No aliens, no space. That narrows it down a bit but science fiction is such a fast subject there are plenty of amazing films out there. I've struggled to bring my list down to just 3 choices.
1. Blade Runner
Rather an obvious choice, but most of Philip K Dick's adaptation are a no brainer for non alien and space detail science fiction stories. Replicants, created by the Tyrell Corporation, with the creator looming over LA in a gigantic pyramid, were bioengineered beings with a 4 year life span. When 4 are found out to have come to Earth illegally, Rick Dekker is on the case to track them down. It's gritty, it's realistic futuristic to an extent, its more a neo noir than sci-fi and its damn good.
2. Metropolis
I studied this film back in college in Film Studies, along with the other silent gilm favourites but this film stayed with me. The production design was superb and the story was true science fiction involving robots, mad scientists, a city where the workers made things work from below and the wealthy enjoy life above. The famous scene where the robot is turned into the image the heroine is brilliant and scary at the same time.
3. Looper
Had to tick time travel of the list. I know that people were torn about this film but I am a big Rian Johnson fan ever since Brick. I do love a good hitma film and this has the sci-fi/manhunt parts added in as well as an epic soundtrack. Great cast and no, I didn't suspect the end result. In the future time travel has been invented, mob gang members employ hitmen in the past to kill people from the future by sending them back in time, the ones who do the deeds are called 'Loopers'. Brilliant hook and I think it followed through. But I have to say the best scene is near the start 'a life in a day' sequence is filmed so well. Oh and one last thing, I really dislike the kid in this, he's creep beyond belief.
Don't forget to check out what
Wandering Through the Shelves picked, the blog that started Thursday Movie Picks.
