Boldly Going Where No Man Has Gone Before
This thread has gone beyond STAR TREK literally, but what the heck!
Cinemabon's comment regarding ALIEN has stirred me to reflect on my fifth best movie of all time 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, a sci fi classic and my tenth best movie of all time ALIEN (BLADERUNNER incidently sits in twelve place on my list). Oops, Cinemabon's stated that ALIEN was "one of the finest science fiction films ever made" well nevertheless, Cinemabon's comment still made me wonder about why 2001 ranks higher than ALIEN for me. What was stellar with both movies was the realism and authenticity that both movies present to the audience, minus ALIEN'S engine sounds in space - the acting was spot on. 2001 incorporates a larger cosmic embrace of science fiction while ALIEN focuses on an intimate personal horror experiential experience, including a feminine/masculine quality in Ripley that denotes a balance between aggression and compassion. 2001 has the larger, universal message with greater impact while ALIEN, for me, went inwards into the human psyche of what is best in humanity.
However, it is this inner spirit from ALIEN as well as the fascinating alien/human fusion in a sequel that compels me to recognize the strengths and insights found in ALIEN RESURRECTION (1997) which I thought had solid merits as a quality sci fi movie, if not classic movie which I felt it didn't achieve.
Science Fiction Literature - Cinemabon
Cinemabon revealed his sci fi literature preferences on his website - while this is probably a topic better suited to a book forum, it still overlaps topic-wise with an alternative sci fi media format. I used to be a rapid sci fi reader, but later fizzled out when I became an adult having to work and struggling just to live in the real world. Nevertheless, Cinemabon's list brings back memories.
10. Fredrick Pohl's "Gateway" I probably read this book, but I can't remember it at all.
9. Ray Bradbury's "The Martian Chronicles" Instant classic with dazzling vignettes of personable intimate stories (like a sci fi twilight zone).
8. John Brunner's "Stand on Zanzibar" A classic that is considered one of the best immersion into an alien culture.
7. Larry Niven's "Ringworld" One of the best adventure sci fi novels in the traditional captivating journey/voyage mold.
6. Arthur C. Clark's "A Childhood's End" A wonderful almost epic novel, that if I recall correctly extends a lifetime.
5. Kurt Vonnegut's "Cat's Cradle" Missed this one.
4. Issac Asimov's "The Foundation Trilogy" Voted the best sci fi series of all time. It's possible, never to be overtaken.
3. Frank Herbert's "Dune" An epic novel with some of the most densely, richly alien dynastic vision in sci fi literature.
2. Robert Heinlein's "Stranger in a strange land." Considered the most enthralling alien perspective.
1. Ursula K. LeGuin's "The left hand of darkness" Oh, my. Read it, can't remember it - forgive me.
"The Lord of the Rings" by J R R Tolkien. This classic was bested later by Stephen R. Donaldson in his six novel series THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS COVENANT
"Nine Princes in Amber" by Roger Zelazny. Never read.
"The Dispossessed" by LeGuin. Never read.
"War of the Worlds" by H G Wells. Never read.
"Ender's Game" by Orson Card. Read, but can't recall much, but it was my home state author's brilliant sci fi outing.
"Downbelow Station" by C J Cherryh. Never read, but the authori is considered among the serious sci fi authors.
"20,000 Leagues under the sea" by Jules Verne. Never read.
"A Spell for Chameleon" by Piers Anthony. Read it, but there were a number of great novels he wrote, it's hard to choice among his many books.
"The Book of Skulls" by Robert Silverberg. Never read this novel, but definitely one of the classic sci fi authors.
"Contact" by Carl Sagan. Never read.
"A Canticle for Leibowitz" by Walter Miller Never read.
"Dragonflight" by Anne McCaffrey. Wonderful - fantasy world along with the rest of her books.
"The Sword of Shannara" by Terry Brooks. Never read, but came on the scene later than many of these authors.
What a trip down memory lane. Maybe when I retire. Reading books is so different from watching and experiencing films. Some of my best memories.