The Guardian\'s Top 10 Sci-fi Films :

1. Bladerunner
2. 2001: A Space Odyssey
3. The Empire Strikes Back
4. Alien
5. Solaris (1972)
6. T2: Judgment Day
7. The Day The Earth Stood Still
8. War Of The Worlds (1953)
9. The Matrix
10. Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

I'd have to vote for The Last Starfighter. It pioneered the use of computer graphics in science-fiction movies. The special effects are top-notch, the acting is excellent, and the theme is timeless.

Amaranth

Hi Rusty,

That's a pretty good list. I would add Contact, the based on Carl Sagan's novel. I would also metion another calle Natural City. This is a Korean movie with subtitle, but it is good. If fact it got a couple of awards.

Dr. R.

Strange that Forbidden Planet was left off. I'd have thought that was a no brainer.

Also, that oldie, Things To Come. I think it was made in 1930 or something...

I'd put those two in and drop The Day The Earth Stood Still and War Of The Worlds.

Hi Kate,

Why would you drop those two? Is it that you don't like them or just to keep the list short?

I would also add The Time Machine (the old one). It is fairly close to the original Wells story.

Dr. R.

Well, I'd go for Forbidden Planet over either of the two I nominated to go; the use of the Theremin gets it over the line! I can't stand Michael Rennie anyway!

Yes, Rod Taylor in the Time Machine is a bit of a classic. I think I prefer the Malcolm McDowell '70s film Time After Time though. Anyone remember that?

Also, I forgot Wim Wenders "Until The End Of The World"! That really should go in the list as well - bah, not enough room. I might write that up seperately..

No Chick Flix in your list - How about "Starman"?
I definitely remember "Time After Time", a terribly overlooked film.
A bit of a stretch but have a look at "Fail Safe". I grew up during the Cold War; Duck & Cover Drills at School, the Russian and American Tanks facing off over Checkpoint Charlie, the Cuban Missle Crisis. I remember when the Russians exploded a single nuclear bomb that was more powerfull than ALL THE ORDINANCE used during WWII including the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs. That night I didn't get to sleep until after midnight. That movie really hit home.

"Starman" instead of "Close Encounters". Can't stand that silly tune!

HOw about "The Last Starfighter"? It broke ground on using digital effects in motion pictures, and it is a sweet love story as well. The special effects are breathtaking, especially when you realize that it was all being done the first time ever. They brought a cray supercomputer to its knees doing that film.

I'd put Aliens and Alien (in that order) at the top! Great sets, great suspense great action, and some engrossing acting.

2001 was a bit squeeky clean - sterile in fact. No arguments. No blood sweat and tears. Well spaced sentences and no background noise. Lots of white in the sets...Maybe that was the 1960s view of the 21st century? I also think that if a film has something to say it should spit it out. 'Contact' did they very well.

Deleted duplicate post (apologies!)

Favorite science fiction films (in no particular order):

The Day the Earth Stood Still (an actual thoughtful story about first contact)
Metropolis
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (another good story about first contact, albeit not as thoughtful)
Back to the Future (arguably not truly sci-fi, but just gadgets)
The Empire Strikes Back (I'm not going to give Star Wars more than one slot, sorry!)
The Andromeda Strain
2001 (if only for opening everyone's eyes with the special effects)
Them! (both because I'm irrationally fond of it, and because the '50s monster movies deserve a standard-bearer!)
Forbidden Planet


Films with the trappings of sci-fi, but not a brain in their heads that I still really enjoy:

The Omega Man
Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (not thoughtful, but so much fun!)
Flash Gordon (1980 spoof--It's just so much fun!)

I am sort of partial to dark star, silent running, and Red Dwarf. I always liked the sci fi which dealt with solitude, or worse being with someone you hated.

1. Forbidden Planet
2. Alien
3. Independence Day
4. Matrix
5. Predator
6. Fifth Element
7. Starship Troopers
8. Aliens
9. Dune
10. Avatar

Avatar beats them all.

IMHO

Last night I watched 'The Adjustment Bureau'. It had an interesting plot based on an story by Phillip Dick, so it was well plotted. I really enjoyed it, andI think it deserves an honourable mention, if not a place on the best 10 SF movie's list.

I watched it on a DVD which I bought for $2 in an Op Shop. Excellent value!

I do that , then I download the movie if I can find it.

because I always have problems watching dvd's on my computer.

I have all the star trek vhs tapes also.
used vhs movies cost apx $1.00

its really nice having movies to watch during power outages
and camping.

or if you just cant find anything good to watch.