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The crew of a deep space commercial hauling ship is re-routed while in sleep to investigate the origins of a mysterious transmission. They go to the surface of a desolate planet and discover a giant abandoned spaceship and an unpleasant alien parasites. Things get worse after that.
Alien is one of the best sci-fi movies ever made and it is one of the best movies ever made. Period. The production design is extraordinary, the story is simple but effective, the tension is built up perfectly and the performances from every member of the cast are incredible. Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, John Hurt, Tom Skerritt, Yaphet Kotto, Harry Dean Stanton and Ian Holm are some of the stars of the film.
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This picks up the story of the survivors of the ship, Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), Newt (Carrie Henn), Bishop and Michael Biehn. An alien facehugger made it onto the Conestoga-class troop transport ship and caused an electrical fire. Ripley et al crash land on a maximum security prison. She realized that she had brought along another visitor when she saw a series of strange and deadly events shortly after her arrival.
The production of this movie was fraught with problems, so much so that the director wanted his name removed from the credits. If there was going to be a third Alien movie, it had a mostly solid story, strong cast and ingenious set pieces, despite some slightly suspect events in the first few minutes. The theatrical release is still worth a watch despite the extended chase sequence in the special edition.
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Two hundred years after the events of Alien 3 and Ripley's death, she is cloned onto a military vessel, outside of any borders or jurisdiction, from blood samples taken from Fiorina 161, specifically to grow a Ripley that has the alien queen inside her. It is removed and lays eggs. The crew of a hijacked commercial transport is provided with fodder by a band of smugglers since this grand experiment has not been authorized. The aliens get loose and the military ship returns to Earth.
This entry into the Alien franchise is by far the strangest. The third act climax is pretty good. The cast is great, but it is also the weakest entry into the anthology. There are some nice set pieces and the production design is of a high standard.
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A team of archaeologists and engineers are sent to investigate after a private satellite encounters a source of heat that is believed to be a pyramid. There are signs that indicate that it is inhabited by an alien species that has been bred so they can be hunted. The team is caught in the crossfire and quickly becomes a battle to survive.
This is the first movie of the two popular sci-fi franchises and it had been happening in the comics for a while. This is quite watchable as a popcorn movie. The cast isn't exactly A-list, but solid performances from the likes of Lathan, Bova and Bremner help make the movie an enjoyable experience.
It is free with Amazon Prime.
The world watched as Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Public interest in the Apollo program waned after the Russians were beaten to the Moon. The crew of Apollo 13 had a near-catastrophic oxygen tank explosion that crippled their craft while they were on their way to the Moon. Everyone at Mission Control and the astronauts worked to come up with a solution that would return them safely back to Earth.
The Ron Howard-helmed movie starring Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton and Kevin Bacon is very enjoyable, despite being forced to include some Hollywood-style over-dramatization. The soundtrack to the movie features the vocals of Annie Lennox.
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Even if every single nuclear missile on the planet were to be simultaneously launched, it would have no effect because NASA would detect an extinction level event-sized asteroid on a direct collision course with Earth. A plan is hatched to land a shuttle-like spaceship on the hurtling asteroid and drill into it to plant a nuke. It is easier to teach a blue-collar oil rig worker the ups and downs of arguably the most difficult job in the world to a team of roughneck deep core drillers.
Even if every single nuclear missile on the planet were to be simultaneously launched, it would not have an effect on an extinction-level asteroid. A plan is hatched to land a shuttle-like spaceship on the hurtling asteroid and drill into it to plant a nuke and destroy it. It is easier to teach a blue-collar oil rig worker the ups and downs of arguably the most difficult job in the world to a team of roughneck deep core drillers.
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In what is to all intents and purposes, Seven Samurai is set in space and a young farmer named Shad (Richard Thomas) sets out to recruit a band of mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet from the evil tyrant Sador. Sador has a beam weapon on his formidable warship and threatens to use it if the people of Akira don't surrender to his rule.
This B-movie with a bigger budget than most has an important part to play in the history of sci-fi cinema. It launched the career of James Cameron, who was working in the art department and this is where he met his future production partner and wife, which resulted in Aliens and The Terminator.
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The Earth has been attacked by a force from space, but it is not like any other attack you might imagine. The entire planet has been robbed of power and plunged into darkness, with the exception of a random area of eastern Europe. The position of the Moon relative to Earth shielded this part of the world from the deadly energy weapon fired from far outside the range of lunar orbit. Military forces gather inside the circle of life in a desperate attempt to save all life as the alien invasion begins.
This is a very enjoyable Russian sci-fi movie. It has high production values despite not having a blockbuster budget, the performances are good and an unusual story with a good twist at the end makes this a solid sci-fi movie.
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Three high school students make a discovery that leads to their developing powers beyond their understanding. Their lives begin to spin out of control as they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage.
There is no doubt about it, this is anunderappreciated gem. Stars Alex Russell and Michael B. Jordan deliver strong performances. It has an element of "found footage" about it, but luckily it doesn't rely on that, because it can be very annoying very quickly. The main focus is on the human story and how each of the main characters change. Josh Trank has a low budget but he does a great job with a well written story.
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A stranger with no recollection of his past stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution in the New Mexico Territory. The only clue to his past is a mysterious necklace that encircles his wrist. The town is about to be attacked by marauders from the sky. The monsters challenge everything the residents have known with their speed and power. Their only hope is the stranger they rejected.
This is an entertaining mix of two very disparate genres, based on a 105-page graphic novel published in 2006 Despite being well worth a watch, with Harrison Ford possibly giving his best performance since The Fugitive, this movie didn't set the box office on fire. Since its theatrical release in 2011, it has gathered a cult following. Clancy Brown, Sam Rockwell,Olivia Wilde and Daniel Craig are strong in the movie, but they still haven't mastered an American accent.
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The alien refugees were forced to live in a militarized ghetto called District 9 after a giant spaceship appeared over South Africa. When a powerful corporation is contracted to evict the refugees, one of their lowly employees is accidentally exposed to an alien chemical and his body begins to change.
It's not often that a sci-fi director makes such an impact with his or her debut feature film, but that's exactly what Neill Blomkamp did with District 9. Fans of the original are still waiting for a sequel.
It is free with Amazon Prime.
District 9
A decorated Marine goes on a rescue mission to save his two sons from an alien threat. The boys will need to leave their childhoods behind as they travel in increasingly dangerous directions. Is this threat real or is it all in Khan's mind?
If you like close ups of insects, then this movie is for you. If you enjoyed Invasion, you will probably enjoy this; it is a beautifully filmed, character-driven sci-fi, but it has a few plot holes, and it even suffers from a few clich.
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Jeff Goldblum plays a brilliant but eccentric scientist who invents a technology but hides it from the world. A science journalist befriends him and learns of his work. The first test with a human seems to go well, but a tiny housefly was in the teleportation Pod when he went through and his DNA began to rewrite itself, turning Brundle into a hybrid of both creatures.
This is a remake by David Cronenberg of the 1958 movie, which is based on a short story by George Langelaan, and it is a sci-fi/horror masterpiece. The casting is excellent and every actor delivers believable performances in a story that has a strong emotional plot in addition to the obvious fun and games had with transforming a six-foot man into an equivalent-sized humble housefly.
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Arthur Dent's house is scheduled for demolition to make way for a new bypass, but this is the least of his problems as it turns out that the planet Earth is scheduled for demolition to make way for a new hyperspace express route. Ford Prefect is not from Guildford but from a small planet in the vicinity of Betelgeuse, and he has been aware of the impending demise of the Earth for a long time. Along the way they learn the true history of the universe.
For decades, fans of the works of Douglas Adams have been waiting for aHitchhiker's movie, but until this attempt in 2005, there had only been anunderappreciated 1981 TV mini series and a radio drama. The 1981 series managed to capture many of the nuances of the source material, but they are lost. Stephen Fry is almost as good as Peter Jones when it comes to comedy. Space.com has learned that the series is no longer being revived.
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Kevin McCarthy plays Dr. Miles Bennell, who returns to his small town practice to find his patients are suffering from a paranoid delusion that their friends are not real. When the alleged doppelgangers are able to answer detailed questions about their victim's lives, he becomes determined to find out what it is.
This is a classic science fiction film and should be seen in the same light as other epic sci-fi movies of the late 50s, including The Day the Earth Stood Still. An uncomplicated plot with incredible performances from McCarthy and Dana Wynter make this a case study in how to produce a thrilling sci-fi/drama screenplay featuring an early and extremely effective example of flashbacks.
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No animals would be hurt, but billionaire bad guy Musk plans to kill off all of humanity because he believes mankind has wasted its chance for life on Earth. Mass-produced from a rare orchid, the gas would be launched in torpedoes-of-sorts from an orbiting space station, which forms part of Musk's Drax's new space empire. The foundation of a new race that will worship Musk Drax as their god would be formed by perfect physical human specimen returning to Earth. James Bond has the power to prevent this.
Roger Moore is the weakest Bond out of the bunch and many of his seven films look dated upon rewatching. If you are Gen X or older, they are a special place in cinematic culture.
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Moonraker.
The filmmakers and stars discuss the filming and social effects of the parody of Star Trek: The Original Series with insightful and entertaining commentary.
Tim Allen said that theGalaxy Quest 2 is a fabulous script.
Who isn't a fan of the show? It is often called the second best Star Trek movie ever made, and you might think you know all the facts about it. The cast talked about their experiences making the movie and how close the TV series was before Alan Rickman died. You will laugh and you will cry, but most of all, you will enjoy the best movie about fandom in another, new way as a result of watching this documentary. Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Sam Rockwell, Tony Shalhoub, Justin Long, Wil Wheaton,Brent Spiner, Rainn Wilson, Missi Pyle and Dean Parisot share their thoughts on this epic sci-fi comedy.
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In the near future, there is a turf war between Jamaican and Colombian street gangs and someone is picking off people from both sides. It has been 10 years since the events of "Predator", but the LAPD and a specialized military unit are still looking for the ultimate alien warrior.
The sequel to the original is worth watching, with strong support from the late, great Bill Paxton, Gary Busey and Maria Conchita Alonso. This is an all-round entertaining movie that nicely balances the action and suspense and does the Predator franchise proud.
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The sequel to the movie, Predator 2.
A seemingly random group of eight elite soldiers suddenly find themselves in freefall over a jungle. They are in a planet-sized game preserve, but they have no idea how they got there, so they reluctantly team up and discover they are also no longer on Earth. They are picked off by invisible alien hunters as they try to survive and find a way home.
The first Alien v Predator movie was mediocre, but this is the best entry into the franchise, aside from the original. Robert Rodriguez went to great lengths to be faithful to the first film. This time, the alien assassins are taken on by an impressively buff and buff-looking Adrien Brody. He is joined by many others, including Alice Braga, Topher Grace, and Walton Goggins.
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An accomplished archaeologist, along with her partner, and a 17-man crew embark on an ambitious, deep-space scientific expedition funded by Peter Wey, after discovering evidence in a cave in the Hebrides. A terrifying discovery threatens not only the outcome of the mission but also the very future of humankind.
A terrible story sucks all the substance from the stunning visuals and incredible production design that one has come to expect from Scott. As a movie, it is enjoyable, but as far as actually making sense within the universe or timelines, forget it. The phenomenal cast can not save it. Along with those already mentioned, Benedict Wong is once again playing the role of Benedict Wong.
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In the near future, robots are commonplace in every home and in factories and on farms. The Runaway Squad is a division of the police department that deals with malfunctioning droids. He and his new partner, Officer Thompson (Cynthia Rhodes), discover that an insane scientist is scheming to create killer robots.
This was an interesting move by Selleck and he carries it off very well. The 80s were an exciting testbed for sci-fi, and in fact Amazon has a number of classic examples available to watch. It was written and directed by Michael Crichton. It seems every time a domestic robot malfunction, it threatens a human life. Simmons' evil scientist character has a gun that shoots projectiles and locks onto a target.
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A preacher loses his faith after his wife dies in a car accident. He owns a modest farm with his children and brother in a farmhouse and when crop circles start to appear in their cornfields, he ignores them as a prank. After watching news coverage on crop circles appearing all over the world and hearing strange noises coming from their fields, the family became suspicious of alien activities. They have to overcome their own issues to survive and escape.
This is a simplistic, character-driven sci-fi thriller and thanks to an incredible cast, it is worth watching. The approach to telling a story that M. Night Shyamalan takes is mostly dialogue and character interaction and it is an entertaining, innovative approach to telling a story. There are some plot holes, but the well-paced story is enough to get past them and showcase what Shyamalan does best.
It is free with Amazon Prime.
A down-on-his-luck archaeologist is recruited to decipher an ancient hieroglyph on a mysterious giant ring-like device found in Giza in the 1920s. It turns out that his theories were correct and he was able to open the device and travel between worlds.
The movie spawned one of the most successful television sci-fi spin-off franchises in history. In the TV show, Richard Dean Anderson and Michael Shanks played the roles of Dr. Daniel Jackson and Colonel Jack O'Neill, respectively.
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Synopsis: A paleontologist (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) joins a Norwegian Antarctic research expedition following the discovery of an alien spacecraft that has been buried under the ice for 100,000 years. Even more extraordinary is that not far from the site of the spacecraft, they find the remains of the occupant. It's cut out of the ice and taken back to their camp, but as the ice melts, the creature reanimates and begins to attack the team by absorbing and eventually replicating them one at a time. Consequently no one knows who is the alien and who isn't.
Why you should watch:
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A group of time-travelling soldiers from the future appear during the World Cup final in the present day to warn that mankind is on the verge of being wiped out by aliens in 30 years. Among those chosen to travel forward in time is a former soldier and teacher named Dan Forester, who teams up with both seasoned veterans and raw recruits to save the human race.
The Tomorrow War won't win any awards, but it's watchable.
This is very much a popcorn sci-fi blockbuster, similar to the likes ofIndependence Day orBattle Los Angeles, and in fact you will notice the influence of other sci-fi movies. This won't win any awards for the story writing, but it is wanton destruction on a massive scale.
It is free with Amazon Prime.
An incredible documentary looking at the history of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which features interviews with almost every member of the cast, was released after showrunner Ira Steven launched a fundraising campaign a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, the contribution is limited to archive footage.
If you are a fan of DS9 then this is a must-watch, not only are the insights intriguing and often emotional, but the fictional first episode of a hypothetical new series, crafted together in a writers room packed full. There is a look back at the early reviews, the casting decisions, and the issues faced throughout production. The first time any footage from DS9 has been re-mastered in high definition is in the documentary.
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A police detective in the asteroid belt, the first officer of an ice freighter, and a United Nations executive discover a conspiracy that threatens the Earth's colony on the asteroid belt. Evidence of alien life is discovered and a series of ring gates located near Uranus are unlocked that lead to new locations in the universe. Earth, Mars, the Outer Planets Authority and the Belters are the major groups in the Solar System that are threatening all life on Earth.
The Expanse has earned its place among the titans of TV sci-fi, up there with Battlestar Galactica and Babylon 5. A lot happened in Season 1 to 3 and you can catch up on it here. Everything that happened in Season 4 can be found here. We believe that seasons 1 and 2 were better than 3 and 4, but that doesn't mean they're not worth watching. Seasons 5 and 6 blew everyone's socks off. It is brilliant. The plot is complex and engaging and the individual performances are exceptional.
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During an experimental test flight in low Earth orbit, John Crichton is catapulted through a wormhole and into a different universe and a distant part of the universe. He is part of a group of fugitives who are running from a military force called the Peacekeepers and he is hoping that one day he will be able to get home.
The show was bold, brilliant and a little bit barmy, so you should watch it. Farscape relied heavily on practical effects, especially where alien creatures were concerned, and the result was amazing. This sci-fi show is enjoyable due to a solid cast of characters, well- placed humor and good writing.
It is free with Amazon Prime.
Arthur Dent's house is scheduled for demolition to make way for a new bypass, but this is the least of his problems as it turns out that the planet Earth is scheduled for demolition to make way for a new hyperspace express route. Ford Prefect is not from Guildford but from a small planet in the vicinity of Betelgeuse, and he has been aware of the impending demise of the Earth for a long time. Along the way they learn the true history of the universe.
This one is a treat and will appeal to fans of British humor and more specifically, the epic humor of Douglas Adams. This is the best adaptation that has been brought to the big or small screen. The visual effects haven't stood the test of time, but they show a beautiful relationship between Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect.
It is free with Amazon Prime.
A technologically advanced robotic servant eerily similar to its human equivalent is the latest must-have gadget for any middle-class family. Sharing life with a machine has far-reaching and chilling consequences, only to discover that one strained suburban family purchases a refurbished synthesizer in the hopes of transforming the way they live.
The adaptation of the Swedish science fiction drama kta människor was written by the British team SamVincent and Jonathan Brackley and lasted for three, eight-episode seasons before it was sadly canceled. The quality of writing, high production values and stellar casting make this show compelling to watch. The analysis of human nature and our reactions to technology is compelling and it shows so many issues facing us in the real world today.
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The story looks at what the world might look like if World War II had ended differently. The USA was divided into three zones after the war, with the Imperial Japanese, Nazi and buffer zone between them. When some cans of film turn up that seem to show a parallel world with different versions of the same people, there is hope. The films contain the key to freedom and a woman is determined to find their guardian, the man in the high castle.
Alt-history is a difficult genre to perfect without descending into a cascade. If you are a fan of Harry Turtledove, you should definitely check out his work. The show can be hard at times and the character of the Juliana Crain can be very frustrating. The man who plays John Smith is magnificent to watch. The show does dip a little in the middle, but it picks up in the fourth season. Stick with it.
It is free with Amazon Prime.
The series is about a couple who years ago discovered a chamber buried in their backyard which leads to a strange, deserted planet. When an enigmatic young man enters their lives, the quiet existence is quickly upended, and the mysterious chamber they thought they knew so well turns out to be much more than they could ever have imagined.
At the time of writing, we had not seen any preview episodes, but there is a stellar team behind this. Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons are in the movie.
It is free with Amazon Prime.
Moonbase Alpha is located in the lunar crater Plato. Along with scientific study, it also monitors atomic waste stored on the far side of the Moon. On September 13th 1999, a build up of magnetic energy causes an explosion, which blew the Moon out of Earth's path and off the plane of the ecliptic. The inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha can't return to Earth because they're trapped in the universe.
This one benefited from an amazing cast, including the phenomenal Martin Landau, together with Barbara Bain and Nick Tate. The first season is currently available to watch and while many of the practical effects look dated today, don't forget that this show contained some pretty gruesome scenes.
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A small backwater town has a scientific research facility built underneath it, just like the Large Hadron Collider at the CERN facility that lies on the Franco-Swiss border. The people of this town have a lot of strange occurrences. Each episode follows one person, or a group of people, and their experiences with the loop.
What a brilliant idea. A particle smasher designed to uncover the mysteries of the universe wouldn't create super- weird events and interdimensional portals. The premise of this show is very simple and effective. The idea of a sub-atomic research facility, which we all know, is used as a frame for a show featuring stories about it. The week-by-week adventures of the fictional town of Mercer, Ohio are addictive.
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A billionaire philanthropist has used his wealth and knowledge to create a non-profit rescue organization. Jeff and his five sons, Scott, John, Virgil, Gordon and Alan, constantly monitor events around the world using specially designed, technologically advanced vehicles.
The man behind "Thunderbirds" and "Space: 1999" gave the world, as well as "Captain Scarlet" and "Space Precinct". This was done largely to make the demanding special effects scenes possible and as a result, this show features some of the very best model work ever seen on either the large or small screen. This would be more effective than the Las Vegas to Los Angeles tunnel that no one asked for, if only the show's creators had watched it when they were young.
It is free with Amazon Prime.
Nathan Brown's girlfriend pays an expensive fee to have his consciousness uploaded to the exclusive Lake View resort for the recently deceased. He finds that some elements of his life are restricted depending on what she chooses to pay for. Nathan begins to develop feelings for his customer service representative in the real world as he adjusts to digital heaven. She is struggling with the pressures of her job, her dying father who does not want to be uploaded and her own growing feelings for Nathan while slowly coming to believe that Nathan was murdered.
One of the highlights of last year was the creation of Greg Daniels, creator of Parks and Recreation and The Office, who did a phenomenal job of creating a believable, dark comedy. The second season takes the story into a very different place than the first, and lacks the less-is-more magic that Season 1 had. If you were a fan of the first season, this is still worth a watch.
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