Tongue-in-cheek films with a science fictional edge
Barbarella D: Roger Vadim (1967) 98m
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Jane Fonda's outspoken opposition to the war in Vietnam forced her to seek work overseas - and as a result we got Barbarella. French comic strip heroine makes love to any marginally sensitive 41st-century male that asks. The striptease during the opening credits is guy heaven, and the rest is just plain camp classic.
Woody Allen at his best and without all the self-indulgent pretence. The hero (played by Allen) goes into hospital for an ulcer operation, gets cryogenically-frozen, and is thawed-out 200 years later. Big Brother's sterile future makes it tough to pursue ultra-babe Diane Keaton. The Orgasmatron scene is an absolute hoot.
Dark Star D: John Carpenter (1974) 83m
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Carpenter's first full-length feature manages to send-up just about every SF icon of the late 60s/early 70s - especially Trek and 2001. An anti-Kirk captain leads a dog-tired crew whose job it is to ignore intelligent life and blow up unstable planets. A sentient Hal-like smart-bomb wants to talk things over. Fabulous shoestring SFX.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show D: Jim Sharman (1975) 95m
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Alien transvestite (Tim Curry) sets out to build the perfect man with a side-dish of de-flowering a virgin (Susan Sarandon). Not as enjoyable without a vast array of theatrical audience participation - including costumes, shout-lines, live props and imitative performances. However, the top cult film of all-time by a naughty-cal mile.
Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai D: W D Richter (1984) 103m
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An incomprehensible plot and lack of narrative structure hasn't stopped this film from earning a cult following about the size of the 8th dimension. Buckaroo is a brain surgeon, physicist, race car driver and rock n roll star who accidentally releases some nasty aliens as a result of an experiment gone wrong. Really rocks!
Mars Attacks! D: Tim Burton (1996) 103m
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A successful video release has forced a critical reappraisal of this zap-happy spoof of 50s alien-invasion flicks. Jack Nicholson is terrific as the Clinton-esque president who is convinced that the 'intelligent' alien invaders will listen to reason. They don't - and a galaxy of stars get zapped or abducted for experimental purposes.
Men in Black D: Barry Sonnenfeld (1997) 98m
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A secret organisation of 'Men in Black' keep ETs living in anonymity on Earth in check. A NYPD cop (Will Smith) reluctantly joins 'MIB' when one goes astray - and the race is on to save the planet from destruction. The special effects are great (especially the nasty alien), the humour doesn't miss a beat, and the acting is spot-on.
Galaxy Quest D: Dean Parisot (1999) 104m
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Alien 'Thermians' are convinced that transmissions of a 20-year-old Trek-like TV show are the real thing. In the middle of yet another fan convention, they take the show's cast for a ride - expecting to have their planet saved from annihilation. Geekish fans help win the day. Classy Trek-tribute, also enjoyable for non-Trekkers.
