Science Fiction Picture Shows

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Science Fiction Picture Shows
January 2011
By Alex Natanzon
Inside Beat

Science fiction in cinema has been around for almost as long as the film industry itself. The beauty of this genre is that it constantly pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved in a movie while simultaneously telling an interesting story that pulls the viewer into a world created by the director. Sci-fi is able to enchant the senses by creating a visually stunning world for the story to unwind. One of the earliest famed science fiction films is Fritz Lang's 1927 film Metropolis;it uses a futuristic dystopian backdrop to explore issues of social crisis between workers in a capitalist society. Many of the science fiction films between the 1930s through 1950s were B-movie horror flicks, like It Came from Outer Space, or Invasion of the Body Snatchers. It wasn't until 1968 that legendary film director Stanley Kubrick took sci-fi to an entirely new level with 2001: A Space Odyssey. There are undoubtedly many more science fiction films out there, and numerous other contributors to the genre. Below are just some of the people who have helped shape and popularize this genre of film. Their visions helped pave the way for many more great sci-fi movies like Avatar. Science fiction will continue to breathe through film, and will constantly push the limits of what can be done visually and technologically in movies.

Stanley Kubrick (July 26, 1928 – March 7, 1999)
Stanley Kubrick has gone down in history as being one of the most influential film directors ever. Many of his films touch on deep subjects of human nature and war. At the same time his perfectionism was underlined in his works, and his careful, methodical process. Kubrick's films are famous for being well ahead of their time.
Aside from his contributions to the science fiction genre, Kubrick directed some of the most celebrated and acclaimed films, such as Dr. Strangelove (1964), Full Metal Jacket (1987), and A Clockwork Orange (1969).
Stanley Kubrick created 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968 — a film that revolutionized the science fiction genre of film and pushed the limits of what could be achieved technologically in a movie. The film explores themes of evolution, artificial intelligence and technology. The main plot follows four astronauts bound for Jupiter on a spaceship piloted by a super computer called HAL 9000. 2001: A Space Odyssey is by no means a horror film in space; instead, this movie properly demonstrates the dark side of technology. The most notable aspect of the film is the visually stunning special effects, which were way ahead of their time. Kubrick used clever camera work and well-designed models to give the illusion that the actors were actually floating in a zero-gravity space vessel.
Fun Fact: None of Kubrick's films ever won the Oscar for Best Picture.

George Lucas (May 14, 1944)
When one here's the name George Lucas, the first thing to come to mind is the epic space opera, Star Wars. While Lucas is credited with other films such as the Indiana Jones series, Star Wars is his most acclaimed and influential film series.
In 1977, science fiction was a recognized film genre, but in no way a widely popular one. But that all changed after the release of Star Wars, starring Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Sir Alec Guinness. Set in a distant galaxy a long time ago, Star Wars focuses on a young man's personal quest to become a Jedi warrior and bring an end to the rule of the evil galactic empire. Star Wars had it all: a handsome hero, action, adventure, a damsel in distress and outlandish aliens. What more could one ask for?
The film was so successful that it went on to gross $460 million in the United States alone, and it received an Oscar nomination for best picture. Star Wars made science fiction into a popular genre, through the use of state of the art technology and an uplifting storyline. It spawned two sequels, three prequels and an overwhelming amount of merchandise. George Lucas can be thanked for pushing science fiction into the foregrounds of cinema.
Fun Fact: George Lucas has pledged to give half of his fortune to charity as part of an effort called The Giving Pledge led by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.

Steven Spielberg (December 18, 1946)
It is no surprise that a close friend and collaborator of George Lucas would also be one of the top players in the sci-fi genre. Spielberg is famous for his high production values, and the large scale, epic quality of his films. His name is easily associated with sci-fi, as his films helped push science fiction to become one of the most popular film genres. He is of course famous for other films such as the acclaimed Saving Private Ryan, and the Oscar-winning Schindler's List.
Spielberg released Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 1977, the story of a blue-collar man (Richard Dreyfuss, Jaws) who becomes obsessed with locating a specific site after an encounter with a UFO. The film had dazzling special effects, and it was one of the first movies to portray aliens as peaceful beings rather than monsters.
Spielberg directed E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in 1982, Starring Henry Thomas and a young Drew Barrymore, the film told the tale of a young boy named Elliott who discovers and befriends an alien that he names E.T. The film warmed the hearts of kids and adults when it came out and continues to do so today.
Spielberg also directed numerous other recognized science fiction films such as Minority Report and A.I. Artificial Intelligence.
Fun Fact: Steven Spielberg is one of the co-founders of the DreamWorks movie studio.

Ridley Scott (November 30, 1937)
When compiling a list of influential directors of sci-fi films, Ridley Scott's name would undeniably grace that list. Not only is he one of the best action film directors, but he created a few of the most groundbreaking science fiction movies. He is responsible for such hits as Gladiator, Black Rain and American Gangster.
In 1979, Ridley Scott directed Alien,starring Sigourney Weaver. The film is about a crew of astronauts that is terrorized by a horrifying, bloodthirsty alien beast that is capable of nesting inside humans. The film had an enormous impact on the sci-fi and horror genres, by incorporating Oscar-winning visual effects, a strong heroine and refined directing.
Ridley Scott is also credited with creating the first true cyber-punk sci-fi film. In 1982, Ridley Scott directed a neo-noir, cyber punk, sci-fi adventure entitled Blade Runner. Harrison Ford stars as a retired police officer who is sent to capture a group of renegade androids that have discovered their own humanity and have committed murder in a dystopian Los Angeles. Not only is the film a satisfying action flick, but it also explores issues of humanity and portrays the dark underbelly of society.
Fun Fact: Ridley Scott's brother Toney Scott directed the remake of Man on Fire starring Denzel Washington.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (July 30, 1947)
If ever there was an action hero that embodied sci-fi, it would be Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is the face of action films, and his record of hero roles is a big as his biceps. Schwarzenegger is key to the science fiction genre because he helped in popularizing it. Some of his most famous roles were in sci-fi films.
In 1984, Schwarzenegger starred as the infamous cyborg-killing machine in James Cameron's The Terminator. The film and the character instantly became popular, and helped launch both Cameron and Schwarzenegger's careers. The movie was successful enough to spawn three sequels.
Schwarzenegger also played an elite commando in Predator (1987). His character is forced to survive in the jungle against a deadly alien hunter. Schwarzenegger must use his survival skills and rippling muscles to defeat this superior, extra-terrestrial foe.
Schwarzenegger returns to sci-fi again with Total Recall (1990) as a man who becomes a freedom fighter on Mars and must battle corporate influence to restore order and oxygen to the desolate planet. The film had some of the most wild action scenes and special effects.
Fun Fact: Arnold Schwarzenegger has won the Mr. Olympia contest a total of seven times.