While bored at work I was reading some of the top ten lists on the Guardian's web page. Their top ten sci-fi films are, in order, 1: Blade Runner (obviously), 2: 2001 (again, obviously), 3: Star Wars / The Empire Strikes Back (amusing that they left out Jedi), 4: Alien (I never really thought of it as a sci-fi film (although it is), but as a horror), 5: Solaris (brilliant, as was the more recent remake, although it was slated), 6: Terminator/Terminator 2 (I definitely don't see this as sci-fi, despite its pretensions, but as a action film), 7: The Day the Earth Stood Still (wonderful, much better than Terminator), 8: The War of the Worlds (the great original as opposed to the mediocre remake), 9: The Matrix (wtf?!), 10: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (amazing and insulting that anyone should rate it lower than The Matrix). Sunshine is not, nor should it be on the list. But, had they not royally arsed it up, it conceivably could have been.
In theory, it has a lot of the elements that a great sci-fi film should have. It has an interesting plot and a good cast, most of whom can actually act. It has a director of a pretty high calibre. It has good special effects, art direction, cinematography and a great soundtrack. Unforunately though, it has a plot twist at the end, of such mind-boggling-inbred-alabaman idiocy as to rate all the good points of the film null and void. I remember being really excited to see an good space-film again when I started the movie. There haven't been many decent sci-fi/space films recently. There were interesting themes being discussed. It seemed to be heading towards a satisfyingly pretentious conclusion, possibly involving cod-theology. But no. They had to go and reduce the whole experience by turning it into a stupid slasher film. I remember getting genuinely angry when watching it, as if the whole film had been a designed as a personal insult to me alone. I wanted to find the filmmakers and shout at then for ruining something that could have been alright...or even good.
But I consoled myself that even if the film had been a tragic waste of time, money and effort, at least the soundtrack could be enjoyed by itself. Nothing at either the Apple Store, nor Amazon. I went to the illegal-torrent-sites-that-I-honestly-never-use-to-download-anything-from-ever-honestly. Not a sniff. I went to the film's official website. After being annoyed all over again by the legions of idiots who were saying Sunshine is the best film ever, I found a thread saying that because of legal problems between Underworld and John Murphy (who shared the composing duties), the soundtrack was delayed. Indefinitely. Well, that's just great then. Cheeky bastards. Underworld, a band whose entire wealth and mainstream (at least) popularity came off the back of a film soundtrack, now fear that some decent music they have made recently might ruin their current reputation for immature nonsense. Instead I have to make do with one track from the film (To Heal), being released on their otherwise embarrassingly average album To Oblivion, and a badly mastered illegal bootleg of the film score ripped straight from a dvd. Movie companies wonder why people download illegal copies of things like this. Well, if they got off their arses and released the real score, we wouldn't have to.
I'm getting annoyed just thinking about the movie again. It didn't have to be awful, and that just makes it worse.
I heard some good things about the art direction of Sunshine, but there were a few problems with the story. I was looking forward to seeing it.
It never got advertised when it was released, or at least I never seen any advertisments.
I might try and rent it out over the long weekend.
But your right about there not being any new decent space movies. But Blade Runner was recently redone. Blade Runner the Final Cut I think it's called. It's supposed to be the perfect version. Have you seen it?
I also agree with you on Matrix. I can't stand that movie. The first half of the first one is pretty cool. It did some really goo effects. But I think that movie and the whole series goes down hill once Neon starts to beat the Smiths.
Also seen youve been listening to GSYBE. I love lift your skinny fists, especially disc2. That old guy talking about Coney Island has something sweet about it. I've always wanted to go there.
Have you heard of Thee Silver Mount Zion and Tra la la Band? Some of them are part of GSYBE. I've only heard the album "Born into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward," but its really good. (Wikipedia says they have a new album out soon.)
Mogwai were my first of these kinds of instrumental bands.
I'm not sure I would even watch Sunshine now if I knew how annoyed it was going to make me. Such wasted potential...now I know how my teachers at school must have felt! The new Blade Runner is good - just to get good copies of the older alternate edits is worth the (ridiculously cheap) price alone.
GSYBE are amazing, been listening to a lot of their stuff again recently. The border between seasons seems to suit their stuff. I'd heard a little Silver Mount Zion, but have to say I prefer the GSYBE albums...that moment in time guess. One of my best mates back home always recommends Mogwai...guess I should check them out one of these days.
Too much music, too little time...
Oh yeah, I remember now the Blade Runner box set having multiple versions. I might have to look around for that now.
Yeah you should definitely try out Mogwai. Theyre a bit more accessible then GSYBE, but out of the three mentioned Mogwai are my favourites.