# We have been blessed with an awesome run of Science Fiction movies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 15, 2016, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100 "2016-11-15T22:12:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/21 "2016-11-17T16:21:03Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I would throw in some sc-fi comedy too. > > _Paul_, **Shaun of the Dead** , and _Evolution_. Come on, now. Evolution was 15 years ago! Certainly that is too far back to be part of a recent run, no? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/22 "2016-11-17T16:22:23Z")
Not at my age! ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/23 "2016-11-17T17:49:06Z")
I agree in aggregate with the opening post. We’ve seen a good number of thought provoking films recently. As a bonus, through a combination of available budget and available film making technology they’ve been able to realize their ideas in a convincing way, with great production values. Personally I wouldn’t have put Gravity on the list. That movie annoyed me. It had the artistry and craftsmanship of an interesting movie, but the plot of a silly action movie. Moving from one implausible disaster to the next over and over again actually made it quite boring, in my opinion. I’m not saying that I’m not occasionally in the mood for a silly action movie, but this movie felt like it was pretending to be something more stimulating, and wasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/24 "2016-11-17T18:46:16Z")
Contrary to **ftg** ’s comments, the only problem with _The Martian_ was that they didn’t include enough of the book’s story development to understand how plausible the whole thing was. Which is understandable, since the book is a heavy slog in some ways precisely for that reason. If you’re going to rate it down for the simple fact that it’s about someone stranded trying to get home, well, then I guess we just had best give up on anything since _Robinson Crusoe_. I agree that it’s nice that science fiction movies are slowly overcoming the tendency to focus on special effects and focus instead on trying to accomplish a decent story line and reasonably accurate science. Of course, it’s ironic that this trend is the complete opposite of what has happened to the _Star Trek_ franchise, which gave up decent stories and semi-plausible science (as it were) for nothing but slam-bam-thank-you-ma’am special effects and “science” that simply boggles the mind with its inaccuracies. It is, also, one genre which hasn’t been as bad about re-booting/re-visiting/re-telling movies already done. I’ve about given up on Hollywood in general for this reason (really, you felt a need to remake _The Magnificent Seven_??). There are occasional lapses in the sci-fi genre (really, you felt a need to remake _The Day the Earth Stood Still_??), but it’s no where near as bad, in my opinion. Though I have heard that they intend to re-make _Starship Troopers_, as if horribly screwing that excellent story up once wasn’t bad enough. \ ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/25 "2016-11-17T18:56:36Z")
Isn’t it a little early to worry about Hollywood re-making _Starship Troopers_? Let’s let them do it once, and wait to see how good it is. Personally, I’d be optimistic, since it’s a story that would be really easy to make into the sort of movie that Hollywood loves to make. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/26 "2016-11-17T21:28:01Z")
I agree we’ve been blessed with some very good SF recently: Sunshine Looper Ex Mechina The Martian All very good, however: Arrival is the worst movie I’ve seen recently. Slow, pointless, no character development, no real story line, no tension or drama. Lifeless and dull. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/27 "2016-11-17T22:51:32Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > I don’t totally agree with the OP’s list, but I won’t nitpick. I would , however, like to add _Edge of Tomorrow_. Hey, my mother used to watch that when I was a kid! Oh, wait, that was _Search For Tomorrow_. Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/28 "2016-11-18T04:02:25Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > Arrival is the worst movie I’ve seen recently. Slow, pointless, no character development, no real story line, no tension or drama. Lifeless and dull. Wow, I disagree with that wholeheartedly. Yes, Arrival lacked set pieces and such but as a thought piece and a character study - including a great reveal - it’s one of the best science fiction movies I’ve seen in years. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/29 "2016-11-18T04:03:13Z")
Also, [behold](http://xkcd.com/311/). I think this guy got what he wanted with Mad Max: Fury Road. ---
**Author:** ![Faceplantafloor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Faceplantafloor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faceplantafloor)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/30 "2016-11-21T04:59:25Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Was the Animatrix not in 2003, some 13 years ago? Yes, I meant to say 2003, but apparently there’s no edit button. > [@Mahaloth](#): > > Right, I thought we were focusing on the last few years. I did like the Animatrix, though. Better than the sequels we ended up with. Well, Johnathan said “lately,” and listed _Primer_ (2004), only one year after _The Animatrix_. So I figured “we” were talking about the 2000’s and 2010’s. > [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > I thought the real brilliance of Ex Machina was that it was impossible to tell which character was the protagonist. Honestly, that’s going to change person-to-person. That’s a good script, with good effects and wrapped around good performances. I haven’t seen _Ex Machina_, but I think it’s pretty obvious that the protagonist is Gleeson’s character, Caleb. I got the impression that the trailer gave the entire movie away. I’m going to guess that Caleb goes to the rich guy’s mansion, at first is taken in and believes what he’s told, but then starts to see that things aren’t quite what they seem. In the end I’m guessing Nathan (Oscar Isaac) turns out to be a villain, and Caleb frees the AI. Personally I think that Oscar Isaac can’t act his way out of a paper bag. Every movie I’ve seen him in has been horrible except _Body of Lies_. _X-Men: Age of Apocalypse_, _Star Wars: The Force Awakens_, _A Most Violent Year_, and _Sucker Punch_) were all terrible movies. > [@El\_Kabong](#): > > I don’t totally agree with the OP’s list, but I won’t nitpick. I would , however, like to add _Edge of Tomorrow_. I saw _Edge of Tomorrow_ in theaters, and for a Tom Cruise action Blockbuster it was fairly entertaining. In no way shape or form would I call it a decent movie, but at least I didn’t walk out. Aside from the two leads not a single other character had more than a hair’s width of personality, but at least the plot was explained and somewhat plausible. Some of the dialogue was meaningful, and the acting wasn’t too terrible. _2046_ (2004) is directed by Wong Kar-Wai for anyone who likes Chinese New Wave. It’s acting, cinematography, directing, writing, and content blow anything from Hollywood in the last fifteen years well out of the water in my opinion. Though, it’s pretty light on the sci-fi elements. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/31 "2016-11-25T16:57:55Z")
**Ex Machina** - as an Asimov/Fisk/Clarke fan, Caleb for me was the villain. When he first lies to Nathan I literally screamed at the TV with my hands on my head. I think that might be the only time I’ve ever done that. For me the outcome from then on was inevitable, and mostly with morbid curiosity I watched it until the end. **The Martian** - Loved it. When Damon’s character says “I’m going to science the shit out of this” (paraphrasing probably) I inwardly hugged myself. As good as _Cast Away_ with Tom Hanks, and I’ve been fans of both actors since _Big_ and _Good Will Hunting_. **Gravity** - Made me feel like a bit of a dick, when Clooney gets back in the pod I was thinking ‘Ahh, the equilibrium is restored’ and then felt like a sexist prick later on. **Europa Report** - no memory of this, what-so-ever, and yet I rated it an ‘8’ on IMDb! I probably have it somewhere so should watch again soon. **Looper** - I thought this was good sci-fi, not hard sci-fi, and have watched it a few times. **Inception** - a very good film, although personally it doesn’t appeal to me very much. Bit too much fantasy and not much science in it. **District 9** - watched this on a plane journey to a country I’d never visited before, the metaphor (when it ‘clicked’) had me totally engrossed in it. Quite obvious when you look back, but fertile ground that needs covering some more, I think. **Her** - Beautiful, touching, etc. I think all that has been said about it is enough. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/32 "2016-11-25T20:20:10Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > **Ex Machina** - as an Asimov/Fisk/Clarke fan, Caleb for me was the villain. When he first lies to Nathan I literally screamed at the TV with my hands on my head. I think that might be the only time I’ve ever done that. For me the outcome from then on was inevitable, and mostly with morbid curiosity I watched it until the end. I found myself fast-forwarding over lengthy excessively-chatty parts of that movie, though the ending cracked me up. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/33 "2016-11-26T13:51:54Z")
I’m also tentatively optimistic for the upcoming “Life.” Saw a preview this weekend before Dr. Strange. Looks like an Alien/Thing-esque “alien critter terrorizing people in space” flick. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/34 "2016-11-26T15:30:20Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > **Predestination** - I suggest you watch this immediately and look up nothing on it. Ethan Hawke is in it. Everything else is huge spoilers. Loved it. I will zip my lips now. I believe it meets your requirements, though. I liked it, but I’m not smart enough to have understood everything that was going on. Jesus, that movie was convoluted! ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/35 "2016-11-26T15:36:02Z")
Also, I rather enjoyed the low budget [Time Lapse](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2669336/mediaindex?ref_=tt_ov_mi_sm). ---
**Author:** ![Cara\_mel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/22d042/32.png) [@Cara\_mel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cara_mel)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100/36 "2016-11-26T22:23:08Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > (On the other hand, I found Gravity too schmaltzy and hollywood-predictable. Decent movie, and the scene of the initial accident is stunning and harrowing, but all the stuff with her daughter… ugh. I loved the fact that The Martian forewent all that and never gave him a daughter or a wife back home to pine for, and barely mentioned his parents. (if at all… that might have been in the book only.) I’m totally on board with your spoilers. I thought Gravity was all “drama” and “acting” - no, don’t need that. And just on the topic of The Martian, an edition for young readers has just come to my attention and this is how it starts: I’m pretty much screwed. That’s my considered opinion. Screwed. 🙂 love that! So, what about **Oblivion**? Another great Tom Cruise SF/action movie, IMO. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-been-blessed-with-an-awesome-run-of-science-fiction-movies/772100.md?page=1)