Sci Fi – Page 5 – cinemescope

100 Word Review – Insurgent (2015)

April 21, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., F-Rated, Sci FiTagged adaptation, divergent, dystopian, future, insurgent, Kate Winslet, Sci Fi, Shailene Woodley, teen, Theo James1 Comment

So, I probably should have seen Divergent (2014) first, but this film definitely holds up as a stand alone film as well as part of a trilogy (albeit in four parts).

In a dystopian future, a community is split in to groups based on personality types. But Tris (Shailene Woodley) is different. Together with Four (Theo James) and co., they must fight against the tyranny of Jeanine’s (Kate Winslet) regime.

Although this does sound like every other teen Sci Fi, it stands out for its 3D characters, emotional gravitas (they have sex and it’s not a big deal!) and genuine suspense.

100 Word Review – Bang Bang Baby (2014)

April 14, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., F-Rated, Fantasy, Sci FiTagged 1950s, Fantasy, Hammer Horror, Jane Levy, Justin Chatwin, Musical, Sci Fi1 Comment

Definitely more Rocky Horror than Mamma Mia, with ample helpings of Bye Bye Birdie, and something of the Hammer Horror about it, this film defies accurate description.

Stepphy (Jane Levy) is a small-town girl with hopes of becoming a singer. But when her dad burns her acceptance letter to a national singing competition her dreams of meeting heart-throb Bobby Shore (Justin Chatwin) are dashed. Or are they? And what’s this about a leak at the local chemical plant?

There is nothing more I can say about this film except that it will be nothing like anything you’ve ever seen before.

100 Word Review – Moon (2009)

April 10, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Drama, Sci FiTagged computers, Drama, Duncan Jones, Kevin Spacey, Moon, Sam Rockwell, Sci Fi, suspense2 Comments

I think it is the silence of this film that moves me so completely. Duncan Jones’ debut feature film really does stand out from the crowd.

Sam Rockwell stars as Sam, the man who works on the moon, alone except for his computer GERTY (voiced by Kevin Spacey).

Rockwell is unbeatable in this role. This film rests firmly on his shoulders and he does not disappoint. It’s not surprising that the role was written for him.

For Sci Fi geeks, this film is full of winks and nods to the genres rich history. This may be the perfect Sci Fi.

100 Word Review – Her (2013)

April 9, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Romance, Sci FiTagged Being John Malcovich, computers, Impossible, Joaquin Pheonix, Romance, Scarlett Johansson, Sci Fi, Spike Jonze, Where The Wild Things Are, writerLeave a comment

Set in the not-too-distant future, Joaquín Pheonix plays Theodore, a man who becomes romantically involved in his operating system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson).

This is an example of Spike Jonze at his absolute best, combining the romantic whimsy of his adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are (2009) with the psychological intrigue of Being John Malkovich (1999).

Pheonix does a sterling performance as the lonely writer whose desperation for human contact in a world of screens and computers can be empathised with on a global scale.

This film is perfect for any romantics out there, whether or not they like Sci Fi.

100 Word Review – The Fifth Element (1997)

April 8, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Action, Comedy, Sci FiTagged Action, adventure, Bruce Willis, Comedy, end of the world, Gary Oldman, Luc Besson, Milla Jovovich, Sci Fi2 Comments

If you are looking for an entertaining Sci Fi with an awesome cast, look no further.

Written and directed by the profoundly talented Luc Besson (Leon), it stars Bruce Willis as Korben Dallas, a taxi driver in the 23rd Century who must help “perfect being” Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) save the world and escape from the evil Zorg (Gary Oldman in the most amazing headpiece you are ever likely to see). Chris Tucker makes an appearance as Ruby Rhod, the universe’s most annoying radio DJ.

It has action, comedy, romance, music and some very repeatable one-liners (MULTI-PASS!). This is a no-brainer.

100 Word Review – Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

April 4, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Comedy, Sci FiTagged 1950s, aliens, Comedy, pod people, Sci FiLeave a comment

Considered part of the Hollywood vs. McCarthyism debate, this film is best enjoyed on a much more basic level.

A doctor returns from a trip to find that the people in his small-town are being replaced by emotionless pod people.

When I say pod people, I mean it. They literally burst out of pods. It’s brilliant.

There’s a lot of the “women are need a man to help them” trope, but despite this it is still a remarkably watchable movie. I have watched this on my TV and on the big screen and it only gets better with every viewing.

100 Word Review – Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

April 2, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Comedy, F-Rated, Fantasy, Romance, Sci FiTagged adventure, animation, Anime, Billy Crystal, Christian Bale, Comedy, Fantasy, Hayao Miyazaki, Lauren Bacall, Romance, Sci Fi, steampunk, Studio Ghibli4 Comments

This is my favourite Studio Ghibli feature.

Set in a steampunk world in the midst of war, we follow Sofi as she’s cursed by the Witch of the Waste and finds herself caught up with the mighty sorcerer, Howl.

There is a dubbed version, with the vocal styling of Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall and Billy Crystal. They do a fantastic job, but the best way to watch it is in the original Japanese.

As with all Hayao Miyazaki’s animation, it is beautiful and perfectly compliments this fantastical story.

Don’t dismiss this as a children’s film; it is so much more.

100 Word Review – District 9 (2009)

March 30, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Action, Romance, Sci FiTagged Action, aliens, Neill Blomkamp, Romance, Sci Fi, South AfricaLeave a comment

To me, this is the perfect movie. Socio-political commentary? Check. Set in an alternate universe? Check. Aliens? Documentary-style camera work? Check. Familial ties broken by an unforeseeable disaster? Check. Endearing hero? Check. Romantic love? Check. Action movie style special effects? Check. It even has exploding cows. Seriously, what more could you ask for in Sci Fi film?

Set in Johannesburg, South Africa, 28 years after an alien spaceship appeared over the city, its inhabitants, “Prawns”, are now considered refugees and are living in slums segregated from the rest of the city. This, Neill Blomkamp’s phenomenal first feature, is an absolute must-see.

100 Word Review – In Your Eyes (2014)

March 28, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., F-Rated, Romance, Sci FiTagged Avengers, Buffy, Firefly, Joss Whedon, Netflix, Romance, Sci Fi3 Comments

Currently available on Netflix, this charming indie Sci Fi Romance comes from the pen of Joss Whedon (Firefly, Buffy, Avengers). Directed by Brian Hill and starring two relative unknowns, Zoe Kazan and Michael Stahl-David, you can expect the nuanced, heartfelt, witty and engrossing story that Whedon is so well known for.

Two strangers from separate corners of the states are connected by a telepathic link that allows them to see life through the other’s eyes and experience their strongest emotions. The result is a mind-bending insight into the disparity between the way we view ourselves and how we are perceived.

Galaxy Quest (1999) – Quote-A-Long

March 26, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in Comedy, Review, Sci FiTagged Alan Rickman, Arnie, Comedy, Galaxy Quest, Moon, Sam Rockwell, Sci Fi, Sigourney Weaver, Star Trek, Tim Allen2 Comments

I love sing-a-longs, so when I heard that the Sci-Fi convention I was attending would include a “Quote-A-Long” screening of Galaxy Quest, my excitement was beyond words.

Galaxy Quest, for those of you who haven’t seen it, is a joy to behold. It stars Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Daryl Mitchell and Sam Rockwell as the play the crew of the spaceship NSEA Protector on a TV which has since dried up, and are stuck on the comic-con circuit surrounded by the shows devoted fan-base (cue a cameo from a very baby-faced Justin Long). When an alien race who has mistaken their TV show for Earth’s “historical documents” teleports them to their spaceship, they find themselves in the midst of an intergalactic war.

This film is one of the funniest Sci-Fi comedies out there. Throughout the film there are huge hat tips to Star Trek and shows in the genre, but they do not detract from the storyline. Whether you are proud Trekky or have only seen half an episode once by mistake, you will be entertained.

The two major quote along lines (in the ilk of “Live Long and Prosper”) are “Never give up. Never surrender!” and “By Grabthar’s hammer, by the suns of Worvan, you shall be avenged!”. I was anticipating that these would be shouted out with some gusto during the screening, but I was honestly not prepared for what followed. I have never felt more involved in a film. We were cheering for the crew of the NSEA Protector, we were boo-ing the locust-like aliens. It is something I am simply not used to, but I will definitely be trying at home. Admittedly, there will be some films that this doesn’t work with. I can’t imagine that films like Moon or V For Vendetta would be improved by this. But next time I watch an Arnie film, you better believe I’ll be yelling along!