Best Dystopian Futuristic Films?
#1
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?
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?
#3
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.
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.
#5
Suspended
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 . . .
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 . . .
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Without relying on my movie lists, Glen and Randa and Letters from a Dead Man are two great ones that come to mind.
#13
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Originally Posted by JPRaup
Children of Men is the winner, by miles.
Last edited by outer-edge; 08-03-08 at 12:34 AM.
#14
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...
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...
#17
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?
And why in the world are Pleasantville and Wings of Desire on the list? They're both great movies, but are they really Dystopian?
#19
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Originally Posted by Dr. Mantle
Excellent list.
Last edited by RTisBetter; 08-03-08 at 11:21 PM.
#20
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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.
#22
Originally Posted by RTisBetter
I think it pretty much blows. Equilibrium? Pleasantville? Starship Troopers?
V for Vendetta and Serenity over Gattaca?
And yes, Gattaca is a far superior film to either of those.