My top 10 SciFi movies of all time

POSTED BY: Moss
UPDATED: Thursday, March 23, 2006 07:36
VIEWED: 18449
PAGE 1 of 1

MOSS

Friday, March 17, 2006 11:32 PM (P)

1 2001- Boring but it's supposed to be. I seem to pick it out of the DVD collection every once in a while and I still thoroughly enjoy it. The closest thing to actually going into space. Read the book and you'll get the ending.
2 Empire Strikes Back - Dum dum dum dum de dum dum de dum. Being 10 at the time it first came out meant that I didn't quite get the end. Simply a stunning space opera. The asteroid chase scene is my favourite special effects sequence of all time.
3 Blade Runner - Depressing, thought provoking, dark. The film was made so much better by Vangellis's music, I also had the best s**g ever to the saxaphone music (bonus).
4 Star Wars A New Hope- This film opened the floodgates and made going to the cinema fun again. Seen it millions of times, so I just cant get excited about it any more but, oh the buzz seeing it for the first time, priceless. As legend has it Fox were going to cancel it at the last minute., by looking at the numbers of visitors to this web site looks as though Fox didn't learn a thing.
5. Forbidden Planet - First big budget space opera. I just love this film, don't know why.
6. Alien- Fly on the wall horrormentory, Special effects copied from 2001 Gives you the feeling of the scale of space. Created a new genre.
7. Serenity. I seem to have caused ripples further down this thread by placing this at number 7. I saw the TV show first, I really love the charactors and felt depressed for a week after seeing the final episode. Ultimately better than Star Wars, better stories and characters, but it owes something to the Star Wars Galaxy and it's fans. Im not going to watch the film too many times as I intend on savouring Serenity for as long as possible.
8. Fantastic Voyage- Saturday afternoon, still in my pagamas, cup of tea, no kids, large duvet, sofa, watch, enjoy. Aaah.
9. Contact - Same basic story as 2001, a bit cheesy at the end but the bit where Jody Foster hears the alien transmission for the first time still makes the hair on my neck stand on end. Some great special and camera effects and putting President Clinton in it was just spot on, probably the best opening sequence ever.
10. Dune- So many people didn't get it. I don't read much but seeing it made me read the book which is well recommended.

Almost made it:
5. Signs- The same old story, aliens invade earth but scared the bijees out of me. Didn't expect it to be much but wow this film is good. It doesn't rely on special effects, it's what you can't see that is so frightening. Too much emphasis on faith spoiled it.
Galaxy Quest: Makes you laugh. A lot.
Oh and Silent Running - Summed up the 60's, the minority standing up for what is right, being swallowed up by the corporate, consumer society. Blubbed & Blubbed at the end If you can't beat them you never will, Serenity/Firefly carriies on that scifi tradition keeping the hippy spirit alive.
Zardoz -
DarkStar -

If this thread grows, I'll keep a tally of everyones favourites and try to list the overall top 10. And before you all think that I am mad for not seeing Serenity over and over again, I have Firefly on constantly, in the background, on my PDA, on my PC, I even put it on when friends & family pop by and pretend that I'm not trying to brain wash them..I am 37 and thought that I grew out of this decades ago. My kids are too young to watch it, but my wife who hates scifi with a passion, loves the show and cried uncontrolably during the film.

"ok who ordered the poopoo platter"

GRIZWALD

Friday, March 17, 2006 11:44 PM (P)

Another I'd squeeze in - maybe as #12 - is Metropolis.

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

MOSS

Saturday, March 18, 2006 12:08 AM (P)

It's a film I've always been meaning to see..Perhaps I will.

MATTCOZ

Saturday, March 18, 2006 12:15 AM (P)

Others:

Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The Matrix
Terminator 2

MOSS

Saturday, March 18, 2006 12:52 AM (P)

Yes, all excellent!

LEGOLAD

Saturday, March 18, 2006 1:34 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Moss:
9. Contact - Same basic story as 2001, a bit cheesy at the end but the bit where Jody Foster hears the alien transmission for the first time still makes the hair on my neck stand on end. Some great special and camera effects, the best opening sequence ever.

Best opening sequence ever? That's quite a claim. It was fantastic, I agree, but it has a lot of competition, especially in the sci-fi/fantasy category: Star Wars, Two Towers, and X-Men 2 are the ones that stick out in my mind as particularly jaw-dropping the first time you see them. I don't think anything will ever manage to beat the opening shot in Star Wars.

I agree with a lot of your choices, though. If I had to decide on a top ten, it would probably read something like this:

1. 2001: Will always be the greatest sci-fi film ever made. Decades ahead of its time (and I don't mean the title), and I notice something new every time I watch it.

2. Empire Strikes Back: Other end of the sci-fi spectrum, and a contender for the best sequel ever made.

3. Serenity: ... ...I don't have to explain this, do I?

4. Star Wars: Pretty much the perfect sci-fi adventure movie. So corny, but the cast had enough talent and chemistry to pull it off.

5. Contact: Like Moss said, owes pretty much its entire existence to 2001, but then, so do a few hundred other movies. Best attempt at a believable, realistic "message from outer space" story, with a fantastic cast.

6. The Iron Giant: Yes, it's animated. It's also better than anything Disney has ever done, in my opinion. Great animation, fantastic script, with a great commentary on 50's paranoia, all wrapped up in a nice "kid's movie" package.

7. The Matrix: I know the dialogue is stupid. I know Keanu Reeves' acting skills are on par with those of butterscotch pudding. I can't help it; still one of the coolest movies I've ever seen.

8. Deep Impact: Anyone else think this movie was sorely underrated? Best disaster movie I've ever seen, personally.

9. Spider-Man 2: Don't know if this counts as sci-fi, but if so, I have to include it, despite the unbearably cheesy ending. I hated the first one, but this one's my favourite superhero film of all time.

10. Alien: Very flawed, but basically invented a genre. Has a fantastic atmosphere, cast, an incredibly unglamourous look at space travel, and one of the best monsters in movie history. Plus, who can forget the dinner scene? Poor John Hurt.

"We need a hood ornament."

MOSS

Saturday, March 18, 2006 1:52 AM (P)

The point about the intro sequence of star wars being the best ever is right. Your point about the other end of the spectrum allows me to have a joint
best ever intro scene.

The intro oshot from Contact from earth out into the galaxy then into the universe really shows where we are in the scheme of things, it was a spiritual experience.

When I saw the intro to Star Wars I just thought whahoooooooooow, this is going to be good!!

Both spiritual experiences in their own way.

CRACKERS

Saturday, March 18, 2006 2:47 AM (P)

I never really was a Star Wars fan although I liked all the films. Personally, I feel Episode 4 (forgot the title) had one of the best opening sequences I've ever seen.

And before you read my selections I better warn you I'm a real "Time Travel" fan.

My Pics:

1. The War of The Worlds - [1952 Version] Corny I know, but its the first Sci-Fi flic I ever saw and I just love it.

2. The Philadelphia Experiment - A great adaptation of a conspiratorial tale.

3. Serenity - Don't need to say anything here.

4. Battlestar Gallactica [2003 Version] - Grew up with original BSG on TV, and the cinema releases. With the the remake they have vastly improved on an already great foundation.

5. 12 Monkeys - Think the whole story and plot were just brilliant, even if it was another 'Time Travel' flic.

6. Equilibrium - Although the effects mirror the 'Matrix', I feel the story was a lot better scripted. The plot was fantastic and was one the best performances Christian Bale has ever done. I saw all three 'Matrix' films and still don't have a clue what the story was about.

7. War of The Worlds [2005 Version] - Was really concerned they would screw this up along with many other classic books, but was very impressed with the effects and that they stuck with the skeletal structure of the book.

8. The Terminator Series - I know it is suppossed to be one flic but Im not able to chose one over the other. Anyway - story, action & good looking women - what more could you ask for - LOL.

9. I'Robot - A fun, non serious, vegging out mood, sci-fi flic.

10. The Time Machine [2002 Version] - Fantastic recreation of a fatastic tale. I Also love their interpretation of the 'Morlocks'.

And If I can squeeze two more in even though I'm not sure they would fit here - anyway:

11. The Omega Man - Absolutely scared the crap out of me as a kid.

12. The Three Stooges Go To Mars - Always good for a laugh.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Being CRACKERS provides sanity in an insane world!

"I just don't want to take a lashing for something I'm not the cause of."

STROKINGMYPETER

Saturday, March 18, 2006 7:25 AM (P)

what in the world? nobody except the original person with the first top ten list has mentioned blade runner? blade runner is my personal pick for best sci fi movie ever made. excellent movie. if you guys havn't seen it you really have to.

PAIN IS SCARY

TEALCANDTRIP

Saturday, March 18, 2006 8:02 AM (P)

Does Spaceballs count? How about Stargate (the original movie)?

"I also hear that there's something called Firefly, which is either a canceled science-fiction television show or a new religion, I'm not clear on that. Either way, prayers for the resurrection are involved." – Lore Sjoberg

ADAMWANKENOBI

Saturday, March 18, 2006 8:11 AM (P)

Here's my top ten (similar to others):

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey

2. Blade Runner

3. Serenity

6. Terminator 2: Judgment Day

4. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

5. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

8. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

9. Contact

10. Alien

CRACKERS

Saturday, March 18, 2006 8:50 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by strokingmypeter:
what in the world? nobody except the original person with the first top ten list has mentioned blade runner? blade runner is my personal pick for best sci fi movie ever made. excellent movie. if you guys havn't seen it you really have to.

PAIN IS SCARY

Yes I have seen Bladerunner, actually it was the first film I saw Rutger Hauer & Daryl Hannah in. Although It is a brilliant movie it didn't squeeze into my top ten as it is a bit too depressive for my liking.

Damn, having said that I forgot to put Dark City in my list. Hey replace I'Robot for Dark City.

Being CRACKERS provides sanity in an insane world!

AUSSAY

Saturday, March 18, 2006 10:39 AM (P)

Great list Moss!

Here's my favorite sci-fi movies. Im not really a sci-fi expert but its my favoutie genre

Serenity - Of course

Terminator 2 - A great story foundation from the orignal but packed with great action sequences

Aliens - Space Marines. Period.

Pitch Black - Vin Diesel is retarded. But this was a good sc fi film

SW: Empire Strikes Back - Best SW film. One of my favorite movies of all time.

Star Wars - One line makes this a classic -
"Mos Eisley spaceport: You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy."

Blade Runner - Yeah I loved BR too. An amazing look at the future.

Logans Run - Heh heh a classic

ST: Wrath of Khan - My favorite ST movie. Just love it

ST: Generations - A lot of people dont really like this one, but this is the only NG Star Trek movie I really liked.

The Last Starfighter - I have no justification for this one. Just fond childhood memories of the 80's

The Matrix - Awesome film. Tainted by its sequels

Back to the Future - "Marty, you have to come back with me!"

EDIT: Forgot one that I cant believe hasnt been mentioned - Planet of the Apes!

"Shake your head boy, your eyes are stuck"

www.fireflyfans.net
http://www.browncoatsriseagain.com

NUCLEARDAY

Saturday, March 18, 2006 12:51 PM (P)

Okay, my giant ego can't possibly allow me to NOT toss my two cents in:

1)2001: Arthur C. Clarke is god. :)
2)Serenity: Duh... Had to put it at no.2 so it'd be above SW
3)Star Wars: 'Nuff said. I grew up to these, like many others.
4)Blade Runner: Again, 'nuff said.
5)Alien(s): I was WAY too young to watch Aliens the first time I saw it. Actually a rather traumatizing experience ;p Still another one that has a big visual influence on my own stuff.
6)Mad Max/ Road Warrior: Sort of my fave genre is the post-apocalyptic stuff. Most of those movies really suck, but these oddly didn't. Obviously, is to that genre what Bladerunner is to Cyperpunk.
7)Matrix: Sometimes I like to pretend I'm too cool for the Matrix, but still... the first one really blew me away when I saw it in theatres. (And I saw it pretty early on, just DYING to know what the frell the Matrix was...)
8)Akira
9)Dune
10)Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone: I've got a sick taste in rather bad sci-fi, and this one's my favorite. (Also, Molly Ringwald's film debut.) Also, available in 3D!

Honorable mentions:

Blood of Heroes (Rutger Hauer and Joan Chen playing post-apocalyptic football with dog skulls :)"Lord Vile, I've broken Juggers in half, smashed their bones, left the ground behind me wet with brains. There's nothing I wouldn't do to win. But I never hurt anyone for any reason other than sticking a dog's skull on a stake."

A Boy and His Dog (Another good post-apocalyptic flick from a Harlan Ellison book.)

Starcrash (I think this one's worse than Plan 9, frankly. Also has a cameo from a young Mr. Hasselhoff. "Space Battleship, halt the flow of time!")

________________________________________________
You can take my hope when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

JONUS

Saturday, March 18, 2006 1:46 PM (P)

Mine:

1. Serenity

2. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - Extended Edition (I know it's fantasy, not sci-fi)

4. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

5. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

6. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

7. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

8. The Matrix Revolutions

9. Equilibrium

10. Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars (not a movie exactly)

I'm a Jedi.
I'm a Ringer.
I'm a BROWNCOAT.

MOSS

Saturday, March 18, 2006 2:09 PM (P)

Some interesting movis in your bucnch. I really enjoyed the philadelphia Experiment, at the time I remember there being an interest in all things bermuda tri-angle.

The Final Countdown deserves a mention also.,Take the USS Nimitz and send it back to Pearl Harbour was auch a good take on the time travel genre.

Moss

GRIZWALD

Saturday, March 18, 2006 2:11 PM (P)

If we are allowed to include quasi-sci-fi/horror, may I suggest that everyone go out and see Shaun of the Dead immediately, if you have not yet done so?

It is absolutely my favorite zombie movie. Absolutely.

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

JONUS

Saturday, March 18, 2006 2:13 PM (P)

I would've put Shaun of the Dead in my Top 10.

I'm a Jedi.
I'm a Ringer.
I'm a BROWNCOAT.

MOSS

Saturday, March 18, 2006 2:54 PM (P)

It's aaly interesting seeing everyone's favourites, there are some film that have been mentioned that I had completely forgotten about, Adventures in the Forbidden Zone is one. Great film.

For the record, I think that Serenity is the best film I have seen in ages, my list is of my long time faves and Serenity hasn't been around long enough for it to be in the top 3. I would have preferred for the show to have continued and seen the charactors and stories develop. rather seeing things condensed into a film.

The film is all the more enjoyable because of seeing the show and knowing how much fun all of the people involved had making them makeing the whole thing somewhat of a phenomenon.

JONESTEIN

Saturday, March 18, 2006 4:47 PM (P)

My turn:

1. The Matrix - Blew me away. However, the sequels just blew, period. I don't even count them as part of the Matrix universe, they sucked so bad.

2. Star Wars, Episodes IV-VI - Mr. Lucas at his best, before selling out to mediocrity and politicizing.

3. Serenity - May not actually be tops as a movie in the sci-fi world, but it got me hooked and obsessed with the Firefly 'verse so I'm eternally grateful...it certainly deserves a spot in my top three.

4. Blade Runner - Though I don't like the DVD sans the narration. And like Serentiy, what a great sci-fi 'verse!

5. Highlander - Probably more fantasy than sci-fi, but close enough. Like the Matrix, the sequels don't exist to me.

6. Galaxy Quest - Probably belongs in my top ten comedy faves, but like Firefly, I love sci-fi + humor, and humor scores points with me in any genre.

7. Alien/Aliens - Awesome, despite having spawned the now trite "Ethnically Diverse Group Of People Trapped In A Contained Space Being Pursued And Picked Off By [insert monster, psycho, evil-thing here]" sub-genre of horror/science fiction. Ugh.

7.5 Independence Day(the first half of the movie) - Great movie before the screenwrters wrote themselves into a corner. My eyes rolled the rest of the way. I consider the second half a really bad sequel to the great first half of the movie.

8. 2001 - Kind of boring, but I loved the opening and like someone else said earlier, it paved the way for sci-fi and was way before it's time.

9. Star Trek II Wrath of Khan - Best of the Trek movies.

10. The Fifth Element - Kind of campy, but I loved it anyway.

I'm sure I'm leaving out plenty of top-ten worthy movies, but my memory just ain't what it used to be.

My top overrated/disapointments :

1. The Star Wars Prequels - Movies for the sake of selling merchandise and spewing political views. Only the FX and Natalie Portman made these dreadful pieces of go se worth watching.

2. The Matrix Sequels - Dreadfully disappointing. Pure "cash-in now" flicks. Hopefully the Whatchamacallit Brothers will redeem themselves with "V for Vendetta".

3. War of the Worlds(2005) - I can't even watch Tom Cruise anymore. Again, great FX, but poorly executed movie. And sorry, no WAY a runt like Cruise whips Tim Robbins ass.

4. Star Trek:Nemesis - This was no way to close out the great STNG franchise...it was just horrible.

5. A.I. - Over-hyped Spielberg dog. I can't even remember why I hated this movie.

-Jonestein
http://jonestein.blogspot.com/
*************************************
OPERATIVE: ...and I'm unarmed.
MAL: Good.
(BLAM!)

FIGHT TO RE-LIGHT!!
www.browncoatsriseagain.com
www.texasbrowncoats.com
www.fortworthbrowncoats.com

KAYNA

Saturday, March 18, 2006 6:53 PM (P)

Okay, here's my list.

1. Alien/Aliens: I know that's two but in my head they always come together. Dark, gritty, and bleak. Anything that spawn so many horrible imitators has to be good.
2. Dark City: I just love to watch this movie. It's also nice to see Rufus Sewell playing a good guy.
3. Serenity: for obvious reasons
4. SW, Empire & Jedi: Like Alien/s these two are one movie in my head.
5. Escape from L.A.: Ok, not the best movie in the world but I just love the ending. And Kurt Russell as Snake Pliskin, what can I say.
6. X-Men: A lot of people prefer the second one and I agree that it is very good but when I saw this one I fell in love. Logic doesn't come into it.
7. Close Encounters of the Third Kind: obsession, discovery, and government interference. It's a classic.
8. The Abyss: Aliens at the bottom of the ocean and a psycotic army guy. I've loved this one since I was 5
9. Ghost in the Shell: Classic anime. Do machines have souls?
10. Terminator 1: The second is also good but the ending just bumps this one up for me. 2 is kind of "yay, we saved the world" This one is more about hope. The world will be wrent in fire and blood and we can't stop it but there is still hope for the future.

Ok, I'm done. There are some great movies in this thread. Let's keep them coming.

I just noticed that Micheal Biehn keeps popping up on my list. (Terminator, The Abyss, Aliens) I wonder why that is?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Op: You're fighting a war you've already lost.
Mal: Yeah, well I'm known for that.

MOSS

Saturday, March 18, 2006 7:44 PM (P)

I don't think anyone's mentioned Starship troopers yet.

Justvthought it deserves a mention.

SAVEWASH

Saturday, March 18, 2006 7:59 PM (P)

And please don't forget "The X-Files." Not my favorite (many of the others mentioned before would be on my list), but I loved the main characters so much that I really enjoyed the movie.

Hmmm, that sounds familiar: great TV show spawns fun movie. Where have I experienced that before??

"Yeah, that was some pretty risky sittin' you did there." - Jayne

LEGOLAD

Saturday, March 18, 2006 8:11 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by nuclearday:
1)2001: Arthur C. Clarke is god. :)

I think you mean, Stanley Kubrick is God. Kubrick took a short story Clarke had written (just describing the incident on the moon) and, working with Clarke, expanded it into the film. Clarke's novel was based on the screenplay. Odd but true. But have no doubt; it was Kubrick's movie all the way.

Quote:
Grizwald wrote:
If we are allowed to include quasi-sci-fi/horror, may I suggest that everyone go out and see Shaun of the Dead immediately, if you have not yet done so?

It is absolutely my favorite zombie movie. Absolutely.

My gosh, yes. No movie has a right to be that gory and that funny at the same time. The amount of time it takes him to realize that everyone has turned into zombies... just priceless. Funniest and best horror spoof I've ever seen.

Quote:
Jonestein wrote:
2. Star Wars, Episodes IV-VI - Mr. Lucas at his best, before selling out to mediocrity and politicizing.

I agree, the prequels don't even deserve to be called Star Wars, but in terms of 'politicizing', I thought the political subtext of Episode III was one of the more interesting things in the film -- maybe because I wasn't expecting it. Also, Portman FINALLY got a good line: "So this is how democracy dies... to thunderous applause." After three movies of reciting the Romance Cliché Handbook, she deserves at least one good line, don't you think?

Quote:
Kayna wrote:
I just noticed that Micheal Biehn keeps popping up on my list. (Terminator, The Abyss, Aliens) I wonder why that is?

Probably because James Cameron tries to put him in EVERY ONE of his movies. The Abyss was very well done, though, I agree. Especially the director's cut... the new ending is awesome.

"We need a hood ornament."

MOSS

Saturday, March 18, 2006 8:25 PM (P)

Your description of Independence day was exactly how I felt about the film.

I felt the same about The Black Hole. Exciting 1st half, completely spoiled by the ending- what went wrong?

Also Mars Attacks was a good Comedy effort.

LIGHTMEDARK

Saturday, March 18, 2006 10:08 PM (P)

I've actually never seen 2001 the film, though I've read the book (along with 2010, 2061, and 3001) so many times. Perhaps I'll get to it someday.

The abyss was good stuff. I haven't seen anyone mention Event Horizon. Maybe not the greatest film, but I really enjoy the concept. There's a lot of great movies on these lists (along with a few stinkers, imo, but different strokes)

---
http://www.xffx.net/blog <-inching towards daylight

SIMONB

Saturday, March 18, 2006 10:21 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Adamwankenobi:
Here's my top ten (similar to others):

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey

2. Blade Runner

3. Serenity

6. Terminator 2: Judgment Day

4. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

5. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

8. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

9. Contact

10. Alien

Good choices. Here's mine (no special order to them).

1. Alien

2. Serenity

3. Star Wars Classic Trilogy (cheatin' a tad, I know)

4. Star Wars Prequels (cheatin' a tad, I know)

5. Aliens

6. Star Trek First Contact

7. Titan A. E.

8. The Thing (John Carpenter)

9. Predator

10. Star Trek 2 The Wrath of Khan

- Shiny. Let's be bad guys.

MATTCOZ

Saturday, March 18, 2006 10:54 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by LightMeDark:
I haven't seen anyone mention Event Horizon.

Absolutely nailed the horror in space genre.

SCRUFFYHANSOLO

Saturday, March 18, 2006 11:09 PM (P)

some excellent movies everyone has mentioned but i am not completely in agreement with anyone who names star wars revenge of the sith. i felt it was a let down. it had its moments but it was lacking. here are mine in no order because i enjoy them all so much i can't place any above the others.

Star Wars New Hope
Star Wars Empire Strikes Back
Serenity
Equillibruim
Star Trek Wrath Of Kahn
Alien
Blade Runner
Dark City
Dune
Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy

Honarable mention
2001,Mars Attacks,Metropolis,The Day The Earth Stood Still,Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers,Soylent Green,THX 1138.... so many shiny ones

))<>((

IVY

Sunday, March 19, 2006 1:51 AM (P)

This is tough....I'm not sure this is the exact right order. It depends on the day.

1) Serenity
2) Empire Strikes Back
3) A New Hope
4) Blade Runner
5) The Matrix
6) Terminator
7) Star Trek - First Contact
8) Star Trek - Insurrection
9) Fifth Element
10) Revenge of the Sith

Ivy

I've been sane a long while now, and change is good...

COPILOT

Sunday, March 19, 2006 3:22 AM (P)

I'm not really into much Sci-Fi although I've seen most of the movies mentioned these haven't been thought through but just ones that stick in my mind.
1-SERENITY because I breath for the 'verse
2-Matrix sorry but it blew my mind then ruined my hope for hollywood by completeing the trilogy
3-Jhonny Nuemonic-I spelled it wronge but I'm too lazy to check for the correct spelling right now.
4-Star Wars-All lumped into one catagory because it's the same story and I was forced to watch them the first time. I watched them the second and third times because I was old enough to understand what was going on.
I didn't get to ten cause I'm a little brain dead after St. Paddy's day.

An I carried such a torch

RIVER6213

Sunday, March 19, 2006 3:48 AM (P)

Here's mine:

2001 a Space Odyssey
THX-1138
Silent Running
The 1st Planet of the Apes movie
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Star Wars The new hope
Empire Strikes back (The BEST SWs movie ever!)
Logan's Run
Blade Runner
The Day the Earth went Crack
THEM (1960s version)
Carrie (The remake was better than the original)
Serenity
The Matrix (Only the 1st movie)
The Terminator
Terminator 2

River

SCRUFFYHANSOLO

Sunday, March 19, 2006 4:48 AM (P)

i don't know how i could have but i completely forgot about Logans Run it still would have only been on my honarable mention list but good movie. i also forgot about They Live. Best fight scene ever!

))<>((

THEBIGO

Sunday, March 19, 2006 4:54 AM (P)

Actually I think you mean Crack in the World, not The Day the Earth Went Crack. I have seen that one several times and it is a great movie.

My top 20 from my early years.

2001 Space Odyssey
Blade Runner
Silent Running
Star Wars IV--seen it 42 times in the theater.
Star Wars V- seen it 16 times in the theater.
Aliens--I should not have seen this along.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Outland
Crack in the World
Andromeda Strain
Westworld
Soylent Green
Clockwork Orange
Genesis II
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Return of the Jedi
Mad Max
Planet of the Apes
Mothra
Scanners

Now for the favorites from my latter years.

Serenity
The Matrix
Jurassic Park
Minority Report
Stargate
The Abyss
Contact
Space Nuts

I have to say, the movies from the late 60's through the early 80's are the best. I love special effects which may be the only thing that many of the new movies have but the storylines of the early movies ROCK!!! Clearly from looking at this thread there are still a few that I need to see.

Michael

ORPHEUS

Sunday, March 19, 2006 5:13 AM (P)

My list would have to look like this:

1) The Empire Strikes Back
2) Star Wars
3) Serenity
4) Dark City
5) Close Encounters of the Third Kind
6) Aliens
7) Jurassic Park
8) Hellboy
9) The City of Lost Children
10) Pitch Black

And an honorable mention goes to Chasing Amy. If you don't believe me, take it from Kevin Smith himself: "You go ask any lesbian, that'll never happen. Even if, and probably especially because, the guy is Ben ing Affleck."

Sorry, I'm a huge Chasing Amy fan.

____________________
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"

JPSTARGAZER

Sunday, March 19, 2006 5:44 AM (P)

You people have really hit the highlights of sci-fi movies. One that may not make my top 10, but is good and hasn't been mentioned; Solaris (the new one, haven't seen the old one). Glad to see the love for Equilibrium and Dark City, both great dystopic films. Why the dislike for the Matrix sequels? I must be the only person who enjoyed the entire saga. Thirteenth Floor wasn't mentioned either. And why does everyone hate Nemesis? I think it brings a negative feeling for Trek fans because it solidified the fact it was the last Next Gen. movie...just my thought. I think one of my favorite sci-fi movies has to be Gattaca, it's simply a beautiful film.

"All I got is a red guitar, three chords, and the truth...the rest is up to you"
--Bono

JONESTEIN

Sunday, March 19, 2006 6:09 AM (P)

Quote:

I agree, the prequels don't even deserve to be called Star Wars, but in terms of 'politicizing', I thought the political subtext of Episode III was one of the more interesting things in the film -- maybe because I wasn't expecting it. Also, Portman FINALLY got a good line: "So this is how democracy dies... to thunderous applause." After three movies of reciting the Romance Cliché Handbook, she deserves at least one good line, don't you think?

I've ranted about politicizing movies on this board before. It's not so much the substance of what's being politicized that bothers me, it's that when I recognize the politicizing(which was so blatently obvious in Ep. III), it jerks me out of my world of escapism and back into the real world.

I go to the movies for the escapism and to be entertained, not to be brainwashed with the director's real world political views.

I'm right there with you on Natalie Portman's harlequin lines...unfortunately, her one "good" line was just more politicizing.

-Jonestein
http://jonestein.blogspot.com/
*************************************
OPERATIVE: ...and I'm unarmed.
MAL: Good.
(BLAM!)

FIGHT TO RE-LIGHT!!
www.browncoatsriseagain.com
www.texasbrowncoats.com
www.fortworthbrowncoats.com

REGINAROADIE

Sunday, March 19, 2006 6:11 AM (P)

A lot of my fave sci-fi movies have alreay been mentioned here, but I just wanna throw in two other sci-fi movies from Canada that deserved recognition as great sci-fi works.

CUBE- Think of this as a hardcore sci-fi/horror version of the classic TWILIGHT ZONE episode "Five Characters in Search of an Exit". It's about these people who have no memory of who they are trapped in this labrynth system of interconnecting rooms that are booby trapped. And they have to use numbers and equations to figure out how to get out of the system. This is a great example of minimalist filmmaking used for maximum impact.

LAST NIGHT- Am currently writing an essay about this film. This is basically the Canadian version of ARMAGEDDON as you follow all these different people in Toronto during the last six hours of human existence before the end of the world happens. I'll post my final essay on here to illustrate all my main points. But here's just a description of the opening scene.

The first thing we see is a static overhead shot of Patrick (Don McKellar) lying on the floor of his apartment, tying his tie. His body is parallel to the couch and the coffee table. As he ties his tie, pauses, gets up and walks out of frame, this is the voice over, courtesy of the answering machine. “Hi, it’s me. I’m not here. If you’re a friend or someone who’s loved me, I want to thank you for being a part of my life. If it’s you, Mom, I’m coming, I’ll be there, relax, here’s the beep.” The message left behind is spoken by Canadian filmmaking icon, David Cronenberg, which goes like this. “Good afternoon, Mr. Wheeler. I’m calling from the gas company. I hope you’re doing well and spending these final hours in peace with your loved ones. Rest assured that we will make every effort to keep the gas flowing right until the end.”

I cannot sing my praises for the latter film loud enough.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I think one of the greatest things about modern America is the computerization of medical records. As a volunteer sheriff, I can look up anyone's psychiatric records and their surgical histories. Yeast infections. There are a huge number of yeast infections in this county. Probably...because we're down river...from that old bread factory."

Dwight - The Office - 209 - E-mail Surveillance

CRACKERS

Sunday, March 19, 2006 6:17 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Moss:

The Final Countdown deserves a mention also.,Take the USS Nimitz and send it back to Pearl Harbour was auch a good take on the time travel genre.

Moss

I forgot about 'The Final Countdown' another great film. Saw it at the cinema as a kid.

There have been some other great films listed here and I can't believe I forgot classics others have mentioned such as, The Thing; Logans Run; Planet Of The Apes (Original Series & Remake); and Dune.

Some other cool time travel flics are '12:01' by Jack Sholder; and 'Grand Tour:Disaster In Time',(Released in Australia as 'Timescape').

Also, for all you Alien/Aliens fans another flic I recommend, which should have made it to my list, is 'Split Second' - Rutger Hauer & Kim Cattrall.
("In a futuristic London, the rising sea levels mean that large areas are under feet of water. Hauer plays a cop who previously lost his partner to some strange creature. Now the creature is back and its after him." - Plot Summary taken from IMDb)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Being CRACKERS provides sanity in an insane world!

_________________________________________________

"We're the police sweetheart and your civil liberties are about to be violated."

ORPHEUS

Sunday, March 19, 2006 6:33 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by jpstargazer:
Why the dislike for the Matrix sequels? I must be the only person who enjoyed the entire saga.

I gotta agree with you there. Reloaded and Revolutions were in no way the disaster that everyone thinks they are. They just pale in comparison to the original. I still enjoy the hell out of them, though. Especially Revolutions.

And about Nemesis, it was pretty good as far as Star Trek movies go, but in the end it was just a repeat of Wrath of Khan, and I think when a series starts copying itself, the fans start to get annoyed. But I'm really not a Trek fan, so I'm not the one to ask.

____________________
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"

LEGOLAD

Sunday, March 19, 2006 7:09 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Jonestein:
I've ranted about politicizing movies on this board before. It's not so much the substance of what's being politicized that bothers me, it's that when I recognize the politicizing(which was so blatently obvious in Ep. III), it jerks me out of my world of escapism and back into the real world.

I go to the movies for the escapism and to be entertained, not to be brainwashed with the director's real world political views.

I'm right there with you on Natalie Portman's harlequin lines...unfortunately, her one "good" line was just more politicizing.

Interesting... I think I like a movie best when it works as escapist entertainment AND as a commentary on the real world. Bit of a paradox, I know, but considering the site we're on, I think I'll use Serenity as my example. The whole concept of Miranda was just brilliant, in my opinion, and one of the most powerful parts of the film. But consider the details: a military power tries to 'pacify and improve' a foreign population, and instead ends up killing many and provoking a few to extreme retaliatory violence. Am I the only one reading more into this? Serenity seems to have a pretty overt political message to me, but I think it just makes the film more effective. What do you think?

"We need a hood ornament."

MOSS

Sunday, March 19, 2006 8:00 AM (P)

I think I'll use Serenity as my example. The whole concept of Miranda was just brilliant, in my opinion, and one of the most powerful parts of the film. But consider the details: a military power tries to 'pacify and improve' a foreign population, and instead ends up killing many and provoking a few to extreme retaliatory violence. Am I the only one reading more into this? Serenity seems to have a pretty overt political message to me, but I think it just makes the film more effective. What do you think?

"We need a hood ornament."

I hadn't thought about it that way before.

Very interesting interpretation.

MAGHAFFAR

Sunday, March 19, 2006 9:56 AM (P)

Personally, I like films that have some intense emotionally involving elements -- hence, "Serenity" works so wonderfully precisely because it's really all about the PEOPLE in the 'Verse and the Family that is the crew of Serenity. I think it's significant that Joss' vision paints the problem with the Allaince as being it's meddlesome desire to control the masses by removing their passion & feeling of individuality -- a la Communism. The Pax added to the air on Miranda killed most of the people by removing their will to live, to strive, to be [a-hem] INDEPENDENT & INDIVIDUALISTIC. It created the Reavers by accentuating the exact, negative opposite -- completre self-centeredness/carnal passions/violence, etc.

Firefly/Serenity appeals to people on that basic emotional level of needing to be yourself and make your own choices, be valued/respected for who you are -- black, white, Jayne, whatever, and not have Big Brother doin' your thinking for you. That outta the way, here's my list of top SF & Fantasy films... ones that to me celebrate our human-ness in our emotional/spiritual experiences. WARNING... A passel of tangents underefoot.

(My picks are not necessarily in any 'better than' {to quote Badger) order. 'Sides, I gots me the right to like 'em more or less equally if'n I wants. {..."Spent time in the lockdown - but not as much as he claims..." - River as a Cockney Brat}

LOTR TRILOGY (extended versions) You Are There! 'nuff sed.

CONTACT {"Do you love your father?... Prove it." Man, this whole movie gets me every time. Finding God in outer space -- and honestly, it's just this element that existentialism as a philosophy fails to deliver -- the finding God part. Joss's worldview, reflected in Mal, fills the nuthin' of space with nuthin' but us, and that's a shame. Existentialism as a system creates, on one hand, the bonding of the crew of Serenity to each other (via the womb that is the ship itself) cuz there's no one or nothing else to bond to or seek protection in -- and emotionally speaking, that's very effective story-wise -- and on the other hand, existentialism creates the cold, sterile Big Brotherism of the very Alliance the Independents rejected. Darwinism when it first came out did the exact same worldview/dictotomy-shifting thing by influencing the development of free-market "survival of the fittest" capitalism in the West and socialism/communism's "survival of the species/society cancelling out individuality Big Brother" thing in Russia)

SERENITY (That cut-to-black outer space close-up of Serenity logo all lit up & the pull-back with the Cello music, the ship in space all majestic and purty -- shoot, I fast-forwards & plays just that sequence just to get all choked up on the sheer Shinyness of it all -- Damn! This is why I wanna go into the black onna '03-K64 Firefly! And thanks to Joss, AIN'T WE JUST done did it!)

FIREFLY (think of it as equal to 6 2-hr. prequel films to the BDM 'cuz let's be honest -- epsiodes like "Out of Gas" and "Objects in Space" and the "Serenity" pilot were Truly Awesome BDMs only stuck on the small screen with commercials (or not with the DVD set)...

THE FIFTH ELEMENT (Kinda cheesey SFX in the beginning I know, but once you 'get it' (like us Browncoats 'get' Firefly) it's a movie you can watch over and over and over -- I know cuz I do -- it's about the need for and the power of Love.

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL and SILENT RUNNING (great messages in both + I've always loved Bruce Dern. 'Sides, Lucas admits this is where he got his R2D2 Droid design from. Also, did anyone else besides me notice what looks like an homage to Gort's "kill switch" phrase with River's "kill switch" phrase? Tho' River's definitely sounds more Gaelic or Tolkienesque)

BRAZIL (about chasing your dreams and bein' your own man -- even if you gotta end up nutso livin' in your head to do it. But again, this is the whole "Firefly" Independents vs. the Allinace thang 'cept it's in proper England where they're just so damn proper and fastidious about their totalitarian soul-crushing op

MOSS

Sunday, March 19, 2006 11:48 AM (P)

to MAGHAFFAR

Excellent reply, you have introduced some excellent and thought provoking films into the mix, Brazil being one of them.

Some of the films I havn't seen. I have always felt that there is a lack of good scifi around, especially as it is a genre with endless possibilities.

You have given me some more movies to see.

Thanks.

GRIZWALD

Sunday, March 19, 2006 1:57 PM (P)

I only sit down for a talk with Mr. Grizwald once a week or so, if we're lucky; we're both ships that pass in the night, it seems, these days, with two jobs, three kids, and a house to fix up. Anyway, yesterday at breakfast I took the opportunity to ask him to help me make our Top Ten Sci Fi Movies list, inspired by this thread -- and he came up with two that I hadn't thought of.

One, I agree should be up there pretty high on the list - maybe not top 10, but top 20 for sure - is Gattaca. Love that movie.

Another he mentioned which is very Hollywood-ish but not bad is Minority Report.

Our eldest, age 15, snorted at the whole idea of a top 10 sci-fi list, but then proceeded to nominate The Day the Earth Stood Still... showing that there is still hope for our next generation of leaders on this planet.

I am also amazed to see THX-1138 on this list and embarrassed that I forgot about it. Ditto Logan's Run.

And (guilty secret confession) I also loved Tron. Haven't seen the re-released, doctored-up version, but I found the original to be mind-blowing way back when.

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

MICJWELCH

Sunday, March 19, 2006 3:28 PM (P)

It's nice to see I'm not the only person out there who's seen Equilibrium. Is this a safe place to admit that I don't have a brown coat? It's black. It's a replica of the coat from Equilbrium.

"We may experience some slight turbulence, and then... explode."

JONESTEIN

Sunday, March 19, 2006 4:35 PM (P)

Well, I'm sure one could find political subtext in about any movie if one looked hard enough. There just wasn't enough obvious politicizing in Serenity to yank me from my world of escapism.
The politicizing in SW Episode III just seemed more obvious and did pull me out of the Star Wars universe and back into reality.

I don't mind political subtext if the whole premise of the movie is based on some real world event, otherwise, in my opinion, it's just the director attempting a little political brainwashing on an unsuspecting public who is expecting a sci-fi fantasy, not a lesson on the evils of the Bush administration.

For me, Mr. Lucas' not-so-subtle agenda pushing ruined what could have been the redeeming episode for the prequels. I just didn't see the same blatent agenda pushing in Serenity, I saw entertainment.

-Jonestein
http://jonestein.blogspot.com/
*************************************
OPERATIVE: ...and I'm unarmed.
MAL: Good.
(BLAM!)

FIGHT TO RE-LIGHT!!
www.browncoatsriseagain.com
www.texasbrowncoats.com
www.fortworthbrowncoats.com

CAB1729

Sunday, March 19, 2006 7:12 PM (P)

Can't possibly limit it to 10 - I've lived too ruttin' long! Did at least limit to true SF - with fantasy the list is much much longer:

IN NOR PARTICULAR ORDER:
Them!
Serenity
Mad Max/Road Warrior/Thunderdome
The Brother From Another Planet
The Fifth Element
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Westworld
The Incredible Shrinking Man
War of the Worlds (1953)
Terminator movies
Alien movies
Ghost in the Shell
E.T. The Extraterrestrial
The Iron Giant
The Arrival
The Abyss
Cube

NOT GREAT - BUT I'VE WATCHED THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN - AND WILL AGAIN:
Galaxy Quest
Flash Gordon (1980)
Spacehunter: Adventure in the Forbidden Zone
Invaders from Mars (1953)
Soldier

___________________________________________
Hobbes: How come we play war and not peace?
Calvin: Too few role models.

CHRISISALL

Sunday, March 19, 2006 7:24 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by nuclearday:
Blood of Heroes (Rutger Hauer and Joan Chen playing post-apocalyptic football with dog skulls :)
A Boy and His Dog (Another good post-apocalyptic flick from a Harlan Ellison book.)

There's two I don't see mention enough.
And props for being a Spacehunter fan

Total Recall seems to be MIA on this thread...

Speaking of Verhoeven, how about Robocop?

Dead or alive, you're coming with me Chrisisall

CRACKERS

Sunday, March 19, 2006 9:21 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by micjwelch:
It's nice to see I'm not the only person out there who's seen Equilibrium.

Right back at ya!

Another one I forgot to put in the mix - John Carpenter's, 'They Live'.

Some of you that like to make interpretations on films could have a field day with this one.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Being CRACKERS provides sanity in an insane world!

_________________________________________________

"Well... I don't like the idea of someone hearin' what I'm thinkin'."

GIXXER

Sunday, March 19, 2006 9:34 PM (P)

Buckaroo Banzai

Big Trouble in Little China. Probably the most radical rewrite in the history of film. No, make that the Universe.

Trancers.

Battle beyond The Stars.

Bubba Ho-Tep. (Not strictly Sci-Fi, but no x-Best list of films should be without it.)

LIGHTMEDARK

Sunday, March 19, 2006 9:50 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Jonestein:
I've ranted about politicizing movies on this board before. It's not so much the substance of what's being politicized that bothers me, it's that when I recognize the politicizing(which was so blatently obvious in Ep. III), it jerks me out of my world of escapism and back into the real world.

I don't ever catch political parallels because I have no idea what real world politics are. I honestly have no idea what a democrat or a replublican is, so I've never had any problem with political intrigue in film.

I've noticed Serenity is 3rd on almost everyones lists...very odd.

---
http://www.xffx.net/blog <-inching towards daylight

MOSS

Sunday, March 19, 2006 9:56 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Gixxer:
Buckaroo Banzai

Battle beyond The Stars.

Battle Beyond the Stars: OMG, I had completely forgotten that film...I bunked school to see it and was the only person in the cinema.

Complete crap, in a good way.

MOSS

Sunday, March 19, 2006 10:02 PM (P)

I've noticed Serenity is 3rd on almost everyones lists...very odd.

---

I think that considering we are looking at the history of Scifi (there are films going back to the 20's in this thread) number 3 is one hell of an achievement. Without sounding too sentimental, Joss & his fine team have produced a film worthy of being placed among groundbreaking films that have defined the genre and captivated the imagination.

Also, I have never joined a fan site nor really discussed my passion for scifi, watching the series & film has woken the sleeper, for that I am eternally greatful.

KAYNA

Sunday, March 19, 2006 10:55 PM (P)

Quote:
Total Recall seems to be MIA on this thread...

I love that movie!

You know, a lot of people have been mentioning John Carpenters "They Live". I love John Carpenter (I put Escape from L.A. on my list)but I haven't seen this. How did I miss it? I've seen the Thing and that was good but I don't know what They Live is about. Anyone care to enlighten me?

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

CHRISISALL

Sunday, March 19, 2006 11:29 PM (P)

The less you know about They Live, the better. Just rent it!

Okay, it's sci-fi-like.

Call me Snake Chrisisall

JOHNBOY

Monday, March 20, 2006 12:16 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
The less you know about They Live, the better. Just rent it!

Okay, it's sci-fi-like.

Call me Snake Chrisisall

They Live is "sci-fi-LIKE"????? What part of it disqualifies it from being hard-core sci-fi? The hideous aliens? The mind control? The teleportation system?

Mind you, rollicking good fun and - I believe - one of the longest punch-up scenes ever filmed.

As for other great sci-fi movies (although I wouldn't rate They Live as a top-ten) I am astonished that no-one has mentioned StarTrek 6. Nearly as good as Wrath of Khan, and a great recovery after Shatner fumbled the ball with ST5.

It still cracks me up when Kirk tackles the President just as the assassin fires. The prez looks up, thinking "What the f***?". He has it explained to him in just two words: "Kirk. Enterprise.", and then Kirk's up and into some more thrillin' heroics.

A classic.

LIGHTMEDARK

Monday, March 20, 2006 12:35 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Moss:
I think that considering we are looking at the history of Scifi (there are films going back to the 20's in this thread) number 3 is one hell of an achievement. Without sounding too sentimental, Joss & his fine team have produced a film worthy of being placed among groundbreaking films that have defined the genre and captivated the imagination.

No, I completely agree with you. I just think it's funny that it's the same number on everyone's list, for the most part. Not 3 on this list then 5 on this one, but almost all 3, haha.

---
http://www.xffx.net/blog <-inching towards daylight

JOHNBOY

Monday, March 20, 2006 12:37 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Moss:
I've noticed Serenity is 3rd on almost everyones lists...very odd.

Not so odd, I believe. Everyone here is going to be a very big fan of Serenity. No surprises there. But there is no way it's going to be able to beat out Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back.

That is almost guaranteed to be 1 or 2 on this sort of list - although it's a bit more of a lottery as to which other film fights it for the top spot - which pushes Serenity down to 3 or 4.

And that's about right, I think.

JOHNBOY

Monday, March 20, 2006 1:06 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Kayna:

You know, a lot of people have been mentioning John Carpenters "They Live". I love John Carpenter (I put Escape from L.A. on my list)but I haven't seen this. How did I miss it? I've seen the Thing and that was good but I don't know what They Live is about. Anyone care to enlighten me?
B]

It's a fine John Carpenter movie - if you've enjoyed his other work then you will enjoy this. Not his best work, not by a long shot, but it's a fun ride.

It's heavily allegorical, intending to draw a parallel between the aliens in the movie and the "rape-pillage-don't think about tomorrow" attitude of big business, and the way that governs their actions.

Which is a serious message if you have concerns for the environment, or have doubts about the real long term cost of economic rationalism. But if you consider that to be so much tree-huggin' leftie pinko stuff then maybe it's not the movie for you.

As to the plot? Have a look here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096256/plotsummary

CHRISISALL

Monday, March 20, 2006 2:32 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Johnboy:
Quote:
Originally posted by Moss:
I've noticed Serenity is 3rd on almost everyones lists...very odd.

Not so odd, I believe. Everyone here is going to be a very big fan of Serenity. No surprises there. But there is no way it's going to be able to beat out Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back.

Well, Serenity is at the TOP of my particular list, with Blade Runner number two and Star Trek the Motion Picture (Director's cut) at three. Empire comes right after.

What was that? Chrisisall

CARTOON

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 1:16 AM (P)

I don't have a top just "sci-fi" list, but I do have a top list of my favorite 100 films -- so I just browsed through it and pulled the sci-fi films from it, and pasted them below...

(first number is just "sci-fi" listing, second number is over-all listing)

#1 (#5) The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
#2 (#16) Aliens (1986)
#3 (#17) Star Wars (1977)
#4 (#18) Serenity (2005)
#5 (#82) Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
#6 (#86) The Thing (1951)

Those are the only sci-fi films in my top 100.
Others which would get honorable mention are...

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1992)
Galaxy Quest (1999)[can't see this film enough -- it should probably be somewhere in my overall top 100]
Planet of the Apes (1968)(actually saw this first run in a threatre, along with all of the "Star Wars" films, & of course "Serenity")
Alien (1979)(saw this first run, too)
Return of the Jedi (1983)(this might've ranked even higher than Empire if not for the stinking Ewoks -- they killed it on me)

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 1:59 AM (P)

Where's the original War of the Worlds- I don't see it on your list....

It was better than The Thing...Chrisisall

CARTOON

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 3:44 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Where's the original War of the Worlds- I don't see it on your list....

Yeah, I liked it, but not enough to make my list.

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
It was better than The Thing

I don't know. I liked the whole atmosphere of "The Thing" better. While I enjoyed it, the film just seemed campy to me. Maybe that 1950's color was what did it. The coloring in many of those 1950's movies wasn't realistic -- more like a comic strip (the original "Blob" was like that, too).

And as a postscript to my inclusion of "Star Wars" where I did in my whole top 100 listing (as I've said previously), one has to credit "Star Wars" as (if for no other reason) nothing which came after it would've been the same (or even likely made in the first place) without it -- including the resurgence of "Star Trek", as well as the Alien stuff, and practically all sci-fi and even superhero films (like "Superman" -- which probably never would've been made if not for "Star Wars"). (After a decent go in the 50's and early 60's, the whole sci-fi genre died in the late 1960's, and "Star Wars" brought it back with a vengeance.)

LEGOLAD

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 5:53 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by cartoon:
one has to credit "Star Wars" as (if for no other reason) nothing which came after it would've been the same (or even likely made in the first place) without it -- including the resurgence of "Star Trek", as well as the Alien stuff, and practically all sci-fi and even superhero films (like "Superman" -- which probably never would've been made if not for "Star Wars").

"Superman" came out in '78, just one year after Star Wars. Considering the undoubtedly involved process of bringing Superman to the big screen, and the fact that they were filming the sequel concurrently, I'm thinking production would have been well underway before Star Wars hit theaters. If you want to talk about movies launching genres... well, look at the plethora of comic book films we have today.

"We need a hood ornament."

CARTOON

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 3:17 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Legolad:
"Superman" came out in '78, just one year after Star Wars. Considering the undoubtedly involved process of bringing Superman to the big screen, and the fact that they were filming the sequel concurrently, I'm thinking production would have been well underway before Star Wars hit theaters.

Likely, yes. But, don't forget, production on "Star Wars" started two years prior to that.

I also remember the biggest question circulating at the time as to whether "Superman" would succeed or bomb -- "Can they realistically make him fly?" No one had very much faith in special effects prior to "Star Wars".

JAYNEZTOWN

Thursday, March 23, 2006 7:36 AM (P)

Forgetting Firefly & Serenity

2001 space odyssey, Blade runner and perhaps some classics like Day the Earth stood still

Fritz Lang's Metropolis was also way ahead of its time