Key Takeaways
- Host Andrew Klavan ranked a list of science fiction films selected by producer Tom.
- Films including 'Back to the Future', 'Alien', and 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' received top 'S' ratings.
- '2001: A Space Odyssey' was critically panned by the host, receiving a 'D' rating.
- Several 1980s sci-fi films like 'The Terminator' and 'Predator' were highly rated.
- The host gave 'The Running Man' and 'Contact' lower 'C' ratings, finding them less impressive.
Deep Dive
- 'Back to the Future' (1985), directed by Robert Zemeckis, received an 'S' rating for its time travel and cultural commentary.
- Ridley Scott's 'Alien' (1979) was rated 'S' as a favorite horror and sci-fi film, effective despite a low budget.
- Steven Spielberg's 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (1977) also received an 'S' rating, noted for its artistic themes and childlike sensibility.
- Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' received a 'D' rating, labeled by the host as dull, pretentious, nonsensical, and visually poor.
- The host noted the computer scene in '2001' as the film's only good element.
- '12 Monkeys' (1995), directed by Terry Gilliam, was rated a 'B', praised for its well-done plot twist and strong performances, particularly from Brad Pitt.
- The host rated 'The Running Man' (1987) a 'C', expressing disappointment in both the film and its source material.
- 'Soylent Green' (1973), starring Edward G. Robinson and Charlton Heston, received a 'B' rating for its entertaining nature and relevant themes.
- 'Independence Day' (1996), directed by Roland Emmerich, was also rated a 'B', described as a good summer popcorn movie.
- 'Metropolis' (1927), directed by Fritz Lang, received a 'B' rating for being interesting and entertaining despite its slow pace by modern standards.
- 'Predator' (1987), directed by John McTiernan, was rated 'A to B' for its original plot, with two actors from the film later becoming governors.
- Paul Verhoeven's 'RoboCop' (1987) earned a 'B' for its unique and interesting qualities.
- Steven Spielberg's 'Minority Report' (2002) received a 'B' for its spectacular action sequences but was noted for plot inconsistencies.