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Best Dystopian Futuristic Films?

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Best Dystopian Futuristic Films?

Old 08-02-08, 04:01 PM
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Best Dystopian Futuristic Films?

I recently came across a list of the Top 50 All-Time best "dystopian movies", and have set out to try and see some that I haven't - because I have a fascination with these sorts of movies.

Here's how they've defined a dystopian film:

A dystopia is a fictional society that is the antithesis or complete opposite of a utopia, an ideal world with a perfect social, political and technological infrastructure. A world without chaos, strife or hunger. A world where the individual potential and freedom is celebrated and brought to the forefront.

In contrast, the dystopian world is undesirable with poverty and unequal domination by specific individuals over others. Dystopian films often construct a fictional universe and set it in a background which features scenarios such as dehumanizing technological advancements, man-made disasters or class-based revolutions.


Their list is ranked according to ratings on IMDB and RottenTomatoes - which I guess is a good system of seeing what most enjoyed. But I found some of placements odd, and not the way I would have ordered things - but then again I tend to have different tastes than many regarding movies.

SO, what have been your favorite futuristic (or not so futuristic), dystopian-esque films?
Old 08-02-08, 04:48 PM
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The Handmaid's Tale
Old 08-02-08, 08:09 PM
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I've seen 37 from the list and own many.

Not a bad list at all, though there could be some argument about why some were included - i Robot, Serenity, Ghost in the Shell, Starship Troopers for starters.

Just don't forget to check out the honorable mentions. Avalon and Le Dernier Combat are both excellent and under-rated films; more appropriate than some included within that list.
Old 08-02-08, 08:14 PM
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Children of Men is the winner, by miles.
Old 08-02-08, 08:16 PM
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I like the version of Nineteen Eighty-Four with John Hurt and Richard Burton. True, it excises a lot of Goldstein's book, but I think it captures the feeling of the book as well as can be done on the screen.

I'll second The Handmaid's Tale. That's a good film.

Logan's Run is also good.

I used to teach a class in dystopian fiction. Let me see what other films I used over the years . . .
Old 08-02-08, 08:31 PM
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BRAZIL -- close thread please.
Old 08-02-08, 08:33 PM
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That's a damn good list there.
Old 08-02-08, 08:41 PM
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Brazil, Clockwork Orange, 12 Monkeys, V for Vendetta, Children Of Men ...they are all so good.
Old 08-02-08, 09:05 PM
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Still think Blade Runner is the best one. It still looks amazing and real. Brazil is right behind it.
Old 08-02-08, 10:54 PM
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Escape from New York at 35!
Old 08-02-08, 11:11 PM
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Alot of good choices so far.

I'll probably get flamed for this, but I really enjoyed Southland Tales, despite its messy nature.
Old 08-02-08, 11:30 PM
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Without relying on my movie lists, Glen and Randa and Letters from a Dead Man are two great ones that come to mind.
Old 08-03-08, 12:27 AM
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Originally Posted by JPRaup
Children of Men is the winner, by miles.
I just got done watching this again tonight. Love it. My friend watching with me was seeing it for the first time and loved it as well. Many other favorites on that list. I did not know a movie version of On the Beach existed. I LOVE the book though.

Last edited by outer-edge; 08-03-08 at 12:34 AM.
Old 08-03-08, 10:35 PM
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I think Idiocracy is a terrible film and has no place on any list with the word 'best' in it.

I love A Scanner Darkly and I'm glad it's on there.

I saw Pleasantville by accident once, and I'm not sure why it's on this list. I don't think it's a bad film, I just don't think it fits either.

I'd have put AI much higher. I think it's a much better film than it's remembered as... if only the ending hadn't taken forever...
Old 08-03-08, 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Matt Millheiser
-- close thread please.

Fixed.
Old 08-03-08, 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by JPRaup
Children of Men is the winner, by miles.

Only if you've never actually seen

Old 08-03-08, 10:49 PM
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Excellent list. It's nice to see The Road Warrior in the top ten. But #1 should have been Brazil or Clockwork.

And why in the world are Pleasantville and Wings of Desire on the list? They're both great movies, but are they really Dystopian?
Old 08-03-08, 11:00 PM
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Wall-e
Old 08-03-08, 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Dr. Mantle
Excellent list.
I think it pretty much blows. Equilibrium? Pleasantville? Starship Troopers? V for Vendetta and Serenity over Gattaca?

Last edited by RTisBetter; 08-03-08 at 11:21 PM.
Old 08-03-08, 11:48 PM
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I appreciate Kevin Costners commitment to this genre with The Postman (1997) and possibly Waterworld (1995). Waterworld may not be entirely Dystopian and wasn't one of my favorites, but it was an interesting idea.
Old 08-04-08, 01:48 AM
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I'm very excited that list included Godard's Alphaville at #13.
Old 08-04-08, 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by RTisBetter
I think it pretty much blows. Equilibrium? Pleasantville? Starship Troopers?
Yeah, I too have a problem with some of the films listed, but Equilibrium is spot on.

V for Vendetta and Serenity over Gattaca?
Reread the first section of the article. The author explains that the ordering system is based on an average of both RT and IMDB.

And yes, Gattaca is a far superior film to either of those.
Old 08-04-08, 01:04 PM
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What, no Stalker!!!
Old 08-04-08, 01:30 PM
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What about SOuthland Tales? Could that fit?
Old 08-04-08, 04:55 PM
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Has anyone read George Orwell's 1984? I've seen the movie, but haven't read the book, and I'm wondering if the book is better.

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