tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post7316795087500298265..comments2023-09-15T04:27:57.129-04:00Comments on Commentarama: Top 25: Sci-Fi Films You Should KnowAndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-72306114909638299062010-01-31T13:17:44.549-05:002010-01-31T13:17:44.549-05:00Joel, there's nothing wrong with seeing meanin...Joel, there's nothing wrong with seeing meaning in films and tv shows -- in fact, the meaning is often intended. . . especially in science fiction.<br /><br /><br />Individualist, Maybe with the passage of time it will make the list. That's hard to tell -- it's always hard to see how important new films or new books can be. In fact, at some point, I'm going to prepare a list of overrate films on the basis of how much praise they got at the time and how they just vanished into the ash heap of history.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-20844349615894832872010-01-31T13:14:35.969-05:002010-01-31T13:14:35.969-05:00El Gordo, LOL! I have added it to my NetFlix list...El Gordo, LOL! I have added it to my NetFlix list. I'm definitely looking forward to it.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-76810844601849065272010-01-31T13:01:19.765-05:002010-01-31T13:01:19.765-05:00Everyone should see "Silent Running". It...Everyone should see "Silent Running". It is technically very impressive for 1972. But it is important because it unintentionally proves that hippies are not just wrong but evil.El Gordonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-4266337294958073822010-01-31T12:05:03.308-05:002010-01-31T12:05:03.308-05:00I really liked GattacaI really liked GattacaGame Master Rob Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08198920658123610173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-50622925084596633832010-01-31T03:03:30.818-05:002010-01-31T03:03:30.818-05:00Andrew,
Do you remember a song from Neil Diamond?...Andrew,<br /><br />Do you remember a song from Neil Diamond? I am I said. <br /><br />It is a declaration. From a man to the world. This is what I see from FireFly and Serenity.<br /><br />I am I said. This is what I see from the Constitution to the Government of the United States.<br /><br />You don't have any rights except what I as a Citizen gives you. You being the Government. I give you these things to do. Security of State. That is keep the enemies of the United States out. Second Keep the usual obstacles keeping me from work to the smallest amount. Third, don't lie to me.<br /><br />Maybe I am reading more into it, but so what?Joel Farnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15856960977033430002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-8616977379417988022010-01-31T01:03:09.957-05:002010-01-31T01:03:09.957-05:00Joel and Andrew
I think that as time goes on Sere...Joel and Andrew<br /><br />I think that as time goes on Serenity will become a more influential film. I see it having the same cult appeal as Star Trek which was also cancelled after three seasons.<br /><br />Perhaps in 10 years we can come back to Commentarama and see if it makes Andrews list then.<br /><br />What makes Serenity great is the statement about what happens when the government tries to make your life better. Great Movie! I also like the idea that people in the frontier had an American accent at the time of the civil war "I mean to be saying"Individualisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11005025873042230314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-6231185868807582502010-01-30T23:49:03.441-05:002010-01-30T23:49:03.441-05:00Andrew,
First things first, Just What is the Amer...Andrew,<br /><br />First things first, Just What is the American Experience?<br /><br />This show is more than just a little SF show. Check out YouTube if you have the chance.<br /><br />I will even start you off right. <br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mher704il6I<br /><br />This is an inspiring song with Firefly as the background. <br /><br />People are still creating videos and songs for this seeming little series.<br /><br />How many series that lasted only ONE/HALF a year can you say created a following?<br /><br />Enough to make a movie?<br /><br />There is more here than you think.<br /><br />Enjoy the other songs linked. :-)Joel Farnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15856960977033430002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-55928019048435982122010-01-30T23:39:06.890-05:002010-01-30T23:39:06.890-05:00Joel, I've said before that I think westerns r...Joel, I've said before that I think westerns represent the time period that is probably most closely associated with conservative, American thinking. Firefly was an attempt to merge Sci-Fi with the spirit and style of westerns, and I think that made it a hit -- and why so many conservatives like it so much.<br /><br />I also agree that it touches very nicely upon the legitimate concern that many Americans have that our country is being turned into a corporate playground -- something I am not thrilled by.<br /><br />Plus, it was just a fun story with a lot of great elements and creative characters.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-66676260441197142442010-01-30T23:17:12.823-05:002010-01-30T23:17:12.823-05:00Andrew,
Ah, but were you looking too close or too...Andrew,<br /><br />Ah, but were you looking too close or too far away. <br /><br />FireFly is the closest we get to what we are as Americans. <br /><br />The history it is based on, the loss of the South in the Civil War... they had a legitimate grief... The NORTH shouldn't have won. <br /><br />Firefly is based on the LOSERS of the Civil War. Maybe it is because I am living in the south, but....<br /><br />WHY DO YOU LIKE THE SERIES AND THE MOVIE? It is a legitimate question.<br /><br />I believe it is a quintessential<br />question. Are we some corporate drone? Or are we really something better than that?Joel Farnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15856960977033430002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-67090564121501345642010-01-30T23:04:04.980-05:002010-01-30T23:04:04.980-05:00Joel, Firefly was great and I wish the network had...Joel, Firefly was great and I wish the network hadn't killed it! I didn't include it because I'm not listing television shows, just films. Otherwise, there are a whole host of other shows that need to be added.<br /><br />In terms of Serenity, while I like it, I don't see that it had any influence -- except to reinforce how much we liked the series.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-48313072275754298072010-01-30T23:00:00.533-05:002010-01-30T23:00:00.533-05:00Individualist, I agree about the themes certainly ...Individualist, I agree about the themes certainly -- very interesting themes, and becoming increasingly relevant. In fact, I think we're already at the point in sports, where kids who don't use human growth hormone and steroids simply aren't going to make to the pros, so it creates a "race to the bottom" so to speak. Gattaca talks to that in many ways.<br /><br />I also agree that movies that lack action sequences will never capture the younger audience, which is too bad. But capturing huge audiences doesn't necessarily equate to influence. I think influence comes from having something very insightful or new to say.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-30106242808500360202010-01-30T22:51:15.969-05:002010-01-30T22:51:15.969-05:00Andrew,
While I do appreciate your compilation, I...Andrew,<br /><br />While I do appreciate your compilation, I just cant stop thinking about the contribution of the Series Firefly and the companion film Serenity.<br /><br />This series does not extend nor elaborate on the boundries of SF, but it should be duly noted it is about people who will NEVER BE CONQUERED, only killed. And that in and of itself is an SF subject. At the very least, it should be off by it's own special self.<br /><br />In other words, I AM BROWNCOAT and PROUD OF IT.<br /><br />:-)Joel Farnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15856960977033430002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-53497295815797786362010-01-30T22:39:21.627-05:002010-01-30T22:39:21.627-05:00Andrew:
I am not sure that Gattaca could have muc...Andrew:<br /><br />I am not sure that Gattaca could have much influence because I don't know that it played out as well in audience size. When you have a science fiction movie with no real action scenes you lose the younger audience. I do make the distinction about "Hard" Scienc Fiction only because as a fan of this tyoe of Science Fiction I wish it had a bigger following. In hard science fiction the author limits himself to those new discoveries that are known to be possible to the laws of science. This makes it less fantastic and more cerebral so I understand it will have a limited popular appeal but I still think it produces important themes. That being said I think that Fantasy, Science Fantasy and Science Fiction are all very important as well and I am a fan of them as well. I even think some fantasy films can have social relevance i.e. Lord of the Rings.<br /><br />For me the beauty of Gattaca is it poses the question What are we and what makes us successful. In a world where DNA is controlled and intelligence can be designed does this advantage make anyone who is made and born outside of a test tube irrelevant. Is everything that makes us great something coded in the four proteins that make up DNA and nothing else. If this is true then we are simply machnes and what we do is limited to our design. The movie tries to put the theme that there is an inner drive that comes from the soul which can be as important.<br /><br />This is why I really liked the film. It is also why I classified it on its own because the class of films as a whole will never compete with the others.Individualisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11005025873042230314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-75735080715471219692010-01-30T11:37:58.618-05:002010-01-30T11:37:58.618-05:00Individualist, I don't worry about the distinc...Individualist, I don't worry about the distinction between science fiction and science fantasy, or the distinction between Sci-Fi and science fiction -- that's too much nitpicking and it causes the most bizarre fights on sci-fi boards.<br /><br />That said, I agree with you that the most important science fiction tends to be the closest to reality. I think the reason for that is that we like to glimpse our futures or possible futures, plus those films tend to have the most to say about modern society -- it is generally much harder for fantasy films to offer social commentary.<br /><br />I think it's great that everyone is so well versed in science fiction! Great group!<br /><br />Gattaca was an interesting movie, though I'm not sure what influence it's had.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-75259852631496067512010-01-30T02:56:05.281-05:002010-01-30T02:56:05.281-05:00Andrew,
Great list. There were only two films on...Andrew,<br /><br />Great list. There were only two films on it that I would list as science fantasy genre and not science fiction (Star Wars and Fith element). I still think they belng in the general sci fi class but I think it might mean something that more sci fantasy films were not listed though I don't know what.<br /><br />The only movie I want to add to this list is Gattaca and not just becasue Uma Thurman stars in it either. I found that movie really compelling and I would state it is the best Hard Science fiction movie every made. Problem is the only movies I am willing to knock off your list are the one's Ihave not seen and that is not fair (I think I have seen all but 4).<br /><br />Best fanstasy movie of all time. I know everyone would probably pick one of the Tolkien Lord of the Rings movie but I would have to go with Willow. "Peck! PeckPeckPEck PeckPeckPeck"Individualisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11005025873042230314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-50002322636407681372010-01-30T01:30:37.733-05:002010-01-30T01:30:37.733-05:00rlaWTX,
THX-1138 is George Lucas' first featu...rlaWTX,<br /><br />THX-1138 is George Lucas' first feature film. Set in the 25th Century it depicts a bleak, dystopian future in an underground city where every individual is controlled by the state down to his or her emotions and how a couple individuals try to break free.<br /><br />As an aside, you may have seen "THX Certified" at the beginning of some movies. This is a rigorous sound reproduction certification that tries to ensure what the movie audience hears is what the filmmaker intended. This was developed by George Lucas and audio engineer Tomlinson Holman. It was named THX for both Holman and for Lucas' film THX-1138.<br /><br />You can read about the movie at many places on the Internet and the sound process at THX.com.USArtguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06062334713741697082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-81578448543356476182010-01-29T21:13:26.373-05:002010-01-29T21:13:26.373-05:00Bev, I shall endeavor to include GWTW on all futur...Bev, I shall endeavor to include GWTW on all future lists! LOL!AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-58379328546978578252010-01-29T21:12:26.243-05:002010-01-29T21:12:26.243-05:00rlaWTX, I see that you're well read in science...rlaWTX, I see that you're well read in science fiction -- excellent! So many of the books are so much better than the films, but I do enjoy them both.<br /><br />I don't care for 2001 either. I get their point, but it just doesn't mean anything to me.<br /><br />I remember the War of the Worlds TV show -- I used to like that alot. The actor I recall was named Chavez, though his first name escapes me. Good show!<br /><br />Apes is jaw dropping, even when you know it's coming. It's just such a powerful image.<br /><br />Careful with GWTW -- there's a very angry GWTW mob around here. . . I think they're violent! ;-)AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-15882925765357411772010-01-29T21:00:28.990-05:002010-01-29T21:00:28.990-05:00rlaWTX "I read the book too. still don't ...rlaWTX "I read the book too. still don't get it. only ending I find worse is GWTW!"<br /><br />Ummm, I think you've just committed a Commentarama misdemeanor. Thou shalt NOT disparage GWTW! I'm watching you now 8-{BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-42734414719294175902010-01-29T18:12:36.220-05:002010-01-29T18:12:36.220-05:00rlaWTX: Gee, I also saw the War of the Worlds TV ...rlaWTX: Gee, I also saw the <i>War of the Worlds</i> TV series. The first season was really quite good (the Martians found a way to cause collective memory loss about the original invasion), but the second season lost me when it deleted a main character and replaced him with a female ninja from outer space.<br /><br />Another of my favorite movies (not mentioned) was <i>When Worlds Collide</i>. It stuck close to the book, but they never made the movie sequel of the second book, which was even more prescient because it posited China as the only other modern power technically proficient to produce a spaceship capable of reaching the new planet. And the author also predicted that the Chinese rivals would not be our friends. NOt bad, considering he conceived the whole idea in the 30s and didn't get to press 'til the 40s.<br /><br />Either Twilight Zone or Outer Limits (anybody here remember which?) did a b&w telling of <i>I, Robot</i> that was close to the original Asimov conception. It starred a young Leonard Nimoy. The Robin Williams film <i>Bicentennial Man</i> was a completely different story, but got much closer to Asimov's concept than the Smith high-tech robots-gone-made version of Asimov's story.LawHawkRFDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17800255923675295515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-71706203593048504462010-01-29T17:51:22.701-05:002010-01-29T17:51:22.701-05:00Oh yeah, they'd screw up Asimov. See "I, ...Oh yeah, they'd screw up Asimov. See "I, Robot" for a prime example. I like the movie if I pretend that it has nothing to do with Asimov. <br /><br />But in a perfect world, I'd love for someone to do the Harry/Rings effect and start with the Daneel books all the way through Foundation.<br /><br />(sorry, I babbled on the last post. It didn't look that long in the little box!)rlaWTXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09319344164726195144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-45131952672018208432010-01-29T17:49:13.329-05:002010-01-29T17:49:13.329-05:00I've seen most of your list... I can not even ...I've seen most of your list... I can not even begin to answer to the "influential"-ness of monies. I am only at a"like-dislike" level of critique. ;)<br /><br />I was a kid when Star Wars came out, and my 1st grade boyfriend had seen it. during recess we played his version of it (as the only girla nd brunette besides), I was Leia, he was Luke (if we'd only known), and his bestfriend was Chewy. I used to get my mom to braid my hair so I could loop them. silly good times.<br /><br />I need to rewatch Blade Runner. It's been a loooooong time. And I wasn't much interested at the time.<br /><br />since everyone talked about 2001 and I didn't get it, I read the book too. still don't get it. only ending I find worse is GWTW!<br /><br />I stumbled over #9 TDTESS about 10 years ago and thought it was interesting. Kind of a Twilight Zone feeling for me.<br /><br />I read Dune, and liked it. Haven't managed to sit thru the movie. And sold the 1st sequel back to the bookstore. (I rarely get rid of books!)<br /><br />Read War of the Worlds. Thre was a TV show in the late 80's (on independent stations, right before Next Generation) that took up where the movie left off, about 40 year later where some had survived. It was great!!! (and probably cheesy)<br /><br />Loved the Stargate TV shows. Not so much the movie. (kinda like Buffy!)<br /><br />I love Aliens (M Biehn is a handsome fella, what can I say). I haven't seen Alien in forever. I guess I gotta rewatch it.<br /><br />The ending of Apes is just jaw-dropping. Even when you know it's coming. Saw it again right after 9/11 and it had another feeling.<br /><br />Liked Jurassic, Matrix, 5th Element, 12 Monkeys, Terminator, Khan, even Tron. ET is sappy; liked it at 10, not so much now. <br /><br />I have heard of the rest except THX-1138. What's that? <br /><br />Thanks for the walks down memory lane.rlaWTXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09319344164726195144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-28366255935446661592010-01-29T16:40:27.394-05:002010-01-29T16:40:27.394-05:00Andrew I posted a Victorian Science Fiction articl...Andrew I posted a Victorian Science Fiction article over on my war gaming blog ArmChairGeneral1. I'd love to get a good VSF Jules Verne discussion going.Game Master Rob Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08198920658123610173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-33872454740173012762010-01-29T16:02:01.154-05:002010-01-29T16:02:01.154-05:00USArtGuy: Good catch on Things To Come. It's...USArtGuy: Good catch on <i>Things To Come</i>. It's a pretty faithful adaptation of Wells's story <i>The Shape of Things to Come</i>. The movie has all of Wells's antiwar and socialist concepts, but also demonstrates his ultimate doubts. Global government as a good thing, except when it turns tyrannical. Who wouldn't love "wings over the world" and and "the wandering sickness?" And the early Ralph Richardson as a slightly demented tribal leader. But the best of all was watching Raymond Massey in his early and late manifestations through the course of the movie. The best (and campiest) scene in the movie is Massey and his entourage standing on the wing of an in-flight monster aircraft.LawHawkRFDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17800255923675295515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-12326243522671881622010-01-29T15:31:25.684-05:002010-01-29T15:31:25.684-05:00Stan, I love John Carpenter movies, but I'm go...Stan, I love John Carpenter movies, but I'm going to leave him for the eventual horror list rather than the science fiction list.<br /><br />A Clockwork Orange probably should be on the list. . . good point!AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.com