Subgenre Sampler
Science Fiction: 1571 Films to Buy & Rent
Escape from L.A. (1996)
- Dir. John Carpenter
Feat. Kurt Russell
- Carpenter's belated follow–up sequel to his cult smash ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK revives Kurt Russell as a straight–faced, world–saving…
Frighteners, The (1996)
- Dir. Peter Jackson
Feat. Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson…
- A big–budget Hollywood hootenanny made in Miramar and starring Lyttleton harbour, this is a must–see for any self–respecting…
Independence Day (ID4) (1996)
- Dir. Roland Emmerich
Feat. Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Will Smith
- Absurdly mega–hyped sci–fi blockbuster revels in its own trashiness, but to its credit revives an old high–concept with (then)…
Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)
- Dir. John Frankenheimer
Feat. Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, Temuera Morrison
- HG Wells' ever–timely tale of the perils of genetic science, featuring big–name Hollywood talent and a troubled production record, it…
Mars Attacks! (1996)
- Dir. Tim Burton
Feat. Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening…
- Tim Burton once again turns tacky into an art form, but this time with a monster budget to match the alien carnage.
This gleefully (though…
Millennium (TV Series) (1996-1999)
- Feat. Lance Henriksen, Megan Gallagher, Klea Scott
- Occult sci–fi series from the creator of The X–Files) following the investigations of ex–FBI agent Frank Black (Lance Henriksen),…
Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (1996)
- Dir. Jim Mallon
Feat. Trace Beaulieu, Michael J Nelson, Jim Mallon
- Movie version of a popular cable show in which a B–movie (in this case, THIS ISLAND EARTH) is mercilessly heckled by a trio of 'witty'…
Neverwhere (Mini-series) (1996)
- Dir. Dewi Humphreys
Feat. Laura Fraser, Gary Bakewell
- Highly worthwhile sci–fi confection from the pen of fantasy writer Neil Gaiman (MIRRORMASK), in which an 'ordinary' Londoner (Bakewell) one day…
Phantom, The (1996)
- Dir. Simon Wincer
Feat. Billy Zane, Treat Williams, Catherine Zeta-Jones
- Billy Zane straps into purple tights to fight the depression–era blues and a supernaturally–empowered villain (Treat Williams). An…
Prophecy, The (1996)
- Dir. Gregory Widen
Feat. Christopher Walken, Eric Stoltz, Elias Koteas…
- Christopher Walken plays the Archangel Gabriel(!), spreading terror on earth on behalf of a private vendetta in heaven. X–FILES fans should…