Reviews
Logan's Run (1976)
Still Engaging
I'm sure I'm biased, as this was one of the first films I saw at the cinema as a young teen. I have seen it multiple times since and I still find it engaging.
The opening sequence, shot long before CGI is well paced and perfectly balanced with the wonderful and somewhat groundbreaking score.
The story is greatly simplified from the novel, to its credit.
Logan (York) is essentially a murderous puppet of the regime - his growth to the conclusion of the story helps engenders sympathy towards him.
Jessica (Agutter) is stunningly beautiful in a very classy way, and also goes through a metamorphosis along with Logan as together they stumble towards the truth surrounding the domed city in which they live and realize that love is the better way.
Ustinov as the old man is perfect.
The domed city is very well realized, I would say definitive until something better comes along.
All in all I highly recommend this film, just don't expect CGI or sex or needless violence or dull, dreary grim proceedings similar to what science fiction films in the 21st century has become - is it because we're in the future we all yearned for and it didn't come true?
Conquest of Space (1955)
The Wonder Stuff
In the days before Yuri orbited the World, or Neil bounced on the Moon, or Spirit and Opportunity rovered across Mars, everyone wondered what if? Werner and Chesley painted wondrous images of places and machines yet to be built. This film comes from this era. The scenes on orbit (Earth) of the wheel and the spaceship evoke a true sense of childlike wonder, and while the Greek tragedy of the father and son is a little silly, the depictions of the technology and landscape are very good for their time. Ironically this film with its primitive effects is more scientifically accurate and visually compelling than modern space operas.
One critic said that it was ahead of its time but behind ours, I'd like to remind the writer of those words that in CoS, they walk on Mars in 1980...we'll be lucky if get there by 2020, looks like we're at least 40 years behind.
Mission to Mars (2000)
Groan
Hi, I'm not a real astronaut, but I play one on the silver screen and get paid about the same amount as the cost of a Shuttle launch. This is bad. Maybe good for kids but not for grown-ups. A pity because I really wanted to like it. These fudpuckers would have been dead at the first glitch. I just hope that NASA (land of REAL astronauts, men and women, for those of you who've forgotten) got royalties for allowing the use of the NASA meatball on the Mars EVA suits.
What, real space exploration not exciting enough for you? My advice is, next time a space movie like this comes along (and there's plenty of them) instead of forking out the bucks for the show, send it to NASA - they'll put it good use.
Total Recall (1990)
Missed Opportunity
A truly joyless film, cruel and cynical, who writes this rubbish?
Arnold, as usual plays himself. The only redeeming thing is good old bad guy Michael Ironside.
When one considers that originally David Cronenberg was to direct and Richard Dreyfuss lead, well, now that would have been an interesting movie.
It is not written anywhere that an action movie needs to be brainless to entertain.
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
I enjoyed this film
I enjoyed this film, it successfully incorporated many themes from the TNG TV shows, and also the silver screen renditions. It held my interest all the way through. It contained drama, action and humor. The special effects were, once again, very elegant and convincing, easily the best space opera effects.
My favorite scene was the interplay between Data and the Borg Queen, classic science fiction.
I have 2 small gripes: 1) How come the Borg are always altered humans? I would love to see some variety in the Borg. 2) TNG is a little sterile, kind of warm and fuzzy, as are all of the new Star Trek spin-offs on TV nowadays.
3 out of 4 stars.
Children of Dune (2003)
See what good casting and score can do?
Long live the Golden Age -- we need more movies based upon the classics.
COD is good, better than Soderberg's Solaris (I know, I've got a chip on my shoulder).
I did not enjoy the sequel novels as much as the original Dune novel, and so I had no real hopes for this SciFi Channel Production.
It was head and shoulders better than the original mini-series for the following reasons:
1) Better casting -- in particular James McAvoy, who brought power, emotion, and sensitivity to his role. An almost Shakespearean hero. 2) Stunningly beautiful score -- thanks to Brian Tyler.
I'm not going to beat up on the story, original or screenplay, I have no real complaints, it was well paced and well told.
The film seemed very sumptuous, although I agree that, at times, COD had a very 'filmed on the set' feel to it, particularly the deep desert scenes, the true character of Arrakis still has yet to be realized on screen, and computer effects still have a long way to go (on any film) to lose the sterile feel.
Because of the better casting and score, I found it very easy to suspend disbelief, allow myself to be drawn in, and become emotionally interested, something which science fiction films seem to have trouble doing (Gattaca is an exception).
On that note alone I would give COD a very high rating and call it the best science fiction film I have seen in a couple of years.
Solyaris (1972)
A dream-like examination of love and first contact
Two truths drive this film: the inadequacy of human-kind to understand the Universe, and the inadequacy of human-kind to understand the human heart.
As such, using Lem's original idea, Tarkovsky successfully, explores these themes.
We are drawn in, through hauntingly beautiful imagery, to the internal struggles of Kris Kelvin as he attempts to understand feelings of love for his suicided wife, who has been mysteriously resurrected, presumably as an attempt by Solaris to communicate, or torture.
Of course Solaris is probably the most original alien ever concocted, (no phone-homes here) and as must be, utterly enigmatic and beyond communication.
Be warned, this film is very long, and sometimes slow, but for those who consider themselves science fiction addicts, it is a must view.
One of the top 5 sci-fi films of all time.
It Came from Outer Space (1953)
Atmospheric and creepy
First of all let's get rid of that absurd notion that science fiction films of the fifties were merely a sub-conscious attempt to personify the threat from communism - this is a hackneyed idea, and far from the truth.
This is a thoughtfully crafted film, which like other good science fiction films of this era starts out portraying the aliens as monsters, only to reveal that they are benevolent and superior (how does this fit into the "Red Menace" theory?).
The screenplay was penned by Ray Bradbury and is full of very good dialog and ideas, especially the notion that we are not ready to meet such advanced civilizations. The scenes in the high desert are very atmospheric and creepy, and although the renderings of alien technology at first seem somewhat adolescent, there is a genuine sense of wonder when the internals of the alien ship are revealed. Something missing from today's, blase, computer generated, over the top, excesses.
The 3D is a useless appendage, and not worthy of discussion.
If you like science fiction pre-scifi channel and post-golden age, rent this movie and enjoy the atmosphere.