2001: a Space Oddyssey

+1.

If they remade it, I'm sure they'd somehow cast Megan Fox to run around in a half-zipped space suit. Nothing wrong with that, just a different movie, please.

 

I'm with you there. I'd recommend giving Code 46 a look as well. One of the more interesting modern sci-fi flicks that unfortunately got no love.

 

Funny

Im usually not against remakes as I totally understand the 'business' reasons behind them.

But there is no way they could ever make a movie like 2001 again in Hollywood

 

Sad but true.

Incredible movie, far ahead of its time.

 

I agree with most, this film is very hard to quantify...based on what technology was available at the time the film was made. It is years ahead, and dead-on acurate in many ways. The special effects were done in the - if I may say - "honest way"....with skill and patience. It is easy to compare it to modern films....but keep in mind it is 40 years old! That is truly shocking! Look at other films of the same era....and look again at this film - it's monumental! Forbidden Planet is another truly awesome sci-fi film, back when the major studios spent big bucks on their productions. How about the GREAT original Day the Earth Stood Still! Some moments in that movie reflected the times (1951) but the writing and plot were just great!

I'm saddened that the Hollywood of old is gone. There are very few great stars, and very few great directors and producers. The glamour is gone - too bad.

 

Introduces the concept of AI (artificial intelligence) big time. Lots of imagery of “we are not alone” w/ possible unexpected findings on a typical moon landing (the monolith). Hey, it could happen…

 

Watched 2001 a whole bunch of times...it was way ahead of its time. Great descriptions in this thread.

I also think "The Matrix" was ahead of itself quite a bit. That movie is 10 years old now.

RMX

 

I've never read the books, but to me, the black monoliths represented a turning point in human civilization/evolution. They appear when something significant is changing. In 2001, it first appears when apes/man discover weapons (the bone), and later on the moon, when they are discovering space travel. And I'm one of those who think 2010 was a great movie. Very different than 2001, but still good.

 

I like 2010 as well.

Its very Hollywood where the original is almost an art film. But its still pretty good.

 

Not to turn the thread into movies that were well ahead of their time, Fantasia was the flick that many people went to see while on acid.

 

Or mushrooms...

 

I have said the same about Blazing Saddles as well...

 

True...there are a lot of movies on this list.

 

---old number six---

 

Actually, the monolith appears because the apemen are starving. Touching the monolith sparks a turning point in human evolution by "planting" the seed of using weapons to kill the abundant meat supply roaming around with them. Once they get the message and are no longer in danger of starving, the newly discovered weapons are used to kill their rivals.

 

My eighth grade social studies teacher showed it to our class. I actually thought it was hilarious

 

One of Peter Seller's early films. I saw it recently on TCM. Still holds up.

 

Is that something described in the books?

 

Blade Runner is an awesome flick which probes many areas of humanity...what a good film should do.

I love the surreal musical tones, eerie...

and of course...this famous quote which is very powerful (to me anyway):
"i have seen things you people couldn't believe;
attack ships off the shoulder of orion. I watched
c-beams at the tannhauser gate. all these things
will be lost in time....like tears in the
rain........Time....to...die........"

I haven't seen 2001 in like twenty years...maybe should buy it.

 

And Rutger Hauer actually wrote that piece himself if i remember correctly !

Yr such a geek

 

I'm wounded...especially coming from stripper man!

 

I had the Moon Bus model back in the 70's. Loved the lime green interior, and the smell of lemon scented Testors tube glue

Blade Runner- The other great quote... "A candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long, and you have burned very brightly..."

The Mouse that Roared- Thanks for mentioning that fantastic old movie. Loved it when I was a kid.
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Evolution of Man, Machine and Conflict Resolution.

Man against Man, Nature, Machine... are all there, throughout the story.

While early tools served Man, man serves Tools.

Early man did not have sure footing on Earth.
Late Man does not have sure footing in Space.
While each eats as a child, it is perhaps moreso true in the future.

When Hal calmly pleas with Dave to stop with the screwdriver, it is the equivalent of the Ape-man screeching while being slaughtered with bone. Horror's apex and zenith, either way.

Monolith keeps track of our progress. Teaching, assessing, approving. Even upon approval: though in our eyes, StarChild is highest state of human being; in Monolith's view, we, be it earthlings or Earth itself have developed to the equivalent of a baby compared to Monolith's or planetary origin of Monolith's advanced state.

We have a long way to go.

 

Have you read the book ? That will answer lots of questions

The black Obelisk shape is an alien robotic artifact from a highly advanced civilization that is highly flexible in its usage

The psychedlic trip was when the last remaining astronaut, David I think, is morphed by the obelisk from being a mere human to a human/alien "Demi God"