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10 Great Non-Blockbuster Science Fiction Films of the 21st Century

post #1 of 153
8/13/09 at 5:34pm
Thread Starter 
http://chud.com/articles/articles/20...URY/Page1.html
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post #2 of 153
8/13/09 at 5:40pm
that is a very good list, Devin, good work!

Children of men is probably my favorite film of the past 5 years. Time Crimes was cool, but not much of its really stuck with me and primer is a film i enjoyed much more, even though its near impossible to follow at times. Idiocracy is looking like a documentary more and more every passing week, as for the rest, have not seen them yet.. i have a weird thing about sam rockwell so have been avoiding moon

I hope gattaca gets added to the list soon though. what a heart breaking film.
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post #3 of 153
8/13/09 at 5:46pm
fantastic list, fantastic read. I probably would have left off the Host and added Sunshine in there, but that is all personal taste... well done diversion from work, thanks!
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post #4 of 153
8/13/09 at 5:47pm
What a great list. Few I need to see, but damn good list. Always going to wonder what Carruth might have out there or be doing.
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post #5 of 153
8/13/09 at 5:49pm
Quote:
Watching Cuaron's Children of Men was one of the most exhilarating theatrical experiences of my life.
Amen.

I finally got around to Idiocracy a few months back and it's terrific.
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post #6 of 153
8/13/09 at 5:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Casey Moore View Post
What a great list. Few I need to see, but damn good list. Always going to wonder what Carruth might have out there or be doing.
sunshine had really amazing images and music, just went off the rails a little with the suprise guest who shows up. i liked the idea that a man could be driven mad by proximity to mans oldest and most primitive god, the sun itself. the execution of that idea was a little lacking though
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post #7 of 153
8/13/09 at 5:51pm
Now you see I'm torn on whether the ending of Save The Green Planet is fucking awesome or if it destroys the film. I know in the original thread we had a discussion about it being perhaps too jarring, but the sheer comedy of that final reveal is so effective on the first viewing that I'm inclined to believe it works.

There's something vaguely tragic about our torturous, creepy, anti-hero turning about to be right.
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post #8 of 153
8/13/09 at 5:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnalanoWally View Post
fantastic list, fantastic read. I probably would have left off the Host and added Sunshine in there, but that is all personal taste... well done diversion from work, thanks!
When I read that I thought you were abbreviating Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, for which a case could be made as well.

The list shows it's been a pretty solid decade for thoughtful science fiction, though I need to get around to seeing a few from this list.
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post #9 of 153
8/13/09 at 5:59pm
Thread Starter 
ooh, ETERNAL SUNSHINE. That hurts. Not sure how it slipped by me.
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post #10 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:00pm
Nice list, and finally reminded me to bump Timecrimes up to the top of my Netflix queue.

And, hey, it's a Watch Instantly!
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post #11 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:00pm
Off that list, what would you replace with it?
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post #12 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:02pm
Thread Starter 
SAVE THE GREEN PLANET! is the most tenuous on the list. I just like how nutty and weird it is.
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post #13 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:02pm
Excellent list.

I get excited whenever I run across someone whose seen Primer, or who is willing to watch it with me. The fact that it can feel so thoroughly like a science fiction film, while mostly being two guys talking is amazing. It is high on the list of films I admire most. It appeals to the left-brained part of me at a very deep level.
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post #14 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
ooh, ETERNAL SUNSHINE. That hurts. Not sure how it slipped by me.
It's an easy one to forget in terms of being a science fiction film, as the relationships are what spring to mind first. The notion of how they go about altering/affecting those relationships doesn't really register until after a few other ideas, such as "Why have I not watched this movie in the last two or three years?"
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post #15 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Princess Kate View Post
I hope gattaca gets added to the list soon though. what a heart breaking film.
Gattaca was not a 21st century film. 1997.

I've seen a few of these (Moon, Children of Men, The Fountain, parts of Idiocracy). I totally agree on Children of Men. That movie totally snuck up on me. I unfortunately never caught it in the theater, but when I saw it at home it was jarring enough to have an impact even on my small, non-HD TV. I remember realizing after the final big action scene where the baby is carried through the huge war zone that erupts (a single shot scene that to this day astonishes me) that I had been holding my breath for long portions of that escape. I can't remember any other movie ever doing that to me. I was riveted.

Loved The Fountain, LOVED Moon and what I saw of Idiocracy was great but I was at someone else's house and they had small kids so I felt wrong watching a movie so vulgar in front of them. Haven't managed to catch it since then, but I definitely plan to. I am very excited for District 9 as well. I've been talking it up to everyone I know (as I have Moon). Gotta get these young, brilliant filmmakers as much exposure as possible. I feel almost giddy knowing there are so many potential sources for great, fresh sci-fi out there waiting to be tapped.
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post #16 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnalanoWally View Post
fantastic list, fantastic read. I probably would have left off the Host and added Sunshine in there, but that is all personal taste... well done diversion from work, thanks!
I agree that Sunshine should be on here, and not just because I have a picture from it as my avatar. Idiocracy, while funny in parts, just isn't that good. I think the whole religion vs. science theme in Sunshine is much more interesting than the one note "people are getting dumber" jokes that make up the majority of Idiocracy. Plus the special effects and acting are way better in Sunshine.
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post #17 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:07pm
Very good list. I can't wait to see DISTRICT 9. And MOON was wonderful as well.
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post #18 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:08pm
The Fountain's tagline still irks me to this day.
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post #19 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:08pm
Thread Starter 
SUNSHINE is not a good movie.
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post #20 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
SAVE THE GREEN PLANET! is the most tenuous on the list. I just like how nutty and weird it is.
I remember enjoying Save the Green Planet, but almost nothing about it has stuck with me 5 years later. Unlike the other 6 films on the list I've seen (and unlike Eternal Sunshine).
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post #21 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:09pm
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Originally Posted by RCA View Post
Idiocracy, while funny in parts, just isn't that good. I think the whole religion vs. science theme in Sunshine is much more interesting than the one note "people are getting dumber" jokes that make up the majority of Idiocracy. Plus the special effects and acting are way better in Sunshine.
Dax Shepard's work alone nullifies any criticism leveled at Idiocracy's performances. That man gets a lifetime pass for giving us Frito.
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post #22 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:10pm
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Originally Posted by devincf View Post
SUNSHINE is not a good movie.
i would disagree devin. i had more fun with sunshine than plenty of other films. there is quite alot to enjoy in sunshine, and even a few truely amazing moments. "kaneda... WHAT do you SEE?" just the whole atmosphere of the first half of the film i find really stirring.
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post #23 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:11pm
SUNSHINE talks like a fag, and its shit's all retarded.
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post #24 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:11pm
Ooh, yeah, I'd take out GREEN PLANET or IDIOCRACY and put in ETERNAL SUNSHINE. The debate is whether or not ETERNAL SUNSHINE counts as science fiction.

That said, I love SAVE THE GREEN PLANET! It's so damn fun. But only after you've seen it once, if that makes any sense.
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post #25 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
SUNSHINE is not a good movie.
Why is it not a good movie?
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post #26 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
SUNSHINE is not a good movie.
It's a testament to how terrible the films' climax is that it's not even honorable mention-worthy. It started SO strongly and just fell apart horrifically. Tragically.
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post #27 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:12pm
We've all gone on about the weak third act on Sunshine; Devin, I'm curious if you think it's a good movie up to that point?

I'm extremely partial to the movie, personally, but I understand the complaints about where it goes. Before they board the Icarus I, though, I think it's ball out fantastic sci-fi.
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post #28 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:13pm
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Originally Posted by Zhukov View Post
We've all gone on about the weak third act on Sunshine; Devin, I'm curious if you think it's a good movie up to that point?

I'm extremely partial to the movie, personally, but I understand the complaints about where it goes. Before they board the Icarus I, though, I think it's ball out fantastic sci-fi.
But that awful ending is still part of one movie. It's all one movie; you can't review it a la carte. The best movie in the world is not a good movie if its ending is straight-up terrible.
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post #29 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 
Look, if you're having sex with a beautiful girl and then she starts puking in your face and shitting all over your balls you're not going to consider this one of the better lays of your life. SUNSHINE is that beautiful vomiting incontinent girl. I don't know that I have ever seen a movie get so thoroughly awful in the third act as that film.
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post #30 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:15pm
Devin wins.
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post #31 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:15pm
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Originally Posted by Phil View Post
It's a testament to how terrible the films' climax is that it's not even honorable mention-worthy. It started SO strongly and just fell apart horrifically. Tragically.
it did fall apart into weirdness, though, the moments of the bomb going into the sun, with gravity, time, all getting out of wack, and then the final explosion, are also pretty class.


the first half though is some of the most tense, believable, and atmospheric space buisness i've seen in a while. suiting up in the gold plated sun suits to go out and fix the shield? still gets me sweating


i should probably add this to "favorite sound effects" thread, but here it goes:

how cool is the beacon sound for the icarus one? i love that sound... so creepy
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post #32 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:15pm
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Originally Posted by Zhukov View Post
We've all gone on about the weak third act on Sunshine; Devin, I'm curious if you think it's a good movie up to that point?
They hint about Pinbacker going crazy several times before you see him in the third act where everyone seems to be so shocked by his appearance. Never really got why that was hated by so many people. The way they reveal him on sunning on the deck was one of the coolest sequences of the movie, especially on a big screen.
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post #33 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:16pm
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Originally Posted by devincf View Post
I don't know that I have ever seen a movie get so thoroughly awful in the third act as that film.
Maybe the first Mission: Impossible? Granted, the highs of the first two acts aren't as high as Sunshine's, but the third act isn't quite as "fuck you" as Sunshine's either.
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post #34 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:17pm
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Originally Posted by devincf View Post
Look, if you're having sex with a beautiful girl and then she starts puking in your face and shitting all over your balls you're not going to consider this one of the better lays of your life. SUNSHINE is that beautiful vomiting incontinent girl. I don't know that I have ever seen a movie get so thoroughly awful in the third act as that film.
it was not handled well, melanoma man, but you have to admit devin, the idea is at least an interesting one, the crew of the first ship, driven mad by proximity to man kinds first god (dispite being the brightest scientists the world had to offer), that they give up their mission to save humanity and settle in to burn
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post #35 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:18pm
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Originally Posted by Princess Kate View Post
it was not handled well, melanoma man, but you have to admit devin, the idea is at least an interesting one, the crew of the first ship, driven so mad by proximity to man kinds first god, that they give up their mission to save humanity and settle in to burn
It would be a very interesting idea if the film explored it, instead of having a representational boogie-man run around and chase people.
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post #36 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:20pm
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Originally Posted by Renn Brown View Post
It would be a very interesting idea if the film explored it, instead of having a representational boogie-man run around and chase people.
i know... i know... its sad. but heck, at least its a poorly explored interesting idea, instead of just having a sci fi film that is lord of the rings with lasers.
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post #37 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:21pm
SLEEP DEALER's new to me. Must track it down.
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post #38 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:21pm
Thread Starter 
http://digg.com/movies/10_Great_21st...Under_100_Mill
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post #39 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:21pm
Sunshine's third act still gives me douche chills. It doesn't belong anywhere near this list.
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post #40 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:22pm
I saw the article and clicked it, all ready to get indignant about how the perpetually overlooked SAVE THE GREEN PLANET! got lost in the shuffle once again. Imagine my delight to see that familiar lousy poster (Sidus had no clue how to sell this) staring back at me. Well played, Devin. I wouldn't change a thing about this list.
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post #41 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
Look, if you're having sex with a beautiful girl and then she starts puking in your face and shitting all over your balls you're not going to consider this one of the better lays of your life. SUNSHINE is that beautiful vomiting incontinent girl. I don't know that I have ever seen a movie get so thoroughly awful in the third act as that film.
I loved the idea that Pinbacker represented religious conservatism where everything should be "left up to God" without human intervention when in reality science and nature are all working towards similar goals, whereas "religious views" are more of a barrier to progress and hope.

Pretty deep stuff, and not just turning into "a slasher movie" in a weak attempt to make it more exciting.
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post #42 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:24pm
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Originally Posted by devincf View Post
Look, if you're having sex with a beautiful girl and then she starts puking in your face and shitting all over your balls you're not going to consider this one of the better lays of your life. SUNSHINE is that beautiful vomiting incontinent girl. I don't know that I have ever seen a movie get so thoroughly awful in the third act as that film.
That's the best goddamn review I've ever seen.

Great list, I've seen most of the films list but there are a few I haven't caught yet. I am still juggling my options regarding catching Moon, I could take a 4 hour round trip Sunday evening to catch it or I can wait until early September and take a 2 hour round trip to catch it at a more nearby location. Tell me, people, just how much time and petrol is this film worth?
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post #43 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:25pm
Is Solaris not there because it just happens to be set in space, rather than legitimate sci-fi? Or do you think it's not top 10 material?
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post #44 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Weasels Rip My Flesh View Post
That's the best goddamn review I've ever seen.

Great list, I've seen most of the films list but there are a few I haven't caught yet. I am still juggling my options regarding catching Moon, I could take a 4 hour round trip Sunday evening to catch it or I can wait until early September and take a 2 hour round trip to catch it at a more nearby location. Tell me, people, just how much time and petrol is this film worth?
I haven't seen DISTRICT 9 yet, and everyone's telling me that's THE science-fiction film of the year. But since I haven't seen it, I'd give that to MOON, which is one of the best science fiction films I've EVER seen. Fuck it, drive.
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post #45 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:26pm
Thread Starter 
re: SOLARIS: It's not that great.
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post #46 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:31pm
Anyone ever see SOLAR CRISIS? Early 90s, it's about a spaceship headed to fix the sun (which is too hot this time), but there's a cyborg on board with secret sleeper programming to kill the crew. Plus it ends with crashing-into-the-sun 2001esque transcendent kaleidoscope light show happy funtime.
Always wondered if Alex Garland saw that movie years ago, forgot about it then unconsciously remembered it while writing SUNSHINE.
Solar Crisis, however, has NO good acts.
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post #47 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:38pm
I'd find room for CODE 46 on this list, but that's just me.

Probably Soderbergh's SOLARIS remake as well. Although the science-fiction aspects are kinda peripheral, even though they're central. If you know what I mean (and I'm not even sure if I do).
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post #48 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:38pm
Great article. Children of Men is in heavy contention for my favorite movie of the decade . . . along with Eternal Sunshine.

Need to get on Timecrimes and Primer. Somehow these two have slipped by me.
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post #49 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:38pm
Besides adding Eternal Sunshine, in which a very strong case could be made that it is indeed sci-fi, you wrote up a fantastic list.
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post #50 of 153
8/13/09 at 6:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cletus Van Damme View Post
Anyone ever see SOLAR CRISIS? Early 90s, it's about a spaceship headed to fix the sun (which is too hot this time), but there's a cyborg on board with secret sleeper programming to kill the crew. Plus it ends with crashing-into-the-sun 2001esque transcendent kaleidoscope light show happy funtime.
Always wondered if Alex Garland saw that movie years ago, forgot about it then unconsciously remembered it while writing SUNSHINE.
Solar Crisis, however, has NO good acts.
Now that I think about the epic monster truck battle at the end of Idiocracy makes for a much more dramatic finish then the end of Sunshine...

Obviously I'm kidding, but outside of some reasonably funny moments, Idiocracy pretty much has no good acts. I mean, really? 10 best?
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