1. Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
Tomato Score: 48% Fresh
Oh. Oh my, what did you do Ellory Elkayem? You seem to have created a kind of SciFi Spoofing gold, that’s what. Admit it, you remember when this one came out in 2002 and you were wondering the same thing I was wondering: “This is some kind of joke, right?” Well, yes and no. Director Ellory Elkayem’s vision was to create a send up to the schlocky SciFi B-movies of yesteryear and, while it’s critical reception wasn’t so great, he created a movie that is great fun to watch with friends or just to veg out with on your own. Showing no pretensions what-so-ever, Eight Legged Freaks just wants to have some fun at its own expense. Consider it this generations Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and enjoy.
2. The Island (2005)
Tomato Score: 40% Fresh
As a serious SciFi title this is Oh-My-Goodness bad, but as SciFi Camp it’s Oh-So-Good. This film has plot holes and just plain ridiculous contrivances that require the characters to be completely brain-dead in order to succeed. Luckily, they’re up to the task. However, the corny dialog, multiple double-crosses, and adrenelin soaked action scenes keep this movie from being completely bogged down in its aspirations to be Philip-K-Dick-ian. So plop on down, prepare for a game of spot-the-fallacy, and have a little fun.
3. Judge Dredd (1995)
Tomato Score: 15% Fresh
Take Blade Runner and remove all the fantastic elements that made it a classic; what you have left over is Judge Dredd. Before we go any further, let’s make a distinction here - Judge Dredd is based off of a comic book character of the same name. The comics are Mad Max/Dirty Harry as a futuristic cop and is a very big deal overseas (apparently), the movie was supposed to be kinda similar, but it never quite got the formula right. The Dialog resembles 16 ounces of Cabot’s Cheddar and you never quite shake the feeling that the world the characters are inhabiting is anything but a soundstage, and that is exactly why it’s so much fun to watch.
More after the jump…
4. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)
Tomato Score: 44% Fresh
Of all the movies listed here, this one might just be one of my favorites. Released in 2001, this film marked one of the first attempts to animate human characters realistically. Even today, seven years on, the results are pretty impressive. The film is dark and not half as bad as it was panned as being, but when you lose $130 million during your box office run, the name-calling isn't far behind. It's too bad. Yes, it does share the pro-environmentalism views of the games (not that I'm against that) and there are some odd character motivations/decisions, but more than anything I think this film was a victim of the studio looking too far ahead. Let's be honest, this is a better movie than it's given credit for; as "guilty" pleasures go, this one should be paroled.
5. The 6th Day (2000)
Tomato Score: 40% Fresh
Admit it, Arnold Schwarzenegger is fun to watch no matter what movie he's in. Action, SciFi, Comedy, Adventure, no matter where he is, you know there's going to be a show, some popcorn, and a generally good time. We've learned to let our guard down around him and just have some fun. Sixth Day is the epitome of a fun Schwarzenegger romp. He has some running around to do, some cheesy dialog ("All I know is that there is somebody in my house, eating my birthday cake, with my family, and its not me!") and he even gets to play off himself in his cloned scenes all while trying to sort out his identity. Is he the clone or the real Drucker? Oh who cares, its Arnold in a semi-cheesy SciFi run-around?! Sign me up right now!
6. Æon Flux (2005)
Tomato Score: 11% Fresh
Not being all too familiar with the short animation sourcework for this film, I suppose I didn't experience the shock and awe that hardcore fans of the animated Æon have described in relation to this film. Sure, the pacing is a little off and the film sometimes plods along, but what is so wrong with slowing things down? Had Æon Flux tried to be nothing but a straight SciFi-action film it wouldn't have come out so well (kinda like what happened to another similar movie a year later). This is one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies - it's got action, it's highly stylized, and requires a lot of belief suspension. So what? I know I'm not supposed to like it, the critics tell me so, but when it comes to Æon Flux I've got cotton in my ears.
7. Jason X (2001)
Tomato Score: 21% Fresh
Kinda like Ernest, Jason had just about gone everywhere by the time Hollywood decided to send Jason into Space. The once venerable and frightening-as-you-know-where took an interesting turn with this installment. Eschewing the traditional horror environs of earthly quarters, Jason was shot into space where he found himself in the SciFi Thriller environment of "trapped in a ship with maniac killer." Making things even more interesting is the addition of Uber-Jason, super-tricked out maniac killer. And that's really all that needs to be said. If you want a great midnight party movie, Meet Jason X. There really is a lot of fun to be had here.
8. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Tomato Score: 45% Fresh
Okay, so perhaps one of the biggest difficulties faced when recommending this movie is the danger of offending political sensibilities; I'm not out to convince you one way or the other on the global warming issue, but I am going to tell you that it's a good set up for a movie. Part of the fun of Day After is in finding the science and logic flaws in the movie (something anyone on either side of the political/scientific debate should enjoy). Watch for an infamous slam-the-door-on-dangerous-weather scene (those must be some seriously strong doors), the fact that a tidal wave seems to involve very little debris or current, flash freezes, and some very digital wild dogs among other things. The Day After Tomorrow might play a little fast and loose when it comes to science and logic, but among environmental disaster movies, this one makes for some fun watching. Leave the politics at the door and kick your feet up for this fun SciFi pic.
9. Wing Commander (1999)
Tomato Score: 9% Fresh
I could write out my reasons, but instead I'm offering you this oddly long trailer that'll tell you all you need to know:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAxG4u_rqug
Seriously, if you have never seen Wing Commander, check it out. Think of it as in the same vein as Starship Troopers and enjoy!
10. The Core (2003)
Tomato Score: 42% Fresh
How do you kickstart the Earth's molten core after it stops spinning? With 'Nukes, of course!
Okay, I'll admit it, of all the films listed, this one might be my favorite. It's a disaster movie predicated on the idea of a geo-weapon. Someone developed a weapon that could deliver pinpointed earthquakes and all you had to do was screw around with the planet. Yep, and of course no one thought about the consequences until it was too late and the Earth's molten core stopped spinning. Now a group of attractive scientists have to tunnel down to the center of the Earth, plant 'Nukes, and then speed to the surface ahead of a blast wave all the while trying not to be killed off one by one on their way there and back. Sure, whatever, pass the popcorn.
Yeeesh, you're on your own for most of those. That said, I'll say that I dug Aeon Flux more than most people and thought it was a nice adaptation of the animated series.
Ha! Don't tell me that a few bad SciFi movies is too horrifying for the horror master.
I'm teasing of course and even I wouldn't want to watch all of these back-to-back. Think of it more as a one-at-a-time-for-a-laugh deal. With possible exceptions for Flux and Fantasy (which I really kinda dug).
But yeah, not all at once. Oh dear heaven, not all at once!
I also liked Final Fantasy -- but then again, I do wish it had been better.
By the way, The Island isn't a terrible movie at all -- it just took heat for having been done before both in films and in books. Definitely read Michael Marshall Smith's SPARES for a terrifying, brilliant look at the same idea.
Two of my favorite women are in those movies -- Scarlett JoJo and Diane Lane! Judge Dredd never had it so good! ;)
Ohhh...I love MMS's Straw Men books, I'll have to check out Spare