Christmas Gifts For 2010: Favorite SF/F Films/Shows for 2010 (and Some Extras)

Reading Time

2010 has actually been a fairly decent year for science fiction and fantasy film.  True, there have been some stinkers (like The Last Airbender, CapricaClash of the Titans, Dollhouse, and Prince of Persia), but the whole year hasn’t been a bust.  A number of great movies have hit the theaters (and DVD) and there’s still hope for the field in the years to come.

With that in mind, I give you my Christmas SF/F film selections for 2010 (with a non-SF title and some just-out-on-DVD titles tossed in for good measure; in no particular order)(after the fold):

Inception

By far one of the greatest and most important science fiction films in the last decade, let alone the last fifty years.  You can read my review here (and my various other columns here, here, and here).


The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

My second favorite movie to come out this year, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is as imaginative as Inception, with a unique narrative structure.  Considering the limitations created by Ledger’s death, Gilliam’s new masterpiece certainly turned out well.  You can check out my review here.

Moon

I only recently got a chance to see Moon.  While it’s not a perfect film, it is a fine example of serious science fiction.  Deeply psychological and expertly crafted, Moon is one to see.

Pandorum

I’m sensing a theme here…can you guess what it is?

One of the creepiest science fiction films in the last ten years, Pandorum is just the right combination of terror and scifi goodness!  It’s worth having in your collection if you don’t have it already.

How To Train Your Dragon

Even this film fits into the theme (in a way)…

Need a great family movie?  Why not try How To Train Your Dragon?  It’s fun, cute, and strangely beautiful.  See my review here.

The Shows

Stargate Universe

I’m a tad behind, but the last time I was able to watch the show, I recall liking it quite a bit.  It’s an attempt at filling the gap left behind by Battlestar Galactica (which Caprica failed to do), and it does so moderately well.  Too bad they cancelled the show…

The Big Bang Theory

Geeks are sexy.

If you’re not watching this show, then you must immediately turn in your Geek and Scifi Cards.  If you refuse to do so, you will be hunted down by the GIA.

V

The lesson:  don’t trust beautiful women who live in spaceships!

I’m a little behind on this one too, but I’ve enjoyed it so far.  Tea Party folks should like this show a lot, since it’s all about ridiculous conspiracies (only, they come true).


The Pacific

Beautiful and gruesome…

I’m only six episodes into this miniseries, but it has already proven to be a must have for any fan of war films.  If you haven’t seen Band of Brothers (the series that preceded The Pacific), you should.  Both are worth having in your collection, not simply because they are beautifully crafted/acted/written, but also because they are amazingly detailed (each episode is preceded by brief talks about certain events by people who were actually there).  Watch it and pray that HBO will keep producing these kinds of series.  I don’t want it to end…

And there you have it.  What are some of your favorites for 2010?

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