UPDATE (Jan. 10): The final list has just been announced! Go here to see which films made the cut.
Oh the agony.
Our quest to isolate, consolidate and appreciate the 5 most underrated sci-fi masterpieces has taken more than a few twists and turns. What is true sci-fi? What counts as underrated? What qualifies as a masterpiece. Talk about a bewildering debate. (See the complete debate here)
And then there's this complicating factor: The film that would be near the top of my list as the most underrated accomplishment just took the top slot in my “top sci-fi films of the decade” list. So there's no way I'm going to take one of my five measly slots to reiterate something from my decade list.
The plot thickens, my friends. It's like I'm watching Primer all over again.
Reviewing all available materials and conferring with my sci-fi spiritual guides, I've somehow managed to compile a final list of 20 nominees. Twenty epics that never were; twenty visionary filmmakers who never received the satisfaction of knowing that audiences cherished their work. Review this list of 20, and chime in with your thoughts: Which of these are best? What titles have I overlooked? What picks would infuriate you? Your comments will indeed be factored into my final decision.
Think of this as the Oscar nominations, if the Oscars didn't suck. We are now entering the interim period, before the awards are announced, and you must cast your vote.
So we'll leave this post up through the holidays and three weeks from today, January 6, we will announce the final verdict. Techland's Five Underrated Sci-Fi Masterpieces – a far more challenging process than I ever imagined.
Nominees (listed alphabetically):
Altered States
Alien3
Andromeda Strain
Dark Star
Dark City
The Day the Earth Caught Fire
eXistenZ
The Fountain
Gattaca
The Hidden
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Predator
Primer
Silent Running
Sleeper
Solaris (1972)
Solaris (2002)
Stalker
Sunshine
Time Bandits
Tron
I know, I know, this is a hard one, but let's work together in a bid for consensus! Let's prove we're better than our elected representatives.
&snippet=
%3Cimg+src%3D%22http://timenerdworld.wordpress.com/files/2009/12/586_gattaca.jpg%22%3E<br />UPDATE (Jan. 10): The final list has just been announced! Go here to see which films made the cut.
Oh the agony.
Our quest to isolate, consolidate and appreciate the 5 most underrated sci-fi masterpieces has taken more than a few twists and turns. What is true sci-fi? What counts as underrated? What qualifies as a masterpiece. [...]&srcURL=http://techland.com){kind=link}
From that list I'd vote for Time Bandits, Tron and Andromeda Strain (the original) just because I love those. Time Bandits I love, it dragged a bit in parts, but it had the imagination. Tron just for the pure technical wizardry of the time (even though it pales in comparison to CG effects today).
Predator almost made the cut, but honestly it was basically Alien in a jungle, with Arnold in the Ripley spot. It's good yes, but Alien was much better. And Alien3? I don't think it deserves to be on that list, it was way too predictable. The first time I saw it, which was in my early teens, I predicted who was going to die long before they bit it.
gmiverson
Dec. 17, 2009 01:32:am
at 01:32:am
Dark City was the first movie that I thought YES! After that Gattaca, and as I posted in the Decade post Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. having trouble picking a 4 and 5 though
hobbcore
Dec. 17, 2009 09:11:am
at 09:11:am
Since you already tagged 3 of the movies in your post, i guess i nominate Hitchhikers (my pick from the last debate) and Dark City. How can Primer/Solaris'02 be on this list and your Top Ten Decade list? I would think the two "lists" are NOT mutually exclusive.
thebro88
Dec. 17, 2009 09:16:am
at 09:16:am
I discounted your Best of The Decade list when you put A.I. on it. Let alone at the top. Ugh. And I'm still writing in Serenity.
Serenity
Gattaca
Sunshine
Dark City
Primer
Kemper
Dec. 17, 2009 09:26:am
at 09:26:am
SERENITY
Lev Grossman
Dec. 17, 2009 11:00:am
at 11:00:am
Dr. WHO
Butterfly Effect
gthrasher
Dec. 17, 2009 11:54:am
at 11:54:am
Lev is correct.
Also, Sunshine? Really? I haven't seen it but the concept of space-madness is so overdone I wasn't terribly motivated.
truevcu
Dec. 17, 2009 14:49:pm
at 14:49:pm
The Fountain
Primer
Solaris (2002)
Sunshine
emilysteve
Dec. 17, 2009 14:56:pm
at 14:56:pm
how about
Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)
It seems that Cameron lifted the "Skynet" idea from this film. It has big brother, cold war fear, and crazy computers all rolled into a fantastic movie that I don't know of anyone who has seen it, other than myself!
timatotoro
Dec. 17, 2009 16:38:pm
at 16:38:pm
@timatotoro
You go! Thank you for mentioning Colossus: The Forbin Project!
I'd nominate TRON and I know I'm dating myself when I also mention Forbidden Planet and Fantastic Voyage as well.
I'd even put in a nod for the original War Of The Worlds (1953)
The Fountain left me spellbound and dazed (and I mean that in a good way).
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Event Horizon - funny part for me with regards to it is I haven't sat through and watched the whole movie, although everyone I talk to says it is intense, creepy etc..
Andromeda Strain = True Classic!
thecrankyfuturist
Dec. 17, 2009 17:58:pm
at 17:58:pm
So wait a sec - with Serenity, a movie that made $40 million at the global box office (http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=serenity.htm), how can it be underrated? I guess that was my concern: Isn't it sort of halfway known? Revered across a wide cross-section of sci-fi fans? My issue there was: Is it underrated?
Steven James Snyder
Dec. 17, 2009 18:09:pm
at 18:09:pm
Thanks for sticking with it Kemper; I actually have a sense that we agree more about some of this stuff than disagree!
Steven James Snyder
Dec. 17, 2009 18:10:pm
at 18:10:pm
Here's a vote for The Hidden. (appears to be the only one so far, so it MUST be the most underrated!)
chuckgoolsbee
Dec. 17, 2009 19:13:pm
at 19:13:pm
Equilibrium? Nobody?
cr1msonking
Dec. 17, 2009 20:40:pm
at 20:40:pm
And yes, The Fountain. I cried like a baby afterwards.
cr1msonking
Dec. 17, 2009 20:41:pm
at 20:41:pm
1. primer
2. chronicles of riddick
3. gattaca
4. the hidden
5. solaris (1972)
stalker is one of my favorite films but i didn't include it because i can't really see how it could be considered underrated. it is widely held to be tarkosky's best film.
i liked dark city and existenz very much when released but feel they haven't held up as well under more recent viewings, particularly the latter. have not yet seen the dark city director's cut.
i will admit that chronicles of riddick is not widely loved. but with repeated viewings this film has really grown on me.
i was initially disappointed by several aspects of hitchhiker's guide aka h2g2 (mainly mos def) but am warming to it of late.
time bandits for me fits more comfortably into the fantasy/adventure category.
i'm quite overdue for a re-viewing of alien3 but am not expecting my mostly negative feelings about this film to move too much to the left or right.
i liked sunshine, but not a top 5 pick for me.
i didn't care at all for firefly, but serenity was tolerable.
i don't share your enthusiasm for the fountain, but will probably give it another try at some point.
it's not sci-fi, but tarsem singh's 'the fall' is spellbinding if you've not seen it.
5laton
Dec. 17, 2009 22:27:pm
at 22:27:pm
Love this list....
1. Gattaca - this is an amazing film! I use it for movie class and hold a discussion afterwards to probe the themes involved, especially the lead of overcoming whatever limitations those around you try to put on you
2. Dark City - again, the theme of limitations and how you can learn to create your own life without them appeals to me
3. Equilibrium - write in candidate that has great themes and yet also a great sense of style, pacing and movement...
4. Blade Runner - is this too "big" to be "underappreciated"? It wasn't that big when it came out, but has gained stature over the years...
5. Stalker - I'm a huge Tarkovsky fan, so let's throw one of his in there...
Brian Ellis
Dec. 18, 2009 06:55:am
at 06:55:am
@ Steven James Snyder - About Serenity, I'd dispute that minor box office success equals it being half-way known. A cult following, granted. But I'm going by the number of blank stares you'll get if you mention it to a crowd of anyone but hardcore nerdlingers. If you say 'Firefly' or 'Serenity' to most people, or even casual geeks, they usually don't have a clue what you're talking about.
Yes, Serenity made a minor splash at the box office thanks to the Browncoats, but it's never really remembered or discussed outside of certain geek circles. Exhibit A, despite good reviews, some tickets and DVDs sold, and a willing creator and crew to do more (from what I've read), there are no plans to make another one. Even Aliens Vs. Predators got a sequel.
That makes it an underrated movie, in my opinion. And since you think A.I. was the best sci-fi movie of the decade, I'm obviously right and you're wrong. (Sorry. I do enjoy playing the obnoxious fanboy. But seriously, A.I.??)
Kemper
Dec. 18, 2009 09:36:am
at 09:36:am
I'd probably go with Gattaca out of those listed there. I am a fan of several others (Dark City, Sunshine, eXistenZ and Andromeda Strain).
Another underrated one comes to mind for me - Closet Land. I realize two people and one room is minimalism in the extreme but it's got a definite Orwellian feel. Anyone else like that one?
livelovelife
Dec. 18, 2009 15:19:pm
at 15:19:pm
I just discovered this website through a CNN link, what a wonderful surprise. When I saw so many of my unknown favorites, I had to post:
The Day the Earth Caught Fire
eXistenZ
Dark City
Silent Running
Altered States
planetvisitor
Dec. 19, 2009 21:21:pm
at 21:21:pm
What about "Village Of The Damned" (1960 of course)? Such a subtle smart film if a touch dated. The idea of alien invasion in such a slow quiet way. I would love to see this remade because there are many possibilities left to be explored in this film. How about David Cronenberg doing it? Just a fantasy.
joeinpdx
Dec. 20, 2009 14:03:pm
at 14:03:pm
1. The Fountain - it's simply unacceptable to make a list of underrated films and not include this
2. Dark City - a spectacular film that doesn't come to theaters nearly enough
3. eXistenZ
4. Sunshine - which I just recently saw and kinda loved
Not sure about the last. Time Bandits is sitting on my coffee table just waiting to be watched so we shall see.
dmj23
Dec. 21, 2009 01:58:am
at 01:58:am
Once again no love for "Pitch Black". I'm starting to think the editors actually never watched this film, not many people did. Think Conan the Barbarian in space; Arnold is to Conan as Vin Diesel is to Riddick—Really, you'll be surprised. I think the entire fanboy crowd really missed one here.
rtl3
Dec. 28, 2009 09:57:am
at 09:57:am
Picking Sunshine would probably infuriate me... that story was just offensive.
I loved The Fountain, and Riddick.
hubotic
Dec. 31, 2009 20:54:pm
at 20:54:pm
SERENITY.
B-Sam
Jan. 1, 2010 10:44:am
at 10:44:am