My picks for underappreciated sci-fi horror classics.
#1 - Event Horizon (1997)
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
My favorite Paul W.S. Anderson film. In 2047, a rescue crew is sent to investigate the titular Event Horizon, a spaceship that mysteriously disappeared while testing an experimental gravity drive. It is later revealed that the gravity drive transported the ship to Hell and it's now able to conjure up everyone onboard's worst fears. The concept of something being able to manifest as your worst fear has always fascinated me because of its endless possibilities. Think about it: the monster(s) spawned from fear would be something different for each person, and the combination of all those manifestations is potentially terrifying, a la The Thing or The Cabin In The Woods. Many of the entries on this list stem from that concept. This wonderfully dark film expands upon this idea in an inventive way and the results are gory, disturbing and gloriously creative. Powered by an excellent cast lead by Sam Neill and Laurence Fishburne, the film's frenetic pace, brooding atmosphere and impressive special effects work so well together and really make the story come alive. Anderson has an eye for the theatrical which makes it a engaging watch.
#2 - Deep Rising (1998)
Director: Stephen Sommers
The ridiculous premise is goes full bore, utilizing the colorful characters, viciously nasty gore, impressive stunts and unusual setting to outstanding effect. Treat Williams has always made an excellent badass and here he's at his finest as the awesomely-named Finnegan. He chews the scenery and handles the cheesy one-liners with ease, particularly when he's toting a shotgun and/or riding a jet ski. Famke Janessen is the attractive love interest, and Kevin O'Connor is delightful as Finnegan's first mate Joey. As comic relief, his voice may get annoying, but he remains funny in small doses. The supporting cast of mercenaries is headed by Djimon Hounsou, Wes Studi, Cliff Curtis, Jason Flemyng and Clifton Powell. Their team of cocky, macho mercs is highly reminiscent of Aliens and Predator. The monster itself is creative and threatening, and the final showdown is everything you could hope for, especially the ending "jet ski monster chase", which is one of best and most original chase scenes I've had the pleasure of watching. Stephen Sommers (The Mummy, Van Helsing, G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra) always delivers, and this is one of his best!
#3 - Demolition Man (1993)
Director: Marco Brambilla
That tagline: "The 21st Century's Most Dangerous Cop. The 21st Century's Most Ruthless Criminal. The Future Isn't Big Enough For The Both Of Them." sells it from the get-go. I love this gleefully insane film. It really develops its concept in a fun and visually arresting way, providing action, humor and thrills in equal measure. Stallone at the height of his career, colliding with Snipes during his early 90's string of slick action roles makes for an over-the-top but satisfyingly entertaining sci-fi adventure. The supporting cast is well utilized, with Sandra Bullock in a sweet but sincere deputy role and Dennis Leary as a rat-burger-lovin' rebel. The set design, the cryo-facility and history museum in particular are very cool, and the futuristic gadgets give the film a dash of authenticity. Stallone & Snipes' old school muscle vs. new school technology is well-done, giving the film an edge with a hint of social commentary. It's this combination, all wrapped up in one shiny package, that makes it a pure gem that I wholeheartedly recommend.
#4 - Sphere (1998)
Director: Barry Levinson
This was not well-received and I really don't understand why. The ensemble cast is terrific, with Dustin Hoffman and Sam Jackson turning in fun, believable performances. Jackson's voice electrifies Crichton's science-heavy dialogue, making the technical jargon interesting and more importantly, informative. Liev Schreiber, Peter Coyote and Sharon Stone all handle their roles well, though Stone can get annoying (which may be the point). As mentioned above, it touches upon one of my favorite sci-fi ideas: people's fear manifesting itself. It affords so many creative possibilities for insane fear scenarios a la Nightmare On Elm Street 3, or monstrous abominations in the vein of The Thing. This film takes the idea literally, as once you go inside the Sphere, you can manifest all sorts of things, not just fears. It affords a number of clever scenarios, the 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea book immediately coming to mind. It does differ from the book in some ways, but nothing that I felt was particularly blasphemous. Crichton's writing style can be hard to translate into a solid screenplay, but Kurt Wimmer (who is a much better writer than director, save for Equilibrium) pulls it off nicely. The science-fiction and horror maintain a nice balance; the horror helped considerably by Elliot Goldenthal's brooding score and some nail-biting setpieces involving a variety of deadly marine life. Adam Greenberg's cinematography is just gorgeous to look at...I'm mean the guy did both Terminator films (two of my all-time favorites). Barry Levinson's adept direction and good pacing round out the docket. Sadly, most people don't remember this film, but it is one of Crichton's better adaptations and a damn fine sci-fi thriller.
Director: Geoff Murphy
A poignant last man on Earth story featuring a fantastic performance from Bruno Lawrence. He's convincing and has a good screen presence, which is very important when it comes to films like this. The post-apocalyptic scenery is well-realized and impressive considering the small budget. The score is surprisingly epic and suits the mood nicely. The best part however is the cryptic, dream-like ending which showcases one of the most striking visuals I've ever seen.
Director: Christian Duguay
While the poster is disappointing, the film is not. It's low budget but well-made sci-fi with a nifty premise and interesting identity themes. Peter Weller plays a war-weary soldier on a planet that's protected by machines called 'screamers' that hunt humans...and they're evolving. Some of the effect work is shoddy, but given the budgetary limitations I'm shocked with how much they pulled off.
Watch Trailer
Director: Bruce D. Clark
My favorite Roger Corman movie that deals with people's fears manifesting themselves yet again, this time on a mysterious planet. It's one of the finest B-movies ever produced, chock full of cool visuals, chunky gore and boobies galore. The cast, including future horror icons Robert Englund and Sid Haig, is totally game and the set design and effects by a young James Cameron gave us a glimpse of his ingenuity.
Director: Tobe Hooper
This crazy space vampire movie from Tobe Hooper just doesn't get talked about enough. It has big ideas and executes them very well. The cast is solid, the special effects are stunning and the visuals and score are top-notch.
Director: Robert Rodriguez
A sci-fi horror gem in the vein of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. While it is a product of the 90's, a great cast (and I do mean GREAT...from Josh Hartnett's stoner scientist to the T-1000 himself all do an excellent job), cool ideas, nifty effects and a gnarly misanthropic vibe make this a worthwhile watch from one man film crew Robert Rodriguez.
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Straight up sci-fi that utilizes a wonderful mix of potent action executed with practical effects and a nifty survival/retribution storyline. Kurt Russell doesn't say much as Todd, but he doesn't have to. He is a soldier through and through, letting his bravery and instincts take charge. He's joined by Gary Busey being pretty much himself and Jason Issacs as a sniveling military twat. And I'll always remember Jason Scott-Lee as the evil, scarred counterpart to Russell's supposedly-obsolete character because he also recently played Mowgli in the live action adaptation of The Jungle Book.
One of my favorite aspects is the set design and extensive use of practical effects. The trash planet set, crudely built from scrap and junk, is impressive and the gargantuan crawlers always fascinated me as a kid. I always really enjoyed movies with cool military weapons and futuristic technology. Uniquely, this came out in the tail-end of the 90's where CGI was beginning to take hold and overrun the industry, but a lot of directors were able to secure modest budgets in the range of $30 to $65 million which they used to construct huge sets and crazy vehicles with elaborate special effects involved. I miss that age of big-budget 90's action flicks.
Anywho, the end is a wild First Blood-style battle where Todd employs guerrilla warfare and booby traps to pick off his foes one by one. It's delightfully creative and satisfying to watch. People give Paul W.S. Anderson so much shit but he always knew how to stage and shoot a good action scene.
Director: ?
A pure 80's movie packed with ridiculous one-liners and alien ass-kicking by Dolph Lundgren. The bad guy is an alien who shoots sawblades and repeatedly whispers "I come in peace" hence the title. The less said the better, just watch it. Alternately known as Dark Angel, which just doesn't compare.
Director: Vincenzo Natali
Low-budget, high concept science fiction about people trapped in a giant Rubik's cube of booby-trapped rooms that dice, melt and dismember those who trigger them. Love this one.
Director: Joe Chapelle
This groovy flick has bad reputation for reasons I'm not clear on. It features a very cool concept and a pretty good cast. It sets up it dreadful atmosphere well with the deserted town and eerie occurrences, strikingly similar to Stephen King. It has some nice nods to The Thing too. I dig the hell out of Phantoms.
Director: Christian Alvart
Superb sound design and a claustrophobic setting enhance this space horror film. It's packed with cool ideas and a few great performances. This is one that just doesn't get talked about or praised enough.
Director: Richard Stanley
..coming soon..
#5 - The Quiet Earth (1985)
Watch Trailer
Director: Geoff Murphy
A poignant last man on Earth story featuring a fantastic performance from Bruno Lawrence. He's convincing and has a good screen presence, which is very important when it comes to films like this. The post-apocalyptic scenery is well-realized and impressive considering the small budget. The score is surprisingly epic and suits the mood nicely. The best part however is the cryptic, dream-like ending which showcases one of the most striking visuals I've ever seen.
#6 - Screamers (1995)
Watch Trailer
Director: Christian Duguay
While the poster is disappointing, the film is not. It's low budget but well-made sci-fi with a nifty premise and interesting identity themes. Peter Weller plays a war-weary soldier on a planet that's protected by machines called 'screamers' that hunt humans...and they're evolving. Some of the effect work is shoddy, but given the budgetary limitations I'm shocked with how much they pulled off.
#7 - Galaxy of Terror (1981)
Director: Bruce D. Clark
My favorite Roger Corman movie that deals with people's fears manifesting themselves yet again, this time on a mysterious planet. It's one of the finest B-movies ever produced, chock full of cool visuals, chunky gore and boobies galore. The cast, including future horror icons Robert Englund and Sid Haig, is totally game and the set design and effects by a young James Cameron gave us a glimpse of his ingenuity.
#8 - Lifeforce (1985)
Watch Trailer
Director: Tobe Hooper
This crazy space vampire movie from Tobe Hooper just doesn't get talked about enough. It has big ideas and executes them very well. The cast is solid, the special effects are stunning and the visuals and score are top-notch.
#9 - The Faculty (1998)
Watch Trailer
Director: Robert Rodriguez
A sci-fi horror gem in the vein of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. While it is a product of the 90's, a great cast (and I do mean GREAT...from Josh Hartnett's stoner scientist to the T-1000 himself all do an excellent job), cool ideas, nifty effects and a gnarly misanthropic vibe make this a worthwhile watch from one man film crew Robert Rodriguez.
#10 - Soldier (1998)
Watch Trailer
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Straight up sci-fi that utilizes a wonderful mix of potent action executed with practical effects and a nifty survival/retribution storyline. Kurt Russell doesn't say much as Todd, but he doesn't have to. He is a soldier through and through, letting his bravery and instincts take charge. He's joined by Gary Busey being pretty much himself and Jason Issacs as a sniveling military twat. And I'll always remember Jason Scott-Lee as the evil, scarred counterpart to Russell's supposedly-obsolete character because he also recently played Mowgli in the live action adaptation of The Jungle Book.
One of my favorite aspects is the set design and extensive use of practical effects. The trash planet set, crudely built from scrap and junk, is impressive and the gargantuan crawlers always fascinated me as a kid. I always really enjoyed movies with cool military weapons and futuristic technology. Uniquely, this came out in the tail-end of the 90's where CGI was beginning to take hold and overrun the industry, but a lot of directors were able to secure modest budgets in the range of $30 to $65 million which they used to construct huge sets and crazy vehicles with elaborate special effects involved. I miss that age of big-budget 90's action flicks.
Anywho, the end is a wild First Blood-style battle where Todd employs guerrilla warfare and booby traps to pick off his foes one by one. It's delightfully creative and satisfying to watch. People give Paul W.S. Anderson so much shit but he always knew how to stage and shoot a good action scene.
#11 - Dark Angel (1990)
Watch Trailer
A pure 80's movie packed with ridiculous one-liners and alien ass-kicking by Dolph Lundgren. The bad guy is an alien who shoots sawblades and repeatedly whispers "I come in peace" hence the title. The less said the better, just watch it. Alternately known as Dark Angel, which just doesn't compare.
#12 - Cube (1997)
Watch Trailer
Director: Vincenzo Natali
Low-budget, high concept science fiction about people trapped in a giant Rubik's cube of booby-trapped rooms that dice, melt and dismember those who trigger them. Love this one.
#13 - Phantoms (1998)
Watch Trailer
Director: Joe Chapelle
This groovy flick has bad reputation for reasons I'm not clear on. It features a very cool concept and a pretty good cast. It sets up it dreadful atmosphere well with the deserted town and eerie occurrences, strikingly similar to Stephen King. It has some nice nods to The Thing too. I dig the hell out of Phantoms.
#14 - Pandorum (2009)
Watch Trailer
Director: Christian Alvart
Superb sound design and a claustrophobic setting enhance this space horror film. It's packed with cool ideas and a few great performances. This is one that just doesn't get talked about or praised enough.
#15 - Hardware (1990)
Watch Trailer
..coming soon..
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