Science Fiction Recommendations

Reviews
Ex Machina
Matt Zoller Seitz April 09, 2015
"Ex Machina," the directorial debut by novelist and screenwriter Alex Garland ("28 Days Later," "Sunshine"), is a rare and welcome exception to that norm. It starts out as an ominous thriller about a young programmer (Domhnall Gleeson) orbiting a charismatic Dr. Frankenstein-type (Oscar Isaac) and slowly learning that the scientist's zeal to create artificial intelligence has a troubling, even sickening personal agenda. But even as the revelations pile up and the screws tighten and you start to sense that terror and violence are inevitable, the movie never loses grip on what it's about; this is a rare commercial film in which every scene, sequence, composition and line deepens the screenplay's themes—which means that when the bloody ending arrives, it seems less predictable than inevitable and right, as in myths, legends and Bible stories.....more
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https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ex-machina-2015
 
Ex Machina would have been much better if Gleeson's character ended up as the AI being tested. Machine uprising has been done to death.
 
Just finished watching Netflix reasonably new series SPACE FORCE with Steve Carell

As per the reviews not funny and I resent Steve Carell pretending he produced THE OFFICE

THE OFFICE (UK) was / is a masterpiece by Ricky Gervais (not exactly my style of a comedy) completely stuffed up by Steve Carell

Best joke - S01 Ep09 towards the end

To make it a winner US should stop producing SPACE FORCE and hand it over to Ricky Gervais. Compensation for stuffing up THE OFFICE

:)
 
As far as sci-fi films go, I'd recommend A Quiet Place, starring Emily Blunt. A Quiet Place II is out now in theaters (also on Amazon Prime for new releases) which I have yet to watch, but planning on it, soon. There's something about the film though that I didn't like; there was a predictability about it perhaps, but the tension/suspense is very good. Imagine having to live the rest of your life in complete and utter silence, in order to stay alive. I'd say it borders on horror, so be prepared for some jump scares. :wink:
 
It's not out, yet, and it may even be rubbish (I highly doubt it, though), but I am going to recommend "Dune"... only so that more people go to the box-office to watch it, and thereby ensure that the 2nd half is made - which bizarrely isn't yet guaranteed!!! :)
 
Yessssss, finally,The Foundation Trilogy by Asimov has been made into a series.
Foundation | Apple TV+ - Now streaming
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Based on the novels by Isaac Asimov. Now streaming on Apple TV+. Follow the exiles on their journey to save humanity amid the fall of the Galactic Empire. New Originals every month. Access on Apple devices. Find on smart TVs. Ad-free and on demand.

 
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I've just started watching the HBO series The Last of Us, and it's pretty good so far, but a cross between sci-fi and horror. The cosmetic creations of the monsters are next level incredible (frightening), and the plot is a decent twist on what life is like in 2023 for a small group of survivors, after a deadly disease runs rampant across the globe. I'm wondering if space aliens are involved, because the disease sounds other worldly.

It's pretty violent, anxiety-ridden, stress-inducing, and quite depressing, but it seems fitting considering the circumstances. The only thing that bugs me is no one is carrying a water bottle or thermos of water or anything. That's not realistic. You'd die of dehydration, if anything, but I guess we're not supposed to notice these trivial details. :rolleye:
 
Michael 345 said:
Just finished watching Netflix reasonably new series SPACE FORCE with Steve Carell

As per the reviews not funny and I resent Steve Carell pretending he produced THE OFFICE

THE OFFICE (UK) was / is a masterpiece by Ricky Gervais (not exactly my style of a comedy) completely stuffed up by Steve Carell

Best joke - S01 Ep09 towards the end

To make it a winner US should stop producing SPACE FORCE and hand it over to Ricky Gervais. Compensation for stuffing up THE OFFICE

:)
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I liked Space Force. It is silly tongue-in-cheek humor all the way but I thought it was entertaining and it had me laughing out loud from time to time. I recall one scene in particular where an astronaut on the space station confides in Carell's daughter character that living in space is driving him nuts to the point of desperation . It was reminiscent of the plot from The Big Bang Theory when Howard goes to space, but with far more desperation. And how can anyone not love John Malkovich in this. I loved him and Carell. They are both just naturally funny.

And the theme song for the show is one my old favorites. This is how the series ended.
 
Space Force was a fun series. But one of my favorite movies of all time is the masterpiece, The Lathe of Heaven.

Available for free on You Tube


Perhaps my top pick is the 1927 film, Metropolis - the rerelease by Giorgio Moroder from the 1980s is a wonderful version. Metropolis is recognized internationally as one of the 100 greatest works of cinema. I discovered this quite by accident at a video rental store. From there I probably watched it a dozen times over the new few months and created a cult following at college. I showed it to some friends and it spread like wildfire.

Fun facts: It is the first use of a robot concept in a movie. Also, perhaps a bit bothersome, it was Hitler's favorite movie! o_O But it was a German film and explores the plight and imagines the future of the working class. One thing that makes me chuckle a bit is the dreaded ten-hour day predicted by the movie. Ten-hour days? That's nothing! I've done far worse. I have worked more 80 to 100-hour weeks than I care to remember, :( But in 1927 Germany, this was thought to be a horrible future. Maybe they were right! :O

This is also available for free on You Tube.

 
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wegs said:
I've just started watching the HBO series The Last of Us, and it's pretty good so far, but a cross between sci-fi and horror. The cosmetic creations of the monsters are next level incredible (frightening), and the plot is a decent twist on what life is like in 2023 for a small group of survivors, after a deadly disease runs rampant across the globe. I'm wondering if space aliens are involved, because the disease sounds other worldly.

It's pretty violent, anxiety-ridden, stress-inducing, and quite depressing, but it seems fitting considering the circumstances. The only thing that bugs me is no one is carrying a water bottle or thermos of water or anything. That's not realistic. You'd die of dehydration, if anything, but I guess we're not supposed to notice these trivial details. :rolleye:
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It's brilliant, acting is superb.
 
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