Scots Taffer on 22/1/2008 at 23:51
Quote Posted by Stitch
Event Horizon is an appalling shitstain of a film, beloved only by connoisseurs of appalling shitstain cinema.
Having said that, you really need to start judging these sci-fi films by
what they are trying to accomplish.
Too fucking true, the last part, not the first part because despite its shitstain second half, Event Horizon has brilliant atmosphere and premise for a movie, similarly with Sunshine which has a fucking terrible second half abortion also.
But definitely, you need to look at these movies for what they are - judging Alien and Terminator 2 on the same criteria is retarded, one is a slow-burning sci-fi horror and one is a fast-paced action-packed bloated summer blockbuster with sci-fi vinaigrette. Completely different beasts.
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
T2 better than Alien? Ha ha. This is a wind up. Very funny. T1 was better for starters. It is a wind up, right?
Terminator 2 is a better action movie than Alien, though whether it's better than Aliens is debatable. In my opinion The Matrix definitely supercedes it, we know it's not better than Predator though. Alien is a great atmospheric sci-fi horror though, as is The Thing.
I think your problem when it comes to classifying great sci-fi cinema is that you look at Blade Runner in isolation of the genre, it's really one of the only quiet, contemplative sci-fi movies out there (in a similar category as 2001 and Solaris, I guess) which obviously puts it in a different running from most sci-fi movies that either take a strong action or horror-suspense bent. That doesn't make it the best sci-fi movie though, unless you really don't think any of the other movies achieve what they are trying more. I personally feel like Blade Runner could never be the best sci-fi movie because it never feels whole enough to even be a great movie, so by my definition, it's automatically excluded.
My tops in the sci-fi arena whether they be with an extreme action or horror bent are: The Matrix, Predator, Alien, Aliens, Robocop, Terminator, The Abyss, Star Trek: First Contact, Terminator 2, Total Recall, The Thing, Serenity. Ones that fall into sci-fish territory and are also brilliant are Prime and Donnie Darko. There are probably more I'm forgetting.
Ones that are good but fall short are Contact, Enemy Mine, Starship Troopers, The Running Man, a ton of action vehicles through the early 90s and some attempts at sci-fi horror too.
Don't understand The Fountain's inclusion really, unless you're talking about the
cancer stuff and floating orb in space which are really only window-dressings for metaphors.
SubJeff on 23/1/2008 at 00:35
It probably is the slower nature of both Blade Runner and Alien that attracts me. Having said that I love RoboCop, Terminator (1) and Predator.
I just feel that many of these films mess-up by failing at realism, and despite, nay because they fall into the sci-fi genre you have to do it well or it ends up looking naff. And I don't mean effects, scientific or even plot-hole related realism (although lots sci-fi fails on the plot holes seemingly in an effort to just get the sci-fi fulcrum across), I just mean in creating realistic characters, scripts and plot progression. The 5 I've mentioned pull it off pretty well mind.
Imagine, if you will, the actual plot from I Am Legend the novella translated into a Ridley Scott (semi)faithful-to-the-book production. Potentially as revered as Blade Runner is now. Instead we got some guy who probably thought that 28 Weeks Later was a good idea. What an abortion that was.
nuckinfutzcat on 23/1/2008 at 13:54
From the sound of it they should have titled it: "I Am Vague Rumor". Thanks everyone. I had not planned to see this, But now I definitely won't. Keep up the good work.
D'Juhn Keep on 24/1/2008 at 00:38
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
T2 better than Alien? Ha ha. This is a wind up. Very funny. T1 was better for starters. It is a wind up, right?
Yes no no no
Stitch on 24/1/2008 at 02:21
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
Instead we got some guy who probably thought that 28 Weeks Later was a good idea.
Thank god I don't have your twisted taste in movies. 28 Weeks Later was fantastic.
SubJeff on 24/1/2008 at 07:59
Weeks, not Days.
28 Weeks Later was a stain on film.
jtr7 on 24/1/2008 at 08:49
:laff: :laff: :thumb:
Morte on 24/1/2008 at 09:25
28 Weeks would've been good if it hadn't been hamstrung by such a blatantly cheating script. As it is, it's just a decidedly average entry to a genre not exactly ripe with quality. Albeit one with an awesome helicopter bit.
Stitch on 24/1/2008 at 16:33
My sole beef with 28 Weeks Later is there are several plot developments that border on ludicrous (I wasn't aware that breathing through one's t-shirt is key to surviving a poisonous gas attack, for example). The occasional plot gaffe aside, it's an excellent thriller with an effective undercurrent of political commentary.
28 Days Later was excellent up until the third act, at which point it hurls straight down the dumper.
Sulphur on 24/1/2008 at 17:04
28 Weeks Later's opening was one of the most tension-fraught moments I've experienced in a movie. And the soundtrack to the chase... my god, that John Murphy track (In the House in a Heartbeat) has effectively burned itself into my brain. Brilliant, brilliant opening. A shame the rest of the movie isn't quite as good.
I wasn't a big fan of the middle or final third, but what the movie lacks in depth, it makes up for in sheer viciousness.
The bit with the wife strapped and helpless... that made me feel a little sick inside. Very unexpected, and utterly merciless.
It was an all right movie, not terribly bad, worth the money. Especially if you've got someone accompanying you, if you know what I mean. :)
