Okay, this is, I think, the second thread I’ve started since becoming a member, but what the hey, this has been preying upon me lately:
A few years back, some friends and I started talking about people we knew (all right, girls we knew) who weren’t into sci-fi like we were, and we tried to figure out what movie would be the best introduction to the genre. My vote was for Star Trek 6, since the characters are familiar even to those who don’t see much sci-fi and the story isn’t too faux-jargon or science intensive; it’s more of a mystery with some political tension than a sci-fi movie.
So, what sci-fi movie would you use to introduce a neophyte to the genre?
I’d prefer to start with books – maybe Heinlein’s earlier ones. If they prefer a more literary bent, try The Left Hand of Darkness. Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents are pretty good. (I think women might especially like them).
Movies? Depends on what they want. If they like intelligent plotting and “literature of ideas,” try something like It Came From Outer Space or 12 The Day the Earth Stood Still (50’s science fiction was much more intelligent than current films). If they like action, you can’t beat Star Wars. If they like to laugh, there’s Sleeper. Romance, try Starman.
I wouldn’t go with an SF movie. It’s a poor genre for the screen. I would recommend several books.
"Feminist" SF: (I normally don’t categorize literature by sex, but given that SF continues to be skewed towards men, work that shows good female characters is noteworthy)
Madeline L’Engle is very good, and she has strong female characters.
John Varley is famous for his strong heroines. The Titan trilogy is especially good.
Octavia Butler and Ursula LeGuin are top writers with broad appeal. LeGuin’s later stories, autobiographies of women in alien cultures are especially powerful.
Good “Intro” SF:
Any of Heinlein’s early work, up to and including The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress. Stay away from anything after that.
Christopher Lloyd has good SF, oriented towards older children and young adults, but a good read for any age.
Asimov’s stuff is good, very straightforward and clearly written.
Not a lot of thought involved while watching it. Can easily be understood by someone who has never seen a scfi film. And it doesn’t go overboard with all the technical jargon.
for the brainy/artsy type, i would say either of the three:
cold lazarus
brazil
lost children of the city of gold
if its humor they’re into, spaceballs, and maybe later a good star wars or empire strikes back
i think you might be surprised though, most of the women i’ve dated have fallen easily into liking the genre once we started watching together. Babylon5 became a big hit with my ex-girlfriend, i dated one girl who loved Dr.Who and Red Dwarf just as much as i did after only seeing them once. She especially liked Dr.Who. My girlfriend now says she hates SF yet she has suggested going to all the SF/Horror movies before i did.
Books: Madeline L’Engle (good one Singledad)
Terry Brooks
Terry Pratchett (though it’s more fantasy)
and maybe Robert Jordan, though its fantasy.
For SF newcomers, I’d also nominate Spider Robinson’s Callahan’s Bar series – strong, likable characters, and the SF element is introduced gently, but it’s definitely there.
Varley’s stories are also very good (his collection The Persistence of Vision comes to mind, as well as Steel Beach and The Golden Globe) , as well as the earlier Heinlein works. After they’re hooked on Heinlein’s juveniles, then you can spring the hard stuff on 'em.
First, I’d make sure that you teach them not to use the word “sci-fi”. It’s SF or science fiction; sci-fi is junk.
Joe Haldeman is a pretty good start. An excellent writer with the ability to incorporate hard science in his story line and not bring it to a screeching halt. Try “The Forever War.”
Or Fredrick Pohl. I’ve always loved his writing style–simple, ironic and subtle. Start with the short stories in “The Best of Fredrick Pohl.”
If you must start with a TV show or movie, go for the best–“Doctor Who.” Yeah, I know the effects are cheap and sometimes the plots need work, but it’s just so damn quirky that you can overlook it. Best first episode–“City of Death.”
“Sci-fi” is crappy, cheaply-made, bereft of ideas or aimed at the lowest common denomenator. On the other hand, the OP was about movies, so that mostly fits. The term was coined by Forry Ackerman mostly in reference to the bad monster movies of the 1950s. Science Fiction editors, writers, etc. generally hate this term (though some younger folks don’t have a problem with it).
“Science Fiction” is neutral; it’s just the thing itself, spelled out.
“SF” is the preferred abbreviation; it’s what publishers generally put on the spines of books to signify that they are science fiction. In some contexts, it could possibly be misunderstood as “San Francisco,” but that’s rare. Pronounced “Ess Eff.”
“Skiffy” is how many SF professionals pronounce “sci-fi,” it’s meant as an insult.
“Scientifiction” was Hugo Gernsback’s preferred – and invented – term, way back in the 1930s. Some ancient types or wilfull contrarians (like me, for example) like it.
And back to the OP: why on earth do you have to “introduce” anyone to skiffy movies? How has anyone managed to avoid them? (And why would you then want to ruin a beautiful record?)
Quick note here: do not use Heinlein to introduce a woman to science fiction. Heinlein is a sexist - you may not see it in his works, but most women will. I used to enjoy his books (and I think “Stranger in a Strange Land” belongs in the seminal SF library) but I stopped reading him because he made me angry every time I read something by him. And I don’t get angry easily.
Excellent choice. “City of Death” (written by Douglas Adams, BTW) is one of the Doctor’s best adventures. It’s a great story, with nice humor and a wonderful final conceit.
RE: the discussion of SF vs. science fiction vs. sci-fi.
“Sci-fi” is a shibboleth that indicates whether or not you have been to science fiction cons. Traditionally, it is despised by fans, but it seems to be taking over elsewhere. I prefer “science fiction,” but the term is making inroads even among fans (though few pros use it).
And great choice for Varley’s Titan novels. Titan truly changed my life – it made me want to stop daydreaming and start actually writing science fiction stories.
Books over movies, as other posters have suggested, and
Philip K. Dick, provided your friend is not easily warped. I’d not go for the Valis trilogy right away, though, but “The Man in the High Castle” might be good for a newbie.
And then, once he/she’s hooked, send 'em onto the hard core stuff like A.E. van Voght (may he rest in peace).
<grin> I am a huge fan of SF, and could go on endlessly about the books. But - if you want a movie - start with “Blade Runner”. I mean it’s Harrison Ford… how can you go wrong
