Category Archives: Acceptable Sci-Fi

2019, Acceptable for teenagers, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Action Film, Aliens from outer space, Bisexual theme, Bloody scenes, Cancer theme, Computer geeks, Drugs, Ends in Cliff Hanger, Explicit sexual discussion, Father-daughter relations, Good digital effects, Happy Family Gatherings, Mediocre, Melodrama, Mildly Violent, Mother-daughter relations, Nasty Aliens, Netflix Streaming, Nothing special, Nudity, Romance, Sci-Fi, Sex Scenes, Sexual Tension, Suspense, Various Romances, Vulgar, Young Adults

Another Life (2019)

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From IMDB:

Astronaut Niko Breckenridge and her young crew face unimaginable danger as they go on a high-risk mission to explore the genesis of an alien artifact.

From Netflix you can stream the only season made so far of this series. Each of the 10 episodes lasts about 45 minutes except for the first episode which lasts an hour.

What makes this mediocre (and possible waste of time) series  different is that it is mostly about the inter-relations of the VERY young crew. Along the way you hear a lot of technical space babble. Who knows if any of that jargon approaches reality?  One crisis after another plagues the crew. Fortunately with each crisis there is some far-fetched solution. In a way it makes for easy watching when every seemingly insurmountable problem has a quick and often hokey fix. Eventually there must be another season because the story is just taking off when the season comes to a halt.

When I was a kid I went every Saturday morning to a movie theatre and spent the outrageous entry fee of 20 cents  to see one cartoon, one comedy short, an episode of a series starring such wonders as Superman, and a full-length feature film.  Every episode of that series ended with our hero in some jam. Next episode gets the hero out of that jam only to trap him in another jam. Needless to say, I could hardly wait for the next week’s exciting episode. Similarly I was compelled to binge watch “Another Life” to see how the kids (as I said, a VERY young crew) solved the current problem.

At least it was a welcome break from all the crime stories.

 

2017, Acceptable for teenagers, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Action Film, Action Hero, Based on a Book, Film Remake, Grungy, Pseudo Utopia, Suspense, Violent

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

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From IMDB:

A young blade runner’s discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who’s been missing for thirty years.

British Air offered this film with subtitles.

Before you watch this “Blade Runner” update, you MUST watch the original version which ends with Rick Deckard flying off into the wild blue yonder with his female android sidekick. This 2017 version picks up some time after the first version ended.

Try not to compare the two versions. Remakes today use all kinds of visual tricks and techniques to make the films seem snazzy. But sometimes the simpler  filming techniques work just as well (but then who’s comparing?) If you see both versions I would be interested in your opinions. In the original who could forget the powerful android who just as his manufacturer-installed death date  approaches says “Oh – the wondrous things I have seen (THE END)”? Or who could forget watching the frustrated android (oops, we forgot to add the sex feature!)  squash the head of his creator.  Now quote for me some unforgettable portion of the new version.

Despite my old-fart grumbling, Ryan Gosling as usual puts in one of his well-done stone-faced performances. And what a surprise when Harrison Ford finally appears!

Loved both versions!

2016, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Amazon Prime, Ambiguous Conclusion, Amnesia, Australian, Bloody scenes, Complicated, Conspiracy, Creepy, Crime, Detective, DNA, Drugs, Ends in Cliff Hanger, Extramarital Affair, Family Conflict, Father-daughter relations, Forensics, Good Production Values, Improbable details, Medical Theme, Mental Illness, Mother-daughter relations, Mother-son relations, Murder, Personal Betrayal, Police Corruption, Police Politics, Possible a put-on, Psychic Phenomena, Sad small town, Sex Scenes, Somewhat ridiculous plot, Suspense, Unusual, Upsetting ending, Violent

The Kettering Incident (2016)

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From Amazon Prime:

Two girls disappear in identical circumstances in the wilds of Tasmania 15 years apart, and Doctor Anna Macy finds herself linked to both cases. To clear her name, Anna must delve into her troubled past and face some truths about herself and the otherworldly nature of this gothic land.

From Amazon Prime you can stream 8 episodes of season 1. Each episode last about 50 minutes.

Possibly it was the adolescent side of my brain that kept me interested in staying with the series. Each episode added some new mysterious element. At any minute I expected little green men to arrive in a space ship. Alas the green men never arrived and the creepy details just piled up. Still I forged onward hoping for the best.

WARNING:   Do not expect a satisfying conclusion to the story. Instead you get a semi-conclusion that must lead into the next season, which does not seem to exist yet.

Why did I fall for this possible put-on?  Probably because this Australian production is well done with good acting and believable character interaction. In fact, I don’t regret having watched it at all.

2016, Acceptable for teenagers, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Acceptable Science, Aliens from outer space, Complicated, Confusing Plot, Divorce, Military, Mother-daughter relations, Suspense

Arrival (2016)

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From IMDB:

When twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world, linguistics professor Louise Banks is tasked with interpreting the language of the apparent alien visitors.

Netflix sent me the DVD for this film.

Despite the introductory rating which cautions children under 13,  probably there are very few children that young that could maintain their interest in this somewhat cerebral sci-fi adventure. However, yours truly was fascinated by the non-sensational approach to the events.

Of course, news reports abound describing hysterical looting, school closings, and military posturing.  But for the most part the investigators brought in by the government engage in calm conversations centering around linguistics. Just how, in fact, would you communicate with aliens who are just so inconsiderate as  to not speak English?

Aliens, at least these large octopus-like septapods (7 legs), seem to have a non-linear concept of time quite different from our own notions. Matching this non-linear theme are all the out-of-sync portions of this film. From this point on you will have to suspend a whopping portion of disbelief.  Linguistics professors Louise Banks, played beautifully  by Amy Adams, and Ian Donnelly, played by Jeremy Renner, quickly unravel the language puzzle. To which I say “HUMBUG!” Moreover Louise can conveniently see into the future and has “suffered” from that ability for most of her life, possibly without fully appreciating her giftedness. This fact accounts for the puzzling and challenging film sequencing. But it also adds charm and the essential elements needed to draw the story to a satisfying conclusion (to which I refuse to even hint) which offers clever twists and turns.

Sensible and satisfying sci-fi.

 

 

1996, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Acceptable Trash, Amazon Prime, Arson, B-movie, Bad Acting, Conspiracy, Digital Effects, Frenetic, Nasty Aliens, Nothing special, Sci-Fi, Suspense

The Arrival (1996)

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From IMDB:

Zane, an astronomer, discovers intelligent alien life. But the aliens are keeping a deadly secret, and will do anything to stop Zane from learning it.

Interested in a sci-fi film with interesting special effects, a story that kept me involved, and REALLY BAD ACTING? Then why not tolerate “The Arrival”  which you can stream from Amazon Prime ?

Lindsay Crouse, who was once married to David Mamet, is local to the Boston area. We often see her live in plays at the Gloucester Stage. She reads her lines a bit stiffly.

Enough said about the rightfully paranoid Zane, almost played by Charlie Sheen.

As chief alien we have Ron Silver, who died in 2009. You will probably recognize him as Bruno Gianelli from “The West Wing”. He actually gets the part right.

Suspend a lot of disbelief and either enjoy or make fun of this second-rate romp.

2015, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Acceptable Science, Astronauts, Could be boring, Ethical struggles, Human spirit, NASA, Suspense

The Martian (2015)

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From IMDB:

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.

Nerds with a scientific bent will love this long (2 hours, 21 minutes) film. However, others may find this long film boring and indeed I have heard that complaint from friends. Personally I was compelled by the film, but am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I had to watch in pieces, interrupted by some lesser form of entertainment.

What takes so long? As you might expect, things do always go smoothly. During most of the film, after NASA has learned that Mark Watney is still alive and kicking, there are various schemes and efforts to rescue Mark. Each scheme involves politics such as: who tells whom what, who pays the expenses, what should the public learn, when does someone tell Mark’s former crew members? Mark is a botanist as well as a scientist of all trades who never gives up trying.

“Martian” just has to be Matt Damon’s best film, better in my opinion than “Good Will Hunting”. He has matured.

So if you enjoy scientific mumbo-jumbo, are thrilled by space travel, are a survivalist interested in growing potatoes on Mars, or any of the above, then you will enjoy this adventure.

2014, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Artificial Intelligence, Clever Plot, Explicit sexual discussion, Love Story, Netflix Streaming, Plot Twist, Psychological Thriller, Sex Scenes, Strange Ending, Suspense, Thought provoking, Unusual, Young Adults

Uncanny (2014)

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From NetFlix:

For ten years, inventor David Kressen has lived in seclusion with his inventions, including Adam, a robot with incredible lifelike human qualities. When reporter Joy Andrews is given access to their unconventional facility, she is alternately repelled and attracted to the scientist and his creation.

From NetFlix you can watch instantly or get a DVD for this film.

In this clever low-budget sci-fi yarn I did not recognize a single actor. Probably that is because the three main actors are very young. Do not assume this is just some ordinary AI humanoid android robot story. Despite much “talking heads”, there is a growing tension that leads to an incredible plot twist that I certainly never expected. Never mind the likelihood of the circumstances, the conclusion is clever.

Sex is involved in a dry scientific manner, which is part of the cleverness. There is some minimal violence.

Worked for me, while still leaving some intriguing unanswered questions.

2015, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Action Film, Action Hero, Cancer theme, Clever Plot, Complicated, Father-daughter relations, Mixed Martial Arts, Sci-Fi

Selfless (2015)

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From Netflix:

Facing terminal cancer, an elderly billionaire undergoes surgery that will allow his mind to be transplanted into a young man’s body. The operation is a success, but now the tycoon is learning more than he wants to about his body’s former occupant.

Finally, Ryan Reynolds plays in a decent film, rather than the duds he so often appears in. This plot is very clever. In fact, I have not seen this plot before in any sci-fi film. Clever, a little contrived, and possibly hard to follow, the plot nonetheless manages to produce a satisfying end.

In addition to Ryan Reynolds, you will recognize Ben Kingsley. But even more of a surprise is Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley of “Downton Abbey”) as Kingsley daughter. You may also recognize Mathew Goode (Henry Talbot also of “Downton Abbey”) as the villain Albright.

Enjoy 117 minutes of reasonable and a bit violent fun.

2014, Acceptable for children, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Adventure, Astronauts, Clever Plot, Complicated, DO NOT MISS, Father-daughter relations, Human spirit, Sci-Fi, Suspense

Interstellar (2014)

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From NetFlix:

From director Christopher Nolan comes this futuristic cosmic odyssey, which follows a band of space explorers who surmount the limits of interstellar travel, using a recently discovered wormhole to pass between dimensions.

Three hours of tension might sound at first like somewhat of a slog. But the story, presentation, acting, and special effects are so absorbing that time flies (which is almost a pun when you consider what the film is about).

In fact the film is about using time and other hyper-dimensions to save the people on the dying planet Earth. Whatever Matthew McConaughey (as Cooper), Anne Hathaway (as Brand), Michael Caine (as Professor Brand), or Jessica Chastain (as Murph) are talking about flew right over my head. Possibly their gibberish was respectable science, but I would have no way of knowing. However, that does not matter at all. Just follow the tense action and space antics and try to relax.

Although the ending seemed a tad hokey (“magic realism” anyone?), the ending was satisfying. However, I do not plan to do any space traveling, especially through some black hole.

If you have an inner geek, DO NOT MISS!

2014, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Bloody scenes, Dancing, Dystopia, Gloomy, Human spirit, Imperfect, Pessimistic, Sci-Fi, Somewhat ridiculous plot, Suspense, Thought provoking, Violent

Automata (2014)

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From Netflix:

This futuristic thriller stars Antonio Banderas as Jacq Vaucan, an insurance investigator for a robotics company. While looking into a case involving a robot malfunction, he uncovers a massive threat to all of humanity.

Despite enough logic holes to sink a space ship, a lot of imagination went into this intelligent sci-fi dystopian thriller. Moreover you get to watch a bald Antonio Banderas playing what for him is a very uncharacteristic role. He even gets to dance with a robot.

Plot and action are important, but the underlying theme is very thought provoking: Would the universe care if human life, owing to its self-destructive mentality, ceased but a more intelligent race of self-creating robots survived?

Who were the heroes and who were the villains? You might notice that your loyalties shift by the end of the film.

Note that this film got poor reviews. Nonetheless I was glued to the screen without any idea of how this plot could ever end. But end it did with one symbolic gesture that for me was one of those gooseflesh moments.

Not perfect, but quite passable.