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The movie that comes to mind as the most scientifically feasible while remaining thought-provoking and interesting is Contact.
Bravo. Like a lot of people I wasn't exactly thrilled w/the ending either (although not because the alien wasn't some glitzy hollywood alien), but the build up to that point was great because it did have a believability and realism that few sci fi movies have, as well as some great science vs faith kind of dialogue ("did you love your father? prove it").
Also had to comment on this:
Quote:
I find it hysterically funny that the most thought provoking Science Fiction Movies are ALL from many decades past; tells me something about the sorry state of education, especially SCIENCE education/information in our current society. No wonder we are so far behind the rest of the world in MATH/SCIENCE and educational attainment in general!
? I have no idea how that is "funny" -? Frankly I find it sad, even scary.
But also (and somewhat ironically) I don't think it's because we're lacking in math/science. Our problem is a lack of creativity and imagination.
And small wonder, as kids today scarcely need any, since most of their toys are these video games/etc that require precious little if any imagination whatsoever...further, many of their other activities (sports, dance classes etc) are so obsessively organized it's ridiculous. I'm not trying to say "everything was better in the old days," but when I grew up we had no electronic doo-dads; most of our play time was out in the back yard with little if any"props" and we often just made up games and/or rules for games on the fly.
It is very sad how that has seemingly all but evaporated....and again therefore hardly surprising to me that not just sci fi but our entertainment fields in general have become so stale. Look at all the remakes of things that come out now; it's because they're running out of ideas. You didn't have that back when.
AS another poster mentioned...I find it hysterically funny that the most thought provoking Science Fiction Movies are ALL from many decades past; tells me something about the sorry state of education, especially SCIENCE education/information in our current society. No wonder we are so far behind the rest of the world in MATH/SCIENCE and educational attainment in general!
In the 1950s and 1960s scientists where considered of national importance to security and defeating the Communists (notice how the 'Communist Invasion' is a common theme in many of the sci-fi flicks from the time?), and during the 60s, astronauts were considered national heros. It was also a time when science and technology were thought to better everyone's lives (Better Living Through Chemistry!).
Everything changed in the 70s, probably as a result of the energy and economic crisis of the time. It was a wake-up call and the Average Joe realized that we would not be living like the Jetson's any time soon. People just lost interest and major events around the globe took center stage. The advent of the Space Shuttle should have pushed us back into the wonderment of the 60s, but honestly I think that everyone was a little too convinced that we were going to get nuked by the Russians to really look to the future with as much excitement.
Bravo. Like a lot of people I wasn't exactly thrilled w/the ending either (although not because the alien wasn't some glitzy hollywood alien), but the build up to that point was great because it did have a believability and realism that few sci fi movies have, as well as some great science vs faith kind of dialogue ("did you love your father? prove it").
Also had to comment on this:
? I have no idea how that is "funny" -? Frankly I find it sad, even scary.
But also (and somewhat ironically) I don't think it's because we're lacking in math/science. Our problem is a lack of creativity and imagination.
And small wonder, as kids today scarcely need any, since most of their toys are these video games/etc that require precious little if any imagination whatsoever...further, many of their other activities (sports, dance classes etc) are so obsessively organized it's ridiculous. I'm not trying to say "everything was better in the old days," but when I grew up we had no electronic doo-dads; most of our play time was out in the back yard with little if any"props" and we often just made up games and/or rules for games on the fly.
It is very sad how that has seemingly all but evaporated....and again therefore hardly surprising to me that not just sci fi but our entertainment fields in general have become so stale. Look at all the remakes of things that come out now; it's because they're running out of ideas. You didn't have that back when.
/soapbox
FUNNY was meant sarcastically...not "funny" as in I'm laughing
In the 1950s and 1960s scientists where considered of national importance to security and defeating the Communists (notice how the 'Communist Invasion' is a common theme in many of the sci-fi flicks from the time?), and during the 60s, astronauts were considered national heros. It was also a time when science and technology were thought to better everyone's lives (Better Living Through Chemistry!).
Everything changed in the 70s, probably as a result of the energy and economic crisis of the time. It was a wake-up call and the Average Joe realized that we would not be living like the Jetson's any time soon. People just lost interest and major events around the globe took center stage. The advent of the Space Shuttle should have pushed us back into the wonderment of the 60s, but honestly I think that everyone was a little too convinced that we were going to get nuked by the Russians to really look to the future with as much excitement.
I remember the time period very well from memory. After the Soviets successfully launched Sputnik and our country had successive satellite/rocket launch disasters; there was a new emphasis placed on Science, as evidenced by the myriad of Space Cartoons from that era. As well as our iniative to be the first to land on the Moon. The cartoons were designed to encourage children of my generation to pursue careers in Science/Astronomy/Space Exploration etcetera.
As you allude to......our country got complacent and has lost it's way, after we had beaten the Soviets to the Moon. Although the kids of my generation actually had drills in school to "survive" a nuclear blast, it was basically bend over and kiss your a$$ goodbye; but I do NOT think the fear of nuclear war had as much to do with our scientific "push" as simply falling behind the Communist Block in technology and appearing to therefore possess the inferior political system.....both countries were vying to "lead the world"; not blow it up. If we annihilated one another, than there would be nobody left to say "our way was better". .
as regarding the state of our national education levels, i'll just point out that hollywood is not even remotely close to an accurate indicator.
i think that my favorite somewhat plausible science fiction movie is still contact. stargate is in there somewhere too.
IMHO...I have to disagree...Though Hollywood does not reflect my particular interests, nor perhaps yours...obviously it is a "given" that it is a true reflection of our society; as evidenced by it's power within our news/culture/habits/values and of course many TENS of BILLIONS of dollars in ticket sales.
I have heard of this film but I have not seen it; I'll have to check it out.....thanx for the trailer. .
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