Les Voyages

This article is a successor of "Sedmero scifáčů, ..." which presented tips on my favourite SF masterpieces. As I remarked a few more would come in time.

And the time is now!

So let's make it short: You have probably never heard of some and may wonder what all these movies are about. In that case I suggest you watch them, preferably the ones you haven't encountered yet. But be warned, "official rating" can be a little tricky this time and it may also challenge your expertise on subject.. ;-)

(No sequence, just a list, right?)

Dark star (1974) - Long stay on spaceship can get quite ridiculous especially for a small crew at the very edge of Universe. It has few peaks that make this piece suitable while you tuned on punk mood and Star Wars would just suck.

The Thing (Věc, 1982) - Freezing horrors of shape shifting alien. Featuring Kurt Russel as a scientist in Antarctica. What else you need to know.

Kin dza dza (1986) - Very weird but also very gentle tale, perhaps an allegory of 80s' soviet regime? You tell me. Two russians find themselves by accident on the other planet Pluke, gallaxy Kin-dza-dza where things are different yet somehow alike home. Hardcore russian cyberpunk from times you probably still pissed your pants.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Stopařův průvodce po Galaxii, 2005) - If nothing else this is truly "the cult". For some. 42 - the answer to life, the universe and everything.

Babylon 5 (the series, 1994) - Ho, I forgot whether I wanted to present the series or the movies. Probably the series because with it's killer features, it makes a great choice when it comes on investing a good deal of one's time in watching long-span series (it has five). To some it reminds Star Trek. But compared the two, with all due respect Trek is for teenagers. For Babylon tells far more complex story that evolves dramatically, the psychology of characters goes pretty deep (while good/bad guys aren't always set constant, well what is then..?) along with occasional breath-taking roleplay it serves fine-ballanced ratio between narrative and action parts, spiced with interstellar diplomacy and politics as well as most subjective personal affairs. No kiddin'. Thus the overall story is one of space station and it's human and alien residents struggling hard in fatal conflict with whoever the enemy is. I say you give it a try, starting with the prequel movie "The Gathering" which is rather epic (briefing) by the way and then moving right to season 1. For connoisseurs there are four more movies with variable quality covering some areas throughout the actual universe's history and hence making the whole story even more inctricate. However, the series is cool as is.

Seksmisja (Sexmise, 1984) - How many polish movies have you seen? This in particular is definitely a must see. Two guys (the only last human males on Earth) experience the future that had to forgot their very existence. Very funny with startling ending.

Tajemství hradu v karpatech (1981) - No way you haven't seen this one. You know I couldn't help myself so it's on the list. Vlastimil Brodský, Jan Hartl, Michal Dočolomanský and Miloš Kopecký they all do fine job here. Period.

Prophecy (1995) - Well certainly this should be the "B-grade" stuff. Nevertheless, Christopher Walken really shines here as a demonic angel comming down to Earth in order to capture a dead soldier's soul. 'Coz the war is upon Heavens and blah blah. STILL IT WILL DO!

Predator (1987) - Bloody rock'n'roll taking place in latino/american jungle. No way, this is classic. (And jeez I had this übercool poster of Arnie in my room when I was a boy! And of course the movie with lame one-man-dubbing on VHS. Well this is history.)