You’ll have to bear with me. I’ve been back from California for less than 12 hours and I’m alittle jet lagged. Nothing like meeting a gropey Doc Brown from Back to the Future at Universal Studios two days ago to get me thinking of my favourite science fiction movies though.
Blade Runner (1982)– Director Ridley Scott makes my list two weeks in a row. Blade Runner never seems to get old though and, more than Alien or Thelma and Louise, I would say this is his best work. The best sci-fi mixes genres and this noirish detective movie take on artificial intelligence still feels unique even when viewed over thirty years later.
The Matrix (1999)– Speaking of mixing genres, the Wachowskis throw all their favourite things- comic books, Eastern philosophy, kung fu movies, Western religion, and John Woo movies- into their story of A.I.’s enslavery of the human race. There are at least a dozen iconic images in this movie and seeing it for the first time was one of my all-time favourite movie theater experiences.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)– For those of us who like a little romantic comedy with our science fiction, Charlie Kaufman dreamt up his most beautiful story yet about Joel (Jim Carrey) taking advantage of a new technology to erase all memories of Clementine (Kate Winslet). It’s mostly a heartbreakingly funny exploration of how memory works and how our painful memories make us who we are but, of course, the movie also centers around a technology that hasn’t been invented yet and ponders the consequences of said technology so I am submitting what I often refer to as my favourite movie of all time as a science fiction pick.
ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES 
Welcome back! I’m glad you escaped Alcatraz. Sounds like a good movie in there of its own…
LikeLike
Thank you! Yes, I definitely dreamt up some nightmare scenearios of us getting locked in there after dark or someting. I really enjoyed touring that place and thought it was hilarious that they were seeling copies of The Rock in the gift shop.
LikeLike
I enjoyed the place too. Not sure what that says about us.
LikeLike
We enjoy experiencing history as long as we know that freedom is just a ferry ride away?
LikeLike
Nice picks! Eternal Sunshine is personally my favorite of the three. That’s such a wonderful film.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine too. I hate to name just one but when forced to name my favourite movie of all time, I often name Eternal Sunshine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh going to have to do Eternal sunshine, missed that one, Matrix and Bladerunner I own all the versions on blu-ray and love them to bits.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I do hope you check out Eternal Sunshine soon. It has the kind of emotional effect on me that a very sad song does. It’s just amazing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ok thanks will do!
LikeLike
Glad you had a good time on the vaca. Great picks for the theme, sorry to say I only like one of them. Blade Runner is a terrific film with a wonderful look and a strong performance by Harrison Ford. Eternal Sunshine is so beloved but it left me cold, doubly disappointing since I like everyone in the cast so much. I was so bored by the Matrix it put me to sleep, I even went to see it a second time sure I had missed something and I nodded off again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, I’m sorry to hear that neither of those movies worked for you. I enjoy them both every time i see them from beginning to end. Hard to argue with Blade Runner though. It’s probably my favourite Harisson Ford performance.
LikeLike
I’m glad you went to Alcatraz. I hear it’s a crime not to go. (bum bum ching)
LikeLike
Haha nice!
LikeLike
The Matrix and Eternal Sunshine are two of my all time faves. Great picks!
LikeLike
Thanks, Wendell! What did you pick? I always have so much trouble accessing your site.
LikeLike
Great picks! Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of my favorite movies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such a rare film, I think, that is structured and put together so brilliantly that is also so emotionally satisfying. it could have easily just turned into an intellectual exercise. I’m glad you and so many other bloggers seem to love it too.
LikeLike
Good choices! I love all these movies. Eternal Sunshine is a beautiful emotional roller-coaster! Matrix is my all-time favourite cinema-going experience. I just remember being in total awe- and then going to re-watch it five more times in the cinema!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I’d thought to see it more than once in the theater. I remember everyone laughing so hard at the audacity of the action. No one in the theater had seen anything like it before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love all your picks! They’re all amazing for different reasons too. My fav has got be Blade Runner though! Totally revolutionary. And agreed, Ford’s best performance. I also love how these 3 movies make you think so much.
LikeLike
Yes! A more recent example of sci fi that makes you think is ex machina which I highly recommend if you haven’t already seen it.
LikeLike
Pingback: Searching | ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES