I'm so excited to see the Indie/DIY industry blooming. Not only is it
rising with the advent of indie authors in publishing but the long
standing tradition of film is on the rise as well. Filmmakers are
making works outside of the system as they explore different avenues of
storytelling in the new media. The awesome thing is how open the
internet is for this communication. Much of it wouldn't have been
available years ago but now bloggers, fans, readers, filmgoers and
entertainment lovers can follow a film through it's production, learn
about new films that Hollywood wouldn't bother to push and also help
revive their favorite old series (Starhunter come back!)
I
thought I'd make this post is for all you SF fans looking for something
a little different, a little original and a little out of the ordinary.
This is also for me to keep up because my sticky is running out of room
for all the movies I want to catch. I'm really excited about this
because I've loved the magic of movies since I was a little girl. And I
have to admit, the magic sorta died out with all the humdrum films
coming out in recent times. If it isn't a knock off sequel, it's a low
grade high budget remake that seems to forget who it's audience is
while they grasp for a new audience. All the while, high budgets, high
budget marketing and hype sacrifice for the fun and entertaining movie
experience. It seems like studios are scared to risk a movie rising or
falling on its own merits. Part of it is due to a struggling industry
(even DVD sales are down) but most of it is the loss of many creative
types that kept Hollywood going in its prime.
Lately I've been more than tired of all the remakes and if it wasn't
for the Io9.com blog site, I'd never know about half these little productions coming out either this year or next.
Some are online web series and others are films. All look pretty good and I'd be interested to check em out.
Here's a little heads up post to all you folks out there looking for some good upcoming good old fashioned Sci-Fi:
Upcoming/In Production
Title: Offline
What's it about? "The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating."
In
this future, the world is dying a slow and ugly death. In an effort to
cope or perhaps out of pure denial, humanity has become increasingly
obsessed with mass media.
The Internet has evolved into an
all-consuming visceral experience where every one's perception of the
world around them is fully customized. The brown smog in the sky can be
easily ignored when a beautiful sunset is projected through your optic
nerve, courtesy of the Naneuron Corporation.
But like all
systems there are glitches. Someone or something is disrupting the
feed; a Ghost in the machine. A group of extremists have risen up, led
by young man named Maro. Defiant and charismatic, he has seemingly
endless promise until he unexpectedly surrenders.
All enemies of
the state are processed for reprogramming. Those like Maro who are
physically and mentally gifted enough are transformed into
counter-terrorism soldiers. His memories are erased. His body is
enhanced. His humanity is destroyed. Maro has become the perfect weapon.
Until
he begins communicating with the glitches, hearing whispers that lead
him on a journey through the depths of his own subconscious. Trapped in
the midst of a hellish nightmare, he must find a way to regain his
identity and take down the system once and for all. But at what price
comes freedom?
WHEN A MAN'S MIND BECOMES ONE WITH A MACHINE... WHAT HAPPENS TO HIS SOUL?
What's the charm?
It's a visual trip even Philip K. Dick can love. The premise is
enticing and has the edge of SF cyberpunk noir that I love so much.
Although the trailer moves kinda schizo demo reel-like, I'm enticed to
see and know more. Perhaps this is to get investors interested and the
trailer to sell the film will take it's time allowing us to enjoy the
visuals and the potential story that unravels. I'm looking forward to
this one!
When's it coming out? Currently in pre-production as the creators raise interest and money for the film. More info is at Io9.com's
Travel Inside The Horrifying Mind Of A Cyborg Killer, In "Offline"
Title: Captain Future
What's it about? From
the director of the INVINCIBLE IRON MAN TV SHOW, comes this new
breathtaking project called CAPTAIN FUTURE, inspired by the SCI-FI
Classic created by Edmund Hamilton and the Japanese Anime from the 70's.
Captain
Future is Curtis Newton, a brilliant scientist and adventurer who roams
the solar system solving problems, righting wrongs, and vanquishing
futuristic supervillains.What's the charm? This looks to be a low budget web series with a pretty cool story. Something I'd like to keep an eye on.
When's it coming out? December 2009 (tentative)
Title: Mercury Men
What's it about? Edward
Borman, a lowly government office drone, finds himself trapped, when
the deadly Mercury Men seize his office building as a staging ground
for their nefarious plot. Aided by a daring aerospace engineer from a
mysterious organization known as “The League,” Edward must stop the
invaders and their doomsday device, the Gravity Engine.What's the charm? Old SF serials like Flash Gordon & Buck Rogers. Another cool looking web series I'm dying to check out.
When's it coming out? Not sure yet but will keep you guys posted!
..
Great
post on TMM Blog about the gap lessening between the creator and the audience.
Title: In-World War
What's it about? In-World War,
a smart and quirky indie sci-fi feature, tells the futuristic story of
a debt-ridden and depressed beta tester trapped in a buggy virtual
reality simulation of the "war on terror".
What's the charm?
The creator is chronicling this DIY film from the ground up as he
writes the screenplay, searches for music gigs, casts and crew. Makes
me wish I was still in the Bay Area! Erin Grey of Silver Spoons and
Buck Rogers fame just joined the cast. The story sounds pretty wild and
I'm always a sucker for futuristic dystopia and commentary on humanity
via speculative means. I'm so there!
When's it coming out? TBA
Website: http://www.inworldwar.comSF09 Newspaper Spotlight:
"Brant Smith's Real, Not Virutal, Directorial Debut"
IO9.com's Spotlight on In-World War "Indie Science Fiction Film Tackles Virtual Reality And The War On Terror"Title: Moon
What's it about? Astronaut
Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of
his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his
computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has
helped diminish our planet's power problems.What's the charm?
With a look that reminds me of Kubrick/Clarke's 2001 combined with a
mysterious trailer and the amazing Sam Rockwell, whom I've loved since
his stint in Galaxy Quest (one of my faves), this debut from David
Bowie's son Duncan Jones looks to be a good one. Plus Kevin Spacey
plays a Hal-like robot. ;-)
When's it coming out? June 12th in select theaters.
Release dates for more locations is available on the website. Word on the street is director
Duncan Jones has plans for a Blade Runner mood type of movie. Oh, to dream. :-)
Title: District 9
What's it about?
An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on
Earth suddenly find a kindred spirit in a government agent that is
exposed to their biotechnology. What's the charm? Again I'm thanking Io9.com for this one because I had never heard of it until I saw
the first trailer there.
The interrogation scene was chilling and I thought it'd be an alien
invasion movie with some freaky looking aliens filmed in a documentary
style. It was a clever trailer which looks like it's real time about
immigrants being treated unfairly. Until we get to the final flash card
that reveals these are aliens not humans. Soon
the second version of the trailer was
revealed and a whole new twist was thrown into the mix that made this
movie even more interesting. I can't wait until this is released.
When's it coming out? August 14th 2009
Just Released
Title: Alien Trespass
What's it about? Set
in 1957, ALIEN TRESPASS chronicles a fiery object from space that
crashes into a mountaintop in the California desert, bringing the
threat of disaster to Earth. Out of the flying saucer escapes a
murderous creature - the Ghota, which is bent on destroying all life
forms on the planet. A benevolent alien from the spaceship, Urp,
inhabits the body of Ted Lewis - a local astronomer - and with the help
of Tammy, a waitress from the local diner, sets out to save mankind.What's the charm?
A parody throwback to 1950s sci-fi is always a plus in my book! Plus,
Erick McCormack bringing on the scientist goodness is a can't be missed!
When's it coming out? Technically it's already out.
According to the IMDB release page,
January and April were the only dates this was made available via a
film festival and a limited release, respectively. I'm really hoping
this makes it to DVD because it looks like great fun.
Review by "All Things Fangirl"