My computer and I need to spend a little time apart. You know how it is with a long term relationship—sometimes you need your space. We’ll be back together again in time for the inauguration. Till then, for your consideration, here’s a new reading/film list for the science fiction class I’ve been pondering—a chronological survey, but all somehow connected to the theme of war:
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein
Dr. Strangelove
The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
Star Wars
The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
The Terminator
Count Zero by William Gibson
Children of Men
The Chronoliths by Robert Charles Wilson
Let me be the first asshole: there are at least six Star Wars movies. You’re probably going to want to pick just one!
Robert, I’m referring to the film originally titled Star Wars that appeared in 1977 before the sequels. In the beginning there was just one, unless you believe the fairy tale they all resided in Lucas’s mind in a single conception. That’s the one that changed sf movies. The rest are mostly just unfortunate footnotes.
For my money, Empire Strikes Back is the only true entry. The rest (save maybe the first) are at best decent means to kill a Saturday afternoon.
Yeah, Empire is probably the highest quality film of the lot, but Star Wars was something new (by way of Flash Gordon) and started the whole phenomenon.
The Star Wars series really needs a parody series on the level of Flesh Gordon.
What about Spaceballs?! I thought that was your favorite movie. Are you saying it’s not on the level of Flesh Gordon?