Top 10 Films, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and FREE.

Inspired by the AFI lists of top 10 Science Fiction and Fantasy films, and The Website at the End of the Universe's discussion, I have decided to come up with my own top 10 lists. As the emphasis of this blog is still free SF, Fantasy, and other cool genres, I have also made a top 10 free films on the internet list. Of course top 10 lists invite discussion so please feel free to comment on how brilliant I am or why I'm so stupid that it's a miracle that I can dress myself.









Top Ten Science Fiction Films.
1. Blade Runner (1982)
Ridley Scott's tour de force. Blade Runner is a brilliant merging of science fiction and film noir. This is a film that asks the fundamental question of what it means to be human without falling into the trap of providing pat answers. A haunting film that is amazing in all its versions.

2. Star Wars (1977)
Yes the "science" is hopeless here but Star Wars is the ultimate space adventure. Here is one of the purest examples of the Campbellian heroic journey ever filmed. Space Opera at its best. Star Wars has become a part of our culture.

3. Solyaris (1972)
Despite being one of the slowest paced films ever made, Solyaris is a thought provoking masterpiece. Here is contact with a truly alien intelligence. And, like Blade Runner, Solyaris asks the fundamental question of what it means to be human without falling into the trap of providing pat answers.

4. Alien/Aliens (1979/1986)
OK, I'm cheating here. Alien is still the best SF/Horror film ever made. Absolutely brilliant alien designs and the less than glamorous appearance of the Nostromo help establish Alien as a great film. Aliens adds to the the Alien mythos with great action and memorable lines "That's it man, game over man, game over! "

5. Forbidden Planet (1956)
If any film could be called the definitive Science Fiction film, it would be Forbidden Planet. Here is"sense of wonder" at its purest. Space Travel, a robot, a lost alien civilization with dangerous technology, who could ask for anything more?

6. Metropolis (1927)
The first great SF film. Metropolis has the first, and still one of the best, real robot in film. This film also introduces dystopian SF to the big screen. The best silent film of any genre.

7. Planet of the Apes (1968)
An outstanding film that should never have been remade. From the crash landing on an alien world to the shock ending, PotA never lets the viewer down. A good example of how a film can make a powerful statement without being preachy.

8. Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)
The best film version of one of the most important works of fiction ever written. Depressing and down beat, the film is everything it should be, though it will always be overshadowed by the novel.

9. Destination Moon (1950)
A scientifically plausible trip to the moon made seven years before Sputnik was launched. A rare film example of hard SF.


10. 2001 A Space Odyssey (1968)
The core of this film is absolutely a brilliant cinematic achievement, but the beginning and ending are less impressive. The overly long killer ape introduction is completely unnecessary and, perhaps it's a generational thing but the psychedelic ending just doesn't impress me. still everything else is brilliant enough to make this a great film.

Films on other lists that I didn't choose.
AFI #3 E.T. - Sorry, I just don't like this overly cutesy family film.
AFI #4 A Clockwork Orange. - A great film but far too mundane to be SF.
AFI #5 The Day the Earth Stood Still. - A good film but far too preachy. A message is good; having a Christlike alien state it explicitly is not.
AFI #8 T2 - Very good action film, maybe top twenty.
AFI #9 Invasion of the Body Snatcher - Very good film, maybe top twenty.
AFI #10 Back to the Future - A good comedy with a time travel gimmick - not really SF.
Sci-fi channel #2 The Matrix - A good film but I just can't accept Keanu Reeves as "the One"
Sci-fi channel #3 Terminator - Very good action film, maybe top twenty.
Sci-fi channel #5 Jurassic Park - Very good action film, maybe top twenty.
Sci-fi channel #6 Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Good but a bit boring.
Sci-fi channel #7 The Day After Tomorrow - They're kidding, right?
Sci-fi channel #8 The Day the Earth Stood Still. Preachy. Too preachy. Too d*mn preachy.
Sci-fi channel #9 Children of Men - Good but not a top ten.
Sci-fi channel #10 Armageddon - Good but not that good.



Top Ten Fantasy* Films.
1. Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
This is why films are made. Jackson's cinematic interpretation of The Lord of the Rings is a masterpiece. Inspirational, moving, exciting, beautiful, and an intelligent. These films are brilliant and they are even better in their extended DVD formats.

2. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
This film defines cinematic art. A beautiful and haunting film.

3. Harry Potter I-III (2001-2004)
Good fun escapism that is as much fun for adults as for children. The later films (IV-V), however suffer from too much abridgment.

4. Excalibur (1981).
This is the the King Arthur film. Beautiful cinematography and a powerful story makes this a great fantasy film.

5. Mists of Avalon (2001)
A moving variation on the Camelot mythos. Bradley's novel is well realized in this film. The sense of loss and thinning brought on by the beginning of modernity is especially palpable here.

6. Legend (1985)
The director's cut, not the theatrical release. Here is a beautiful and very dark fairytale brought to life.

7. A Midsummer Night's Dream (1968)
Wonderfully funny interaction between the fairy courts and foolish mortals. This is the best film version of the play, with the highest caliber of acting.

8. MirrorMask (2005)
Here is justification for the direct to DVD market. A wonderfully imaginative fantasy world and haunting themes fill this film.

9. Stardust (2007)
a beautiful and imaginative secondary world are highlights of Gaiman's story. A fun film that is worth more than one viewing. And Pfeiffer is absolutely wonderful here.

10. Dragonslayer (1981).
Here is the first truly awe inspiring dragon in cinematic history. Vermithrax carries this otherwise likable, but unexceptional adventure. Still the best dragon film.

*I have a much tighter definition of fantasy here than the AFI had in their list. No monster movies or holiday films are eligible. Only films with some element of magic and at least a hint of secondary world are eligable.

And I must add a caveat to my fantasy list. I have not yet watched Pan's labyrinth and The Golden Compass, both of which are highly rated.



Top Ten Films* Available Free Online.

*Legal Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror films only. All links except Star Trek: of Gods and Men.

1. Metropolis (1927) in MPEG formats.
The first great SF film. Metropolis has the first, and still one of the best, real robot in film. This film also introduces dystopian SF to the big screen. The best silent film of any genre.

2. Night of the Living Dead (1968) in MPEG formats and iPod and Flash video.
The definitive zombie movie. Proof that low budget doesn't have to mean low quality.

3. A Boy and His Dog (1975) in MPEG4 and Cinepack
One of the best post-apocalyptic films ever made. Based on a Harlan Ellison novella.

4. The Last Man on Earth (1964) in MPEG formats.
The first, most faithful, and arguably the best version of Richard Matheson's I am Legend. Here is Vincent Price at his best.

5. Nosferatu (1922) in MPEG formats and DVD quality VOB.
The first great vampire movie. Very creepy.

6. Things to Come (1936) in MPEG4 and Quicktime.
H. G. Wells' inspiring future history

7. Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940) in Various Formats (index of Chapters)
Fun campy serial that helped bring space opera to the public consciousness.

8. Star Trek: Of Gods and Men (2007) Streaming from Homepage.
Star Trek "fan film" starring Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols and other actors from the various Star Trek shows. Only 2/3 complete but already better than some of the professional films.

9. Hercules (1958) in MPEG formats.
One of the first and best of the sword and sandal movies, Hercules retells the story of Jason and the Argonauts from Hercules' perspective.

10. Carnival of Souls (1962) in MPEG Formats and iPOD format.
Highly rated Twilight Zone style horror film.


Well I've rambled on for a long time. I welcome agreements and arguments.