The Zone's Fave Sci-Fi Film (w/ Thoroughly Scientific Poll!)

[havocSchultz]

2001 is like art house science fiction, i think its the best science fiction film ever made. plus a lot of what you guys are listing i dont consider real science fiction films. a film with huge action beats thats set in a pseudo-scifi universe... i dont know, i put that in the action category.

so they would then be action movies based in space or the future or what... just cause there's action - it can't be sci-fi...

i'm confused...

so are you saying to be considered sci-fi - it has to be serious and (possibly) dour and have meaning...

so a movie with 2 hours of space battles would not be considered sci-fi...?



and the rest of you:
what?!?!?!?

no love for Serenity...

where's all the damn browncoats now...?????

[unikrunk]

I'm waiting for "most pretentious" post with keen interest...

La Jette

Alphaville

Fantastic Planet

when you want pretentious, always go FRENCH!

Seconds

THX 1138

Mad Max

The Wings of Honneamise

Scanners

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension

Delicatessen / The City of Lost Children

Donnie Darko

Fantastic Planet is one my 'top ten'. Czech and French collaboration I believe...

Also, seconded on Darko;

"Donnie Darko? Its sounds like a superhero name."

"What makes you think it isn't?"

[unikrunk]

@TonyWilson -

My sarcasm meter is broken. Is this your true opinion, or are you sane?

/that's called framing an answer...learned it from Matlock.

Awww...that's a trick question.
( damn that Matlock was a sneaky olde shit )

Oh Yes Vic, the 'bumbling, functionally ALF yet terribly racist old man' thing was just a front, Columbo style; the real Matlock lurking under the surface possessed a keen intellect and razor wit, but alas, was still a racist.

[Brit Pop]

dude, you should include a poll on this thread, as looking through everyones faves is hard work!!

Incidentally, mine is The Day The Earth Stood Still... followed by 2001.

[Ribbons]

Umm... hello? No honorable mention for Space Camp?

[Brit Pop]

I'll see your Space Camp... and raise you Battle Beyond The Stars...

now that IS camp... and in space!

[Shane]

I vote for

The Fly

Gee you're right shane, The Fly was the best SCI FI ever.

I'm not big on post starwars Sci fi, Pre starwars sci fi was just alot more lighthearted and funner. The best post starwars sci fi was

Twelve Monkeys.

[Zombie Slayer]

shit, looks like all the good movies have been mentioned....should have posted sooner

[Seppuku]

Fuck it, why didn't I think of Alphaville? Good call KCBC
you gentleman you.

[Keepcoolbutcare]

thanks all.

wasn't easy coming up with some not yet listed, but by gum, when you want pretention, I'm your man 8).

[Peven]

I vote for

The Fly

Gee you're right shane, The Fly was the best SCI FI ever.

I'm not big on post starwars Sci fi, Pre starwars sci fi was just alot more lighthearted and funner. The best post starwars sci fi was

Twelve Monkeys.

ok, you say that you like pre-Star Wars sci-fi better because it was more light-hearted and "funner", and then turn around and claim that your favorite post Star Wars movie is......Twelve Monkeys??? uh, yeah, that was some light-hearted fun if i ever saw it.

[wendellvaughn]

My favorite Sci-Fi films include:
- Star Wars trilogy
- Alien legacy
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- 2010
- The Abyss
- The Terminator Trilogy
- The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai

[You Know My Name]

Best SF film of all time: The Adventures of Pluto Nash.

[Leckomaniac]

One of my favourites as a kid was always The Incredible Shrinking Man, just a kickass story.

Me also. For what is essentially a 50's sci-fi pulp movie, it's quite a deep film really. The ending when he makes that heartfelt and philosophical speech about his existence and it's place in the universal scheme of things is pretty moving stuff. Plus, like you say, it's a cracking storyline with some great set pieces (especially the scene in the cellar/basement).

Ssshhh

Keep it down, someone will want to remake it if we make too much noise about it.

Didn't Schumacher already do it as his debut?

That was The Incredible Shrinking Woman and it was a lame ass comedy with Lilly Tomlin, either way you have proved my point, any remake isn't going to be a scratch on the original.

Hey JL sorry to disappoint...but there is already a remake in the works...and the attached director is Keenan Ivory Waynes. I shit you not.

I remember it being announced either on this site of another site...but there is some info on it over at IMDB.

[doglips]

The poll is so big, it is threatening to rip a hole in the fabric of space itself.......

Edit - I voted for Pi - an amazing movie. I suspect in December I will have to include The Fountain and vote for that instead......

[Brit Pop]

One ommision that you ALL love!!!

[AtomicHyperbole]

One ommision that you ALL love!!!

Looks like that spaceship can create its own emissions!

[Brit Pop]

Looks like that spaceship can create its own emissions!

Only when its pregnant!

[John-Locke]

One ommision that you ALL love!!!

Looks like that spaceship can create its own emissions!

Quite Simply that Spaceship looks like a pair of breasts and a womb (with ovaries), having not seen the film (or rather having no memory of seeing the film as I'm sure I must have seen it at some point) can anyone tell me what the deal is with that spaceship design?

[doglips]

That poll is just too tougher decision to make, 4 of my favourite ever films are in there and you want me to choose!?!?!

Choose or face the consequences......

[ThisIsTheGirl]

Yay - the poll is finally here.

VOTE FOR THE TERMINATOR!!!

[John-Locke]

That poll is just too tougher decision to make, 4 of my favourite ever films are in there and you want me to choose!?!?!

I couldn't choose so I went for Space Camp as a kinda protest vote, had The Incredible Shrinking Man been on the Poll I would have gone for that.

[AtomicHyperbole]

[ quote="Brit Pop"]One ommision that you ALL love!!!

Looks like that spaceship can create its own emissions

Quite Simply that Spaceship looks like a pair of breasts and a womb (with ovaries), having not seen the film (or rather having no memory of seeing the film as I'm sure I must have seen it at some point) can anyone tell me what the deal is with that spaceship design?

Ask Roger Corman!

I'd go so far as to say it's a combination of testicles, ovaries, a stubby erect dick and breasts.

[doglips]

One ommision that you ALL love!!!

Looks like that spaceship can create its own emissions!

Quite Simply that Spaceship looks like a pair of breasts and a womb (with ovaries), having not seen the film (or rather having no memory of seeing the film as I'm sure I must have seen it at some point) can anyone tell me what the deal is with that spaceship design?

Ask James Cameron!

Battle Beyond the Stars is a Roger Corman-produced science fiction film, directed by Jimi Muramaki and released in 1980 in order to exploit the popularity of the Star Wars series. The film is notable in that the screenplay was partly written by John Sayles, the score was by James Horner and the special effects were directed by James Cameron.

[Brit Pop]

Locke dude... you gotta see Battle Beyond The Stars - its a sci-fi classic, its got George Peppard playing and alcoholic space cowboy!

And yes... the ship does look like an amalgamation of a womans womanny bits.

The ship is called Nell and has a crabby female artificial intelligence controlling it - a bit like Planet Express ship!

[AtomicHyperbole]

We forgot Weird Science.

Anyhow, I just can't understand why Aliens. I love it, but the original is vastly superior in my estimation, but that's me!

[colonel_lugz]

That poll is just too tougher decision to make, 4 of my favourite ever films are in there and you want me to choose!?!?!

[ThisIsTheGirl]

I can see it now: the Cameron vote will be split between Aliens and T1, and TESB will end up winning by a landslide....

[doglips]

I think Aliens or 2001.

[John-Locke]

I just can't understand why Aliens. I love it, but the original is vastly superior in my estimation, but that's me!

I watched the first 3 Alien films last week to refresh my memory and Alien is vastly superior in every department, Aliens has dated quite badly really, sure it's still a kick ass movie but if I were voting between the two Alien would get my vote every time.

[doglips]

Bit lacking of a poll eh?

Space Camp over War of the Worlds (either), Metropolis, Battlestar Galactica, any of the B classics like Invaders From Mars, Star Trek (don't tell me ST2 don't deserve to be here), and where the blimmin' hell is ??!?!?!

UGH! NOW you make your suggestions......... Thanks.

Sorry for missing off The Incredible Shrinking Man JL.

Space Camp was Ribbons only suggestion, so it got on.

The Day The Earth Stood Still PWNS all the other classics.

The Motion Picture is way better than Khan.......

[Cpt Kirks 2pay]

Bit lacking of a poll eh?

Space Camp over War of the Worlds (either), Metropolis, Battlestar Galactica, any of the B classics like Invaders From Mars, Star Trek (don't tell me ST2 don't deserve to be here), and where the blimmin' hell is ??!?!?!

[John-Locke]

Is Ghostbusters really Sci-Fi?

Surely anything that deals with Ghosts and the Supernatural is classed as Horror even if it isn't scary (although that bit in the Library at the beginning used to scare the shit out of me).

[Tubbs Tattsyrup]

Aliens and Blade Runner in the lead with 2 each...but it's early days yet.

That spaceship in the poster: there's a LOT of sexual imagery in there, but it is also somewhat reminiscent of the Aliens dropship and the T1/2 flying Terminator robot war machines...both of which JC directed. Coincidence? I THINK BLOODY NOT.

No votes for ESB yet. Interesting.

[raasnio]

Is Ghostbusters really Sci-Fi?

Surely anything that deals with Ghosts and the Supernatural is classed as Horror even if it isn't scary (although that bit in the Library at the beginning used to scare the shit out of me).

Ghostbusters is a comedy. Even horror seems a stretch, though slightly plausible. Sci-fi, though? Somebody please explain this to me. I don't get it.

It's difficult to choose one sci-fi film as the greatest. If I have to choose one it will be The Empire Strikes Back. I guess.... (If only we had a top 5!)

[Kilgore]

After little debate, I choose 'Aliens'.

They're delicious with a little lemon.

[The Vicar]

Locke dude... you gotta see Battle Beyond The Stars - its a sci-fi classic, its got George Peppard playing and alcoholic space cowboy!

And yes... the ship does look like an amalgamation of a womans womanny bits.

The ship is called Nell and has a crabby female artificial intelligence controlling it - a bit like Planet Express ship!

Lets not forget Sybil Danning spilling out of the top of her costume, something which the local tv pencil dicks cover over when this film runs on late night telly around here.
Its still a fun flick.

[Shane]

I vote for

The Fly

Gee you're right shane, The Fly was the best SCI FI ever.

I'm not big on post starwars Sci fi, Pre starwars sci fi was just alot more lighthearted and funner. The best post starwars sci fi was

Twelve Monkeys.

You have a good point.

I like 12 monkeys because to me it is closer to Ray Bradburry than most sci fi |I think. |You get time travel, but you don't get the special effects extravaganza most films are. It is good because of the same reasons that one flew over the coocoo's nest was good, or Taxi Driver was good. It was a human story with a surreal concept in it. I like some other modern sci fi, I love Blade runner, and Serenity, I just preffer The classic stuff.

|My vote still went to the fly. It is a great human story with the element of the fly mutation added for good measure.

[The Vicar]

Which Fly?

David Hedison or Jeff Goldblum?

[tapehead]

I think you can call Ghostbusters science fiction - or supernatural sci fi comedy horror - it has definite science fiction elements; they have the dematerialiser (don't cross the streams!) and their containment units

Eternal Sunhine has the Lacuna corporation and the memory removal conceit


KCBC mentioned Delicatesson - not science fiction at all, is it?

for a pretentious, obscure choice - anyone seen Quatermass and the Pit? saw it on tv as a kid and love it though it scared me a great deal

[Shane]

Which Fly?

David Hedison or Jeff Goldblum?

David Hedison.

The Croenberg one was neat at the time, just to see a new Fly movie, but is sadly just a cheap immitation of the greatness that started it all.

The Movies went down hill in order of when they were made.

The Fly was perfect. Return of the Fly less perfect, but still cool. Croenbergs' Fly good movie. Fly II not as good but still the Fly. Now it's time for the best Fly, my fly I rambled on in the directing in your head thread.

One I dream about is a remake of the Fly.

Forget the 80's crap remake......

I would use the plot for the original Fly and Return of the fly only weave it all into one story. I would have Philippe Delambre being told his father and mothers story by his uncle, and show them in the fifties all retro style. I would also have him going through his story of betrayal and following his fathers work. I would like to set Philippe Delambres' story in the early eighties or late seventies. If you've seen the original Fly and return of the fly you know the story.

I would direct it in three acts, the first being the love story of Andre and Helene Delambre, as his uncle Francois tells it opposed to Helene. I would white balance the camera out against a blue board to give it a warm red look, and use the fly mostly with his hand in his pocket and the shroud over his head in his lab coat. |Most of the shots would be simple and classic long and medium shots. I would then whit balance the camera out and give us a modern story of betrayal with Philippe, and finally get all crazy with the shots and composition as I balanced the camera to the far opposite extreme from the beginning, It would become much more hectic and disturbing as he goes on his murderous vengeance trip with the blue hue. I would end it in death of course closing the story forever.

I would also love to make the chalk board with I love you a focal point in the film, kind of a way to tug at your heart strings and make the film to show Philippe as someone you sympathize with. It would end as a tragic romance remembering Andre and Helene Delambre and their son. A loving family that has lost so much.

I think it would be good.

[The Vicar]

Good response.
Agree.

[RogueScribner]

I voted for Eternal Sunshine. I love the hell out of that movie. And unlike Aliens, it seemed to be about something.

[tapehead]

I voted for Eternal Sunshine. I love the hell out of that movie. And unlike Aliens, it seemed to be about something.

interesting comment, care to elaborate?

[RogueScribner]

Well, I didn't mean to pick on Aliens. I only mentioned it because it has so many votes currently. But Aliens is just an action thriller. It's a very good one, but it's neither challenging in its ideas or emotional development. Eternal Sunshine takes a wonderful what-if scenario and explores the true emotional verisimilitude of it with engaging characters and concepts that actually make you contemplate your own actions and how you conduct your life. What's important and what isn't and what it means to share a life with someone. The movie affected me on a deep personal level and I can't say that for any other film on the list. There are many good movies on that list, but none so great as Eternal Sunshine in my opinion.

[raasnio]

I voted for Eternal Sunshine. I love the hell out of that movie. And unlike Aliens, it seemed to be about something.

That's all well and good, but sometimes people love films that just entertain the hell out of them. Aliens definitely delivered on that front.

[RogueScribner]

Yeah, but if you're going to vote on something as profound as "best science fiction film" then shouldn't it be about more than just spectacle and cheers? Maybe I'm taking the poll more seriously than it was intended.

[raasnio]

Yeah, but if you're going to vote on something as profound as "best science fiction film" then shouldn't it be about more than just spectacle and cheers? Maybe I'm taking the poll more seriously than it was intended.

Not really. Different strokes for different folks. If I had to choose criteria it wouldn't necessarily be that which you use because I usually consider more than just 'spectacle and cheers' when I'm thinking of dramas and not science fiction. 2001 was fantastic, but it's not a film I'm going to watch every 6 months.

The way you speak of Eternal Sunshine makes me think it is very dramatic. I guess I prefer most sci-fi films to be more spectacle and cheers. Not all, just most.

[RogueScribner]

Eternal Sunshine isn't overly dramatic really. It has its lighter moments and there are many humurous situations. But there's an emotional truth it retains throughout and at the end it all comes together. It's a pretty quirky film overall, and I consider it Charlie Kaufman's best written work. I've found most of his films to be weird for the sake of weird, but this one really hit the mark, IMO.

[mister six]

Am I alone in being an Enemy Mine fan...?

How about Hardware? Bonus points for a Lemmy cameo..

Bad Taste must surely be up there with the greats too! Laughed my arse off the first time I saw that...