Need Sci-Fi show/movie suggestions

[Guild McCommunist]

I've been doing a film study in school and since my teacher constantly thinks I'm doing sci-fi movies as my topic of study I've decided to fuck all diversity and stick to sci-fi. That being said, I need shows/films to watch/"study".

What I have seen so far:

• Star Wars
• Star Trek (all films + all series)
• Firefly/Serenity
• Blade Runner
• Battlestar Galactica (the reboot)
• Robocop
• Gattaca
• I, Robot
• War of the Worlds (Tom Cruise one)
• Invasion of the Body Snatchers
• Futurama (while it's comedy it's still sci-fi and pokes a lot of fun at sci-fi in general)
• Logan's Run
• Terminator (all of them including that horrific piece of shit known as Salvation)
• The Matrix (all of them)
• Back to the Future
• Avatar (the blue people one, will probably talk about it because of its pioneering 3D)
• District 9

What I plan on seeing:

• 2001: A Space Odyssey
• Moon
• Alien (series)
• Predator
• Stargate (series, probably start with SG-1)
• The Thing (...eventually)
• Interstella 555
• Doctor Who
• Torchwood
• Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Things I really don't want to see:

• Babylon 5 (saw the first episode and it bored me to death, I can't see myself sitting through 5 seasons of it)
• Original Battlestar Galactica (way too corny for my tastes)
• Super old sci-fi flicks (I want modern stuff, like 1980's onwards, with a few exceptions like 2001)
• X-Files (honestly heard some disappointing stuff about it and it never looked interesting)
• Fringe (basically heard it's X-Files where the two main characters bang in the first episode... Or I'm confusing it with something else)

I also want them to be, you know, good. So don't go suggesting Total Recall or something.






So remember, modern-ish sci-fi shows and movies.

 

[Master Mo]

Those are some pretty good ones: Spontaneously I would suggest "12 monkies" and the Alien(s)-movies. There are probably way more but I can`t remember them

 

[DS1]

One word: Gattaca

 

[jalaneme]

X files, torchwood, the fly, stargate, sliders, fringe, dr who, invasion of the body snatchers, irobot, war of the worlds.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

One word: Gattaca

Oh yeah, I saw that a while ago in Biology class.

Those are some pretty good ones: Spontaneously I would suggest "12 monkies" and the Alien(s)-movies. There are probably way more but I can`t remember them

Yeah, I really need to get on Alien(s). And I'll look up 12 Monkeys too.

X files, torchwood, the fly, stargate, sliders, fringe, dr who, invasion of the body snatchers, irobot, war of the worlds.

Never been too interested in X Files but I'll take a look. Never heard of Torchwood. I'll look for The Fly as well. I've seen a few random episodes of Stargate and it was good, I'll definitely watch that. Fringe never looked too interesting. Dr. Who, I don't where I should start with it. I've seen Invasion of the Body Snatchers (the original one) a while ago. I, Robot was kinda meh as a film, never found it too great. And I saw the latest War of the Worlds and didn't find it exactly amazing like everyone says (plus the book is one of the few things I've actually read).

 

[DS1]

Ha, and depending on what your definition of "sci-fi" is (judging by your list it means anything that happens in outer space... or is blade runner), you could also watch like, a billion different anime. Cowboy Bebop is 100% legit sci-fi, and then you have Gundam, which is about as sci-fi as Star Wars is.

But really, Gattaca is as classic as 2001, and pretty much defines the genre. Your prof will be proud (personally I hate Gattaca and most sci-fi, but I'm not going to pretend like it isn't really significant)

edit: Unless you have a painfully perfect memory for movies like I do, I suggest you re-watch Gattaca. You might get extra credit or something!

edit2: not I, Robot

 

[Guild McCommunist]

Ha, and depending on what your definition of "sci-fi" is (judging by your list it means anything that happens in outer space... or is blade runner), you could also watch like, a billion different anime. Cowboy Bebop is 100% legit sci-fi, and then you have Gundam, which is about as sci-fi as Star Wars is.

But really, Gattaca is as classic as 2001, and pretty much defines the genre. Your prof will be proud (personally I hate Gattaca and most sci-fi, but I'm not going to pretend like it isn't really significant)

edit: Unless you have a painfully perfect memory for movies like I do, I suggest you re-watch Gattaca. You might get extra credit or something!

edit2: not I, Robot

Do people really love Gattaca that much? I saw it and I certainly wouldn't think it was a classic. It was like 3 years ago but I never would've guessed it'd have the same status as 2001: A Space Odyssey.

I'm generally going to avoid anime honestly. Technically any anime with robots or in the future could go under "sci-fi" so it'd be from like Gurren Lagann to Ghost in the Shell (I think?). I enjoy a few anime series but wouldn't really want to view it constantly.

I've been contemplating Interstella though or whatever it's called. Yes it's anime but it's Daft Punk and I've heard it's a bit odd but overall good. Plus it can't be that bad if it has Daft Punk music in it. Right, Tron Legacy?

 

[xist]

Alien (Theatrical Cut)
Aliens (Theatrical Cut)
Alien 3 (Possibly....Director's Cut if possible, plus all the imagining documentaries so you understand the idea's they were having)

Predator

Robocop

Blade Runner (Directors Cut)

The Thing (the Remake with Kurt Russell)

The Abyss

Westworld
Logan's Run (although the book is better)
Saturn 3
Capricorn One (may not count as it's not really scifi in the traditional sense)

 

[Guild McCommunist]

Alien (Theatrical Cut)
Aliens (Theatrical Cut)
Alien 3 (Possibly....Director's Cut if possible, plus all the imagining documentaries so you understand the idea's they were having)

Predator

Robocop

Blade Runner (Directors Cut)

The Thing (the Remake with Kurt Russell)

The Abyss

Westworld
Logan's Run (although the book is better)
Saturn 3
Capricorn One (may not count as it's not really scifi in the traditional sense)

Saw Robocop, saw Blade Runner (Final Cut version), and saw Logan's Run. I definitely need to get around to Predator though (I did see Predators in theaters though). My friend (who surely will pop up here to suggest Babylon 5 ) always brings The Thing over when we all hang out but we never get around to watching it... mainly because I'm a big pussy.

I'll look up the others though, thanks.

BTW I'm updating the list in the OP a lot with your suggestions.

 

[jalaneme]

[quote name='Guild McCommunist' timestamp='1327239549' post='4074917`]

Never been too interested in X Files but I'll take a look. Never heard of Torchwood. I'll look for The Fly as well. I've seen a few random episodes of Stargate and it was good, I'll definitely watch that. Fringe never looked too interesting. Dr. Who, I don't where I should start with it. I've seen Invasion of the Body Snatchers (the original one) a while ago. I, Robot was kinda meh as a film, never found it too great. And I saw the latest War of the Worlds and didn't find it exactly amazing like everyone says (plus the book is one of the few things I've actually read).[/quote]

If you want the best recent dr who's start with david tennant, 2 other films to check out, deja vu and minority report, fringe is ok, but it maybe wwhat you are looking for your school project as it has a lot of scientific stuff in the tv series.

 

[DS1]

Ghost in the Shell is 100% legit sci-fi, just like Cowboy Bebop. I had this one class with a film professor (not a film class, it just happened that that was the prof's specialty), and he used Ghost in the Shell as an example of sci-fi. That is, he showed that animated movie over 10,000 possible live action sci-fi movies. So don't count stuff out because it's animated.

And if "people" (who are these people?) didn't like Gattaca, it's because they're fools. It accomplishes everything that sci-fi has been since the beginning - a painful look at what our society would be like with certain changes or advancements.

Also check out Dark City. Haven't seen it myself, but heard from normal people (as in, not internet freaks and losers who can't pay attention to things) that it's a phenomenal work of sci-fi.

 

[jalaneme]

xist, why theatrical cut of aliens? The directors cut has the cgi in it but its got more scenes and stuff too.

 

[xist]

xist, why theatrical cut of aliens? The directors cut has the cgi in it but its got more scenes and stuff too.

The added bits i consider to be bloat. Yes they do add a little bit of background but it's unncessary and for something which thrives on pace and the unknown i honestly don't feel they add to a first time viewing. If you've seen the original Aliens then i can understand a reviewing of the Directors Cut, but to add all that extra time for what i think is minimal payoff is unwarranted.

So whilst i appreciate the colonist's story, the family story, the guns etc... all add a little, i feel the detract from the overall experience a little. Aliens is one of my favourite films of all time and i appreciate that views like this are possibly a travesty, but it's how i'd recommend a newcomer approach the series (and pretend Resurrection and the AvP films never happened).

Edit - Alien 3 on the other hand is a totally different film when theatrical and DC versions are compared.

 

[Foxi4]

What I plan on seeing:

• 2001: A Space Odyssey
• Moon

...if it wasn't a film study, I'd tell you to grab your belongings and run as far as it's humanly possible from this travesty. I understand it's supposed to be artsy but... it's too artsy. There are points in this movie when I just want to yell "CUT! The scene's been going on long enough! Cut to the next one already!" - it's artificially prolonged and as padded as it gets. After about 25 minutes of giving it a chance, I just stopped the movie, I couldn't possibly take another second of it.

My suggestions:

• Doctor Who (I don't particularily like the first season of the new series, but David Tennant and Matt Smith are doing a great job in the later seasons)
• Torchwood (Nice addition to the forementioned series)
• The X Files (if you're into that kind of thing. "It's a conspiracy!")
• Stargate (great movie, great series)
• War of the Worlds (The new film. The old ones will likely melt your brain)
• The Thing (Especially John Carpenter's, but the new prequel is alright. Not nearly as good though)
• The Terminator (The entire series plus Chronicles of Sarah Connor if you can stand the lower production value)
• Gattaca (If you like Drama)
• I, Robot (Action-y!)
• Equilibrium (Damn... Sweet...)
• The Matrix Trillogy (For reasons obvious to all)
• District 9 (It's quite pleasant)
• 5th Element (Bruce Willis + Mila Jovovich? I'm sold)
• Aliens movies (Awww yeah!)
• Predator movies (Moar aww yeah!)
• Independence Day (Delightfuly bad, immensly pleasureful to watch)
• Back to the Future Trillogy (Hey, it's sci-fi!)
• Pitch Black (Vin Disel as Riddick? Aww yeah...)
• Mission to Mars (I remember it being good... was it any good?)
• Robocop films (cheesy! >)
• The Lawnmower Man (Virtual Reality, yay!)
• Universal Soldier series (If you like Van Dame)
• Demolition Man (One of my favourites, go 90'ties!)
• Ghost in the Shell series (If Anime is allowed)
• Cowboy Beebop (Same)
• Outlaw Star (Same)
• Judge Dread (I AM THE LAAAAW XD)
• Escape form L.A/New York (Plisken IS awesome)
• Men in Black 1/2 (Nice comedy)
• Avalon (A Japanese and Polish production about Virtual Reality - absolutely amazing!)
• Hollow Man (Invisibility is cool)
• Event Horizon (Quite thrilling...)
• Titan A.E (Beautifuly animated)
• X-Men films (Hey, it's sci-fi too!)
• A.I Artificial Intelligence (Touchy)
• Final Fantasy - Spirits Within (Awesome flick)
• Replicant (Again, Van Dame)
• Planet of the Apes (D'uh)
• The Cube (Horror/Thriller nicely done)
• Dreamcatcher (Similar to The Thing, but "different")
• Appleseed 1/2 (D'uh)
• Doom (I'm one of those people who actually liked it, so there)
• Timecop (It's awesome! X3)
• Vexille (If you like Appleseed)
• Elysium (Same)
• Transformers (D'uh)
• Avatar (mmm... yeah >>)
• Bourne-related films.
• The Fly (Of course how could I forget the timeless classic!)

...and probably lots and lots more, but you have enough material to write a pretty large essay.

 

[xist]

...if it wasn't a film study, I'd tell you to grab your belongings and run as far as it's humanly possible from this travesty. I understand it's supposed to be artsy but... it's too artsy. There are points in this movie when I just want to yell "CUT! The scene's been going on long enough! Cut to the next one already!" - it's artificially prolonged and as padded as it gets. After about 25 minutes of giving it a chance, I just stopped the movie, I couldn't possibly take another second of it.

Whilst i totally agree with you that it's a disaster of being an entertaining film, it serves as a demonstration of techniques used all over the place in latter day Sci-Fi movies. 2001 is tedious to sit through and is barely a coherent piece in and of itself, but it has some historical significance. I'd definitely say watch it, but do so with the ability to fast forward through bits without guilt.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

...if it wasn't a film study, I'd tell you to grab your belongings and run as far as it's humanly possible from this travesty. I understand it's supposed to be artsy but... it's too artsy. There are points in this movie when I just want to yell "CUT! The scene's been going on long enough! Cut to the next one already!" - it's artificially prolonged and as padded as it gets. After about 25 minutes of giving it a chance, I just stopped the movie, I couldn't possibly take another second of it.

I've seen a few Kubrick movies (well, not a lot, mostly just A Clockwork Orange and Dr. Strangelove) and I found A Clockwork Orange at least to be terribly padded. Spends too much time being kooky to be actually entertaining. Incredibly boring flick. But A Space Odyssey is considered a sci-fi staple and I couldn't call it a "sci-fi film study" without it.

• Doctor Who (I don't particularily like the first season of the new series, but David Tennant and Matt Smith are doing a great job in the later seasons): I'll probably have to watch it as its like as big a part of the Brits as fish and chips.
• Torchwood (Nice addition to the forementioned series): Looked it up a bit and it looks interesting, I'll watch it.
• The X Files (if you're into that kind of thing. "It's a conspiracy!"): Not really interested, all I hear is that the "conspiracy" builds up to nothing.
• Stargate (great movie, great series): Will watch.
• War of the Worlds (The new film. The old ones will likely melt your brain): Saw it, thought it was good special effects and filming surrounded by a terribly cliched "neglectful divorced dad" plot.
• The Thing (Especially John Carpenter's, but the new prequel is alright. Not nearly as good though): Will watch
• The Terminator (The entire series plus Chronicles of Sarah Connor if you can stand the lower production value): Saw the movies and I've heard great things about SCC. Will watch.
• Gattaca (If you like Drama): Saw it.
• I, Robot (Action-y!): Saw it.
• Equilibrium (Damn... Sweet...): May watch it on my own time but probably won't do it for film study. GUNKATA.
• The Matrix Trillogy (For reasons obvious to all): Saw it, will definitely talk about it. Love the first one, the second one is alright, third one is meh.
• District 9 (It's quite pleasant): How could I forget this? Saw it and will talk about it... Although when I saw it I didn't have subtitles. May need to rewatch.
• 5th Element (Bruce Willis + Mila Jovovich? I'm sold): Meh, I've heard some people love and some people hate it.
• Aliens movies (Awww yeah!): Will watch.
• Predator movies (Moar aww yeah!): Will watch at least the first one, already saw Predators
• Independence Day (Delightfuly bad, immensly pleasureful to watch): Saw this film like a bagillion times, more of a disaster flick.
• Back to the Future Trillogy (Hey, it's sci-fi!): How could I forget? Saw them all.
• Pitch Black (Vin Disel as Riddick? Aww yeah...): Saw bits and pieces of it, may watch on my own time but not for the study.
• Mission to Mars (I remember it being good... was it any good?): Never heard of it.
• Robocop films (cheesy!

 

[Foxi4]

...if it wasn't a film study, I'd tell you to grab your belongings and run as far as it's humanly possible from this travesty. I understand it's supposed to be artsy but... it's too artsy. There are points in this movie when I just want to yell "CUT! The scene's been going on long enough! Cut to the next one already!" - it's artificially prolonged and as padded as it gets. After about 25 minutes of giving it a chance, I just stopped the movie, I couldn't possibly take another second of it.

Whilst i totally agree with you that it's a disaster of being an entertaining film, it serves as a demonstration of techniques used all over the place in latter day Sci-Fi movies. 2001 is tedious to sit through and is barely a coherent piece in and of itself, but it has some historical significance. I'd definitely say watch it, but do so with the ability to fast forward through bits without guilt.

Never said it doesn't have artistic value - I actually said it's overflowing with it. It is breathtakingly boring though and I agree that a fast forward past bits that add nothing to the plot is a good idea... which makes the film about 30 minutes long.

Unfortunatelly, I'd feel guilty after doing that thus I never returned to the piece.

Transformers (D'uh): Sorry, I already played with my own feces this morning. I saw the first one and the second one. 5 hours of my life I'll never get back.

Number 1 was alright, number 2 was okay minus the Racist Bots and it would very likely be better if not that dumb broad, number 3 I didn't watch yet and not particularily thrilled to watch it... so yeah, I guess you're right.

 

[DS1]

Yeah, that's why I suggest Gattaca over 2001 as a seminal work of sci-fi film, it's not boring or obtuse. Straight to the point, totally relevant, and does everything all the 'classic' works do.

 

[Foxi4]

Just another word about Doctor Who - approach it with an open mind and if you're not into "really confusing stuff" then you should actually check out season 4 onwards - there really isn't much you'd miss concerning "the plot" as the Doctor is straight after a regeneration cycle. Well, maybe aside from a few "Silence" bits, but that's explained in Season 5 anyways. I personally started watching the series starting from Season 5 and it completely devoured me.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

Transformers (D'uh): Sorry, I already played with my own feces this morning. I saw the first one and the second one. 5 hours of my life I'll never get back.

Number 1 was alright, number 2 was okay minus the Racist Bots and it would very likely be better if not that dumb broad, number 3 I didn't watch yet and not particularily thrilled to watch it... so yeah, I guess you're right.

2 was also like 2 1/2 hours long.and it involved very little development in terms of plot and characters. Movies that are half as long can go twice as far. Plus it was nothing more than special effects and it lacked the effective staples of a good piece of sci-fi. In the end it goes into the "Michael Bay's Bin of Fapkins" category and not really sci-fi. Perhaps if I wanted some scapegoat to bawww about how modern film is degrading into some shitheap then I'd choose Transformers. Otherwise they're something to push out of your mind.

Just another word about Doctor Who - approach it with an open mind and if you're not into "really confusing stuff" then you should actually check out season 4 onwards - there really isn't much you'd miss concerning "the plot" as the Doctor is straight after a regeneration cycle. Well, maybe aside from a few "Silence" bits, but that's explained in Season 5 anyways. I personally started watching the series starting from Season 5 and it completely devoured me.

Well I kinda want to start from a series beginning. It's just kinda confusing since the series went from like, what, the 60's to the 80's then returning in the 2000's? I just want the most recent (good) series that won't be entirely confusing to someone who hasn't bothered seeing the original series. Think of it like Star Trek TNG and TOS. You can watch TNG without TOS but if you saw TOS you'd get a few of the references and crossover episodes with Spock (and the one with Scotty) will be a lot more interesting/relevant.