From The Old To The New, Science Fiction Films I Love
On this page I'll be taking a look at the sci-fi films that keep me coming back, and maybe a few that just amused. The list will be constantly updated and expanded, so keep coming back.
Don't forget to check out my other page,
Old War Movies
and my blog
World War 2: Air War
Don't forget to check out my other page,
Old War Movies
and my blog
World War 2: Air War
Alien (1979)
Ahh, now this is a classic for all time and I'm sure you're familiar with the tagline 'In space no one can hear you scream.'What can you say about this film, except brilliant and damn freaky. The entire setting feels very claustrophobic and isolated from the start with the dimly lit, narrow sets contrasted by outside scenes of the lone ship travelling through the emptiness of space. And once you throw in the hostile organism hell bent on killing everyone in sight you have a formula that just can't be beaten.
I love the way the crew are presented as well, no 'we think we're all great, what a team' type feeling here - it's clear early on that several members can barely even stand each other.
There have been many of these types of film made over the years, but none have surpassed this one.
Word of advice, the director's cut of this film is not as good as the original release in my opinion (unlike the sequel, which was improved by the revision) so I think you should stick with that.
On Amazon:
Alien: 20th Anniversary Edition [Award Series]
Forbidden Planet (1956)
Now here's a film you wouldn't expect to be as good as it is. It's 50's sci-fi, Leslie Nielson plays one of the leading characters and it has a robot named Robbie, but it's great!The story is of a ship (captained by Nielson) sent to find why a colony hasn't contacted them in years, only to find just two survivors, a man and his daughter - and the robot. And there's something else on the planet too, something hostile, which is where the story is more mature than many of it's day, but I won't tell you the details, that would ruin it.
Suffice to say, the effects are pretty good for their time, the acting standard, but there are a few comic points - mainly from Robbie - that are well worked. And it is interesting to see a very young Nielson playing it straight.
On Amazon:
Forbidden Planet
Great Stuff on Amazon
Star Trek (Single-Disc Edition)
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 12/04/2009) 
![Star Trek (Three-Disc +Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RfGsmoLVL._SL75_.jpg)
Star Trek (Three-Disc +Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Based on the novel by Pierre Boulle
An astronaut and his crew crash on a strange planet where they find evolution rather different from home, with humans mere mute animals, while apes talk and rule in civilisation. And the apes don't like their strange visitors at all.This is Charlton Heston's best film and he does well as the senior astronaut thrown into chaos by his surroundings. It's an interesting view of man as a lesser being, even if the ape costumes are less than convincing. But what might have been an ok film is raised to greatness by its ending, one of the all time brilliant twists.
It was followed by a stream of sequels that got stupider as they went along and one remake that was simply crap, but the original is well worth your time.
On Amazon:
Planet of the Apes
The War of the Worlds (1953)
Based on the novel by H G Wells
The War of the Worlds is my all time favourite book and while this movie strays pretty far from the written version, it is still excellent.And what's not to love? A mysterious object falls to earth one night and soon opens to reveal Martian invaders hell bent on wiping out our puny human asses, something they quickly set about doing with great gusto.
Every weapon the humans chuck at them is useless and it doesn't take long before the old Earth looks done for.
There's a lot of scientific jibberish going on, with such laughable madness as suggesting the Martians may "smell colours" which all adds to the enjoyment rather than wrecking it. And there are even a couple of genuinely creepy moments, every bit the equal of what can be made with better effects and production values.
This film is a 10 out of 10 for me and I never get tired of watching it again and again.
On Amazon:
The War of the Worlds (Special Collector's Edition)
Star Wars (1977)
Ok, it had to happen and I know a lot of purists slam this film - perhaps as much because of its widespread appeal as anything else - but the fact remains that Star Wars is a great film, simple yet effective and with effects that blew away the world when they were first seen.I probably don't even need to say too much about it, I'm sure most people are aware of the basic premise and know about Jedis and the Force, Death Stars and Darth Vader's asthma issues, so I won't bother to go on about it.
It might not have too deep of a message - friendship and good triumphing over evil is pretty much it - but with so much swashbuckling action, dazzling effects and a touch of romance (or incest perhaps) you can have a lot of fun watching this one. I certainly have over the years, I don't watch it as much now, but when I was a kid I nearly wore out the tape from watching it so often.
Advice time again though, the original cinema version is best, but the revised version is still good.
On Amazon:
Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope (1977 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
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Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Another film I can watch over and over again and never get tired of it.A small town doctor returns home to find patients claiming their family members aren't their family members, despite looking and acting just the same as usual. What could be wrong? Pod People of course. Aliens taking us over in our sleep and replacing us with emotionless drones. Who can he trust? Who is still human? Can the doctor and his hot female lady friend get away? Paranoia-inducing brilliance.
This film is effective and creepy throughout, despite being filmed on virtually no budget. Which just goes to show that class beats cash any day.
It also spawned a few remakes, one in the 70s which I will review because I quite like it, but none are anywhere near the equal of this one.
On Amazon:
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Aliens (1986)
Here is a rarity in the film world: a sequel that equals the original in enjoyment, albeit by heading down a different path. Where the first Alien film was based around suspense, Aliens is all about the action.Returning from the first film is the heroine Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), after 57 years floating through space. And when her tale of the strange, lethal organism spurs a company exec to send colonists in search of them, she is soon called upon to help clean up the mess this move inevitably causes, along with the help of a squad of Marines of course.
And when they reach the planet where the aliens were found is the point where this film really kicks off, from then on the action and excitement is pretty relentless.
Taking the film in this direction - rather than trying to copy the style of the first - was an outstanding idea that really pays off for the audience.
Another great idea was the release of a special edition, where 17 minutes of unseen footage was reinserted to the film, making an already great film even greater.
On Amazon:
Aliens (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
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My blog
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A remake of a 50s movie called The Thing From Another World, this film is about a group of scientists manning a remote Antarctic research station who encounter an alien that can imitate any living thing it touches.The effects look a bit old now, but this film is still good for a certain sense of creepiness throughout, interspersed with a few good frights - and I'd still rather watch old effects than CGI. I also love Kurt Russell's turn as a pilot who ends up being the leader, as the others are knocked off one by one.
This one isn't fast paced or action packed, but, as I said, it does do creepy exceptionally well.
On Amazon:
The Thing (Collector's Edition)
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The second in the original Star Wars trilogy is widely regarded as the best, and I can't disagree. The story and characters have more development and are a bit darker, the effects are better and of course, there's the big ending, where Luke finds out who daddy is.Rollicking good fun from a time before George Lucas lost the plot (that's right you won't see those 'other' Star Wars movies on this list).
On Amazon:
Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
Them! (1954)
Classic 1950s daftness here, with giant ants terrorising first a remote desert location and then Los Angeles sewers. And what caused it? Atomic radiation of course. The great creator of new and frightening threats to mankind. At least during the 50s.As you can probably guess, there isn't much in the way of deep and meaningful story here, just big ants, a main hero and a good-looking love interest.
The ants themselves are pretty well done and don't detract from what is a thoroughly enjoyable film all round.
On Amazon:
Them!
The Fifth Element (1997)
This film is a little odd and a little out there, even for a sci-fi, and that's what makes it so thoroughly wonderful.It is the perfect mix of comedy, action and romance, all in a universe full of strange aliens, over the top costumes and sets, and off-beat characters.
Bruce Willis plays a cab driver who is caught up in an intergalactic race to save or destroy (depending on which side you're on) the 5th element, the only weapon that can save the universe from pure evil. Gary Oldman - as wonderfully kooky as ever - plays the human assistant to evil, trying to find the element and destroy it, all so he can make a profit.
So long as you can accept that this film is supposed to be more out there than even the standard sci-fi, I'm sure you will find it totally entertaining.
On Amazon:
The Fifth Element (Ultimate Edition)
Great Stuff on Amazon
Century of Science Fiction - Hosted by Christopher Lee
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
SciFi Classics 50 Movie Pack Collection
Amazon Price: $10.49 (as of 12/04/2009)
The Blob (1958)
Steve McQueen fights against the giant ball of alien jelly that keeps getting bigger the more people it consumes and the local yokels think he's making it all up. Sounds silly doesn't it? And it is, but once again this only serves to make the film more enjoyable.The blob itself is a refreshing break from the guy in a funny suit style of alien that usually frequents these old movies. And it's nice to get a look at McQueen in his early days, before hitting the big time.
On Amazon:
The Blob - Criterion Collection
The Return of the Jedi (1983)
The final in the Star Wars trilogy and the least good, with the Ewok factor showing the first signs of George Lucas' impending lunacy.Nevertheless it is still well worth the time, with plenty of action and excitement and a decent conclusion to the saga. And of course, it's still miles ahead of the rat-crap prequels (was I the only one wishing Anakin would hurry up and turn into Darth Vader so he could regain some of his coolness?)
Jabba the Hutt is great in this and the Emperor is delightfully well played and evil. And I'll put in a special mention for the Leia's gold bikini...ahhhh the gold bikini.
On Amazon:
Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
Soylent Green (1973)
Based on the novel by Harry Harrison
Set in a future ravaged by the greenhouse effect and overpopulation, where natural foods are almost all gone and the masses rely on Soylent - a processed food that comes in various colours, the most popular of which is Green. There are even voluntary suicide centres for those that want them.Charlton Heston plays a New York detective who investigates the murder of the Soylent corporation's president. Over the course of the film he finds himself drawn more into some mysterious government conspiracy, and they want him gone as he gets closer to the secret of Soylent Green.
Great stuff, with a future setting not at all beyond the realms of possibility.
On Amazon:
Soylent Green
Galaxy Quest (1999)
A quite funny film about the dysfunctional cast of an old sci-fi show who survive on fan conventions. They are whisked into space by real aliens who watched the shows believing them to be real and now need help in a war to avoid being enslaved.It's a great laugh from beginning to end, with a top cast in fine form (including Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman and Tony Shaloub). There is no shortage of reference jokes, particularly toward Star Trek, but even while poking fun the film feels more endearing toward sci-fi fans, rather than picking on them.
On Amazon:
Galaxy Quest
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- vojin vojin Nov 26, 2008 @ 3:27 am
- I watched Alien movies several times.
It gets better with each watching.
5 stars ;)
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- James20 James20 Sep 23, 2008 @ 9:04 am
- A great lens about some good movies. I am lensrolling this into my b-movie video showcase. 5*****
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I burst forth into the world in a shower of mucus and other gross gloop in November of 1976, in Auckland, New Zealand. I'm a bit of a geek and I'm fin... (more)
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