Impressive Sci-Fi
The sci-fi films I chose are awesome, in my opinion. Each has one or more impressive elements that stuck with me. If you choose to watch one, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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40 titles
- DirectorJonathan GlazerStarsScarlett JohanssonJeremy McWilliamsLynsey Taylor MackayA mysterious young woman seduces lonely men in the evening hours in Scotland. However, events lead her to begin a process of self-discovery.Cerebral and unusual. Digs into the imagination. Fantastic film. Scarlett Johansen proves her desire to act over serving as a pretty face (her actual sentiments). Amazing performance.
- DirectorAndrew NiccolStarsEthan HawkeUma ThurmanJude LawA genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.A realistic portrayal of society in an unreal world. Difficult to describe, but well worth the watch.
- DirectorMichael BayStarsScarlett JohanssonEwan McGregorDjimon HounsouA man living in a futuristic sterile colony begins to question his circumscribed existence when his friend is chosen to go to the Island, the last uncontaminated place on earth.Cerebral but full of action and discovery. Excellent plot and storyline.
- DirectorMichael AndersonStarsMichael YorkJenny AgutterRichard JordanA police officer in the future uncovers the deadly secret behind a society that worships youth.Classic, imaginative sci-fi thriller. Awesome cerebral elements.
- DirectorTarsem SinghStarsJennifer LopezVince VaughnVincent D'OnofrioAn F.B.I. Agent persuades a social worker, who is adept with a new experimental technology, to enter the mind of a comatose serial killer in order to learn where he has hidden his latest kidnap victim.
- DirectorPaul W.S. AndersonStarsSanaa LathanLance HenriksenRaoul BovaDuring an archaeological expedition on Bouvetøya Island in Antarctica, a team of archaeologists and other scientists find themselves caught up in a battle between the two legends. Soon, the team realize that only one species can win.Action, discovery, risky acts of heroism. A great transition, using the purpose of the conflict between Predator and Alien.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsSigourney WeaverTom SkerrittJohn HurtThe crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly lifeform after investigating a mysterious transmission of unknown origin.Ripley introduced. Action throughout. Awesome.
- DirectorJames CameronStarsSigourney WeaverMichael BiehnCarrie HennDecades after surviving the Nostromo incident, Ellen Ripley is sent out to re-establish contact with a terraforming colony but finds herself battling the Alien Queen and her offspring.Proves there are more. A sequel unlike the first. We get to know Ripley a lot better. I love this one.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsSigourney WeaverCharles S. DuttonCharles DanceReturning from LV-426, Ellen Ripley crash-lands on the maximum-security prison Fiorina 161, where she discovers that she has unwittingly brought along an unwelcome visitor.Wow. Definitely changing it up without changing it up. Perfect progression. Plenty of action and emotion. A sequel that rocks.
- DirectorRobert WiseStarsMichael RenniePatricia NealHugh MarloweAn alien lands in Washington, D.C. and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets.Sci-fi wasn't lame in the 50s. Poignant, thrilling and unforgettable.
- DirectorDon SiegelStarsKevin McCarthyDana WynterLarry GatesA small-town doctor learns that the population of his community is being replaced by emotionless alien duplicates.The original. An amazing brainchild that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
- DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsMel GibsonJoaquin PhoenixRory CulkinA widowed former reverend living with his children and brother on a Pennsylvania farm finds mysterious crop circles in their fields, which suggests something more frightening to come.Action surrounding the world's mysterious crop circles. Novel. Excellent storyline, with heartfelt yet thrilling story.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsNoomi RapaceLogan Marshall-GreenMichael FassbenderFollowing clues to the origin of mankind, a team finds a structure on a distant moon, but they soon realize they are not alone.Unusual plot, heading in an interesting direction. I'd like to have learned more, but the film is well worth the watch.
- DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsDustin HoffmanSharon StoneSamuel L. JacksonA spaceship is discovered under three hundred years' worth of coral growth at the bottom of the ocean.Some things are best left to the imagination.
- DirectorAndrew NiccolStarsSaoirse RonanMax IronsJake AbelWhen an unseen enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie Stryder risks everything to protect the people she cares about.Outstanding storyline and acting. I love the unfolding of the plot - no confusion. Exciting and cerebral combo.
- DirectorDavid TwohyStarsRadha MitchellCole HauserVin DieselA transport ship crashes and leaves its crew stranded on a desert planet inhabited by bloodthirsty creatures that come out during an eclipse.Extremely exciting, with hidden dangers, suspense and fear throughout. Character development is brief and does not allow any straying from the story. Super thriller.
- DirectorDavid TwohyStarsVin DieselJudi DenchColm FeoreThe wanted criminal Richard Bruno Riddick arrives on a planet called Helion Prime and finds himself up against an invading empire called the Necromongers, an army that plans to convert or kill all humans in the universe.Completely different plot from Pitch Black, but characters are the same. More information is revealed and still suspense keeps you guessing. The short animated film in the middle of the trilogy is a good transition into this film.
- DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerSharon StoneMichael IronsideWhen a man goes in to have virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars implanted in his mind, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real - or is he?Unusual situation makes the film very interesting. There's a lot going on, but the plot is clear.
- DirectorJoss WhedonStarsNathan FillionGina TorresChiwetel EjioforThe crew of the ship Serenity try to evade an assassin sent to recapture telepath River.One of my favorite movies. Let the magic unfold without knowing too much going into the film.
- DirectorMatthijs van Heijningen Jr.StarsMary Elizabeth WinsteadJoel EdgertonUlrich ThomsenAt an Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien craft leads to a confrontation between graduate student Kate Lloyd and scientist Dr. Sander Halvorson.Excitement and suspense fill the entire film. Character development does not distract from the goal of the scientists nor the plot of the movie.
- DirectorJosh FeldmanStarsZach EulbergLauren TaylorTaylor LambertCharles Dickens meets Arthur C. Clarke--A lowly factory worker is delivered from a world of misery and discovers his destiny via an ancient object on the other side of the stars.I included this independent sci-fi because it's so unusual. Judge for yourself. I'm glad I gave it a chance.
- DirectorMark A. LewisStarsVal KilmerMartha MacIsaacAaron AshmoreA research expedition to the Arctic discovers that a melting polar ice cap has released a deadly prehistoric parasite.Exciting development. Definitely a sci-fi; definitely a thriller. Interesting elements make the film even more thrilling and important.
- DirectorRoger DonaldsonStarsNatasha HenstridgeMichael MadsenBen KingsleyA group of scientists try to track down and trap a killer alien seductress before she successfully mates with a human.Though not a cerebral film, there is an important urgency and thrilling chase. I don't like to give spoilers to those who haven't watched, but I've viewed it many times. The sequels are good, but this one is the best.
- DirectorJames Ward ByrkitStarsEmily BaldoniMaury SterlingNicholas BrendonStrange things begin to happen when a group of friends gather for a dinner party on an evening when a comet is passing overhead.Mind-bending suspense. A psychological treat.
- DirectorBen RockStarsCarlos BernardMathew St. PatrickRockmond DunbarA group enters a supermarket at closing time, shoots around and takes hostages. They believe aliens have arrived there then. Cops arrive outside.Crisp presentation and originality along with intense moments and attention to character development. Events unfold without leaving dull moments.