The Hugo Awards committee calls them "dramatic presentations" (but no Broadway play
has never been nominated -- Camelot was eligible). We certainly need a name that includes
both movies and television (and also direct to video). "Dramatic presentation" is one such name,
although it also includes radio. (The original radio version of A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was
nominated for a Hugo.) I like the word "film".
The main difference between a movie and a TV show is that a movie can flow smoothly
for two or more hours while a TV program must be told in three to twelve minute bursts, with
breaks that are obvious to the viewer even in a version that has no commercials. Because the
movie format is more involving, it is unlikely that commercial television will ever reach the
artistic heights of the feature film. However, as product placements become more and
more ubiquitous, film may well descend to the level of television. And, as it becomes
increasingly possible for viewers to use computers to edit out commercials before watching
programs, we can expect to see future captains of the Enterprise say, "Fire photon torpedoes --
but first, a drink of cool, refreshing Coca-Cola."
On the other hand, television science fiction is more intelligent than movie science
fiction. The reason? SF movies cost big bucks, and cannot risk losing people who don't like to
think. There is less at stake in a 45-minute TV show, so ideas can be slipped in from time
to time.
Enough chit chat. Here is my top 10 list, rated entirely on the degree of pleasure I felt while
watching them.
1. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, written and directed by George Lucas
The most fun I've had at the movies this year. Yes, part of the fun was in the anticipation. But
the sound and the colour and the music thrilled me in the same way that I was thrilled by Zombies
of the Stratosphere when I was 9. That doesn't happen often enough these days.
2. Tarzan, written by Tad Murphy, Bob Tzudiker, and Nori White,
from a novel by Edger Rice Burroughs
Another colourful, emotional high, with light and movement and music -- the whole reason for the
film to exist.
3. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "Conclusion", written by
Rene Echevarria, David Weddel &
Bradley Thompson, Ronald D. Moore, Ira Steven Behr & Hans Beimler, Spike Steingasser, and
Peter Allen Fields
A satiSFying and intelligent conclusion to the best of the four Star Treks.
4. The X-Files, "Two Fathers/One Son", written by
Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz
A chilling conclusion to the X-Files mythos. Everything since has been an effort to find a new
direction.
5. The Green Mile, written and directed by Frank Darabont
from a story by Stephen King
Emotionally uplifting. One of the best movies of the year. But -- it left me with nagging doubts
(that I did not feel while reading the book). The biggest problem is that the events of the film did
not change the world. But they would have. They did the first time He died for our sins.
5. The Iron Giant, written by Tim McCanlies and director
Brad Bird, from a book by Ted Hughes
All of the really great animated features have been from Disney, but this is a very good animated
feature that owes more to 50s science fiction and Japanimation than it does to Disney
production values and Broadway style music.
5. The Matrix, written and directed by Larry & Andy Wachowski
Visually smart, intellectually dumb.
6. South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, written by Trey Parker,
Matt Stoner, and Pam Brady
A fundamentally sweet, tuneful musical. No, I'm not kidding. Be honest, now. Is anyone really
offended by dirty words these days?
7. Dogma, written and directed by Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith is great foreplay but no sex. All of his films (and comic books) start wonderful!
And then, as he gets closer and closer to the climax, he is so worried about getting himself off
(by tying up all the loose plot threads) that he forgets to make it good for the audience.
8. Star Trek: Voyager, "Think Tank", written by
Rick Berman and Brannon Braga
The best Voyager episode so far, (from last season).
9. The Messenger -- The Story of Joan of Arc, written by Luc
Besson and Andrew Birkin
Reviewers hated it. I liked it. See it and decide for yourself.
10. Horatio Hornblower, written by Russell Lewis,
Michael Cullen, Patrick Harbinson, and
Chris Ould, based on books by C.S. Forester
Ok, so it's not science fiction. Neither is Cryptonomicon, and you put that on your top 10 list.
