SciFi Month (2025)

Here we are, at the start of a new year, and we kick things off with Science Fiction movies. Although aliens are the central theme of four of these films, I didn’t go with a specific motif this year (although I already did an alien-themed selection last year). I just picked movies that I’ve wanted to see or movies I haven’t seen in a while. Be that as it may, here is the list, so you can skip around if you want.

• Soylent Green (1973)
• Species (1995)
• Species II (1998)
• Passengers (2016)
• Arrival (2016)
• Atlas (2024)

Soylent Green – 1973

Directed by: Richard Fleischer
Starring: Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson, Leigh Taylor-Young
My Rating:

In a dystopian future (2022) all of Earth’s natural resources are gone and the only food available for humans is Soylent Green. A cop stumbles upon the truth about Soylent Green while investigating the murder of a Soylent Industries board member.

This is a pretty good movie, albeit a little dark. Charlton Heston was such an amazing actor and one of a kind. The most disturbing thing about this movie is if Thorn’s (Heston) actions changed anything or if people will continue to consume Soylent Green.

Species & Species II

Species – 1995
Directed by: Roger Donaldson
Starring: Natasha Henstridge, Michael Madsen, Ben Kingsley
My Rating:

Species II – 1998
Directed by: Peter Medak
Starring: Natasha Henstridge, Michael Madsen
My Rating:

These are movies I haven’t seen in a while. Come to think of it, I don’t know if I’ve seen the Species II. It wasn’t a great movie so maybe I’ve blocked it out. The first Species film is Natasha Henstridge’s first feature film and is definitely the better of the two. I know there is a third one but I’ve heard it is actually worse than the second. The second one isn’t very memorable other than the abundance of nudity.

The first one is worth watching, the second is up to you but probably not worth your time.

Passengers – 2016

Directed by: Morten Tyldum
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen
My Rating:

5,000 people are in cryogenic sleep as they travel 130 years to a new planet but a malfunction causes one of them to wake up 90 years before their planned arrival.

This is a really good movie. It’s one of those movies where you might ask yourself “what would I have done”. I find it odd that the bar room resembles the lounge from The Shining. Chris Pratt shows his depth here in a more dramatic role; I’m so used to his more comedic roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and Parks and Recreation.

Arrival – 2016

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker
My Rating:

Gigantic extraterrestrial spaceships have touched down all over the world and nations are teetering on the brink of war. A renowned linguist and her team must find a way to communicate with the aliens before time runs out.

Amongst all of the movies on this list, I would recommend this movie the most. This is a great movie! The one caveat I have is that time is not linear in this film. You really need to pay attention to follow what is happening. This probably ranks in the top five of alien movies that I would watch again.

Atlas – 2024

Directed by: Brad Peyton
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Simu Liu
My Rating:

An AI soldier has decided that the only way to end the war caused by humans is to end humanity and build back better.

I may work in IT but I do not trust AI. AI is flawed, overrated, and overutilized. This movie seemed right up my alley. There are very few Jennifer Lopez movies that I like but I did enjoy this one. She still isn’t a great actress but the dialog for the Smith AI is well written. Simu Liu (Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) is an excellent villain. I’d say this movie is worth watching and probably worth watching again, just don’t expect an Oscar performance from “JLo”.

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