Preface....
There is nothing more Thom's Law (which is basically Murphy's Law, but happens harder and harsher, when you least need it and fuck's you over as much as possible over-inversely to as much as you don't want it to. Then it donkey punches you) then typing all the following out and then, because of a mouse stutter, thinking you are clicking on a tab, but really closing it and all its contents drift away into the æther of the inter-webs......
Ah well, here we go again.
So, i've been meaning to chime in on this more, but have been inundated with work lately.
Well, I'm not after specific horror movies, but rather dark semi-realistic movies set in space.
Well that definitely narrows it! Kudos to you for being specific. But IN space or space travel is involved and an integral part of the overall meaning of the film. There is a difference (now perhaps i am just being ridiculous and just taking away from the spirit of it). i'll just go with both.
And mine own list of 'SciFi' could go on for days perhaps. Besides, other lists for other times, neh?
***Everything the author (i) may ‘judge’ here is his (mine) sole opinion in regard to films he (i) has (have) actually viewed. This list is by no means complete and the author of these comments takes all and full responsibility for the shite he (i) might spew. The author has purposefully not included films that the author has not personally witnessed and reserves the right to be corrected, in any manner, at a later date; with or without vehemence.***
This is by no means comprehensive, so take it and………………………………..
What i agree with that has been posted thus far:
ALIEN franchise - Always at the top of my list. Though if i have to streamline, i'd say the first 3. And it took me years to fully appreciate the 3rd. Director's Cut.
SUNSHINE - i put this next because this was kind of a sleeper for me. i just heard of it right before i rented it when it came out. i UBER-loved Boyle's 28 Days (as well as Shallow Grave and Trainspotting of course!) so this was a no-brainer for me. And was awesome to see Mr Murphy in a new lead role and just as harrowing. Simply awesome.
PANDORUM - i rarely go to the show for getting ass-raped anymore, however, i am glad i did on this one. Saw some previews. Looked good. Hoped it would be. Not disappointed. Would have happily supplied the lube for a second round.
PITCH BLACK - This was a total sleeper for me (much like Matrix, which i thought at the time was some dumb Keanu-action movie and then...HOOOOLY FUCK!). My girlfriend at the time took me to see it as a surprise because she thought i might like it after she saw a preview. i had seen nothing of it. 60 seconds in and i was had. Forget the arrogant Vin of now times (well, he still has that bad-ass feel, but back then he was no-one). CHRONICLES and DARK FURY are just OK IMHO and can never, ever compare to the origin.
MOON - Saw an advert for this on a foreign film last year. Man, was i impressed. You want dramatic realism? You got it. Though it toes the line for ‘space travel’.
DARK CITY - Yes, it skirts the fine line of qualification. But, it's fucking good, so watch it.
EVENT HORIZON - Could have been made into so much more, especially given the acting talent, but i still like it i suppose.
STARSHIP TROOPERS - raped Heinlein's book. But it still fronts a sociological-ethical-philosophical view. In a way. Skip the sequels. Hated the red-head dying (if i were Samson, red-heads are my Delilah).
DEAD SPACE - i gave up run-o-the-mill-mainstream-anime years ago and this doesn't dissuade that. However i still watched it. 90 mins could be spent worse.
SUPERNOVA - IMHO only worth watching with nothing else to do......
WING COMMANDER – see directly above…
CRITTERS – Throw in some campy humor and it’s classic
Now for mine own opines......
2001 - Realism? Yes. Kubrick? Fuck yes. Plus the soundtrack is awesome if you know how to appreciate music. Not for those seeking action and glory though.
2010 – Definitely one of the best sequels ever
SOLARIS – Based on an introspective Polish writer’s work. The American version pales in comparison to Tarkovsky’s, but then American cinema is often ‘dumbed-down’ and simplified
SERENITY - The end to the series Firefly. Took years to get it, but well worth it. I LOVE THIS MOVIE.
SILENT RUNNING – Very understated and perhaps under-appreciated. No effects-driven film here, just story and a poignant one to boot.
FIFTH ELEMENT – i like Besson better as a writer than director, but he did both on this one. Though admittedly very campy overall, i still dig it. Besides, Milla rocks me.
STAR TREK franchise – Of course this was coming! But all i will say is that out of all of them, Wrath of Khan, Nemesis and the latest installment get the most praise from me for being the grittiest and most ‘real’ perhaps, so that they fit the requirements here. But then i like them all (yes, even 4 depending on mine mood) since I’ve grown up with them.
DANTE 01 – This French film is just plain incredible. If anything suits the definition of this thread and is beyond words worthy of watching, this film is quite possibly it. Nothing but praise from me, it surprised me on many levels. In fact, now i want to watch it again. This should be at the top of your list to see. And soon. Like now. Do it already.
STAR WARS franchise – Definitely ‘Empire’ and perhaps ‘Sith’ for fitting the boundaries here.
HELLRAISER: BLOODLINE – Though not coming anywhere close to an AU of the first two Hellraiser films, this was far better than i expected. Though admittedly, mine expectations were pretty damn low.
THE BLACK HOLE – Well i’ll never give it up for Disney, but am surprised that this is a Diz film for it’s age. Barely makes mine list, but makes it nonetheless. i consider it sci-fi realistic as far as the Diz-Reich is concerned.
Now for some Runners-Up. These few Sci-Fi i feel like mentioning have space travel as an integral part of the story but for the most part take place in a specific class M sphereoid…
THE THING (John Carpenter’s) – Always in my top 3 movies of all time. Timeless. Isolation + hostile environment + male bravado + paranoia + limited resources and little advanced technology + an unstoppable alien = FUCKING AWESOMENESS.
BLADERUNNER – i have to place it because it is the preeminent SciFi Film Noir. Besides, Roy alludes to space travel … “I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I've watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain. Time to die.” And how many times has this genre used samples from this movie?!?!?
DUNE – Though David Lynch’s vision of Herbert’s classic(s) is far from a book translation, you have to appreciate his unique interpretation. The soundtrack is solid. The actors and acting excellent. The un-cut is far better, even with the silly storyboards. And when Sting dies and Stilgar says that Usul “…no longer needs the weirding module.” Classic. Also i still say that FLA used aria elements of the soundtrack in ‘Prophecy’, though i’ve been (supposedly) proven wrong. That’s me story and i’m stickin to it.
SCREAMERS – Very underrated (as are many of Peter Weller’s films), this could have been phenomenal with a bigger budget. As is, i still appreciate it. Definitely a thinker.
OUTLAND – Another classic. Sean Connery in one of his best! For the period it was filmed in and the tech at their disposal…appreciate.
PREDATOR – More AH-nold action than anything else, still….The new movie looks promising (fingers crossed, Rob Rodriquez after all!)
ENEMY MINE – Definitely worth mentioning. Nice humor element, but don’t let that fool you. The story/moral is quite real and important. Timeless and ageless even. Are understanding and tolerance just to be thrust aside in the face of adversity?
LIFEFORCE – Another murder of a good book. Maybe because fans realize the intent and overlook the poor production, it has since become a cult classic.
SLITHER – Just want to mention because i love this movie! After all it came from space =) But it combines several things i love: Space Travel (it got here dinnae it?), aliens, semi-gore-horror, paranoia and some humor (this i know alone excludes it from the topic per se), as well as some great acting.
KAENA: THE PROPHECY – i really like this animated film.
Some of these are OK at best, a waste of a few hours at worst, but here are some Honorable Mentions:
Red Planet
Mission to Mars
Ghosts of Mars
Total Recall
Critters
Titan A.E.
And if you want some B rip-offs or attempts…
Forbidden planet (Corman)
Inseminoid
Galaxy of Terror (Corman)
Creature
Dead Space (Corman)
Battle Beyond the Stars
Now i want to get into Television (as someone mentioned before)…
TELE has a lot to offer – often overlooked – and i want to name some
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (new incarnation) – The best TV show ever writ in my opinion. It fits everything: Gritty-Real-Philosophical-Sci-Fi-Drama-Action-Moody-Dark-Intense - it hits all and every marker. How would you be in such circumstances? Really think about it.
BABYLON 5 – Straczynski knew what he was doing from day one. A 5 year story arc? No prob. He wrote it and presented it. Took those $ fuckers a while to appreciate it, but when they did….Ah-HA! Here’s a man with integrity and vision….’Let’s capitalize…”
….Well, he showed then in the end =) There is so much in this series….life, lessons, philosophy, pain and ultimately, understanding. You will be better for it.
FARSCAPE – this is mine top three (see above). What can I say? Either you know FS or you don’t. If u do……..
And if u don’t, check it out. But beware, prep thineself for a brainwipe
FIREFLY – Short-lived, but the Sci-Fi Western LIVES! This should have had a future…(see SERENITY)
STARGATE Franchise…’UNIVERSE’ is arguably the most ‘real’ but i’ve always loved the original, having watched it since the beginning.
ANDROMEDA – i know it might look cheesy, but there is meaning there
ST:DS9 – The best Star Trek in regards to drama
OUTER LIMITS (NEW) : Some of these are good
i’m sure i’ve missed quite a lot but these are just mine initial thoughts =)
-T
