like METROPOLIS, MAD MAX, THE ROAD WARRIOR, SOLARIS (although I think both versions are the most boring movies imaginable) as well as some other titles that are more personal favorites like LAST NIGHT, THE QUIET EARTH, CITY OF LOST CHILDREN.

What are some other really good international sci-fi movies? Along with LAST NIGHT, I'd like to nominate CUBE from Canada. You wouldn't know it, but we Canadians can make pretty good genre movies.

Remind me again, THE QUIET EARTH was a New Zealand movie about a guy who wakes up and finds that everyone else has disappeared, discovers another woman, and then another guy and then the two guys kinda fight for the attention of the only woman left in the world for who gets to screw her and continue the species. And there was a really crappy remake of it with Jeri Ryan (aka. Seven of Nine) in it, right?

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

IRISHWASH

Monday, February 18, 2008 6:45 PM

ok, cant agree with some of the movies on this list, not goin to go into it, justgona mention a few that should be there,
serenity[ ofcourse]
pitch black[ best sci-fi horror since alien]
event horizon[ great under estimated movie]
dog soldiers[ brilliant british horror movie]

irishwash

HUGHFF

Monday, February 18, 2008 7:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
Remind me again, THE QUIET EARTH was a New Zealand movie about a guy who wakes up and finds that everyone else has disappeared, discovers another woman, and then another guy and then the two guys kinda fight for the attention of the only woman left in the world for who gets to screw her and continue the species. /B]

While the two guys compete over the woman, it wasn't for any big-bollox cliche like continuing the species. It was an inevitable consequence of the dynamics of three people.

Quote:
And there was a really crappy remake of it with Jeri Ryan (aka. Seven of Nine) in it, right?

Not sure about this. If there was, I haven't seen it.

www.cpfc.org - my life
www.nbhs.school.nz - my work

CHRISISALL

Monday, February 18, 2008 8:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jewelstaitefan:
why is the dying guy not the way it would happen? I can't accept the way this story or effects treats time travel, but if you do then why is this scene unacceptable?

From inside the time machine, the dude outside would simply disappear given the speed of time travel. It would take him days to die, and months to rot, and that all would have been less that a tick, relatively speaking. That it was dragged out screamed of melodramatic non-science.

See?Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Monday, February 18, 2008 8:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
SOLARIS (although I think both versions are the most boring movies imaginable)

I KNEW there was something we didn't agree on! I like the Clooney version- I'd put in just behind 2001.

But not near STTMP, heh heh Chrisisall

KAYNA

Monday, February 18, 2008 9:18 PM

I just have to toss in some more love for STTMP.
Yes, it's a bit slow at times but Veger is one of the best concepts ever. The idea of such a thing always filled me with such wonder.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Op: You're fighting a war you've already lost.
Mal: Yeah, well I'm known for that.

CHRISISALL

Monday, February 18, 2008 9:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kayna:
I just have to toss in some more love for STTMP.
Yes, it's a bit slow at times but Veger is one of the best concepts ever. The idea of such a thing always filled me with such wonder.

Personally, it's in my top 5 best SF movies of all time.
If I didn't love or know of TOS, it might be, like, in my top ten, though.
It was/is a truly beautiful film- more so because of the Director's Cut.

Carbon Unit Chrisisall

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:25 AM

Yup, Pitch Black is another I forgot to mention.
I'm mostly happy that nobody has brought up Starship Troopers.

ERGASTER

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by irishwash:
ok, cant agree with some of the movies on this list, not goin to go into it, justgona mention a few that should be there,
serenity[ ofcourse]
pitch black[ best sci-fi horror since alien]
event horizon[ great under estimated movie]
dog soldiers[ brilliant british horror movie]

irishwash

Yeah, I was just wondering if someone was going to mention Pitch Black, which was my favourite "new" scifi movie until I stumbled (almost literally) on Serenity.

It has its flaws but man! it's got some moments in it!

Better than some of the movies that did make it, for reasons most people have already covered.

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 4:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jewelstaitefan:

I'm mostly happy that nobody has brought up Starship Troopers.

That was a movie with a heavy comment on militaristic yahooism that sadly seems to be more relevant than ever...

Chrisisall

JONGSSTRAW

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 5:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by jewelstaitefan:
I'm mostly happy that nobody has brought up Starship Troopers.

That was a movie with a heavy comment on militaristic yahooism that sadly seems to be more relevant than ever...

I disagree...it was a movie with a heavy comment on Denise Richards' rack.

Also, disagree on the V'ger thing from STTMP....we know that this Voyager probe was damaged, disappeared into a black hole, and then landed on a machine planet. The machines there restored Voyager plus gave it an amazing amount of new technology (including 10th power energy) to fulfill its' mission....gather knowledge & learn all that can be learned.. BUT here's the rub...neither the great, awesome machines on that planet, or the great awesome V'ger itself didn't have the common sense, or scintilla of intelligence to clean off the nameplate on the probe which was a bit scarred & dirty...to reveal the name Voyager....no...they both left it as it appeared with the letters obscurred by dirt and it became V'ger (until Kirk wiped it clean)....pretty sad.

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 6:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
neither the great, awesome machines on that planet, or the great awesome V'ger itself didn't have the common sense, or scintilla of intelligence to clean off the nameplate on the probe which was a bit scarred & dirty...to reveal the name Voyager....no...they both left it as it appeared with the letters obscurred by dirt and it became V'ger (until Kirk wiped it clean)....pretty sad.

A non-issue raised by an obvious non-fan of the movie.
It is dismissed.

Next. Chrisisall

KAYNA

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 6:39 PM

Thank you Chrisisall. When I was talking about wonder at the idea of V'ger it had nothing to do with the name. It was all about the idea. Something we created and sent to explore where we sould not yet go just kept going. It conitnued to do what it had been made to do long after we forgot about it and eventually returned as something more than it had been.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Op: You're fighting a war you've already lost.
Mal: Yeah, well I'm known for that.

JONGSSTRAW

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 6:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
neither the great, awesome machines on that planet, or the great awesome V'ger itself didn't have the common sense, or scintilla of intelligence to clean off the nameplate on the probe which was a bit scarred & dirty...to reveal the name Voyager....no...they both left it as it appeared with the letters obscurred by dirt and it became V'ger (until Kirk wiped it clean)....pretty sad.
A non-issue raised by an obvious non-fan of the movie.
It is dismissed.

Spin it all you want Chrissy, but you know that I'm right...so were the 4000 sci-fi reviews at the time that said the movie sucked, in fact it sucked so much that they scrapped every element of it when they continued the franchise in Wrath of Khan...and for the record, I was watching and enjoying Star Trek when you were still spitting up your Gerber's carrots and peas all over yourself.

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
and for the record, I was watching and enjoying Star Trek when you were still spitting up your Gerber's carrots and peas all over yourself.

1) TMP had a distinct lack of physical violence and phaser usage, hence the 'boring' tag many hung on it. So it seems many need an 'enemy to kill' to be happy. Sorry- some of us groove on character, story and science....
2) Why you little pipsqueek, I was there for the first season broadcast in '66, and I liked it better than Jeannie or Lost In Space!!!!

Not as old as he used to beisall

JONGSSTRAW

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
and for the record, I was watching and enjoying Star Trek when you were still spitting up your Gerber's carrots and peas all over yourself.

1) TMP had a distinct lack of physical violence and phaser usage, hence the 'boring' tag many hung on it. So it seems many need an 'enemy to kill' to be happy. Sorry- some of us groove on character, story and science....
2) Why you little pipsqueek, I was there for the first season broadcast in '66, and I liked it better than Jeannie or Lost In Space!!!!

Pipsqueek...great word!, haven't heard that one in a few decades. Do you think former WWF manager Freddie Blassie's "Pencil-Necked Geek" had its' origins with pipsqueek? Anyway, it's pointless to argue the merits, or lack of, about this movie. There's a lot about it I do like....
Lt. Ilia
Bones' beard
Spock on Vulcan
The Dekker-Ilia new life creation

So fair to say we have a general disagreement about the totality of it....not the first time & won't be the last...but you should never simply dismiss my observations, because one might not always be groovin' along with you on all things.

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
but you should never simply dismiss my observations, because one might not always be groovin' along with you on all things.

I only dismissed the one observation that the name plate had any significance to the overall plot...so the machine planet's peeps decided not to clean off the carbon scoring...so what?
Your observations in general are quite worth considering.

The-older-than-you Chrisisall

THOLO

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 1:04 AM

I contacted AFI and asked them why is Serenity not on the list and here is their reply.

Thank you for your interest in the American Film Institute and thank you for watching AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies – 10th Anniversary Edition. We appreciate and value your opinion. Let us explain the process.

AFI distributes a ballot with 400 nominated films to a jury over 1,500 leaders from the creative community, including film artists (directors, screenwriters, actors, editors, cinematographers), critics and historians. Due to the extensive number of movies jurors may also write in votes for up to five films that may not already appear on the ballot. Since film is a subjective medium, there will always be debate about the selected films.

The jurors have been asked to consider the following criteria in making their selections:

FEATURE-LENGTH FICTION FILM

Narrative format, typically over 60 minutes in length.

AMERICAN FILM

Motion picture with significant creative and/or production elements from the United States.

CRITICAL RECOGNITION

Formal commendation in print, television and digital media.

MAJOR AWARD WINNER

Recognition from competitive events including awards from peer groups, critics, guilds and major film festivals.

POPULARITY OVER TIME

Including success at the box office, television and cable airings, and DVD/VHS sales and rentals.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

A film's mark on the history of the moving image through visionary narrative devices, technical innovation, or other groundbreaking

achievements.

CULTURAL IMPACT

A film's mark on American society in matters of style and substance.

We hope this gives you some insight into the care taken in the process. We appreciate you writing to us on behalf of this wonderful films that unfortunately did not make it onto the list.

AFI does offer many exclusive benefits through membership, such as unlimited access to the online AFI Catalog of Feature Films, invitations to AFI events and special screenings, film-related magazine subscriptions.

Please visit AFI.com to learn more about the valuable and exciting benefits of membership with AFI!

Thank you for your interest in AFI.

Best Regards,

Keep Flying!!

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 10:21 AM

1,500 leaders in the creative world picked Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome??? What, they needed Tina Turner as their token minority for the list?

STRANGEBIRD

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 1:12 PM

My faith in mankind is now official shattered. How could that many people be so completely ignorant? Obviously a few knew what they were doing or we wouldn't have gotten to few worthy films we did. It's not just what they didn't include though but what horrible films they did, some of which aren't really Scifi. I agree with most points already made to this so I won't repeat them.

Just goes to show that what people think and what people know are two entirely different things. Apparently these folks weren't sure on it. Also I think what killed Serenity was the fact it just did ok in the Box Office and that the seemingly general opinion among filmmakers and such is that it tanked. The fact it's probably sold more DVD copies than half the films on the list obviously doesn't matter.

Also I find it amusing that they turn the email into an attempt to get you to sign up. Sure.

<------<<< ~~~~~~~~~~~~~(*)~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>>------>

"When you can't do something smart, do something right." -Jayne quoting Book

THOLO

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:01 PM

I suggest we write them and see if they will give Serenity a second look??

http://www.afi.com

I think that is the url, I just googled afi and went to the website.

Keep Flying!!

CANTTAKESKY

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:21 PM

In case people want the link:

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=3&id=48610

Here is the email you can send your picks to:
scifiwire@scifi.com

Here is my list:

1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
2. The Matrix
3. Terminator
4. Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
5. Total Recall
6. Serenity
7. Star Wars: Episode VI--Return of the Jedi
8. Independence Day
9. Back to the Future
10. Metropolis

--------------------------
If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.
-- Douglas Adams