Gattaca (1997)

A genetically inferior man (Ethan Hawke) assumes the indentity of a genetically superior man (Jude Law) in order to pursue his dream of space travel.

This is a Sci-fi drama set in the future where one's life is determined by genetic engineering. Rich people can choose the makeup of their offspring and people are designed to fit into whatever role is decided for them before their birth. But what happens when someone wants a life different from the one chosen for him?

Nasa says that 'Gattaca' is the most plausible sci-fi movie ever and therefore watching this film brings a chilling thought of what could happen if technology is left unchecked. Gattaca is an intelligent thriller that is visually stunning and morally complex and well worth digging up from the archives for another view.

4 elephants

Moon

Director Duncan Jones' first feature film about Sam Bell an employee who is contracted by Lunar Industries to work on the moon and that's all we're saying because we don't want to give away the plot.

Trawling through the films on Love Film I came across this movie and without even reading the synopsis put it on the list because it had such a cool poster. Months later it turned up and before we watched it I was repeatedly asked what it was about, to which I replied 'the moon, I guess.' But when we came to watch it we were blown away. This should have got Sam Rockwell an Oscar nod - at least. It's incredible to think this movie was made for just $5m, it looks as if it's been filmed on location - on the moon! The entire movie literally has only one actor in it. It's a fantastic film. Brilliantly directed and superbly acted.
5 elephants

Best line - Sam: Gerty, is there someone else in the room?

The Invasion

An alien life form attaches itself to a space shuttle that crashes back to earth. Anyone coming in contact with debris from the shuttle and therefore the alien life form, becomes infected and contagious. When they fall asleep their DNA is recoded and they are robbed of all emotion. (Obviously this happened to Nicole Kidman before the film started!)

If you can get past Miss Kidman's frozen features and Daniel Craig's hair (was it a wig???) there is a one in a million chance you might enjoy it. This remake starts off well enough but come the third act it just seems the script writers ran out of steam and just thought 'c'mon guys, let's wrap this up asap.' The resolution was pathetic. And while we're at it, Nicole Kidman's running -- well, she just shouldn't.

1 elephant (and that's being generous)

The Day the Earth Stood Still

A remake of a 1951 Sci-Fi movie. A sphere lands in Central Park in New York and Klaatu (Keanu Reeves) a representative of a group of aliens has come to assess whether humans can reverse the damage it has inflicted on planet earth.

This is a perfect role for Keanu Reeves as he has to play someone who does not have any emotion. Our favourite line in the movie is when Klaatu is asked by the Secretary of Defence (Kathy Bates) why he has come to their planet. Klaatu replies "Your planet?" Keanu Reeves says it with such detachment it's actually funny. An okay movie. But no wow factor.

2 elephants