Movies for hardcore sci-fi geeks

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The discussion highlights several notable independent science fiction films, with a particular focus on "Primer," a low-budget film that explores complex themes of time travel and causality. Despite its intricate plot, which some find confusing, it has garnered a cult following and critical acclaim, including the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Other films mentioned include "Metropolis," "Solaris," "Brazil," "The Man from Earth," and "A Scanner Darkly," with varying opinions on their narrative depth and adaptation quality. The conversation also touches on the merits of character-driven storytelling, as seen in "Firefly," and critiques the reliance on special effects in modern cinema, advocating for narratives that prioritize strong writing and conceptual originality. The participants express a preference for science fiction that adheres to realistic scientific principles, contrasting it with fantasy elements that can detract from the genre's integrity. Overall, the thread emphasizes the value of thoughtful storytelling in science fiction, regardless of budget or mainstream success.
  • #241
Definitely watch District 9. I have just seen it and I can only recommend.
 
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  • #242
I'm surprised nobody mentioned "The Big Bang Theory" TV series. Some of the great sci-fi movies: Dark City, Thirteenth Floor, City of Ember, Twelve Monkeys.

I don't know how the first 3 didn't make it to top 40 scifi flicks on IMDB, clearly better than the crap they have there. Star Wars episode V? Pfft, saw it yesterday, "it sucks" is putting things mildly
 
  • #243
cronxeh said:
Star Wars episode V? Pfft, saw it yesterday, "it sucks" is putting things mildly
Wah ACk asergh1! Ep V is far and away the best of all 6 you prepubescent whippersnapper!
 
  • #244
DaveC426913 said:
Wah ACk asergh1! Ep V is far and away the best of all 6 you prepubescent whippersnapper!

Now you look here, pops. I am not a big fan of Star Wars. First off what kind of a laser has a limited length of 1-2 feet with uniform power density? A lightsaber. Totally impossible.

Second, why can't Yoda speak proper English? Did he have a stroke or some kind of cerebral malaria?

Third, the jedi are men. The villains are men. The storm troopers are, men. Its a total sausagefest. There are no interesting characters.

And finally, why does the fate of entire universe depend on some moisture farmer. Its always the hero in disguise that is somehow thrust into a super hero status. As if boys look at this movie and think to themselves "i can become anything or anyone I want to!"
 
  • #245
cronxeh said:
Now you look here, pops. I am not a big fan of Star Wars.
That's not your fault. Your introduction to epic romance came from Lord Ooh I Had A Bad Dream About My Mommy and the Princess Let's Play In A Field Of Daisies.

There was no romance before Leia and the Nerf Herder.

You poor younglings wouldn't know good writing no matter how many Bothans died bringing it to you.
 
  • #246
cronxeh said:
Now you look here, pops. I am not a big fan of Star Wars. First off what kind of a laser has a limited length of 1-2 feet with uniform power density? A lightsaber. Totally impossible.

Second, why can't Yoda speak proper English? Did he have a stroke or some kind of cerebral malaria?

Third, the jedi are men. The villains are men. The storm troopers are, men. Its a total sausagefest. There are no interesting characters.

And finally, why does the fate of entire universe depend on some moisture farmer. Its always the hero in disguise that is somehow thrust into a super hero status. As if boys look at this movie and think to themselves "i can become anything or anyone I want to!"

It is a fairy tale, not sci-fi.
 
  • #247
Plan 9 from Outer Space (anyone? :wink:)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

I thought the original Star Wars movies were pretty great, and I'm not an old fart.
 
  • #248
cronxeh said:
I'm surprised nobody mentioned "The Big Bang Theory" TV series.

That isn't even close to being sci-fi.

Come on folks. Everyone knows about Star Wars and the typical pop stuff. We are looking for the rare gems.
 
  • #249
I recently started watching the series 4400. Its pretty good though not hard sci fi at all.

I'll try not to give much away in describing it for those who have not heard of it.
The basic idea of the show is that over the last 60+ years people have been mysteriously disappearing. Generally the people were considered to have run off or been killed somehow. But one day (in 2006 I think) all of these people suddenly show back up together in Washington state, 4400 of them. None have aged a day or have any memory of what happened between when they disappeared and when they reappeared.

The people are placed under the supervision of the Department of Homeland Security who are supposed to process them, investigate the phenomenon, and eventually integrate them back into society. Due to protests from civil rights advocates they are released early and the Department tries to set up a program to keep the "returnees" monitored, protected, and taken care of. Two agents in particular are main characters and wind up the primary investigators into what happened to these people. Each of them has or develops relationships with some of the returnees (later called "the forty-four hundred").

Strange events start occurring involving the 4400 and these two agents investigate. As I noted earlier there isn't much science. They occasionally bring up scientific ideas as part of their investigative methodology but really nothing in the show is ever scientifically explained nor do they really try (at least not so far in the episodes I have watched). The show is more about the people and the issues they encounter attempting to go back to life as normal. There are people who dislike and distrust the 4400 and eventually there are a couple of conspiracies going on in the overarching metaplot.
 
  • #250
Twilight Zone fans will remember the episode titled "It's a good life"

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/87/It%27s_A_Good_Life.JPG

with the evil Billy Mumy, which is considered by many to be one of the best Zone episodes made. I don't think I ever mentioned that the author of that episode was Jerome Bixby, who also wrote The Man from Earth.

Bixby also wrote three Star Trek [TOS] episodes: 1967's "Mirror, Mirror", which introduced the series' concept of the "Mirror Universe"; 1969's "Requiem for Methuselah", about "Flint", a 6,000-year-old man; 1968's "Day of the Dove", about an entity that feeds on hate and traps the crew in a cycle of endless warfare.

The screenplay for [The Man from Earth] was conceived by Jerome Bixby in the early 1960s and was completed on his death bed in April 1998, making it his final piece of work. [I have read that his son finally had to help finish the screenplay]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_from_Earth

Another bit of trivia that surprised me was that a number of Twlight Zone episodes were written by the real John-Boy Walton - Earl Hamner. Several of the episodes were about mountain folk. :biggrin:: Jess-Belle; The hunt; The Bewitchin' Pool. All of the episodes written by Hamner are excellent, imo... eh, less "Black Leather Jackets", which was okay for its time but not great.

"The Hunt" (1962)
"A Piano in the House" (1962)
"Jess-Belle" (1963)
"Ring-a-Ding Girl" (1963)
"You Drive" (1964)
"Black Leather Jackets" (1964)
"Stopover in a Quiet Town" (1964)
"The Bewitchin' Pool" (1964)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Hamner,_Jr .
 
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  • #251
late edits above
 
  • #252
The Lathe of Heaven [1980]
Bad directing [esp], bad acting, but an interesting and unusual plot. A man's dreams become reality and he changes the world; many times. The plot makes it worth the watch.

It is available for free viewing at GoogleVids
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6032236535078716306&ei=hPhES9ePFI70qAOfoKjkDg&q=the+lathe+of+heaven&hl=en#
 
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  • #253
Has Primer been mentioned yet? I've just watched it and am very impressed. What a neat concept, and well done! I really enjoy the raw feel it has; no special effects were necessary and, in my opinion, would have been detrimental to the believability of the film.

I'll need to watch it at least one more time, though.
 
  • #254
Ivan Seeking said:
Twilight Zone fans will remember the episode titled "It's a good life"

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/87/It%27s_A_Good_Life.JPG

with the evil Billy Mumy, which is considered by many to be one of the best Zone episodes made. I don't think I ever mentioned that the author of that episode was Jerome Bixby, who also wrote The Man from Earth.

Bixby also wrote three Star Trek [TOS] episodes: 1967's "Mirror, Mirror", which introduced the series' concept of the "Mirror Universe"; 1969's "Requiem for Methuselah", about "Flint", a 6,000-year-old man; 1968's "Day of the Dove", about an entity that feeds on hate and traps the crew in a cycle of endless warfare.

The screenplay for [The Man from Earth] was conceived by Jerome Bixby in the early 1960s and was completed on his death bed in April 1998, making it his final piece of work. [I have read that his son finally had to help finish the screenplay]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_from_Earth

Another bit of trivia that surprised me was that a number of Twlight Zone episodes were written by the real John-Boy Walton - Earl Hamner. Several of the episodes were about mountain folk. :biggrin:: Jess-Belle; The hunt; The Bewitchin' Pool. All of the episodes written by Hamner are excellent, imo... eh, less "Black Leather Jackets", which was okay for its time but not great.

"The Hunt" (1962)
"A Piano in the House" (1962)
"Jess-Belle" (1963)
"Ring-a-Ding Girl" (1963)
"You Drive" (1964)
"Black Leather Jackets" (1964)
"Stopover in a Quiet Town" (1964)
"The Bewitchin' Pool" (1964)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Hamner,_Jr .

A lesser known Twilight Zone episode that I would highly recommend is "I am the Night, Colour Me Black" In my opinion, the best of the series. Available on youtube.
 
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  • #255
Dembadon said:
Has Primer been mentioned yet? I've just watched it and am very impressed. What a neat concept, and well done! I really enjoy the raw feel it has; no special effects were necessary and, in my opinion, would have been detrimental to the believability of the film.

I'll need to watch it at least one more time, though.

I mentioned that in the op - in fact it was the motivation for this thread - and you will find a number of Primer fans chiming in, in the pages that follow. After three viewings, I am still unsure about the guy found in the driveway.

Imo, "The Man from Earth" also deserves special note. If you go back and review this thread, you will likely find many quality sci-fi movies mentioned that you will enjoy... if you haven't seen them already. Given your [obvious] refined palate for sci-fi :biggrin:, please add any notables from your own viewing.
 
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  • #256
Ivan Seeking said:
A few favorites that I've mentioned before are:

Metropolis [the rerelease by Giorgio Moroder]
Solaris
Brazil
The Man from Earth

I just caught one that I'd never heard of before, called Primer. It drags at times but the plot is excellent.

I just finished watching this! 10/10
Can anyone recommend any other movies that are like this? I'm not big on alien/spaceship type of sci-fi movies (except for Stargate).

EDIT: nvm, I'll just browse through the other pages and read up on the reviews on amazon
 
  • #257
Ivan Seeking said:
The Lathe of Heaven [1980]
Bad directing [esp], bad acting, but an interesting and unusual plot. A man's dreams become reality and he changes the world; many times. The plot makes it worth the watch.

It is available for free viewing at GoogleVids
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6032236535078716306&ei=hPhES9ePFI70qAOfoKjkDg&q=the+lathe+of+heaven&hl=en#
Somehow I made it through the first 5 minutes, and then I couldn't stop watching. What a horrible, wonderful film :-p
 
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  • #258
Galteeth said:
A lesser known Twilight Zone episode that I would highly recommend is "I am the Night, Colour Me Black" In my opinion, the best of the series. Available on youtube.

Yes, that is a great episode.

I was trying to remember the name of another one of my favorites. I have't seen it for a long time so the details are sketchy, but it was about a child who dreams of snow. It was done as a narrative.
 
  • #259
RunSwimSurf said:
I just finished watching this! 10/10
Can anyone recommend any other movies that are like this? I'm not big on alien/spaceship type of sci-fi movies (except for Stargate).

EDIT: nvm, I'll just browse through the other pages and read up on the reviews on amazon

You might take a look at Final Approach [1991]. It isn't as good as The Man from Earth but it has much the same flavor. My wife and I both enjoyed it.

I don't see it listed at a free site... Netflix has it available for streaming.
 
  • #260
JaWiB said:
Somehow I made it through the first 5 minutes, and then I couldn't stop watching. What a horrible, wonderful film :-p

Isn't it though?? :biggrin:

I was curious so I went back and checked the credits. It was produced by New Yorks PBS and apparently had no director, which would explain why the directing was so bad! It only lists a director of photography. It almost appears to be an actor's workshop type of setting, or an experimental production.

From wiki

When it first aired in 1980, The Lathe of Heaven became one of the two highest-rated shows that season on PBS, drawing 10 percent of the audience in New York and 8 percent in Chicago, according to Nielsen ratings.[10]

The Lathe of Heaven was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. The screenplay was nominated for a Writers Guild Award for writers Roger Swaybill [11] and Diane English[12]

In 1998, Entertainment Weekly magazine named Lathe one of the top 100 greatest works of science fiction.[13]

Of the 2000 re-release (see below), TV Guide wrote, "Unlike much current science fiction, it's driven by ideas rather than special effects, and Davison's subtle performance as George, who turns out to be a far tougher character than he at first appears, is a highlight."[14] In Cinescape, a reviewer praised the film as

"an instant classic...a film of ideas rather than action...[W]hile the minuscule budget didn't grant the filmmakers the grandeur of some of Le Guin's set pieces in the novel, such as the alien invasion or the melting of Portland, the film's strength comes from its performers and the suspenseful concepts in the writing."[15] And Time magazine wrote:
Nineteen years before The Blair Witch Project, this classic sci-fi film showed that you can make an arresting fantasy with hardly more than the change under your couch cushions...ome of the no-budget effects haven't aged well--at one point the Earth is visited by alien ships that look like electric hamburgers. The provocative exploration of consciousness, though, is priceless.[16]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lathe_of_Heaven_(film)
 
  • #261
Some of my favourite (recent-ish) Sci-Fi films for you guys...

Puzzlehead
Pi
The Fountain
Cube
Code46
Delecatessen
City of Lost Children


Already mentioned but deserve another shout...

Brazil
Dark City
Primer
Dune
12 Monkeys
Abyss

I love Sci-fi. I've studied it abit and even tried to write it. Didn't work though.
 
  • #262
I ran across this video collage taken from Metropolis, while searching "Freddie Mercury".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IYgX7bl4uc
 
  • #263
Not sure if it's been mentioned, but the Babylon 5 series still remains the best Sci-fi series/show I've ever seen on television, some 15 years after the fact. The overarching storyline made it fairly unique as far as series go, with nearly the entire story having been written prior to airing. None of this "writing by the seat of your pants" business that leads to poor quality in most series today.

Great series (especially Seasons 2-4)... anyone who hasn't seen it is missing out on some of the best writing ever seen in a TV series, Sci-fi or not.
 
  • #264
Ivan Seeking said:
Yes, that is a great episode.

I was trying to remember the name of another one of my favorites. I have't seen it for a long time so the details are sketchy, but it was about a child who dreams of snow. It was done as a narrative.

Twilight Zone...

Okay, now this is starting to bug me. I just made my third attempt to find even a reference to this episode, but after checking every episode listed at wiki, I still don't see it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Twilight_Zone_episodes

I am almost positive this was a Twilight Zone episode and it was unique in the genre, even for Serling. My guess would be that the narrative was taken from a classic work of literature; perhaps a short story. It would be a shame if this was lost.

Does this sound even vaguely familiar to anyone?
 
  • #265
Silly me, it was a Night Gallery episode. Night Gallery was also created and produced by Serling.

Silent Snow, Secret Snow" (1934) is Conrad Aiken's best-known short story, often included in anthologies of classic American horror and fantasy short fiction. It appeared in The Collected Stories of Conrad Aiken in 1934, and since then has been widely anthologized...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Snow,_Secret_Snow

Best [second of two episodes, but the first episode is interesting as well]
http://www.hulu.com/watch/58804/night-gallery-the-phantom-farmhousesilent-snow-secret-snow

or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fq3Y_Tco3k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1e3voETtQ0
 
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  • #266
I hear the star wars movies are pretty good sci-fact flicks!
 
  • #267
Ivan Seeking said:
Isn't it though?? :biggrin:

I was curious so I went back and checked the credits. It was produced by New Yorks PBS and apparently had no director, which would explain why the directing was so bad! It only lists a director of photography. It almost appears to be an actor's workshop type of setting, or an experimental production.
Somehow I missed this post earlier. That's hilarious--I've never heard of a film with no director! Maybe someone ought to remake it the right way?

Then again...it just wouldn't be the same.
 
  • #268
I think Dark City needs a stronger mention. Get the Director Cut with the commentary by Roger Ebert.

Also Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind should rank higher.

Time After Time

For Dune I liked the mini-series better than the movie version.
 
  • #269
joelupchurch said:
Time After Time
I am of two-minds on this one.

It is a truly great example of a well-done time-travel story ,and will always have a place in my tin heart.

OTOH, I watched it again recently, and it was much more over-the-top and melodramatic than I ever remember.
 
  • #270
joelupchurch said:
I think Dark City needs a stronger mention.

(I'll say it again because I'm proud of it...)

Truman's World, run by the Borg.
 

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