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Showing posts with label SCIENCE FICTION. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SCIENCE FICTION. Show all posts
Do you believe in Aliens? Some individuals claim they have been abducted by them. Do you believe them? Would you be friendly to them? Do you perceive them as being mean? The following writers and directors take us on a journey into worlds unknown and use their skill to spark our imagination and materialize our dreams.
K-PAX (2001)
Directed by: Ian Softley (2001) Starring: Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges, Mary McCormack
Writers: Gene Brewer (novel) Charles Leavitt (screenplay)
Prot (Kevin Spacey) believes that he is from another planet called K-PAX. He has all the credentials and is very convincing! Tested by the scientists, he has all the right answers that only a genius would know. Jeff Bridges, who plays his doctor, tries to help him connect with Earth; so to speak. I was drawn in immediately and was totally entertained by this Alien - or is he? This film is a drama rated PG-13 (streaming on Netflix)
"Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977) Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban, Cary Guffey and Francois Truffaut. It tells the story of Roy Neary, an everyday blue-collar worker in Indiana, whose life changes after an encounter with unidentified flying object (UFO.) Roger Ebert gave this movie 4 stars and the updated version by Spielberg 4 stars. This year was the 40th anniversary for this film and a special anniversary edition was released.
"PAUL" (2011) Director: Greg Mottola; Writers: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost; Stars: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen (as voice of Paul), Mia Stallard - This movie is rated R because of some of the language and conversations.
Two British comic book geeks traveling across the U.S. specifically Area 51 pick up a hitchhiker named Paul. A true to life Alien joins them on their roadtrip! This little guy makes the road trip an adventure to remember! He has an attitude and enjoys being one of the guys. I was so impressed by Paul that I made one for our vendor shows (see green alien below.) Customers loved taking their photo with Paul. Note: I have never seen a Simon Pegg movie that I did not like. Check out "Shaun of the Dead" (streaming on Showtime) and "Hot Fuzz" (streaming on Netflix.) These two also starred in another science fiction movie "The World's End."
"The Thing" (1982) directed by: John Carpenter
In remote Antarctica, a group of American research scientists are disturbed by a helicopter shooting at a sled dog. When they take in the dog, it brutally attacks both humans and canines in the camp. They discover that the dog can take take the shape of its victims. Kurt Russell and Richard Dysart lead the camp crew in a desperate battle against the vicious creature before it picks them off, one by one. Note: This movie was not a hit; but over the last 30 years has become a respected classic. It is on every science fiction list that I come across. This remake remains faithful to the original film. The last time I looked, it is streaming on Netflix.
"SLITHER"
Director: James Gunn (2006) Starring: Nathan Fillian, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Rooker.
a small town is taken over by an alien parasite that turns residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters or giant blobs of gunk or hordes of alien slugs. This film is entertaining and utterly disgusting! (Rated "R")
"Slither is old-school gooey, slimy, silly B-movie fun," Claudia Puig, USA Today
"Men in Black" (1987) Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Who says fighting aliens can't be fun? When a giant cockroach from another world arrives on Earth and threatens the entire planet, it's up to agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) and a new recruit Agent J (Will Smith) to stop him. Vincent D'Onofrio gives a bizarre performance in the film. "Men in Black" was a huge hit spawning a cartoon TV show, a sequel in 2002 and a third film in 2012.
"This is a snappy, clever, often funny motion picture that provides the perfect blend of science fiction style action with comic dialogue." James Berardinelli, Reel Views
"The Blob" (1958) Directors: Irvin Yeaworth and Russell S Doughten Starring: Steve McQueen, Aneta Corseaut
A drive-in favorite, this science fiction classic follows teenagers Steve McQueen and his girl (Aneta Corseaut) as they try to protect their hometown from a gelatin alien that engulfs. This film helped launch the careers of McQueen and composer Burt Bacharach, whose title song is just on the film's nice surprises.
"The Blob is yet another terrific 1950's Sci Fi monster flick that is among the best in the genre. This is a genre classic that is a memorable and fun film to watch." Rotten Tomatoes
Did you know Tom Cruise was in an alien sci-fy?
"War of the Worlds" (2005) Directed by: Steven Spielberg Starring: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin and Miranda Otto
Tom Cruise is a dock worker who tries to build a positive relationship with his children when his ex-wife drops them off.
"The War of the Worlds" is a science fiction novel by H.G. Wells written around 1898. This novel spawned a half dozen feature films, radio dramas, a record album, comic books, and a television series.
"Dr. Who" is a world of aliens. We all have our favorite Dr. Who as he regenerates into a new body instead of dying when his time is up. Over 36 seasons there have been many of them. Matt Smith is one of my favorites. Dr. Who, a time traveling alien, travels through time and space in a blue tardis. He is probably the most famous Alien of all time.
This is the most non-lazy space show I have sever seen. It is worth taking the time to get to know the Dr. Who world.
See episodes on your BBC Channel
Thank you for visiting! I hope I have inspired you! I have added a list at the bottom of more movies for you to check out!
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1. "Predator" (1987) Directed by: John Carpenter Starring Arnold Schwarzeneggar Action-Alien-Science Fiction
2."The Faculty" (1998) Directed by: Robert Rodriguez teen movie-science fiction-horror
3. "Dreamcatcher" (2003) Directed by: Lawrence Kasdan starring: Morgan Freeman, Timothy Olyphant
4. "Independence Day" (1996) Directed by: Roland Emmerich starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell Alien invasion-action
5. "Sphere" (1998) Directed by Barry Levinson; Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, Samuel L Jackson Adventure-Alien Invasion-Science Fiction
6. "Village of the Damned" (1960) British film - Directed by: John Carpenter Starring: Christopher Reeve, Kirstie Alley, Linda Kozlowski
7."Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978) Directed by: Philip Kaufman Starring: Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Veronica Cartwright, Jeff Goldblum Sci-fy-Horror-Thriller-Alien Invasion
8. "Cowboy & Aliens" (2011) Directed by: Jon Favreau Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde Action-Alien invasion-based on comics
The "Master of Suspense" was an English film director and producer.
(August 13, 1899 - April 29, 1980) Hitchcock pioneered many elements of the suspense and psychological thriller genres. He has a successful career in British cinema with both silent films and early talkies and became renowned as England's best director. He received his knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in the 1980 New Year Honors. Hitchcock moved to Hollywood in 1939 and became a U.S. Citizen in 1955. He directed more than 50 feature films in a career spanning six decades.
Alfred Hitchcock's talent can be best appreciated by watching his movies. "Notorious" (1946) is the most elegant of his visual style. It contains some of the most effective camera shots in his work and they all lead to the great final passages in which two men find out how very wrong they both were. Ingrid Bergman plays a women whose reputation encourages U.S. agents to recruit her to spy on Nazis in postwar Rio. And this nearly gets her killed, when the man she loves mistrusts her. His misunderstanding is at the center of a plot in which all of the pieces come together with perfect precision, so that two people walk down a staircase to freedom, and a third person climbs steps to his doom.
Hitchcock was known for his attention to details. He drew storyboards of every scene before shooting, Hitchcock once commented, "The writer and I plan out the entire script down to the smallest detail, and when we are finished all that's left to do is to shoot the film. I have a strongly visual mind. I visualize a picture right down to the final cuts. I write this out in the greatest detail in the script, and then I don't look at the script while I'm shooting. I know it all by heart, just as an orchestra conductor needs not look at the score."
In "Rear Window" . . .
The "peeping tom" character is played by Jimmy Stewart. He has been laid up with a broken leg and is in a cast that runs all the way to hip. He never leaves his apartment and has only two regular visitors; Thelma Ritter, his nurse, and Grace Kelly, his girlfriend, who despairs of ever getting him to commit himself to a relationship as he is a proud, independent bachelor.
Personally, I love to gaze at the detailed set that was built for this movie. The viewer can see three levels deep, if you look closely, as the set captures the everyday people going about their daily activities in the neighborhood. Really draws you into their world. Great attention to detail! This film is one that you will want to watch again and again.
Hitchcock/Truffaut
In 1962, film critic and French New-Wave director Francois Truffaut sat down with Alfred Hitchcock to record a week-long interview about Hitchcock's entire body of work. These sessions beget a book, "Hitchcock/Truffaut," a book to show Americans they were underestimating the richness of Hitchcock's work. Despite his fifth directing Oscar nod for "Psycho," Hitchcock was mainly seen as a director for the unwashed masses of general audiences. Truffaut aimed to fix that.
In 2015, Kent Jones brings us "Hitchcock/Truffaut," the movie version of this essential book. He includes many of our favorite directors such as Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, and Brian De Palma who share with us how they have been influenced by Hitchcock's work. This documentary is an entertaining and informative gift to movie lovers constructed with care, humor and insight.
Vertigo. . .
(1958) crime, drama, film noir, mystery, romance, thriller
"did he train you" Did he rehearse you? did he tell you what to do and what to say? This cry comes from a wounded heart at the end of "Vertigo."
- A man has fallen in love with a woman who does not exist!
The story: James Stewart plays Scottie Ferguson, a private investigator, who is hired by his old friend, Gavin Elster to follow his wife Madeline Elster (Kim Novak.)
Gavin claims that Madeline is becoming so obsessed with the painting of a dead woman named Carlotta, that Carlotta's ghost might be inhabiting Madeline. What follows is a mysterious story of obsession and mistaken identity, as Scottie Ferguson becomes obsessed and falls in love with Madeline as the dead women.
Jimmy Stewart's character is not well. He suffers from fear of heights along with back problems. He falls obsessively in love with the image of a women. When he cannot have her, he finds another women and tries to mold her, groom her, train her, change her makeup and her hair until she looks like the women he desires.
As I was studying Hitchcock, I ran across a brief article from "IndieWire" that is worth checking out. Here is the link to a excerpt from Andy Warhol's interview with Alfred Hitchcock.
They talk about death, murder, corpse-disposal and psychosis. In other words, you know, just a little light banter. Here is the link:
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"Monsters, kid's stuff, dumb, only weird'os would watch zombie movies,"
I beg your pardon??? Take a closer look!
There are deep rivers running through the land of "apocalypse sweethearts."
George Romero (recently passed away) was one of the most influential pioneer zombie filmmakers. He gave these "apocalypse sweethearts" their body movements, their look, style and basic awesomeness. His films are timeless. After all these years, he is now getting his place on the "Hollywood Star of Fame Walk."
"Night of the Living Dead" was the first film to establish him as a filmmaker. Some of his films are (1968) "Night of the Living Dead"; (1978) "Dawn of the Dead"; (1985) "Day of the Dead"; (2005) "Land of the Dead"
1. "We call them walkers. How many walkers have you killed?"
2. "How many people have you killed?"
3. ..........and why?
Every new person they meet along the pathway has to answer the three questions.
In the TV series "The Walking Dead", zombies are called walkers.
This amazing cast "gives it their all" leading us on a suspenseful journey.
Presently "The Walking Dead" - Season 10 comes on AMC every Sunday followed by "Talking Dead" with Chris Hardwick.
Also, "Fear the Walking Dead" are showing past episodes of the series. "The World Beyond" is a new series with Rick Grimes former leader of "The Walking Dead" gang of survivors. This is set to premier in April.
In this photo, is Greg Nicotero and some of the gang!
Nicotero worked with George Romero and is an expert on zombie make-up and style. He gives great attention to detail when designing these walkers and gives each one their individual personality even though he designs thousands of them. They look like you can reach out and touch them - - your neighbors, family and friends who have turned into walkers. Greg is still creating walkers and directing episodes on "The Walking Dead."
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This photo is Morgan rescuing Daryl and Aaron out of this vehicle surrounded by Walkers!
Z-nation . . .
is filled with creativity. It is like the "what-if?" version of the apocalypse. The writing flows smoothly in this road trip adventure. They call them Z's in this series. The group travels the country with one goal in mind "a cure for the zombie virus." The talented cast keeps adapting to ever changing environments and there is never a dull moment!
UPDATE- The show is over. But you can still enjoy it on Netflix and other streaming channels.
Photo is Cassandra with a zombie baby (from Z-nation.)
"Z-nation" cast pulls off drama and humor and all in-between! They are aggressive warriors who are always thinking and coming up with strategies.
"Fear the Walking Dead" begins in L.A. and is a drama about the apocalypse as it develops in L.A. This impressive series immediately captures the "off-beat" underworld of LA while maintaining the magical, elusive atmosphere of the "city of angels."
UPDATE - WE are nearing the end of this season. Comes on Sundays on AMC channel. Just a few more episodes.
The same producers as "The Walking Dead" only instead of the setting being in Georgia and the spooky woods of this region, it takes place in the city of L.A. This series is a drama for adults and movie buffs will appreciate the lighting, set design, acting, writing and other hard work put into these episodes.
It is interesting to watch these new apocalypse survivors learn a little at a time the rules of the apocalypse (which the "Walking Dead" cast already) Stressful to watch them endanger themselves! It makes you want to yell out "Hey, watch out! Don't do that!" For fun watch the beginning of the series and enjoy the eerie LA setting. Then watch the episodes that lead up to the present! Right now on Sling
"Liv" attends a party and ends up being a zombie! The setting is in Seattle. Clever writing and smart dialogue, keeps you on your toes! This show keeps moving, moving, moving....watch the next episode on CW Tuesday June 13. To catch up, view the first seasons of "iZombie" streaming on Netflix!
P.S.S. We automatically will send you a PDF file of "film noir" movie lists free! We did the work for you listing titles - actors - and a brief description. All you have to do is follow us with your e-mail.
Some of our other titles you might be interested in are:
The
term "film noir" (film n'war), literally black and white film, was
coined by French film critics (first by Nino Frank in 1946) who noticed
the trend of how dark and down beat the looks and themes were of many
American films released in France following the war.
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall
These two were madly in love in real life and Bogart divorced his wife and married Bacall. They stayed married for 10 years until his death (Jan 14, 1957.) They starred in several great films together. I have seen all of these and I recommend you taking the time to watch them on your next movie night!
"To Have and Have Not" (1944) they met on this set
"The Big Sleep" (1946) considered one of the greatest "film noir"
"Dark Passage" (1947)
"Key Largo" (1948)
Photos below are Fred MacMurrey and Barbara Stanwick
"Double Indemnity" (photo above) is another one of the most famous "film noir"movies, starring Fred MacMurrey, Barbara Stanwick and Edward G. Robinson. An insurance investigator falls for a woman who talks him into a fraud scheme involving murder. Barbara Stanwick is the "film noir femme fatale" in this one.
Classic film noir developed during and after World War II, taking advantage of the post-war atmosphere of anxiety, pessimism and suspicion. It was a style of black and white American films that first evolved in the 1940s and lasted until about 1960 (marked by the last film of the era, Orson Wells' "Touch of Evil" 1958.)
Usually murder in addition to greed and jealousy are elements of "film noir." Before the term "film noir" was widely accepted in the 1970s, many of these classic films were referred to as "melodramas."
Kirk Douglas
"Out of the Past" is one of my favorite "film noir" films starring Kirk Douglas and Robert Mitchum along with Jane Greer.
Robert Mitchum (Jeff) a private eye, escapes his past and runs a gas station in a small town, but his past catches up with him. Now, he is pulled back into a dangerous world by a crime boss, Kirk Douglas (Whit) and a double-crossing dame Jane Greer (Kathie.) Jane Greer is playing a stellar role as a "film noir femme fatale." (photo below)
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You can find many of these movies streaming online.
We have made a PDF file for you of a comprehensive list of "flim noir" both classic and a few newer ones. The info includes Title, date, brief description, actors and where to find streaming. It is a list of about 7 pages for you to print out and use for your movie watching list.
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In remote Antarctica, a group of American research scientists are disturbed by a helicopter shooting at a sled dog. When they take in the dog, it brutally attacks both humans and canines in the camp. They discover that the dog can take take the shape of its victims. Kurt Russell and Richard Dysart lead the camp crew in a desperate battle against the vicious creature before it picks them off, one by one. Note: This movie was not a hit; but over the last 30 years has become a respected classic. It is on every science fiction list that I come across. This remake remains faithful to the original film. The last time I looked, it is streaming on Netflix. 
a small town is taken over by an alien parasite that turns residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters or giant blobs of gunk or hordes of alien slugs. This film is entertaining and utterly disgusting! (Rated "R")
"Dr. Who" is a world of aliens. We all have our favorite Dr. Who as he regenerates into a new body instead of dying when his time is up. Over 36 seasons there have been many of them. Matt Smith is one of my favorites. Dr. Who, a time traveling alien, travels through time and space in a blue tardis. He is probably the most famous Alien of all time. 
We would love to keep in touch! I write a one-page newsletter with movie news, latest blog, and a new recipe!
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