Posts Tagged ‘science fiction’

Arrival and the Challenge of the First-Contact Movie

Posted: November 21, 2016 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , ,

I saw Arrival. There is a lot that I enjoyed about it. It is a visually stunning film, for one thing. The first good look of the alien ship is a Magritte painting come to life, and the aliens themselves are imaginative, awe-inspiring, and are a refreshing break from the convention of making all benign aliens look reassuringly cute. The score is magnificent, itself alien enough to induce its own fair share of awe. And Amy Adams’ performance as Louise Banks is as powerful as it is understated.

All of these are very good things. Should you see the film? Absolutely. Having said that, I have some reservations. Spoilers follow, and I’m going to talk about the ending, so you have been warned.

(more…)

Notes on Independence Day: Resurgence

Posted: June 27, 2016 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , ,

So we saw Independence Day: Resurgence. Some spoilery thoughts follow.
(more…)

Deep Horror Before Jaws: The Monster That Challenged the World

Posted: June 18, 2016 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Nature's Fury_Jaws

If Moby-Dick is the biggest literary influence on Stephen Spielberg’s Jaws (apart from the novel on which it was based), its primary cinematic touchstone is Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). Jaws references Creature by recreating a number of shots from the underwater ballet sequence in the opening scene, and by strongly echoing the earlier film’s score in its own. All this being said, Jaws also has points in common with 1957’s The Monster That Challenged the World. I’m hesitant to posit a direct influence (though as we’ll see, there is at least one moment that is pretty strikingly similar). Rather, I’ll say that Monster taps into the same primal fear as Jaws and Creature, and does so quite effectively. (more…)

Don’t Panic In Large, Friendly Letters

Posted: February 11, 2015 in Uncategorized
Tags: , ,

I’ve seen a number of people being very worried that the (expected by everyone, including my cat) dismal box office showing of Jupiter Ascending (domestically – it is doing better internationally) is going to result in Hollywood shying away from making original SF/F movies. Now, I know very well that if the film industry can take a wrong turn, it will, but at the same time, I submit that it is too early to panic. Especially with Interstellar (over $670 million worldwide) having barely left the theatres. (more…)

Interstellar and the Arrogance of Sentiment

Posted: November 28, 2014 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , ,

I finally saw Interstellar. On the whole, I enjoyed it very much. It’s ambitious, takes the time it needs to tell its story, and is stunning to look at. The scene of the arrival at Saturn is one of the most awe-inspiring sights of recent SF cinema, and is a moment where Interstellar is in closest sympathy with 2001: A Space Odyssey. There have been many comparisons drawn between the two films. Well, you lucky people, here’s another. Spoilers follow.
(more…)

Horror, Hybrids and Contagion: Why the Messiness of Genres Is a Good Thing

Posted: November 15, 2012 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Today, I have another guest blog. I’m over at SF Signal, talking about horror as a literary virus: http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2012/11/guest-post-david-annandale-on-why-the-messiness-of-genres-is-a-good-thing/

Notes Toward a Consideration of Prometheus

Posted: June 11, 2012 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , ,

Alien is my favourite movie.

I don’t know if I could tell you my favourite novel, song, video game or play. But I have no trouble pointing to one movie and saying, “There. That one. That’s my favourite.” As I suspect is the case with most people who have a definite fave, how and when I saw the film play a significant role in shaping its importance for me. My father took me to see it on my 13th birthday. Once the face-hugger popped out of the egg, and especially once Kane had that bout of indigestion, I was curled into foetal position for the rest of the picture. It was an experience of terror that I have treasured ever since. My love for the film has never abated. Over thirty years on, I appreciate the film’s accomplishments in a new, but no less fond, light. Earlier this spring, for example, as I was teaching a course on remakes and sequels, Aliens was one of the films we looked at. And much as I love Cameron’s film, too, I was struck by how some of its special effects are showing their age, while those in Alien remain almost seamless. (more…)