Siddon's alternate top 100 Sci-Fi films

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I wasn't able to add a list to the Sci-Fi countdown but really I consider it a blessing because while the top 100 was good it was certainly lacking in recommendations. So for this countdown it's going to feature a selection of 100 films that didn't make the top 100 but are 3.5-5 star films worth tracking down and checking out.



Number 100.

The Stuff (1985)




What is the "The Stuff", well it's a yogurt like alien substance that turns it's users into stepford wife-like beings. The Stuff blends Invasion of the Body Snatchers themes with dark humor. It's directed by the underrated Larry Cohen who may have another film show up later in this countdown. If you liked Stranger Things this is a good companion type piece. The Stuff did not register on anyone's top 25 list.



Number 99.

Strange Invaders (1983)





Aliens come down from space and take over a bucolic town in 1980's Illinois. This movie actually received a Razzie nomination for some strange reason. But the movie is actually quite watchable it's sort of a blending of all three Body Snatcher films. The Aliens are given a better describable personality and while the entire plot is completely given away in the trailer the execution is decent enough.



Number 98

Fido (2006)




Coming two years after Shaun of the Dead, Fido didn't really click with audiences which is a shame as most likely just wrote it off as a lesser version of Shaun of the Dead. I picked Fido because it illustrates the zombie movies that I will put on my list vs the Zombie movies I won't. Fido is about a group of zombies who are turned into functioning members of society in a 1950's style universe. The zombies are more controlled through science and engineering so I would consider this to be science fiction vs Shaun of the Dead which is more of a traditional horror film.

Anyways by making the film a period piece it ads quite a bit to a premise that might sound tiresome. Obviously the film plays into the allegorical use of minorities in the 50's but we never get bogged down in the politics



Number 97

Frankenhooker (1990)




A tragic lawnmower accident kills his fiance Jeffrey decides to bring his girl back by trolling 80's New York for body parts. This is excellent blend of B-movie horror, comedy and soft-core porn. You come for the boobs and stick around for the Super Crack and exploding hookers.



Number 96

The Brain That Wouldn't Die(1962)




An arrogant scientist gets into a car accident with his fiance. He decides to save her brain and rebuild her body. While Frankenhooker showed the seedy side of New York City in the 80's, this movie covers the seedy side of early 60's sexuality. Meanwhile the head spends the movie communicating with something behind a door. The movie has really good special effects for the time and a story that moves along very quickly



Number 95

Pandorum (2009)




An ark carrying the last of us is heading towards a new homeland. Every two years select crew members are awakened to take care of the ship. Pandorum is an inventive little Lovecraftian horror film, Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster play the crew members and they do an admirable job. This is a polarizing film and not for everyone (the theme of tonight's updates) but it's worth checking out.



You should finish this, @Siddon, I'm curious what your other recommendations are.
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To me the best atmospheric ones and the classics are:
The thing 1982
Alien
Aliens
2001 a space odyssey
Outland
Blade runner
Interstellar
In the movie series and not standalones will be:
Star trek
This would be my top 10









94. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)




They made 9 ape films and yet only one made the rankings. Escape from the Planet of the Apes is perhaps my favorite of the Apes films. Basically the story is flipped on it's head a collection of Apes (Roddy McDowell and Kim Hunter) manage to go back in time and land on earth. The film is in a number of ways an achingly perfect portrayal of the guilt and burden of knowledge.



At first the apes are treated as celebrities and novelties but then something natural happens the film becomes very dark and realistic. I would say this is the best plotted of all the apes films in that it has a clear three act structure something incredibly profound to say and a thrilling climax.



That elusive hide-and-seek cow is at it again
I watched The Stuff, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Dreamscape back to back on VHS at a 4th grade sleepover. Needless to say I didn't sleep much that night. Loved all of them.

I'm looking forward to more additions here.







93. X-men Days of Future Past(2014)

What genre are superhero films..I think in a number of ways it depends on the hero. I don't think I would classify Thor or Batman as science fiction but X-men, Captain America, Iron Man, and Spiderman I'd call them science fiction. The X-men are a collection of human beings who have a gene that causes them to manifest specific powers. Not only is the concept based on a science fiction concept but this particular film focuses on time travel (and does an excellent job with it). The only thing that really keeps this from being a perfect X-men film is that the 2023 future is way to over the top compared to the 2029 version of the X-men universe in Logan.


Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender, and Jennifer Lawrence are all good in this which helps. The Quicksilver scene is classic but I actually prefer Blink and teleportation scene...