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Overlooked Sci-Fi

Old 07-13-08, 01:20 AM
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Overlooked Sci-Fi

I recently found out about movies such as ZPG (Zero Population Growth), Android, and Journey to the Far Side of the Sun. I just got Android today, and plan on picking up the other two.

Neither of these are really well known sci-fi films, and I never heard of them until this year. What else am I missing out on? I want to find really good sci-fi films in terms of story and direction. The special effects can be OK...I am not expecting every movie I find to hold up as well as 2001, for example. I just want GOOD sci-fi. Hard sci-fi preferred, but I am open to anything that is overlooked and actually is good in the sci-fi genre.

Other overlooked classics I am aware of:
Robinson Crusoe on Mars
Solaris (Russian version)
Forbidden Planet (I know it's not exactly overlooked, but I suppose some here might think I don't know about it)

Just to get those two out of the way.

Year made, country of origin, whether it's on another region DVD...any and all suggestions welcome.
Old 07-13-08, 01:39 AM
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Code 46 was a solid hard sci-fi movie that was kinda forgotten.
I liked Sphere, but I know a lot of people thought it got kinda silly in the second half.
Old 07-13-08, 01:43 AM
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Is Solaris overlooked? I mean, it was even remade.

Some overlooked Sci-Fi I've really liked:
  • Primer (2004)
  • The films of Vincenzo Natali:
    • Nothing (2003)
    • Cypher (2002)
    • Cube (1997)
  • Avalon (2001)
  • Serenity (2005)
  • Resurrection of the Little Match Girl (2002)
  • Battle Royale (2000)
  • Pi (1998)

Last edited by Jay G.; 07-13-08 at 01:53 AM.
Old 07-13-08, 01:58 AM
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Hardware
Old 07-13-08, 02:41 AM
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Time after Time. I don't remember it being that popular.
Old 07-13-08, 03:00 AM
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Old 07-13-08, 04:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Mercury&Solace
Hardware
I came here to say this.

Also, Screamers with Peter Weller.
Old 07-13-08, 05:17 AM
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Great topic. I second these:

Cube
Primer
Screamers
Serenity (not really overlooked, though)
Time After Time

I also suggest:

The Arrival
Body Snatchers (1993)
Contact
The Day the Earth Caught Fire
The Lathe of Heaven (1980)
The Quiet Earth
Strange Days
Supernova (2000)
Old 07-13-08, 06:23 AM
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Imposter
Kronos (1957)
The Projected Man(R2)
Target Earth
Eve Of Destruction
Old 07-13-08, 07:00 AM
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Dark City (although this has a pretty good "cult" following)
Equilibrium
GATTACA
Impostor
Thirteenth Floor
Time Bandits

Some that may not really be overlooked, but it fits in w/ some of the other titles the OP mentioned -- older movies that may not be known by the new generations

Capricorn 1 (w/ OJ Simpson )
Fahrenheit 451
Fantastic Voyage
Logan's Run
Soylent Green
Them!
Old 07-13-08, 08:30 AM
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1994's The Puppet Masters is a very solid sci-fi flick that's quite underlooked, IMO. It's based on Heinlien's book of the same name (which came out before Invasion of the Body Snatchers), and it's that kind of premise. I thought it was a very tight, intense, quite action-packed sci-fi outing.
Old 07-13-08, 09:11 AM
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Dune (1984)
Old 07-13-08, 09:24 AM
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"The Quiet Earth"?
Old 07-13-08, 10:02 AM
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Old 07-13-08, 10:17 AM
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The Hidden (1987)
Old 07-13-08, 10:37 AM
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Thanks --- Capricorn One, I forgot all about that!
Old 07-13-08, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by forumsmy
Thanks --- Capricorn One, I forgot all about that!
It inspired a whole generation of conspiracy theorists!
Old 07-13-08, 11:29 AM
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A Boy and his Dog
The Brother from Another Planet
Dark Star
Fantastic Planet
I Married a Monster from Outer Space
Incredible Shrinking Man
Invaders from Mars (original)
The Mysterians
Open Your Eyes


I definitely second the votes for Them! and Day the Earth Caught Fire. Also, all of the films employing stop motion work by Ray Harryhausen are worth a rental, although the acting and dialogue suffer from the woodenness typical of the period.

Last edited by NoirFan; 07-13-08 at 11:34 AM.
Old 07-13-08, 11:46 AM
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1984
Face of Another
Fantastic Planet
Fahrenheit 451
Solaris (1972)
Stalker
Tetsuo: The Ironman
Tetsuo 2: Body Hammer
Old 07-13-08, 11:48 AM
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Enemy Mine
Old 07-13-08, 12:13 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions! I'd say a good 80% of what has been listed so far is either new to me or titles I've heard/read in passing that I never really knew the movies were good sci fi.

Code 46 for example....I know that's at the local video store up the street. I've passed by the DVD a few times. Now I have a reason to pick it up!
Old 07-13-08, 12:44 PM
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Premier is brilliant and I loved Serenity. I 2nd those.

I need to check out Android.
Old 07-13-08, 01:48 PM
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Outland

I'm not sure if it qualifies as overlooked, but I really like it.
Old 07-13-08, 01:55 PM
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One of my all-time favs & being that it hasn't even been mentioned here yet, it would clearly be underrated.


eXistenZ
Old 07-13-08, 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Kevin Phillips
Outland

I'm not sure if it qualifies as overlooked, but I really like it.
Certainly overlooked for a decent DVD transfer with bonus features.

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