5 ‘right science’ sci fi films

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  • #41205
    SadGeezer
    Keymaster

    We just godda do better than this!

    New scientist published their opinion of the top 5 sci fi films that actually got the science right (no ‘zoom’ sounds from spaceships etc.)

    First, the obvious one – 2001: A space Odyssey (1968) "Open the pod-bay doors, HAL."

    • All scenes in outer space are silent – sound does not travel in a vacuum
    • The stars do not move past the ship – for there to be a visible motion of the star field, the ship would have to be travelling at close to the speed of light
    • The crew eat paste-like food and only drink liquids through straws.

    Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) "I walked out the door. There’s no memory left."

    There are lots of reasons why they like this one – this is just one: "As he encounters each memory, it is identified by the technicians and erased, leading to spectacular sequences of him running through bookshops while books disappear from the shelves and escaping from a house that is disappearing one wall at a time."

    Alien (1979) "I can’t lie to you about your chances, but you have my sympathies."

    I’m not so sure about this one though. One of the reasons New Scientist like it is: "Every element of the life cycle can be found in nature, variously in parasites, robber wasps and social insects. Much of the film’s suspense comes from the filmmakers’ decision to let events unfold without too much explanation – the viewer has to piece the life cycle together for themselves."

    One of the reasons I don’t is that parts of it are bloody stoopid!  An alien (or any creature that can hatch from and egg and grow to 6-7 feet tall in a couple of hours is a bit suspect in my book.  Besides, Aliens 2 was much more entertaining.

    Gattaca (1977) "We now have discrimination down to a science."

    "Andrew Niccol’s film is noteworthy for its grimly plausible vision of a society dominated by genetic prejudice".  They liked it because: Nevertheless, it is one of the few films to tackle the issue of genetic determination. I.e. How much are we really controlled by our genes? Vincent out-competes genetically-superior characters mostly through sheer strength of will. Does that mean that genetic testing really cannot predict how people will perform – or does it just mean we haven’t found the genes for willpower yet?

    Solaris (1972) "I was haunted by the idea that I remembered her wrong, and somehow I was wrong about everything."

    New Scientist sum this choice up with, "This Russian classic makes the list not so much for the specific science it portrays, as for its portrayal of the limits of science and of human understanding."

     

    I can’t say I strongly dissagree with any of these, I also can’t think of films that better portray more realistic science.  And, lets face it, are we bothered?

    Do you have any noteworthy additions to the New Scientist list?

    #77768
    Hollydays
    Participant

    bleck; Apparently the movie has to be bloody boring to make it on their list?

    I have never made it through 2001; that’s got to be the most bloody boring movie in all space time, EVER!

    ESEM: I almost didn’t think of that one as really sci-fi and thought of it more like…boring

    Alien: ok, this one was def NOT BORING. But I agree with Saddy on this one. What’s right science about anything that grows like that? come on! Any movie that trys to close a blantant loop hole in another movie doesn’t count. (oh, they look humanoid because they take on some of the dna of the host…well, good job they didn’t find some cows then, eh?)

    Gattaca: ok, this one was pretty interesting and memorable, (but still a little boring). As a "right Science nominee" though, I’d have to say it’s not an INVALID choice.  

    Solaris??? Acckkk..Boring! That really why she kept trying to kill herself, you know…because he is soo bloody boring!

     

     

    #77771
    SadGeezer
    Keymaster

    Haha, ok so what would be your fave sci fi ‘right science’ films. Or like me, are you not that bothered?

    #77774
    Bintak
    Guest

    Three suggestions for science fiction done near right, "The Day the Earth Stood Still", maybe "On the Beach", and most likely "The Fountain" although I confess I don’t understand the last film at all.

    b.

     

    #77775
    Bintak
    Guest

    How about "The Fountain" or "The Day the Earth Stood Still".

    b.

    #77777
    Hollydays
    Participant

    I have to admit I’m not that concerned about "Right Science movies and whether or not explosions make a noise in a vaccuum. I say "BRING IT ON!" the louder and more fantastical the explosion; the better!! (looking around the corner to make sure hubby isn’t around to see me type that!)

    Ok, well not completely;

    I will grudgingly admit that I liked Iron Man falling through his roof because he was too heavy….is that right science?

    I think that a lot of "human interest" sci-fi films would make the list of right science, because there really isn’t alot of obvious special effects for nitpickers to point to. Gattaca would make my list somewhere..

     The Andromeda Strain would top it. Scary as hell because it was too close to reality.

    ROLLERBALL (the original, thank you!)

    Demolition Man (presented alot of "that looks possible" science)

    Soldier 

    Tongue out

     

    #77778
    hishadow
    Participant

    Hollydays wrote:

    The Andromeda Strain would top it. Scary as hell because it was too close to reality.

    It’s pretty good "normal science" but who the hell designs a multi-layered -security facility with trapdoors guarded by a laser? Reminds me of the trapdoor in I Am Legend also. Writers should stop relying on those damn trapdoors for easy escape! 😉

    #77779
    hishadow
    Participant

    Hollydays wrote:

    The Andromeda Strain would top it. Scary as hell because it was too close to reality.

    It’s
    pretty good "normal science" but who the hell designs a multi-layered-security facility with trapdoors guarded by a laser? Reminds me of
    the trapdoor in I Am Legend also. Writers should stop relying on those
    damn trapdoors for easy escape! 😉

    #77780
    Hollydays
    Participant

     Galaxy Quest: (Tawny Madison)

  • Ducts! Why is it always ducts?
  • Well, forget it! I’m not doing it! This episode was badly written!
  • What is this thing? I mean, it serves no useful purpose for there to be a bunch of chompy, crushy things in the middle of a hallway!
  • [of the episode featuring the chompers] Whoever wrote this episode should die!
  • The Chompers??? (They turn the corner and see the Chompers)Well, SCREW THAT!!!
#77781
Bintak
Guest

What about "The Fountain" as a movie, that gets the sciebnce right

b.

 

#77783
hishadow
Participant

I’d call the trapdoors to the windtunnel (guarded by laser) in The Andromeda Strain bad science or probably just bad engineering? 🙂

#77784
hishadow
Participant

I’d call the trapdoors to the windtunnel (guarded by laser) in The Andromeda Strain bad science or probably just bad engineering? 🙂

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