The Final Frontier

Many films often gouge their way into the future, revealing a world in which chaos and destruction reign king. As a genre, science fiction films are more susceptible to this technique, and for good reason: the future is unknown, their dark depths threaten us, and send our imaginations into overdrive. We've seen films like Blade Runner, and read novels like 1984. The genre even extends to television programs like Star Trek and most recently LOST, and we never grow tired of the mystery and adventure that so often make up their plots. With the release of Neill Blomkamp's critically acclaimed District 9, science fiction is once again in the spotlight. Having seen the film last week, I now know why Peter Jackson wanted it released on a global scale. The film is both poignant and violent, full of emotion and brimming with jaw-dropping special effects. This really is the must-see blockbuster of the summer, for Sci-Fi geeks and the rest of the lot.

For those of you who would like to skip the ticket lines, and the incessant ramblings of the Trekkie behind you, there's the classic 1985 Terry Gilliam flick Brazil. As a member of Monty Python, you'd expect Gilliam to pump audiences full of laughter, but as a director Gilliam does so much more. Brazil's lavish set design and costumes reflect Gilliam's past, but the subject matter here is pure apocalyptic Sci-Fi madness. Jonathan Pryce stars as Sam Lowry, a young man living in a dystopian world where humans rely on poorly maintained machines, and the government is an Orwellian wet dream. Brazil is a gem that is often overlooked, and it stands the test of time as a true Sci-Fi treasure. Take a peek at the trailer below: