What Is the Best Science Fiction Movie Ever?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around participants sharing their opinions on the best science fiction movies, exploring various titles and their merits. The scope includes personal favorites, notable films, and some debate on the classification of certain movies within the genre.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest "Contact" and "Jurassic Park" as top contenders for the best sci-fi movie.
  • Others mention "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and "Star Wars" as significant films in the genre.
  • There are inquiries about the plot of "Contact" and discussions on the feasibility of sending another person through the machine depicted in the film.
  • Several participants express their admiration for "Back to the Future," citing its plot as a strong point.
  • Some participants highlight "Doctor Strangelove" as a great movie, though noting its political and comedic elements rather than scientific ones.
  • Titles like "Dune," "Total Recall," and "ET" are mentioned as noteworthy films, with varying opinions on their impact and quality.
  • Lists of favorite sci-fi films are shared, including classics like "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Alien," and "Blade Runner," with some participants expressing a preference for older films.
  • There are discussions about the classification of films like "The Matrix" and "Batteries Not Included," with differing views on what constitutes science fiction.
  • Some participants express a preference for originality in films, while others critique mainstream successes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best science fiction movie, with multiple competing views and a variety of personal favorites expressed throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that their choices may lean more towards science movies rather than traditional sci-fi, indicating a potential ambiguity in genre classification.

  • #31
My favorite is:

1999 The Bicentennial Man
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
2001
Alien
Blade Runner
 
  • #33
I've got to give props to the Matrix trilogy. It seems now a days I tend to like something more for its originality than anything else.
 
  • #34
I don't like the mainstream movies, like Matrix.. First time I saw The Matrix it wasn't "famous" I liked it better then..
 
  • #35
did someone mention "Batteries not included" yet?
 
  • #36
My personal favorite: T2

Honorable mention to Forbidden Planet, a spectacular piece for 1956.
 
  • #37
Terminator 2, Aliens are the best for my money.

Minority Report was an excellent movie, despite Tom Cruise.
 
  • #38
moe darklight said:
- star-wars sixtilogy? (what's the word for 6?)
Latin prefixes suggest it's sexlogy.
 
  • #39
Actually, it would be hexalogy, analogous to hexagon..

Sexology is what Dr. Ruth does. Or did. I'm old, but not as old as her. Fortunately.
 
  • #40
arildno said:
Sexology is what Dr. Ruth does. Or did. I'm old, but not as old as her. Fortunately.

dr who? did it come in technicolor? :smile:

here in Canada we have sue johanson, she has a show called the sunday night sex show... she's like 60 now. I used to watch it more-- they would show it in school too sometimes in sex ed or she would do speeches at schools.

I tune in from time to time; it's educational, but mostly it's pretty funny when people call with the weirdest sex questions, I remember a call involving tomatoes and other vegetables ... and the funniest call I can remember I don't think i'd be allowed to post on this forum. The great thing is she doesn't even blink when people ask her the most outlandish questions, which is why she's so popular I think.
 
  • #41
I enjoyed The Matrix. I am not a huge scifi fan. My preferred movie is either drama or documentry.
 
  • #42
Mallignamius said:
Latin prefixes suggest it's sexlogy.

After three, I think you just say "saga."
 
  • #43
Sagaology.
 
  • #44
  • #45
let's just settle on sexy sagalogy.
 
  • #46
Blade Runner has emotion, action, artistry and a plot with dark, intrinsic beauty.

A. I. was melancholy - the ending still leaves me hanging.

2001, considering when it was made, was an excellent film technically (knowledge and modeling), and no doubt inspired many physicists. Which Oscars did it garner? Be sure to watch it on your deathbed.
 
  • #47
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  • #48
sas3 said:
I think "COLOSSUS: The Forbin Project - 1969" was great.

Tron was good also.
However Tron Is A 'security threat' See the link below (WOW!)
http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2007/3/28/132751/380

Neither FBI nor DHS officials would comment on the matter, citing that they do not comment on ongoing investigations or alleged breaches of national security. However, they were willing to discuss general questions concerning security surrounding nuclear research. "We are carefully reviewing disclosure procedures and criteria concerning any nuclear information that could be misused by terrorists," said FBI agent Lirpa Sloof, official bureau spokesperson in Los Angeles. "We are mindful of the current global terror situation, and are working to ensure the continued safety of American interests and lives all over the world."
Lirpa Sloof...

Uh huh.
 
  • #49
Lots of really great movies listed here. My favorites already posted are Blade Runner, Aliens 1 & 2, and Bicentennial Man. My favorite over-all would have to be John Carpenter's "The Thing."

Soylent Green is PEOPLE!
 
  • #50
Is the new Dr Who series being shown in the US?
 
  • #51
  • #52
Huckleberry said:
Bicentennial Man.
Never bothered to see it. Didn't it get panned?

Huckleberry said:
John Carpenter's "The Thing."
After Alien, I would say this is the 2nd best horror film evar!
 
  • #53
Chi Meson said:
Oh I saw that one! Every living animal on the planet disappeared except for those who were momentarily dead when the ...whatever... happened.

I still think "Outland" holds up well after 20 years.

I think that movie was made in New Zealand or Australia and was either called "The Silent Earth" or "The Quiet Earth". I saw it and THought it was good.

The reason nobody wanted to send anyone else through the machine in Contact was becasue everyone thought it hadn't worked. JOdie Fosters character was the only one who experianced anything. TO everyone else the sphere simply passed through the device and dropped into the water.
 
  • #54
DaveC426913 said:
Never bothered to see it. Didn't it get panned?
I don't know. I rarely check reviews of movies I'm sure I want to see. This was one of them, and I liked it very much.


After Alien, I would say this is the 2nd best horror film evar!
I would give the nod to The Thing over Alien, but both are excellent, classic sci-fi.
 
  • #55
Some of those truly awful, Ed Woods-style SF B-movies can be good too, that is if they are indeed truly awful. My wife and I keep hoping some network will show The Twisted Brain once again. That, and the return of MST3K.
 
  • #56
I've got to say that Alien grabbed me hard, right out of the gate, but fades with repeated viewings, so Blade Runner takes the top spot. I've got the latest director's cut without Decker's narration, and (if you haven't seen the original in a while) the lack of narration adds complexity to the movie and forces the viewer to try to "connect the dots" in a way that is better than the original.
 
  • #57
arildno said:
2001
Alien
Blade Runner
Luv Riddley Scott's trademark smoke in Blade Runner.

Yes that's my list with a couple more: Matrix 1(only 1) and Gattica. Gattica's '90s scifi plot seems to be converging on reality. Fine acting from Hawke, Jude Law and Uma. Gore Vidal even shows up. Uma of course brings more than acting, much mo.
 
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  • #58
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension.

I don't remember much of the movie now, except it was outrageous; throw in the title and it becomes a "not to miss."

*Voted # 93 of the Top 100 Sci-Fi Movies of all time by: OFCS (Online Film Critics Society)

*2001: A Space Odyssey Named the Greatest Sci-Fi Film of All Time By the Online Film Critics Society (http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com/pages/pr/top100scifi )
 
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  • #59
EnumaElish said:
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension.
It is a great cult classic, with an ensemble cast.
 
  • #60
blade_runner.png
 

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