Killer Film’s “Other” Top SciFi Films

 

Jon: There really are a ton of great, diverse science fiction films out there. Of course, films like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Planet of the Apes (1968), Metropolis (1927), Blade Runner, Brazil, Star Wars, The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Dark City, and even Plan 9 from Outer Space get all the attention, coverage, and discussion. Rightfully so, I say. I can watch those a million times and never get bored. But I wanted to take some time to give these other great sci-fi films some love and attention. Some might be classics in some regards, but when compared to the latter films I mentioned, well, they’re an after thought. Here are my five top other sci-fi films:

5 – Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953): Another great stop-motion film from the immortal Ray Harryhausen featuring the Rhedosaurus running ape shit in New York (where else?). Stark black and white photography, a classic set-up, and some sweet monster-run-amok action equals a fun time. But I like all the discussion on the nature of the beast and his misplacement in our time. The Coney Island roller-coaster sequence is fantastic.

4 – Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1967): This little gem features some interesting tactics on survival as well as some trippy UFO action. I really like the aspects of his loneliness and how it’s all handled as well as the slow descent into madness one goes through when alone for so long. Think Cast Away but on Mars. The special effects get the most attention because of Byron Haskin who creates some cool designs that made the UFO’s travel methods interesting. Neat film worthy of a rediscovering; the Criterion DVD is fantastic as well.

3 – Logan’s Run (1976): It might have some camp aspects to it now, but it’s a cool film featuring some interesting parables on sex and age. Of course, it has some cool action and funky ‘70s outfits pretending to be futuristic, but it’s the film’s ideas that keep it from being forgotten. Whether the planned remake of this film happens or not, I hope for a better special edition for the film on DVD or Blu Ray. Logan Run’s is a cool funky sci-fi film.

2 – A Boy and His Dog (1975): They don’t make films like this anymore. In a post-apocalyptic world an 18 year boy and his dog seek survival, food, and women. The dog hunts and finds all of these items, but one of the women it finds for the boy soon blossoms into love. When given a terrible choice to be with her or lose his buddy, Blood, the dog, the boy must make a hard decision. Raw, brutal, and provocative, the film certainly warrants discussion. 

1 – Soylent Green (1973): It had to be. I think too many people get hung up on the films final scene, but in looking at the film overall, no other sci-fi film feels like it could happen like this one. The environment is a mess. Food is scarce. We’re over-populated. Luckily, Soylent Green is here to save us. Charles Heston’s last sci-fi film is a riveting yarn; a great final appearance by the iconic Edward G. Robinson, a killer premise, interesting ideas and themes, Soylent Green is a great, over-looked science fiction film. 

Donny: I’ve always enjoyed the science fiction genre.  I love that anything can happen in a scifi flick, and the rules are always challenged by filmmakers trying to push the limits of storytelling.  Below is my list of awesome scifi flicks that don’t necessarily get the attention that they deserve.  

5 – The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (1984): This has got to be one of the most original science fiction films ever made.  Buckaroo is a neurosurgeon, physicist, rockstar that travels the world with his band of rock n’ roll science nerds.  I love this movie.  It’s campy, funny, weird, and awesome!  Plus the soundtrack kicks much ass.  

4 – Barbarella: Queen of the Galaxy (1968): Jane Fonda is stupid hot!  This flick is a sexy scifi classic that often gets overlooked.  Barbarella has a mission and she’ll sleep with anyone that might be able to help her in her cause.  She’s a sexually liberated nymphette that will do whatever it takes to get the job done.  Beautiful women, wonderful production design, and a killer score make this film one of my all time favorites.  

3 – Escape from New York (1981): Snake Plissken is one badass mofo, and this flick is a scifi masterpiece.  Kurt Russell owned this role, and John Carpenter rocked the camera big time.  This flick has everything a scifi geek could want, New York as a maximum security prison, an awesome hero, and a  wonderful electronic score.  This film is a cult classic, but I still meet young people that have never seen it.  This is truly a killer film!

2 – Silent Running (1972): When a space ship that is host to Earth’s last nature reserve gets the order to return home, one of the crew members decides to hijack the ship and kill the rest of the crew in order to save the precious cargo.  Bruce Dern is amazing as Freeman in this flick and the production design is simply beautiful.  This isn’t an action packed movie, but it’s one of my favorite films none-the-less.  The haunting visuals and stellar score make this a scifi film that should be in every fan’s collection.

1 – THX1138 (1971): We all know George Lucas has a thing for science fiction, but even before he became the master of the genre with Star Wars, he made a small, yet beautiful scifi opus called THX1138.  The story is a simple one, humans live underground and are policed by lifeless robots.  Then one day THX1138 and two other prisoners decide to escape the underground prison in search for a life less sterile.  This is a bleak and beautiful science fiction film that warrants multiple viewings.