Must Own DVD Movies That Define The Fantasy & SciFi Genres?

[Ed_Laprade]

Did anyone mention Things to Come? As for landmarks, no one has mentioned the first (and only?) science fiction musical: Just Imagine! (Oh wait, the OP wanted quality too.)

 

[Rackhir]

I still have a soft spot for the recoloured version with (now) retro soundtrack. . . It was the first I saw, so. Well, anyway. . . it's a 'must see' movie, whichever you see first, assuming you see both.

They have recently found all of the original footage for Metropolis. The version most people have seen is one that was severely re-edited and dispensed with large chunks of the plot. The most recent restoration attempt, from a few years back, put in still frames and descriptive cards to attempt to fill in some of the gaps, but a few months ago they found a complete copy of the original some place in South America IIRC. The footage was in very poor condition though, so it's currently being restored and there should be a true "Original" version of Metropolis due out sometime next year, including I believe a Blu-Ray version.

 

[Larcen]

Sword and the Sorcerer. Really. We used to quote that movie all the time!

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Please don't forget that I am looking for explanantions of why the movie/tv series is definitive or turning-point.

 

[Remus Lupin]

What no Terry Gilliam? I'd have to include Time Bandits or The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Maybe even Brazil.

Well, 12 Monkeys is Gilliam

 

[Angrydad]

I'd have to recommend John Carpenter's "The Thing". The film's definitive in the world of special effects and creepy as all get out. Playing the PS2/Xbox game, which is a sort of sequel to the movie probably helped the movie seem creepier, but I'd still recommend it as a good sci-fi horror flick. Beware the blood and guts in this one.

 

[Aus_Snow]

They have recently found all of the original footage for Metropolis. The version most people have seen is one that was severely re-edited and dispensed with large chunks of the plot. The most recent restoration attempt, from a few years back, put in still frames and descriptive cards to attempt to fill in some of the gaps, but a few months ago they found a complete copy of the original some place in South America IIRC. The footage was in very poor condition though, so it's currently being restored and there should be a true "Original" version of Metropolis due out sometime next year, including I believe a Blu-Ray version.

Yeah, I'd gathered something along these lines, well the fact that some content was missing anyway. Didn't know that the movie in its entirety could be on the cards though - wow!

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Holy Bovine]

Please don't forget that I am looking for explanantions of why the movie/tv series is definitive or turning-point.

Jason & the Argonauts is definitive (to me) for the simple fact that it shows how amazing stop motion effects can look with someone talented handling them. Some of the best CGI in the world today still doesn't look as good as Harryhausen's skeletons or Talos (the Iron Golem).

 

[Mistwell]

Sci-Fi:
Clockwork Orange
Terminator 2
Aliens
Back to the Future
Close Encounters
E.T.
Star Trek 2: The Wraith of Khan
2001
Soylent Green
Logan's Run
Men in Black
The Road Warrior
Tron