Jan 7

Jan 7 Danny Boyle’s SUNSHINE

What I liked about this film were its gorgeous production values, its nonstop action, and its reverence for classic predecessor sci-fi films. These factors got me through this film which flags at the end with fuzzy story themes but. overall, it’s a fun and engrossing ride.

Nov 19

Nov 19 Andrew Stanton's WALL•E

Dennis D. McDonald

Animated, Another Time & Place, Comedy, Fantasy, Intelligent, Pixar, Robots, Science Fiction, Sentimental, Space Travel, Star Wars

My first reaction to seeing Pixar’s WALL•E was “This is better than Coruscant!”

Oct 18

Oct 18 Makoto Shinkai's “THE PLACE PROMISED IN OUR EARLY DAYS”

Dennis D. McDonald

Animated, Drama, Fantasy, History, Japanese, Science Fiction, Space Travel, War, Anime, Makoto Shinkai

The creator of Voices of a Distant Star returns to adolescence but with a serious twist.

Jun 13

Jun 13 Darren Aronofsky’s “THE FOUNTAIN”

Dennis D. McDonald

Aronofsky, Drama, Emotional, Fantasy, History, One of a Kind, Science Fiction, Space Travel, Time Travel

This dizzying and perplexing movie bathes the viewer in a warm and beautiful gauze of, love, death, loss, and redemption. Forget the narrative and go with the flow.

May 25

May 25 Fred Wilcox's “FORBIDDEN PLANET”

Dennis D. McDonald

Robots, Science Fiction, Space Travel, Classic

When I was a kid, this movie scared me, especially the Id Monster’s attack on the starship’s sleeping crew.

Feb 20

Feb 20 Steven Soderbergh's SOLARIS

Dennis D. McDonald

Emotional, Intelligent, Science Fiction, Space Travel

The film superbly rendered on this DVD bears repeated watching. All aspects are masterfully done. It is an adult, literate, and intelligent film that swings back and forth between intellectual challenge, mystery, and wrenching emotion. The music and visuals are stunning.

Jul 1
Jul 1 Voyage to the Planets and Beyond

Dennis D. McDonald

Space Travel

Intelligent speculation and scrupulous attention to detail are ruined by repeated depictions of instantaneous radio communications between Mission Control and the magnificently detailed Pegasus space ship as it tours the planets.

Mar 15

Mar 15 Ishirō Honda's “THE MYSTERIANS”

Dennis D. McDonald

Action, Japanese, Popcorn, Robots, Space Travel, Kaiju

In 1957, Toho Studios released Akira Kurosawa’s epic The Hidden Fortress, a film that George Lucas has stated strongly influenced his creation of the Star Wars saga. I wasn’t paying attention. That was also the year that Toho released Inoshiro Honda’s sci-fi epic The Mysterians.