[qazwsx]

So, I was thinking about hosting a Sci-Fi night at university next term, and I'm looking for films people might enjoy, what are people's recommendations if I'm trying to stay away from science fantasy (star wars for example)? I plan on watching Moon, and I know there's several people who want to watch 2001, but what do you sci-fi guys suggest?
(I made a google drive form so if you're one of those wonderful lurkers, you can still contribute <3 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KLZ3Hqu7v_Kr3_Jjad-_LIfESu0igZ2z2wQy_L0gcbQ/viewform )

[General Battuta]

Children of Men is probably the finest science fiction film of the 2000-2010 decade. Moon is an excellent pick, I'd really recommend the first two-thirds of Sunshine as well.

[An4ximandros]

May I recommend Dune (1984) & Blade Runner? Specially Blade Runner, it's amazing.

[qazwsx]

Children of Men is probably the finest science fiction film of the 2000-2010 decade. Moon is an excellent pick, I'd really recommend the first two-thirds of Sunshine as well.

Ah yeah, I'd forgotten about Children of Men, the cinematography in that film was incredible. I'll probably give Sunshine a miss on the evening for obvious reasons, but will ask if anyone wants to watch it at a later date.

May I recommend Dune (1984) & Blade Runner? Specially Blade Runner, it's amazing.

Sadly we watched Blade Runner 5 times last term, it's a great film (hence the repetition), but I will probably leave it out. Dune might be an interesting choice, I tried watching it on the TV when I was younger, never watched it the whole way through though, I'd usually miss the start and have no idea what was going on.

[General Battuta]

No Dune movie has ever managed to do the book justice, nor even be particularly good. I'd give it a pass.

[Flipside]

Soylent Green and Logans Run are always good movies, a bit dated, but still worth a watch, and worth a debate afterwards

Edit: Though, they aren't really 'in space' type sci-fi so much as 'future Earth' type.

[watsisname]

2001, Moon, and Children of Men are all great, though if you've never seen 2001 before be warned it's a little slow.  Sunshine is a fantastic artsy film, but the science is abominable.

If Anime counts, then perhaps try Akira or Ghost in the Shell.

Primer, for an excellent depiction of the discovery of time travel and its implications.  It also has the most confusing plotline of any movie ever made. 

District 9 is a very interesting take on a post first-contact scenario; highly recommended.

Red Planet, maybe?  Mankind has attempted to terraform Mars, and something went wrong.  A team is sent to investigate.

There's always Serenity.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

[StarSlayer]

Out of recent flicks Looper was pretty fun. 

Dark City, Outland, Brazil, 12 Monkeys, The Thing, Metropolis and Equilibrium might be interesting bets as well.

[General Battuta]

The Thing is a super interesting film to analyze, on a lot of levels. There's a lot going on there. Plus it owns.

[Scourge of Ages]

The Thing is a super interesting film to analyze, on a lot of levels. There's a lot going on there. Plus it owns.

I'll assume you're talking about the 1982 version. It's an important distinction if you're one of those few people who've never heard of it and needs to go shopping soon. On the subject, Battuta, what did you think of the 2011 prequel?

[General Battuta]

I thought it was rather dull and quite wasted most of the stuff that made the 1982 one interesting. The Thing should be about paranoia and mutual vulnerability - it's a chess game between two sides with tactics, strengths, and weaknesses, not an Alien-style battle against a nigh-invulnerable foe.

[StarSlayer]

The Thing is a super interesting film to analyze, on a lot of levels. There's a lot going on there. Plus it owns.

Plus Kurt Russell

[Nuke]

cloud atlas. didnt think i would like it, but ended up being completely blown away.

donnie darko somewhat impressed me. its kind of a psychodrama involving time travel and unstable alternate universes.

all of the planet of the apes movies (except the new ones).

will second everything star slayer said. and flipside too. as well as children of men, moon, and sunshine.

No Dune movie has ever managed to do the book justice, nor even be particularly good. I'd give it a pass.

depends on the cut. there are like 11 of them. ranging from completely butchered to not bad. the miniseries was better, but i felt it kinda tried to bring in elements of the movie in a couple places. like the navigator scene and the palace-ship, neither of which are in the book as far as i can remember, but were both in the movie.

[Klaustrophobia]

personally, i thought children of men was awful. 

some of the highlights from my movie folder (i really have a lot less sci-fi than i thought):
The Matrix (there were no sequels!)
In Time
Chronicles of Riddick
the Terminator movies
Stargate
Equilibrium
Source Code
Total Recall (i haven't seen the original)
Minority Report
Paycheck

or for a less serious take on sci-fi
Transformers
Starship Troopers
Cowboys and Aliens

[FreeSpaceFreak]

The Day the Earth Stood Still, the 1951 original - for historical value. Klaatu barada nikto, anyone?

[Nuke]

since you bring up classics: forbidden planet

[FUBAR-BDHR]

Looks like most of my ideas are already listed.  Still can't go wrong with the original Tron.  Another one I believe was called Runaway (not 100% sure on that title).    The Navigator and Explorers were pretty good.  Used to love The Black Hole when I was younger. 


Few more I thought of while grabbing a shower:  Battle LA, Last Starfighter, Robinson Crewso on Mars, Aliens, Ice Pirates. 

Couple really old ones I liked but have no idea of the name.  First one involved nuclear waste storage on the moon going wrong and turning the moon into rocket.  Another one was where 2 super computers (one US and one Russian) linked up and solve all the worlds problems in one way or another.  There was also one with the last of the Martians in a colony at the bottom of the sea.  Involved a diving bell, really old.

[Flipside]

Silent Running is another oldie worth a shot

[watsisname]

Used to love The Black Hole when I was younger.

That movie is so interesting for its religious symbolism.  And by interesting, I mean hilariously bad.   It's also probably one of the darkest movies to ever be produced by Disney.  I loved it and still have it on my hard drive. 

[Dragon]

Couple really old ones I liked but have no idea of the name.  First one involved nuclear waste storage on the moon going wrong and turning the moon into rocket. 

Sounds a lot like one of the first episodes of Space 1999. Are you sure it was a movie?
Regarding movie recommendations, I'd like to mention Solaris. While I haven't watched the either of the movies (there are two), I loved the novel they're based on.