Alien 3 (dir. David Fincher): potentially interesting psych horror / slasher flick in space is a mess
David Fincher, “Alien 3” (1992) At least in this third episode in the Alien series, people finally figured out a new original way of killing the…
Science Fiction Films
Aliens (dir. James Cameron): overstretched plot meets redeemed heroine in Vietnam War fable
James Cameron, “Aliens” (1986) Sequel to Ridley Scott’s “Alien”, this is a very different movie: “Alien” is basically a haunted-house horror story with ordinary civilian worker…
Alien (dir. Ridley Scott): unique sci-fi/horror film with much to say about human society
Ridley Scott, “Alien” (1979) In the wake of news that Ridley Scott has started work on “Prometheus”, the movie prologue to “Alien”, it’s timely to revisit…
Metropia: dystopian science fiction animated film offers little that’s fresh
Tarik Saleh, “Metropia” (2009) Set in a future post-apocalyptic Europe in 2024, where all underground train networks in the different countries have been unified in one…
Dark City (dir. Alex Proyas): thought-provoking ideas and issues trapped in a prison
Alex Proyas, “Dark City” (1998) An attractive film that combines elements of film noir, mystery, science fiction and (regrettably) action thriller, “Dark City” is a quest…
German and German-language Films
Metropolis (directed by Fritz Lang): trite plot and mawkish ending let down an impressive and stylish film
Fritz Lang, “Metropolis” (1927) Picture source: www.tobatheinfilmicwaters.com The version of “Metropolis” I saw recently is the restored and digitally remastered one done under the supervision of…
Monsters (dir. Gareth Edwards): likely to be a minor cult classic but lacking in refinement
Gareth Edwards, “Monsters”, Vertigo Films (2010) Some time in the not too distant future, a NASA space probe has gone and collected some alien…
Splice: spliced-together movie unravelling at the joins
Vincenzo Natali, “Splice”, Dark Castle Entertainment (2010) Fans of former Oscar Best Actor winner Adrien Brody must be wondering how their man came to be slumming it…
French and French-language Films
Alphaville: Lemme caution you, it’s a sci-fi flick like no other
Jean-Luc Godard, “Alphaville”, Athos Films (1965) On the surface “Alphaville” is just one of many episodes in the career of stereotypical hard-boiled trenchcoat-suited detective Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine). Caution’s immediate mission is…
Inception: overhyped film remains in dream limbo
Christopher Nolan, “Inception” (2010) I found this film disappointing despite the ingenious combination of science fiction with the conventions of an action heist film, based on the…