Off Topic: Two SciFi Movie Recs
Sat, 01/23/2010 - 14:17
Caught a couple of good science fiction movies over the past couple weeks. One you’re heard of, the other you probably hadn’t.
The first is that one you couldn’t miss if you were Amish: Avatar. The hype preceding this film has been a spectacle in itself. With so much fanboy frothing I needed to wear a raincoat to the theaters, it seemed destined to disappoint.
It didn’t. Only one place to start: the special effects. I saw it on an IMAX with the 3d glasses. The alien planet and wildlife featured managed to strike that elusive aesthetic balance: out-of-this-world while still looking completely natural.
The plot didn’t take risks. It was basically just another variation on the tried-and-true white-man-rights-his-wrongs storyline (see Pocahantas).
But while certainly not novel, it was engaging. And just as importantly, it believably moved the movie along from one special effects spectacular to another.
The second rec I have is a visual pleasure in another way, a 2007 film called Sunshine.
Avatar’s special effects are whirlwind of motion, combat and explosions that keep the movie’s action pedal to the floor. Sunshine’s visuals are goosebump-raising shots of the sun and desolate space vessel corridors that pulse suspense more and more intensely.
Sunshine’s simple plot is that in the future the earth’s sun is dying. As a last ditch effort, we send a crew to reignite it. Spending years isolated in space and flying directly at the sun can play some funny tricks on the mind though.
To sum up: different movies, same genre, different styles, both good. Anybody else see these and have an opinion?
Sun, 01/24/2010 - 06:23
#2
Sunshine unknown?
"One you’re heard of, the other you probably hadn’t."
This seems like a kinda weird comment to me. Most Sci-Fi nerds know Sunshine and since many Borderlands gamers are Sci-Fi nerds - most people here have probably watched it.
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Both Sunshine and Avatar are amazing sci-fi movies each with their own way of telling a story. And great stories they truly are. Like you I expected Avatar to be a huge disappointment - but it wasn't. It was actually a great movie with lots of interesting aspects.
....
Sun, 01/24/2010 - 10:08
#3
Harrummpph. Well it was a
Harrummpph. Well it was a movie I hadn't heard of until it showed up in my mailbox one day from Netflix. I'm so far behind on my queue that I don't remember what I've added.
Sun, 01/24/2010 - 15:36
#4
Movies
I've seen Avatar and i love it, saw it in 3D the first time and was litterally blown away, saw it again yesterday in 2D ( The "normal" version ) and i must say, its best in 3D but still awesome in 2D.
Now i just gotta spend a couple million bucks on a TV that can show 3D so that i can see Avatar in 3D without having to specially rent a movie theater for myself :P (Assuming that Avatar in 3D will not be showed in a year ;) )
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 06:54
#5
Sunshine, Is easily one of
Sunshine, Is easily one of my favourite movies of the last decade. It’s plot-like predecessor “event horizon” being my favourite of the earlier decade (I found them very similar, which is a good thing). Well acted, BRUTAL, fresh, dark… excellent movie (great… going to have to dig-that out and watch it again this week now! Thanks!).
by the way, Back on topic … I just found out what happened to TK. WTF!!!! B@STARDS!
>:o(
Sunshine was an amazingly epic movie. I saw it over a year ago when my cousin had rented it.
If you pay attention, every crew member has at least one "Epic" moment. Those who have seen it should know what I mean.
Sadly though, I did not like the AI on that computer. You do not mine Earth of all it's resources, make a giant ass bomb, and send it toward the sun as the last salvation to humanity and make a stupid AI. =( At least I wouldn't.
(In other news, Borderlands, to date, STILL crashes for me, so I have yet to play very far at all. It's been a week or two since I've checked forums for ways to fix it so I may hunt around. Sorry about my extended hiatus =P)