Two new computer games have appeared on the horizon, to distract me from both Civ3 and my Sci-Fi top 10. They are Football Manager 2005, and Half Life 2. So this may be my last blog for some time ;-)
Round 3: The final round
AKA the moment of truth. AKA The moment when My Stepmother is an Alien wins.
When I embarked on compiling my own top 10 definitive list of Sci-Fi movies, I really hadn't imagined it taking this long. In a 30 minute brainstorm, I managed to shortlist 31. Truth is, it could easily have been 51 if I'd given it more thought. Once I sat down to write these blogs I realised I'd forgotten a whole host of movies. The human memory really does suck at times.
Anyway... 16 movies remain and they are:
1984, (1984)
2001: A Space Odyssey, (1968)
Akira, (1988)
Blade Runner, (1982)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind, (1977)
Dark City, (1998)
The Day the Earth Stood Still, (1951)
Donnie Darko, (2001)
Empire Strikes Back, (1980)
Gattaca, (1997)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers, (1978)
Metropolis, (1927)
Planet of the Apes, (1968)
Quatermass & the Pit, (1967)
The War of the Worlds, (1953)
Westworld, (1973)
What? No Barbarella? I hope all the Jane Fonda fans out there can forgive me.
When I look at the list above, there are a number of movies that I already know would be in my top 10. They are the dead certs; the films that, for me, define the very nature of Science Fiction. First into the top 10 go 2001, Donnie Darko, Metropolis and Planet of the Apes. Reasoning to follow.
12 movies left and only 6 places, so it follows that the axe must now fall.
Empire Strikes Back jumped out at me first. I love this film. It's the best Star Wars film by a long way and coincidentally the one that Lucas had the least input on.
What draws me to Empire is that it gives all of the characters a chance to shine. Mark Hamill may not have been the most accomplished actor, but his performance in the Dagobah swamps is superb, given he was pretty much alone. The chemistry between Ford and Fisher is a true success and something that Lucas was unable to follow with Jedi or the new prequels. Similarly, splitting up the droids avoids much of the annoying campness that has crippled the more recent films.
Empire is the film that offers a more sober and realistic view to the fantasy of good vs evil. However, despite my love for the number one Star Wars film, Empire does not warrant a place in my top ten Sci-Fis. Empire is a movie about good vs evil, but it's themes are still quite simplistic when you break it down.
The 1956 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a classic piece of cinema. It scared the life out of me as a child, but I was never happy with the oh so perfect ending. However, in 1978 Philip Kaufman (Quills, The Right Stuff) produced a masterpiece remake. Out went small-town America and in came the big city, as one by one the residents of San Francisco are replaced by emotionless clones. Donald Sutherland, Jeff Goldblum and Leonard Nimoy are superb, while the ending is anything but perfect for the good guys ;-)
Time may have told on this classic, but behind the horrible 1970s kitsch is a true frightener. Not quite top 10 standard, but the ear shattering screams are everlasting.
As far as Science Fiction stories go, few can claim to have had such a lasting effect as HG Wells' The War of the Worlds. As a novel it influenced Science Fiction across the globe. As a radio play it convinced millions that the world was actually under attack, and as a movie it gave Science Fiction its first true blockbuster. It's easy to get lost in the hype surrounding a story and for that reason The War of the Worlds is perhaps one of the most surprising cuts from the top 10. For all the brilliance of the original story, the movie lacks the same punch. Transferred from turn-of-the-century Britain to post WW2, small town America, the movie feels slightly out of place. The book at over a hundred years old, retains it's charm and naive optimism about the future.
Perhaps the knowledge that the original movie is so dated is the driving force behind Spielbergs decision to remake it. What he fails to realise is that the true brilliance of the book is in it's setting. A time when machines were truly alien and western confidence (and arrogance) was at it's highest. A modern day remake has already been done... it was called Independence Day and unsurprisingly, it failed to make my shortlist! Give it up Spielbergo!
*pause for breath*
Now that we are down to nine films more clear-cut choices become obvious to me. The break that set 2001, Apes et al above the others now wields it's magical wand of justice and promotes a further four movies into the top ten. Welcome to the elite Blade Runner, Dark City, The Day the Earth Stood Still and Gattaca.
5 films left and only 2 places for them to go. Bollocks! But I want them all in there. Waaaah!
*ahem*
This final decision became a real challenge. It was only now that I realised why some reviewers lumped movies together (a la Guardian). After carefully weighing up the options, it was time to say goodbye to Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Westworld. Close Encounters is arguably one of Speilbergs finest pieces of work, made at a time when he could do no wrong. The mysterious drive towards the final encounter with the aliens is riveting storytelling, while the light and sound show of first contact has been ripped off by everyone from the Simpsons to Independence Day. Despite the tremendous impact it had on me as a child, and the haunting symbolism throughout it falls at the final hurdle.
Westworld, meanwhile, is easily Crichtons finest work. It's memory may be somewhat tarnished by the atrocious followup 'Futureworld', but it still has it were it counts. The dialogue is hammy and the vision of the future on par with the 1970s kitsch we've come to love. This is probably it's biggest downfall. Like The Andromeda Strain, Crichton seems to struggle with creating realistic humans we can easily relate to. Despite this, Westworld remains one of my favourite movies and has influenced a number of modern greats, including another favourite of mine, The Truman show.
11 films, 10 places and the toughest choice of all. In the end, I opted to say goodbye to 1984. Orwells haunting vision of a totalitarian future is possibly one of the biggest influences on my own Sci-Fi Thriller. I love theorising about the replacement for Democracy and stories like 1984, Brazil and even Equilibrium offer those harsh futures that I just can't get enough of. The 1984 version of... errr... 1984 is lacking in that it fails to carry the impact of the book completely across. I know that this is probably true of most movie adaptations, but with 1984 I feel it is relevant. The movie is a scary depiction of the future, but it isn't as compelling and utterly gut-wrenching as the book was for me. Hmmm, maybe it's time for another remake ;-)
So, that's it! The also rans have been listed. I'll publish details of the final top 10 later today.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Friday, December 03, 2004
Battlestar Galactica: Six Degrees of Separation
Most of the recent offerings have kept Number Six in the background, and as such have made her character tolerable. The blonde hottie (not my personal opinion I might add) who's most interesting feature is how little clothing she is wears from one episode to the next is perhaps the result of a brief relapse by Ron Moore into Star Trek mode.
In this episode the likeable, but somewhat melodramatic Baltar has a hissy fit over his dream lovers obsession with religion. As a result, she disappears from his delusions only to reappear for real as a girl on a mission to reveal Baltar as a traitor.
Now on the surface, I haven't minded the religious undertones. I think it illustrates how the cylons have come to resemble the humans more than they realise themselves. However, the direction of this episode which forces Baltar to address his faith once more, was covered in the first episode ('33') and just feels totally unnecessary now.
However, the biggest let-down is in the characterisation of Baltar. The increasingly delusional state he is suffering made for some amusing scenes early on, and while I don't argue that his particular brand of crazy is at times refreshing, this time it is perhaps the most melodramatic piece of acting I've seen since William Shatner collapsed in tears at the death of his on-screen son.
The episode moves from increasingly camp circumstances, including one rather ill-advise toilet cubicle scene between Baltar and his one remaining friend Lt. Gaeta. By the time Baltar started re-enacting the 'files are in the computer' scene from Zoolander I was ready for packing it in. I stuck with it, perhaps mainly because I had friends round!
In summary, my perseverance didn't exactly pay off, although the new fate of Baltar was quite a nice touch. The camp Carry On moments were either the result of bad acting, poor direction, poor scripting or a combination of all three. The few highlights included Adama, who clearly didn't trust Number Six from the start and Boomers brief stint at flirting with a Cylon raider... don't ask!
3/10
In this episode the likeable, but somewhat melodramatic Baltar has a hissy fit over his dream lovers obsession with religion. As a result, she disappears from his delusions only to reappear for real as a girl on a mission to reveal Baltar as a traitor.
Now on the surface, I haven't minded the religious undertones. I think it illustrates how the cylons have come to resemble the humans more than they realise themselves. However, the direction of this episode which forces Baltar to address his faith once more, was covered in the first episode ('33') and just feels totally unnecessary now.
However, the biggest let-down is in the characterisation of Baltar. The increasingly delusional state he is suffering made for some amusing scenes early on, and while I don't argue that his particular brand of crazy is at times refreshing, this time it is perhaps the most melodramatic piece of acting I've seen since William Shatner collapsed in tears at the death of his on-screen son.
The episode moves from increasingly camp circumstances, including one rather ill-advise toilet cubicle scene between Baltar and his one remaining friend Lt. Gaeta. By the time Baltar started re-enacting the 'files are in the computer' scene from Zoolander I was ready for packing it in. I stuck with it, perhaps mainly because I had friends round!
In summary, my perseverance didn't exactly pay off, although the new fate of Baltar was quite a nice touch. The camp Carry On moments were either the result of bad acting, poor direction, poor scripting or a combination of all three. The few highlights included Adama, who clearly didn't trust Number Six from the start and Boomers brief stint at flirting with a Cylon raider... don't ask!
3/10
Battlestar Galactica: Litmus
Running behind again, but hey. Litmus is a strong offering which delves quite nicely into the effects of a witch-hunt on board the Galactica. With the knowledge that Cylons look like humans official, Adama gives the Sergeant-at-Arms absolute authority to investigate the spate of attacks on board. As Tyrol, Boomer and even Adama are called to answer tough questioning, loyalties become clouded.
I think what I like about this episode is that it accurately depicts the way in which the military would handle similar investigations. The public need for a person to pin the blame on has to be met, even if the person is no more than a Lee Harvey Oswald.
Unlike many other popular Science Fiction shows, the resolution is not always easy to stomach. Adama, in choosing to accept the incarceration of a potentially innocent man does so purely out of pragmatism. He doesn't have many experienced men left. And as such he can't afford a vital member of staff to be fingered with blame. It is a dangerous compromise, but one that is more realistic than the typically happy Star Trek endings out there.
Similarly, I like the direction being taken by the Cylons on the now occupied Caprica. The humanoid models seem more human than even they realise. They are curious about every aspect of human existence and while I have come to detest the Number Six/Baltar relationship I do very much enjoy the more subtle Boomer/Helo sub-plot.
In summary, a strong episode, with some good performances. It doesn't offer happy endings and leaves things nicely set up for the future.
7.5/10
I think what I like about this episode is that it accurately depicts the way in which the military would handle similar investigations. The public need for a person to pin the blame on has to be met, even if the person is no more than a Lee Harvey Oswald.
Unlike many other popular Science Fiction shows, the resolution is not always easy to stomach. Adama, in choosing to accept the incarceration of a potentially innocent man does so purely out of pragmatism. He doesn't have many experienced men left. And as such he can't afford a vital member of staff to be fingered with blame. It is a dangerous compromise, but one that is more realistic than the typically happy Star Trek endings out there.
Similarly, I like the direction being taken by the Cylons on the now occupied Caprica. The humanoid models seem more human than even they realise. They are curious about every aspect of human existence and while I have come to detest the Number Six/Baltar relationship I do very much enjoy the more subtle Boomer/Helo sub-plot.
In summary, a strong episode, with some good performances. It doesn't offer happy endings and leaves things nicely set up for the future.
7.5/10
Human rights trampled on again.
Yet another long-standing human right was overturned by the US on Thursday. From now on the military can use evidence acquired through torture, in the cases of the Guantanamo prisoners.
Torture evidence has been inadmissable in US courts for 70 years and this latest outrage only serves to illustrate the alarming shift of America from the great protector, to the great threat in our society.
Torture evidence has been inadmissable in US courts for 70 years and this latest outrage only serves to illustrate the alarming shift of America from the great protector, to the great threat in our society.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Finding 'my own' Neverland
Life is full of coincidences. My decision to watch Finding Neverland last night because we were late for The Incredibles was a sound piece of timing for me.
Watching the climactic 30 minutes of this film about the inspiration behind Peter Pan allowed me the chance to lose myself in a way I hadn't thought possible anymore.
Peter Pan, more than anything is an adults story. It may make the children laugh but it is the adults that find real meaning in it's tale of the boy who refused to grow up. And in Marc Forsters account of JM Barries life we find a truly magical tale of a man out of place in the rigid upper echelons of British Society.
I don't need to tell anyone that Johnny Depp is fantastic. As always, his performance is remarkable and he captures the essence of Barrie as a boy who is trapped in a land full of adults. But this is very much an ensemble piece, and from Kate Winslets ailing muse to Dustin Hoffmans gentle performance as Barries backer there is not a single poor performer. Special mention must go out to young Freddie Highmore as Peter Llewelyn Davies. His deeply emotional display makes the journey into the land we adults have forgotten that much easier and it's hard not to look into those deep eyes and not be amazed by his talent at such a young age.
Every once in a while a movie comes along that touches me in a way I find both compelling and inspiring. I haven't cried in a movie for a very long time and even I was surprised at my complete loss of self-control in the cinema. This movie, much like the play that inspired it opens a door to a place many would give anything to return to. A place of innocence and magic.
For a brief period last night I lost myself in the idea that there is more to life than this. It wasn't just a case of looking back to a childhood lost but also forward toward a fuller life. As adults we are so consumed in our monotonous daily lives, from the constant pressure of our financial obligations to the dead-end jobs we spend our most productive years trapped in. We are so consumed by it all that we lose sight of the very dreams and aspirations that made us unique as children.
This film is an inspiration. So much so, that for the first morning in a long time, I drove to work with smile on my face.
Finding Neverland: 10/10
Watching the climactic 30 minutes of this film about the inspiration behind Peter Pan allowed me the chance to lose myself in a way I hadn't thought possible anymore.
Peter Pan, more than anything is an adults story. It may make the children laugh but it is the adults that find real meaning in it's tale of the boy who refused to grow up. And in Marc Forsters account of JM Barries life we find a truly magical tale of a man out of place in the rigid upper echelons of British Society.
I don't need to tell anyone that Johnny Depp is fantastic. As always, his performance is remarkable and he captures the essence of Barrie as a boy who is trapped in a land full of adults. But this is very much an ensemble piece, and from Kate Winslets ailing muse to Dustin Hoffmans gentle performance as Barries backer there is not a single poor performer. Special mention must go out to young Freddie Highmore as Peter Llewelyn Davies. His deeply emotional display makes the journey into the land we adults have forgotten that much easier and it's hard not to look into those deep eyes and not be amazed by his talent at such a young age.
Every once in a while a movie comes along that touches me in a way I find both compelling and inspiring. I haven't cried in a movie for a very long time and even I was surprised at my complete loss of self-control in the cinema. This movie, much like the play that inspired it opens a door to a place many would give anything to return to. A place of innocence and magic.
For a brief period last night I lost myself in the idea that there is more to life than this. It wasn't just a case of looking back to a childhood lost but also forward toward a fuller life. As adults we are so consumed in our monotonous daily lives, from the constant pressure of our financial obligations to the dead-end jobs we spend our most productive years trapped in. We are so consumed by it all that we lose sight of the very dreams and aspirations that made us unique as children.
This film is an inspiration. So much so, that for the first morning in a long time, I drove to work with smile on my face.
Finding Neverland: 10/10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)