I spent the last week at the 2009 Origins Game Fair (June 24-28, 2009) in Columbus, Ohio, where I got the opportunity to interview game designers, organizers, and fans about the games and movies they love to play and watch. In all, I spoke to more than 700 people throughout the week and got their opinions on what is hot and what is not. One of the topics we got a chance to discuss was Science Fiction movies. As we know, any self-described geek knows his sci-fi films and the gamers at Origins are no different! In all, I got over 200 responses to different Sci-Fi movies – most of which I have seen and some I had never even heard of. These guys and gals knew so much about Science-Fiction that many had trouble coming up with just five best. See who the winners were below:
1. Star Wars IV: A New Hope: Is this any surprise, really? This 1977 flick is the grand-daddy of all science fiction films. Written and directed by George Lucas, Star Wars was a ground-breaking movie that set the bar for all other science fiction films to come. At the time, it won six Oscars for best art director, costumes, special effects, film editing, music and sound. Still, that best film Oscar slipped through George Lucas’ hands – but not in the minds of this year’s Origins-goers. They named this the best sci-fi flick in any galaxy near or far.
2. The Matrix (1999): Written and directed by the Wachowski Brothers, the Matrix takes place in an alternative future where everything we see is a computer program set up by machines and we’re..well, we’re batteries to run the machines. They just keep us happy by telling us what we want to see and believe. This original sci-fi film follows the adventures of Neo (played by Keanu Reeves) who is rumored to be the savior of mankind, known as “the One”. At the time, the film won four Oscars for Best editing, sound FX, visual FX, and sound. Origins fans picked this film as a fan favorite not to miss.
3. Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980): The second of the six Star Wars sextet, Empire is considered by many to be the best of the Star Wars films – but not by Origins fans this year. The title is in a close third place, taking home 270 votes. Empire introduced us to Yoda, Lando Calrissian, and the new villain for the eighties – Boba Fett. The film won an Oscar for best sound and won the People’s Choice Award for Best Picture in 1980.
4. Serenity (2005): This film may have slipped by you if you aren’t a big sci-fi fan, but it couldn’t be missed by this year’s Origin fans. Serenity follows the crew of a ship named, Serenity, and their doctor (Sean Maher) and his telepathic sister (played by Summer Glau), from a government assassin who is sent to recapture them. The movie is a mix of sci-fi, western, comedy and drama from Josh Whedon, from his Sci-Fi series Firefly. He is also the director of such famous cult-classics as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Serenity was not a box office smash – taking in only $25 million, but our Origin fans say it is worth much more.
5. Star Trek (2009): It may not have William Shatner, but Star Trek rounds out our Best Five list as the alternate universe Enterprise hit the screens this year. With great special effects and a really decent storyline, Star Trek was shunned by many of the Trekkies (err…Trekkers) that had followed this cult classic since its inception in the late 60s. This time out, we are introduced to the crew as they make it through Star Fleet training and the infamous Kobayashi Maru training simulator. Next, it is out of space dock to handle the Romulans (with fantastic costumes by Mitchell Kulkin). Special appearances by Leonard Nimoy as, well…you’ll have to watch the film.
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