Sci-Fi
What it says on the tin
The ranking is a bit rough for this list; it's mostly based on my enjoyment of the titles, not wholly on the significance or impact of a particular film. Take these with a grain of salt
The ranking is a bit rough for this list; it's mostly based on my enjoyment of the titles, not wholly on the significance or impact of a particular film. Take these with a grain of salt
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43 titles
- DirectorJaco Van DormaelStarsJared LetoSarah PolleyDiane KrugerA boy stands on a station platform as a train is about to leave. Should he go with his mother or stay with his father? Infinite possibilities arise from this decision. As long as he doesn't choose, anything is possible.Also in my Top 10 list
Its focus on the outcomes of a variety of seemingly small choices on the rest of the protagonist's life are very interesting, and most of the supporting cast is developed well enough. The idea of being the last mortal on Earth is also fascinating - DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsMichael J. FoxChristopher LloydLea ThompsonMarty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.While I thought this would be overhyped, I think its influence in the time travel genre (and science fiction in general) can not be understated. The characters were written very well ("I would never chase a boy", which we find is not true shortly after Marty travels back in time) and I was overall impressed with the imagination of the movie. The juxtapositions of the two time periods, both before and after the time jump, were cool to see. Definitely deserves its regard as a classic
Watched July 7th, 2018 with family - DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.Starting one of the most popular franchises of all time, this is arguably the strongest as well. The classic Hero's Journey but somehow still entertaining. Solid special effects and worldbuilding
I think I rented this from Blockbuster the first time I watched
Written 4/8/19 - DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.Definitely a Blockbuster film, this has the iconic "I am your father" line and was overall super entertaining. Took me forever to conclude the trilogy but I liked this one a lot
Written 4/8/19 - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsTimothée ChalametZendayaRebecca FergusonPaul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.This was everything I wanted from the first. The Harkonnen home planet and first sandworm ride were awesome visually, and I liked the deeper insights into Bene Gesserit and Empire motivations. I think Paul's character changed a bit too dramatically after drinking the Water of Life and wholly embracing his Lisan al-Gaib moniker, but perhaps that was the point of "one path forward". Good performances from all (especially the Harkonnens and Bene Gesserit), with some unexpectedly good (but possibly out-of-place) comedy from Javier Bardem.
Watched in theaters with friends March 3, 2024 - DirectorJames CameronStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerLinda HamiltonMichael BiehnA human soldier is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation.I liked this more than I expected to. Not only had I anticipated Schwarzenegger being the hero (he was definitely NOT), but the plot took itself seriously, which after most action blockbusters today, I have come to expect little in that regard. "I'll be back" and 'Come with me if you want to live" are still iconic lines, but they seemed almost throwaway in full context of the film. Impressive special effects for the time, time travel done well.
Watched March 1st, 2019 - DirectorRichard MarquandStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to help Darth Vader back from the dark side.I probably should've watched this sooner, but I liked the scenes on Endor the most. A satisfying conclusion and arguably could have been left alone
Written 4/8/19 - DirectorPeter WeirStarsJim CarreyEd HarrisLaura LinneyAn insurance salesman discovers his whole life is actually a reality TV show.I really liked the premise, and I thought that Jim Carrey did a fantastic job. The soundtrack left something to be desired, and I was expecting some sort of explanation on why human rights activists hadn't completely stopped the show (though there were some hints of their attempts), but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Watched for the first time as a child, and rewatched January 12th, 2018 with friends - DirectorLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsKeanu ReevesLaurence FishburneCarrie-Anne MossWhen a beautiful stranger leads computer hacker Neo to a forbidding underworld, he discovers the shocking truth--the life he knows is the elaborate deception of an evil cyber-intelligence.The special effects show their age at points and the acting (namely by Neo and Trinity, the assumed leads) is questionable, but I think its plot is very original and it was groundbreaking for the time. The action scenes were a bit over the top and the romance was extremely forced, but I would still recommend giving it a watch because of its significance in cinema and the sci-fi genre (not to mention, it was kind of cool to see the origins of several parodies or memes).
Watched October 9th, 2017 with friends - DirectorFranklin J. SchaffnerStarsCharlton HestonRoddy McDowallKim HunterAn astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet where highly intelligent non-human ape species are dominant and humans are enslaved.I definitely watched this in college and somehow neglected to add it. I remember being impressed with the special effects, performances and the actually emotional plotline, along with the now iconic ending. Good time.
Watched c. 2016 - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsHarrison FordRyan GoslingAna de ArmasYoung Blade Runner K's discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former Blade Runner Rick Deckard, who's been missing for thirty years.I appreciated the deeper exploration of what constitutes a human (given the "realistic" nature of the AI, the dying breed of rogue Replicants, the new subservient ones that still feel emotions, etc.) I think the movie could certainly have been shorter, but the special effects were great and showed the bleak, commercialized future as frighteningly plausible.
Watched February 3rd, 2019 - DirectorNeill BlomkampStarsSharlto CopleyDavid JamesJason CopeViolence ensues after an extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth finds a kindred spirit in a government agent exposed to their biotechnology.Setting this in South Africa was a solid choice, considering the country's history with apartheid. Stellar special effects and I liked the transformation of Wikus' character, though it does lend credence to the "white savior" narrative that several publishings have made apparent. Still an entertaining movie; documentary style was cool.
Watched April 12th, 2019 - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHaley Joel OsmentJude LawFrances O'ConnorA highly advanced robotic boy longs to become "real" so that he can regain the love of his human mother.A surprisingly palatable John Williams soundtrack and a really stellar effort from Spielberg. I appreciated the grand scope of the tale by the end, and I thought Osment and Law had fantastic performances.
Watched September 20th, 2019 - DirectorRidley ScottStarsHarrison FordRutger HauerSean YoungA blade runner must pursue and terminate four replicants who stole a ship in space and have returned to Earth to find their creator.Given that there are so many versions of this, it should be noted that I watched the "Final Cut". I thought it was posed some interesting questions on what being human really means, especially with such advanced cloning/robotics seen in Replicants, but I was fairly underwhelmed in the end. I appreciate it for its influence on sci-fi (namely cyberpunk) and its bleak but poignant view of the future, but it just didn't grab me as I had expected it to.
Watched February 3rd, 2019 - DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsDaisy RidleyJohn BoyegaOscar IsaacAs a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the one hope of restoring peace.This seemed like it was mostly laying the groundwork for the rest of this third trilogy, so I'm hoping the other two expand on some of the new lore to clear up the mysteries. Some of the character development and their relationships (i.e. Poe and Finn becoming best friends within a matter of seconds) seemed to come out of nowhere, but it was still an enjoyable watch.
Watched April 16th, 2017 - DirectorGeorge LucasStarsEwan McGregorLiam NeesonNatalie PortmanTwo Jedi escape a hostile blockade to find allies and come across a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to claim their original glory.Probably ranked a bit too high, but it'll always hold a special place in my heart for being my first Star Wars
Own (or at least, owned) this on VHS - DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsChris PineZachary QuintoZoe SaldanaAfter the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction.I was pretty impressed with Pine and Quinto in this and enjoyed their dynamic as Kirk and Spock. Cumberbatch played a good Khan as well
Watched in theaters
Written 4/8/19 - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsTimothée ChalametRebecca FergusonZendayaA noble family becomes embroiled in a war for control over the galaxy's most valuable asset while its heir becomes troubled by visions of a dark future.This was a visual treat but the plot was nearly entirely setup for a grander second film. The worldbuilding was good for introducing me to the setting, but the vision sequences were overused in my opinion and detracted from the more compelling political drama. Watched a while ago but forgot to write detailed thoughts
Watched March 2, 2024 - DirectorGeorge LucasStarsHayden ChristensenNatalie PortmanEwan McGregorThree years into the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi pursues a new threat, while Anakin Skywalker is lured by Chancellor Palpatine into a sinister plot to rule the galaxy.The Mustafar scenes are great and I thought it wrapped up the rather mediocre trilogy well
Watched at a friend's house
Written 4/8/19 - DirectorDoug LimanStarsTom CruiseEmily BluntBill PaxtonA soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies.An inventive take on the "Groundhog Day" formula. I don't remember how this ended but it was entertaining
Watched in theaters
Written 4/8/19 - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsAmy AdamsJeremy RennerForest WhitakerA linguist works with the military to communicate with alien lifeforms after twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world.I liked the idea of this film more than I actually enjoyed it. It posed some interesting questions about extraterrestrial communication and the abilities that these beings may have,but I was mostly underwhelmed by the romantic subplots and big bad China.
Watched April 25th, 2019 - DirectorRian JohnsonStarsDaisy RidleyJohn BoyegaMark HamillRey develops her abilities with the help of Luke Skywalker, as the Resistance prepares for battle against the First Order.After hearing several sctahing reviews for this, I was pleasantly surprised by the introduction of moral ambiguity into the universe and overall decent plot. The characters were horribly underdeveloped (namely Snoke, and Poe continues to be simultaneously an impulsive know-nothing to suddenly being the smartest person in the movie) and the numerous betrayals seemed a bit heavy-handed towards the end, but it was still an enjoyable watch.
Watched June 29th, 2018 with friends - DirectorRichard KellyStarsJake GyllenhaalJena MaloneMary McDonnellAfter narrowly escaping a bizarre accident, a troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a man in a large rabbit suit who manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.Don't remember much about it; watched on Youtube in like twelve parts during high school
From when I had this in the "Psychological" list:
"Watched in parts on Youtube during high school; not the most optimal way of viewing haha" - DirectorVincenzo NataliStarsNicole de BoerMaurice Dean WintDavid HewlettA group of strangers awaken to find themselves placed in a giant cube. Each one of them is gifted with a special skill and they must work together to escape an endless maze of deadly traps.Watched on a random Sunday when I was in high school at some point. It was all right, definitely suspenseful, but I think it dragged quite a bit as well. Also Horror technically, but it didn't seem all that scary
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsSam NeillLaura DernJeff GoldblumA pragmatic paleontologist touring an almost complete theme park on an island in Central America is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park's cloned dinosaurs to run loose.This was siginificantly campier than I expected, so I was pretty disappointed in that regard. I did enjoy the CGI and focus on the human greed aspect.
Watched September 2, 2020