Thirteenth Floor (1999)
Synopsis: In late 1990’s Los Angeles, Hannon Fuller (Armin Mueller-Stahl) is the owner of a multi-billion dollar computer enterprise and the inventor of a newly completed virtual reality simulation (VR) of 1937 Los Angeles…
Why you may have missed it: The title screams “horror flick” but it’s nothing of the sort. It’s actually great, stylish, expensive looking sci-fi. It also sported some of the best scenic CGI of its day and its aging very well.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtYdZkPmFoU
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Upside Down (2012)
Synopsis: Adam is a seemingly ordinary guy in a very extraordinary universe. He lives humbly trying to make ends meet, but his romantic spirit holds on to the memory of a girl he loved once upon a time from another world, an inverted affluent world with its own gravity, directly above but beyond reach…
Why you may have missed it: Again, the title doesn’t do a lot for the movie unless you know what’s about. This is fantasy sci-fi, with some of the best visuals I’ve ever seen – and great acting by all involved.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtixqUXid9A
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Strange Days (1995)
Synopsis: A former cop turned street-hustler accidentally uncovers a police conspiracy in 1999 Los Angeles.
Why you may have missed it: By its movie poster, I don’t get a clue as to what it’s about. A “strange” movie that builds around a neurological gadget, with a superb cast and a riveting story, written by James Cameron.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yaXPx6xWEQ
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Dark City (1998)
Synopsis: A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun and run by beings with telekinetic powers who seek the souls of humans.
Why you may have missed it: Trailer looks a tad weird. Dystopian in nature, with several memorable settings and a surprising ending. A young(er) Jennifer Connolly in a charming role.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt9HkO-cGGo
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Moon (2009)
Synopsis: Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet’s power problems.
Why you may have missed it: Its movie poster seems evocative of the 1970s but doesn’t do a lot for this great solo movie. One of the best actors of his generation, Sam Rockwell, stars in a character-driven story on the moon surface. Some of the best FX until “Gravity”.
Strange Days is one of my favourite movies and it was what made me seek out science fiction narratives moving forward. When the oculus rift was revealed, it brought this film back to the forefront of my mind lol.
Upside Down was a good one too.
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Totally agree. I believe a lot of people may have missed those.
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