2001 on the Big Screen

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ I think yes, on both counts.

[Locutus of Bored]

RJDiogenes wrote:

---

The point is that 2001, a big-budget, epic, leisurely paced, abstract and philosophical Science Fiction film with no explosions, space battles or other spectacular devastation would not be made today or appreciated by the mainstream audience if it were.

Well, sure, I guess if you put a dozen qualifiers with subjective definitions on it so it's easy to discard any similar examples or move the goalposts you can make it seem like no movie like that has ever been made in modern times...

How about Contact, to start? There's one whole explosion though, to satiate the bloodlust of modern audiences, so I guess that's disqualified.

[Redfern]

Mr. Laser Beam wrote:

---

^ I am so sorry to hear about your loss, Redfern.

I appreciate the kind thought, but that was almost 36 years ago. If I haven't come to terms with that situation by now, they might as well size me up for one of those nifty coats with the sleeves that buckle in the back. I just have an annoying knack for writing in "purple prose" on occasion.

I have a similar affinity for ABBA's "Dancing Queen" for the same reason. I was "lazing" in bed listening to the radio. That was the song playing when "it" happened. I made the mistake of casually mentioning this when I heard the song played during a company sponsored picnic. Turned out the co-worker standing next to me arranged the music. Poor schnook turned pale, fearing it had upset me was was about to dash for the audio system to cut the music. I almost had to seize him by the collar before he could embarrass himself in his haste. I assured him the song did not upset or even bother me. It simply had a bit more meaning to me than for some people.

Sincerely,

Bill

[tighr]

Christopher wrote:

---

Good point. Here's a list of the American films that came out in 1968, the year of 2001's release. There are some good and/or important movies on there, like Planet of the Apes, The Odd Couple, Night of the Living Dead, and The Producers, but the most experimental and unusual film I can find on the list other than 2001 is the Monkees' Head.

Planet of the Apes and The Andromeda Strain are definitely the two films that to me best exemplify the type of "similar to 2001" Sci-Fi movie Harvey asked for. Neither one is as awe-inspiring as 2001, but both are the same type "big-budget, epic, leisurely paced, abstract and philosophical Science Fiction film with no explosions, space battles or other spectacular devastation" as 2001.

[tighr]

Mr. Laser Beam wrote:

---

^ I think yes, on both counts.

Agreed. I would definitely see a 2001 remake. They could even keep the anachronistic dates/history, and I'd still see it.

[Tom Hendricks]

tighr wrote:

---

Agreed. I would definitely see a 2001 remake. They could even keep the anachronistic dates/history, and I'd still see it.

If they dropped 2001 and just called the remake A Space Odyssey you wouldn't have to worry about it.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Speaking of years: what's the status on Space: 2099?

The reboot series, not the updating/re-editing of the existing show.

[Christopher]

tighr wrote:

---

Planet of the Apes and The Andromeda Strain are definitely the two films that to me best exemplify the type of "similar to 2001" Sci-Fi movie Harvey asked for. Neither one is as awe-inspiring as 2001, but both are the same type "big-budget, epic, leisurely paced, abstract and philosophical Science Fiction film with no explosions, space battles or other spectacular devastation" as 2001.

But PotA had plenty of violence -- abductions, shootings, brutality, lobotomies, deaths both accidental and deliberately inflicted, you name it.

[tighr]

Christopher wrote:

---

But PotA had plenty of violence -- abductions, shootings, brutality, lobotomies, deaths both accidental and deliberately inflicted, you name it.

Hmm. Violence wasn't in the list. As we mentioned earlier, 2001 has a maniacal computer that kills a guy, cuts off life support to three more, and tries unsuccessfully to kill the 5th guy before he's able to shut it down. Also has some apes beating up other apes.

Likewise, Andromeda Strain features an entire town (with the exception of an old man and a baby) getting annihilated by a space virus.

Still, all three are pretty tame compared to recent blockbusters, including the remake of Planet of the Apes (which features an all-out war between the Apes and the hunter-gatherer human population).

[RJDiogenes]

^^ Exactly my point.

Mr. Laser Beam wrote:

---

^ I think yes, on both counts.

Well, I disagree. But there's no way to settle the argument, since there will never be a remake.

Locutus of Bored wrote:

---

Well, sure, I guess if you put a dozen qualifiers with subjective definitions on it so it's easy to discard any similar examples or move the goalposts you can make it seem like no movie like that has ever been made in modern times...

How about Contact, to start? There's one whole explosion though, to satiate the bloodlust of modern audiences, so I guess that's disqualified.

That was sixteen years ago, and it was moderately successful, but we can count that as an exception if you want.

As for qualifiers, subjectiveness and goalposts-- be serious. You can't not be aware of well-known social trends that have been going on for your entire lifetime.

[Herkimer Jitty]

Yep. Kids these days are pretty into the violence and the killing. Movies, comics, video games. I'd know cause I'm a youngin. I love the killin and the bloodshed and whatnot. That's why Spartacus, Ben Hur, and The Dirty Dozen are my favorite movies ever.

I'll get off your lawn now.

[therealsb63]

I was fortunate to see "2001" in one of it's re-releases back in the 80s on the big screen...even better, the theatre that used to be in the center of my town had a genuine CinemaScope screen, which even though the movie wasn't shot in CinemaScope, the screen seemed to add depth to the picture.

Truly one of those films that needs to be seen BIG to be truly experienced and appreciated.

[Set Harth]

I feel like I appreciate it in any version.

[cbspock]

I managed to see 2001 on the big screen last year when Alamdraft house showed it here in San Antonio. It was great to see details that are totally missed just by seeing it on TV. The set of Discovery, and even the spacesuits had detail on them that just get lost on a smaller screen.


-Chris

[Gov Kodos]

Herkimer Jitty wrote:

---

Yep. Kids these days are pretty into the violence and the killing. Movies, comics, video games. I'd know cause I'm a youngin. I love the killin and the bloodshed and whatnot. That's why Spartacus, Ben Hur, and The Dirty Dozen are my favorite movies ever.

I'll get off your lawn now.

That's why I prefer the pacific pace of older films like The Wild Bunch.