*SFN*: Sci-Fi Films I’ve Selected to Watch During SFN

Posted Wednesday, 6 November, 2013 by jorielov 5 Comments

Sci-Fi Films I’ve Selected to Watch During:
Sci-Fi November!

I’ve previously spoken about my admiration and appreciation for science fiction films happily watched throughout my lifetime, however, at this particular moment I want to highlight the films I’ve selected to focus on during Sci-Fi November as far as re-watching certain motion pictures that spoke to me in a way that left my head full of wonder and a heart full of curious questions! The type of films that you could spend hours pondering due to the depth of the story-telling, the quality of the film production, the character driven acting, and the atmosphere of the setting which catapulted you directly up and out of your seat and straight into the action of the story!

Selection One:

*Double Header* Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within & Advent Children

I originally came across the announcement for The Spirits Within quite by accident, as I had known about the gaming version of “Final Fantasy” for such a long time, that it nearly felt as though there wasn’t a moment of my growing years where someone wasn’t speaking about that universe! However, it was not a game I had ever played myself, which is why I was completely blind to the fact that they had garnished a motion picture set inside that universe but completely separate in of itself from that universe of gamers! What struck me the most whilst I saw this in a darkened theater for the first time is the amount of dexterity CGI effects had become! I was taken with the ‘hair’ of the characters as previously animated hair never quite looked like the hair of The Spirits Within! The story held my heart suspended in the air until the closing sequences, as it’s a story that is driven by the characters and the plight of the circumstances they find themselves wrapped up in!

I never had the proper chance to ‘chase down’ the sequel for The Spirits Within, as I only heard a whispering about a potential sequel but without any hard evidence that one was in the works (and knowing fully well how long it takes for motion pictures heavy on CGI effects takes to produce) it was speculation only! Not until a chance encounter with an anime buff at a demonstration of a surround sound system at a retail outlet for gadgets and gear, did I uncover the name of said sequel: Advent Children! Further still, what as even more intriguing is that this gent had the dvd on hand to introduce us to the latest in surround sound technology! He disappeared for a good twenty minutes in which time, Mum and I were so enraptured into Advent Children we had forgotten where we were! From what I can remember of that day (as several years have passed since) is that this second “Final Fantasy” film is as thought-provoking as its predecessor! It wasn’t until a friend of mine offhandedly suggested that I could have her copy of the film as she was uninterested in it, that I found myself in a position to watch The Spirits Within & Advent Children in a double-header extravaganza!

Selection Two: Gattaca 

I found Gattaca whilst browsing through channels one night when I was open to ‘anything!’ as I was that bored with the selections, when I suddenly came across this particular story which I didn’t quite understand but was enthralled with nonetheless! There was something about the ‘feel’ of Gattaca which allowed me to step inside this world, curl up for a short spell and become a part of the evolving story. I didn’t see the opening of it as I came in whilst it was already in progress, but from what I was able to gather it wasn’t quite like any other film I had seen before and I liked that about it! It had an edge to it that I respected and appreciated as well! I always wanted to return back to it if I could and SFN presented the perfect opportunity for me! I will say that it wasn’t too far from my viewing of this film when I stumbled across The Fifth Element, and I am still deciding my final thoughts on that story!

Selection Three: The Last Mimzy

I knew from the trailers (whilst seeing other films) and teasers (whilst awaiting a series to return from commercial break) that this was going to be ‘one’ of the motion pictures that I would need to see on the silver screen! Everything about the premise intrigued me, you see! And, as I was watching the film, I felt suspended in time as I was inside the story itself the entire time it ran on the reels! I love having that feeling wash over me, where you’re not even aware of who is in the audience seated around you, much less was it morning, afternoon, or evening when you entered the theater? I even loved how they brought in the upper sciences into the story as well as crafted such a believable story arc with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance! IF I had seen a bunny like Mimzy I would have been one of the first to pick it up as a remembrance of this unforgettable film!

Selection Four: Somewhere in Time

I am not even sure how many tissue boxes are truly needed to get through this film in its entirety but surely a hefty amount for sure! When I first saw this film it was running on tv and I had the fortunate luck to see it from the very beginning,.. already an appreciator of Reeves & Seymour who play the title roles, I was entranced at the opening sequences, especially at the mentioning of ‘time’. In how it could play a part in ‘where’, ‘when’, and ‘how’ the characters were going to interact with each other! I knew a bit about this part of Upper Michigan as well, although I learnt a heap more after the film in the years since I originally watched it. I can say all my research into the Upper Michigan surrounding area of Mackinac Island has only enhanced my desire to watch this film again and become lost inside it! The resounding question at the end is what holds my heart in suspense,…

Selection Five: The Postman 

I realise I have already spoken about my appreciation for this film during SFN features, however, let me just say that this film has always held an interest for me, to where I aspired to read the novel the film was based upon! And, I just might be in a position to finally accomplish this as I not only sought to ILL this motion picture but the novel as well! We’ll just have to see what comes in and if everything aligns to where I can read and watch a story that I have oft thought about in the moons and years since I originally saw it! I wonder then, does this story hold anyone else’s attention!?

Selection Six: Midnight in Paris

Ooh, my dear stars, who could not dig into this film with gusto!? A writer’s dream of a motion picture if you ask me! To be able to find the hidden secret to walking back into the folds of time and introducing yourself into your perception of the ‘golden age of living, life, and art’!? Who wouldn’t be tempted to travel along the circuits of time if it meant you could receive sound advice for your writing as much as how to live!? I loved the interactions with all the infamous writers, of whom, to me were portrayed rather well by the actors who created the illusion of their persona! Ooh, yes, I cannot wait to go back to Paris at midnight! Whose going to join me!?

Selection Seven: The Lake House

On the same vein as Midnight in Paris, the science fiction elements of this motion picture are subtle and gently influential to the story. A film for whichever reason was passed over by Mum and I despite the hearty recommendations coming from everyone we knew at the time, we simply did not feel compelled to watch it! This was prior to finding the dvd of said film at a library sale, at which time we felt “oh why not?” Let me just say that from the moment the story began until the very last scene – we were completely bewitched! There was something about the manner in which the communication of The Lake House transfuses through time that captures the romantic in all of us!

Let me ask you, dear hearts, which of these are you looking forward to my review the most? Which of these haven’t you seen and are deeply curious about? Do you feel like me its hard to pick a ‘favourite’ amongst this lot of choices? Did you avoid any of them for whichever reason seemed logical to you at the time!? Would you attempt to watch that particular film now? Kindly drop me notes, I look forward to conversing with you soon!

This feature is brought to you by:

Sci-Fi November | Hosted by Rinn Reads{SOURCE: Sci-Fi November Badge provided by Rinn Reads for participants to advert the month long event and to encourage people to follow along with those of us who are contributing}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2013.

About jorielov

I am self-educated through local libraries and alternative education opportunities. I am a writer by trade and I cured a ten-year writer’s block by the discovery of Nanowrimo in November 2008. The event changed my life by re-establishing my muse and solidifying my path. Five years later whilst exploring the bookish blogosphere I decided to become a book blogger. I am a champion of wordsmiths who evoke a visceral experience in narrative. I write comprehensive book showcases electing to get into the heart of my reading observations. I dance through genres seeking literary enlightenment and enchantment. Starting in Autumn 2013 I became a blog book tour hostess featuring books and authors. I joined The Classics Club in January 2014 to seek out appreciators of the timeless works of literature whose breadth of scope and voice resonate with us all.

"I write my heart out and own my writing after it has spilt out of the pen." - self quote (Jorie of Jorie Loves A Story)

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Posted Wednesday, 6 November, 2013 by jorielov in Final Fantasy: Advent Children, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Gattaca, Midnight in Paris, Sci-Fi November, Somewhere in Time, The Lake House, The Last Mimzy, The Postman




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5 responses to “*SFN*: Sci-Fi Films I’ve Selected to Watch During SFN

    • Annie,

      You touched on the very sentiment that I experienced whilst watching it for the first time! Usually when I borrow motion pictures from my local library, I only have time to watch them the first time — I made an exception with “Midnight in Paris” — I think I saw it 4x!

      I cannot wait to view it once more and review for SFN!

      Thank you for dropping by my blog and leaving me such a kind note! I will be visiting your blog as it sounds like your a writer too!

  1. Somewhere in Time is a big favourite of my wife. We went to Mackinac Island a few years ago to see the hotel. One of these years (maybe for our Silver Wedding) I’ll surprise her with a night or two there. The Last Mimzy is a faourite in our household, too.

    • Rinn,

      You haven’t seen any of them!? Ooh my dear stars! You’ll be plumb happy then to see what I have in the works!! I was trying not to give too much away in case no one saw anything yet so I could do a proper review, but at the same time I wanted to give a preview of why each of them meant something to me! :) Quite exciting that I selected films that weren’t seen at all! Wow.

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