Sci-Fi Now and Then

            It came to my attention upon exiting the theater on 13 August 2009 that this year had fared quite well for mainstream science fiction.  J.J. Abram’s re-imagining of Star Trek started the year off with a bang that resounded for the remainder of the twelvemonth.  Midsummer, Duncan Jones’s Moon was rewarded two viewings and was an understated, underappreciated, and impressive debut feature.  The surreal atmosphere and fantastic-as-usual Clint Mansell score helped the film be the only science fiction entry that gave District 9 a run for its money.  The fact that Neill Blomkamp’s film received Oscar nods was fulfilling at least.  The fourth Terminator film was refreshingly fun even if overdone in a few select parts.  There was also Avatar.  Thus 2009 was a pretty well rounded year for science fiction, many of which made a big impression at the box office and award ceremonies (monies- never gets old). 

            It came to my attention more recently, in looking over old movie lists and scanning my library, that 1982 was also a prolific years for good science fiction films.  The second Star Trek saw Kirk and Spock battle Khan.  Computer technology and Jeff Bridges were immortalized in Tron.  Ridley Scott’s Philip K. Dick adaptation in the form of Blade Runner has ceased to

disappear in the last 28 years.  E.T. touched the hearts of kids and adults alike and has cemented itself on the classics lists for each successive generation.  Sci-fi infused horror in John Carpenter’s flawless The Thing and Tobe Hooper’s Poltergeist remain two extremely memorable films.  I am not going to account for the reason behind such a commanding year or suggest that it is the paramount annus mirabilis.  I am convinced, however, that it was indeed good.  And with a few exceptions, so was '09.