George R.R. Martin, best known as the author of the popular series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” which gained immense popularity as “Game of Thrones,” has always had an affinity for science fiction.
This is no secret to those who follow his work beyond Westeros, as many of his earlier stories, such as “With Morning Comes Mistfall,” “A Song for Lya,” and “Dying of the Light,” fall into the genre of science fiction. Despite his emphasis on fantasy, he occasionally returns to this genre.
In an interview with The Daily Beast, Martin lists his favorite science fiction films. He openly expresses his admiration for many classics as well as the 1950s film boom, which produced many unforgettable titles.
Martin praises “Forbidden Planet” as being “almost Shakespearean,” applauding its “special effects and scenes that are still excellent for its time.” He also emphasizes its “astonishing and unique” soundtrack, which perfectly complements its visual boldness.
The list also includes the films “Alien” and “Aliens: The Final Showdown.” Martin considers the first film to be a “perfect horror film in the guise of science fiction,” with adrenaline-pumping moments and Sigourney Weaver’s portrayal being hailed as some of the best in film history. Regarding its sequel, directed by James Cameron, the author states that it is a “rare case when a sequel turned out better than the original.” Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner” also makes the list, with Martin praising its “excellent direction” and Rutger Hauer’s iconic final speech.
Martin also shares his opinion on “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” stating that “every time a remake is made, it gets worse.” He considers the original version to be a film that “made an entire generation scared to go to bed.” As for “The War of the Worlds” from 1953, he believes it is far superior to Steven Spielberg’s 2005 version, thanks to its “elegant, sinister, and unforgettable” aliens. The remake of “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” starring Keanu Reeves, is rejected by Martin, who believes that the original is “undoubtedly better than the sour misanthropy of the remake.”
Martin considers John Carpenter’s debut film, “Dark Star,” to have been made “with all the loose change found under their sofa cushions.” However, this doesn’t stop him from describing it as “the funniest science fiction film of all time.” His favorite film from the “Star Wars” series is “The Empire Strikes Back,” which, in the author’s opinion, “still holds up better” than the previous installment.
Adding to the list is George Miller’s post-apocalyptic film, “Mad Max,” which lacks both characters and outer space. Martin claims that it “has everything.” While he finds the original film to be completely forgettable, he considers its sequel to be not only the best part of the series but also one of the best science fiction films of all time.
Here are George R.R. Martin’s top 10 favorite science fiction films:
– “Forbidden Planet” (Fred M. Wilcox, 1956)
– “Alien” (Ridley Scott, 1979)
– “Blade Runner” (Ridley Scott, 1982)
– “Aliens: The Final Showdown” (James Cameron, 1986)
– “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (Don Siegel, 1956)
– “Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior” (George Miller, 1981)
– “Dark Star” (John Carpenter, 1974)
– “The War of the Worlds” (Byron Haskin, 1951)
– “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (Robert Wise, 1951)
– “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” (Irvin Kershner, 1980)
FAQ Section based on the main themes and information presented in the article:
1. What are George R.R. Martin’s favorite science fiction films?
Answer: “Forbidden Planet,” “Alien,” “Blade Runner,” “Aliens: The Final Showdown,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” “Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior,” “Dark Star,” “The War of the Worlds,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.”
2. What features distinguish “Forbidden Planet” according to George R.R. Martin?
Answer: George R.R. Martin praises “Forbidden Planet” for its “special effects and scenes that are still excellent for its time” and its “astonishing and unique” soundtrack, which perfectly complements the film’s visual boldness.
3. Which films from the “Alien” series are highlighted by George R.R. Martin?
Answer: Martin considers the first “Alien” film to be a “perfect horror film in the guise of science fiction.” As for the sequel, “Aliens: The Final Showdown,” he believes it is a rare case where the sequel turned out better than the original.
4. What aspects did George R.R. Martin appreciate in “Blade Runner”?
Answer: Martin praised “Blade Runner” for its “excellent direction” and Rutger Hauer’s iconic final speech.
5. What is George R.R. Martin’s opinion regarding film remakes?
Answer: Martin believes that most remakes are worse than the originals. In particular, he felt that each remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” got worse, while the original film “made an entire generation scared to go to bed.”
6. What is George R.R. Martin’s favorite film from the “Star Wars” series?
Answer: George R.R. Martin’s favorite film from the “Star Wars” series is “The Empire Strikes Back,” which, in his opinion, still holds up better than the previous installment.
Vocabulary:
– “A Song of Ice and Fire” series – a book series written by George R.R. Martin, which also became popular as “Game of Thrones.”
– Science fiction – a literary and film genre that encompasses scientifically fictional topics such as the future, technology, space, etc.
– The Daily Beast – an American online news publication focusing on cultural, political, and social issues.
– Special effects – techniques used in films to create visual effects that are not achievable in reality.
– Soundtrack – a collection of audio recordings, such as music, dialogue, and sound effects, used in a film.
– Sequel – a continuation of a film, book, or other work that continues or expands on the previous part’s story.
– Remake – a new version or interpretation of a previous film, usually made by different producers and directors.
– Post-apocalyptic – referring to a time or world that has occurred after some catastrophic events, such as a nuclear war or another global disaster.
– George Miller – an Australian director and screenwriter, known for works such as the “Mad Max” series.
– Ambitious – having great courage and determination to achieve challenging goals.
Suggested Related Links:
– George R.R. Martin’s official website
– Article about the film “Forbidden Planet”
– Article about the film “Alien”
– Article about the film “Blade Runner”
– Article about the film “Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior”
– Article about the film “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”
The source of the article is from the blog newyorkpostgazette.com