Five sci-fi movies to watch out for in 2008 that you might not know of

By Brendon Lindsey
Tags: 2008 sci-fi, Babylon A.D., Bill Corbett, Bill Murray, City of Ember, Doomsday, Ed Helms, Eddie Murphy, Michelle Yeoh, Ron Perlman, Sci-fi movies, Starship Dave, The Mutant Chronicles, Vin Diesel

I’ve always been a fan of sci-fi movies, whether they be corny, serious, satirical, or even full-out action adventure epics. With that being said, there are a lot of good sci-fi movies coming out this year. At the same time, there are a lot of good looking ones coming out which haven’t really gotten much attention.  Not everything is as advertised or talked about as Jumper and Batman, so to help fellow sci-fi fans out, here are five relatively unknown sci-fi flicks to keep an eye on in 2008.

Doomsday

Director: Neil Marshall

Starring: Rhona Mitra, Malcolm McDowell, Bob Hoskins

Synopsis: Great Britain, 2007. A deadly plague, known as the “Reaper Virus,” has broken out, killing hundreds of thousands in its wake. In desperation, the British Government evacuates as many survivors as it can out of the infected area, and then builds a wall, preventing the remainder from escaping. Thirty years later, with the wall still up and the victims all but forgotten, the virus breaks out again. The Government decides to send a crack team of operatives, led by Major Eden Sinclair, into the hot zone to investigate the possibility of a cure.

Why?: First of all, this would be an instant watch for me based on Marshall alone. The Descent was a fantastic movie, and a real breath of fresh air for the horror genre. With this, however, we’re not necessarily seeing something new; rather, we’re seeing a muddled homage to the old, classic 80s films as well as some 28 Days Later action.There’s the “virus outbreak” leading to a situation similar to the 28 Days/Weeks Later films, a group of people in a post apocalyptic landscape which just screams Road Warrior, and the whole aspect of someone being dropped off in a fenced off, no-holds-barred area of a city to find some solution to a problem just like Escape from New York. Three great films, one new project, one great director. Sold.
City of Ember

Director: Gil Kenan

Starring: Bill Murray, Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway, Tim Robbins, Martin Landau

Synopsis: For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember’s once powerful generator is failing … and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, two teenagers in a race against time, must search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city’s existence, and help the citizens escape before the lights go out forever.

Why?: Based on Jeanne DuPrau’s hit 2003 post-apocalyptic young adults novel, it’s really not as stupid as it sounds. The book is actually a very, very entertaining read, and the city is one of the more memorable settings in recent literature. It’s a shame that it hasn’t been more critically acclaimed while some boy wizards keep getting all the publicity…

Hopefully with this movie, things will change. The cast has looked extremely good from all indications, and the early stills released showcase some of the environment of the city.

If it being based on an imaginative post-apocalyptic sci-fi fantasy novel of high caliber isn’t enough for you, keep in mind that it also has Bill Murray. I’ve mad it a rule to watch any movie with Bill Murray starring, and for the most part that’s worked out well. I can’t wait to see how he acts as the mayor of the city in a movie like this.

Starship Dave

Director: Brian Robbins

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Elizabeth Banks, Ed Helms, Gabrielle Union,

Synopsis: A crew of miniature aliens operate a spaceship that has a human form. While trying to save their planet, the aliens encounter a new problem, as their ship becomes smitten with an Earth woman.

Why?: Okay, I know Eddie Murhpy has been horrible in most of his recent comedies (especially sci-fi ones) but hear me out. First off, this also has Ed Helms who rules. That’s not what’s important, though.

What’s important (and what makes this a movie to keep an eye on) is that the movie is written by Bill Corbett. In case you don’t recognize that name, he played Crow T. Robot in the awesome show Mystery Science Theater 3000. The dude made a name and living making fun of bad sci-fi movies! If anyone knows how to make a movie that looks lousy on paper hilarious to watch, it would be Bill Corbett.

Hopefully his humor and Ed Helms combined are enough to cancel out the Eddie Murphy Curse.

The Mutant Chronicles

Director: Simon Hunter

Starring: Ron Perlman, Thomas Jane, John Malkovich, Devon Aoki

Synopsis: 23rd century soldier Major Mitch Hunter (Jane) leads a fight against an army of underworld NecroMutants.

Why?: Based on the roleplaying game of the same name, The Mutant Chronicles is basically a steampunk setting with a lot of ass kicking. Sure, it’s not entirely faithful to the source material (no power armor, for example), but keep in mind that TMC isn’t exactly high-profile, so it’s likely no one will know any better.

That being said, there are three things which put it in my list. First, steampunk weapons. I’m a sucker for steampunk, and even moreso steampunk weapons. Second, Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, and John Malkovich kicking ass. Just imagine them fighting with steampunk guns and try not to smile. Third, the mini flame wars that have been popping up on the Internet in response to the movie. Some are upset it’s not going to be completely faithful and have begun badmouthing it, while several members who worked on the film have resorted to returning the flaming, resulting in fanboy vs crew flame wars. You can’t get that kind of intimacy in flame wars on big Hollywood properties.

Babylon A.D.

Director: Mathieu Kassovitz

Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh, Mélanie Thierry

Synopsis: Veteran-turned-mercenary Thoorop (Diesel) takes the high-risk job of escorting a woman from Russia to China. Little does he know that she is host to an organism that a cult wants to harvest in order to produce a genetically modified Messiah.

Why?: Say what you will about Vin, but he has a pretty respectable track record when it comes to sci-fi. A movie where he and Michelle Yeoh face off over a woman hosting an organism that’s going to be a genetically modified Messiah? You can’t even dream that shit up. The fact that this is the role Vin turned down playing Agent 47 to pursue just makes my desire to see it that much greater.

Possibly the biggest reasoning (for now, at least) for Babylon A.D being included, though, is the music. Did you ever think you’d see a movie where the music was handled by Hans Zimmer, RZA, and Shavo Odadjian (the bassist from System of a Down)? Me neither. But here, three completely different styles of music will collide. I can’t speak for Shavo’s scoring yet since he hasn’t really done much, but with Zimmer organizing and leading the way and with RZA handling a majority of the actual production, you know it’s going to be damn good stuff.

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