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There’s no shortage of science fiction that predicts a future far too unknown and unexplored to the common man, and usually those kinds of work are initially dismissed, only to become cult classics, no matter what medium they are told in. We’ve compiled a list of ten sci-fi movies that were ahead of their time in almost every aspect.

10: Gattaca (1997, IMDB link)

One of the finest “thinking-man” sci-fi of the last few decades, Gattaca features a vision of a society dominated by genetics. Andrew Niccol’s semi-dystopian story introduces a society where genes are not as means of eradicating deceases, but as way of classifying a human being from the day they’re born, in other words; genetic racism.

9: A Clockwork Orange (1971, IMDB link)

Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, an adaption of the novel by Anthony Burgess, showcases a thought provoking aspects of a dystopian society where youth gangs ruled, where violence and rape were the everyday norm. The relentless in portrayal of violence and psychological disorder has secured the film the title as one of the most sinister and dark science fiction films ever made.

8: Dark City (1998, IMDB link)

A somewhat sleeper hit of the late 1990s, ofter referred to as “the best film of 1998″ by Roger Ebert, Dark City is a neo-noir dystopian story about a man discovering he lives in a world controlled by beings with telekinetic powers. The movie loosely inspired works such as The Matrix, both in visual style and storytelling.

7: The Terminator (1984, IMDB link)

James Cameron’s first movie (unless you count “Piranha 2″), was an instant hit in 1984, raking in almost $80 million on a $4 million budget, and forever establishing Arnold Schwarzenegger as an action star. The Terminator popularized the aspect of “time travel”, and ever since then, if a movie included time travel, comparisons were always made to The Terminator.

6: Solyaris/Solaris (1972, IMDB link)

Andrei Tarkovsky, one of the most celebrated Russian filmmakers, made his breakthrough on the international scene with Solyaris, better known as Solaris outside of Russia. The movie centers around the planet Solaris, where a team of scientists have discovered an intelligent life form that begins to mess with their psychological state. The movie was remade in 2002, and was met with a lackluster reception.

5: Blade Runner (1982, IMDB link)

Ridley Scott’s sci-fi noir was a flop when it was initially released, shrugged by both audience and critics. But since then, its reputation as one of the finest sci-fi films ever made only increases year by year, as it’s constantly found on the best selling DVD lists around the world.

4: The Matrix (1999, IMDB link)

Undoubtedly one of the most stylistic and original films of the 1990s, The Wachowski brothers’ The Matrix not only had a story and concept unlike most sci-i films of its era, but featured visual effects that spawned a whole new categories, from “bullet time”, to its use of martial arts, The Matrix remains at the top of the list of any die hard sci-fi fan.

3: Star Wars (1977, IMDB link)

George Lucas space adventure was unlike anything anyone had seen, the movie took audiences by storm, instantly spawning rip-offs around the world, trying to cash in on the hysteria. It was so new that most studios in Hollywood initially passed on the idea, Star Wars has since spawned a whole universe, spanning everything from films, to books, games, and of course, merchandise of every kind.

2: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968, IMDB link)

Widely considered as the greatest science fiction film ever made, A Space Odyssey was not only one of the most complex and interpreted films of its time (and still is), it also featured visual effects never before seen, the renderings of space ships were on par with Star Wars, which was released a good ten years later.

1: Metropolis (1927, IMDB link)

Fritz Lang’s dystopian sci-fi epic Metropolis was not only the most expensive film made at its time, but also the first ever true science fiction feature film. The art deco style and visual effects were so ahead of their time, there wasn’t anything like it for the next two decades. Despite its visuals, the movie wasn’t well received, and Fritz Land himself wasn’t satisfied with it, and it took a while — decades, really — before it was established as a cult classic, and one of the films that was far ahead if its time.

The Prince of Wales stately knights Sir Christopher Lee, who is also known as Star Wars’ Count Dooku and of course – Dracula, received a knighthood for his services to drama and charity. 

Lee is 87-years-old and is easily one of cinema’s most productive actors He appeared in more than 250 films over the course of a career to date has spanned 61 years.

Lee not only has been in Star Wars Prequels, but has started in The Wicker Man and the James Bond film The Man With the Golden Gun.

He will next be seen in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.

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Sir Dracula…

Jimm Etters (38) is the winner!

I have been listening to this album since the giveaway started and I just love it.  Stephen Stills has influenced generations with his powerful voice, song writing artistry, and passionate guitar playing, both as a solo artist and as a member of Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and Manassas. The album Pieces reveals snapshots of Stills’ early days with a 15-song collection of unreleased recordings from sessions for both of the band’s albums. After recording his second solo album, Stills formed Manassas in 1971 with a talented group of musicians that included Chris Hillman, a former member of the Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers. Manassas released two albums, 1972’s eponymous double-album debut and the 1973 follow-up, Down The Road. The album Pieces features alternate versions of two songs from Down The Road: “Do You Remember The Americans” and “Lies” (featuring guitarist Joe Walsh). The collection also includes the legendary group’s unreleased performances of “Sugar Babe” and “Word Game,” a pair of songs Stills recorded in 1971 for his second solo album. The remaining tracks include “Like A Fox,” a song recorded with blues guitarist Bonnie Raitt on background vocals and the Latin-tinged “Tan Sola Y Triste” (Spanish for ‘So Alone and Sad’).

I find the album easy to listen to while working or driving.  The Stephen Stills songs bring back memories of my youth and the pleasant times of being with friends.

I popped Al Jarreau’s latest album The Very Best of: An Excellent Adventurein my DVD player and loved every minute of hearing is instrumental voice.  What a jazz singer!  Although at times I thought it I was in an elevator or in Macy’s shopping.  But still his music lives on and on.  I would love to shop to Jarreau’s music any time and ride an elevator, too, with his music in the background.

The album even includes the theme from the late TV Show “Moonlighting” with other notables such as “Boogie Dance”, “Round, Round, Round” and the live recording of “Take Five”.

Celebrating his musical achievements legendary jazz singer Al Jarreau with Rhino presents The Very Best of: an Excellent Adventure, a 16-song compilation spanning Jarreau’s most notable recordings from the past through the present.  Al Jarreau has spent decades bending genres with his stunning range and voice, earning him the rare distinction of being awarded a Grammy in three different categories: Pop, Jazz and R&B. Al Jarreau’s The Very Best Of: An Excellent Adventure is out now, in both digital and physical formats, and features a brand-new song, “Excellent Adventure,” recorded especially for this release. “Excellent Adventure” is no elevator music. It’s upbeat and fun and makes my day lively and fun.   His voice is an instrument – jazzy and hip with a strong message to boot.

Screenhead has a copy of The Very Best of: An Excellent Adventure to give away.  Simply post your name and we will pick the winner Monday, November 16, 2009.

Check out the The Very Best Of: An Excellent Adventure Listening Party here.

“You’re as Cold as Ice…”

Foreigner, one of the world’s most popular and enduring rock bands, released a new three-disc collection, including a CD album of all new music, a CD album of the band’s original hit recordings, and a DVD of the band in concert and beyond. Can’t Slow Down is the name of the album available from Rhino Entertainment, exclusively through Wal-Mart.

The title track, Can’t Slow Down, was written by Mick Jones, Kelly Hansen, and Marti Frederiksen as a tribute to NASCAR in celebration of Foreigner’s appearance at the Samsung 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway earlier this year. NASCAR fans bought so many CDs that day that Foreigner’s 2008 release No End In Sight: The Very Best Of Foreigner was propelled back into the Billboard Top 200.

The collection’s second disc contains 10 remixes by Marti Frederiksen and Anthony Focx of some of the band’s most well known songs, including “Feels Like The First Time,” “Cold As Ice,” “Urgent,” “Hot Blooded,” and “I Want To Know What Love Is.” The remixes bring a new energy and sound definition to these classic songs.

Happily, I was able to talk with Tom Gimbel, who plays rhythm guitar, keyboards, sax, and flute. Tom hits those high-notes during “Urgent” when he performs his solo with the sax. 

Tom is a very, cool upbeat guy who’s been with Foreigner for over 17 years, ‘longest band member other than the original guys.”  Tom has seen the group change and grow while still being its “vibrant force.”

I asked Tom about the remixing of the older rock songs for the second disc, and he stressed that it’s really remastering, “cleaning up the sound, so it jumps out of the speakers.” 

I couldn’t image these great-old songs jumping out of the speakers anymore than they do now, but I listened to the new sounds…yes, the songs jump out even more and sound fantastic! Even my nine-year old daughter loves their music.

Tom and I talked a little bit about Foreigner’s music being played in movies, of course, we knew it had been done, but couldn’t name any movies until my daughter mentioned “I Want to Know What Love Is” plays on Alvin and the Chipmunks Squeakquel teaser trailer.  Then…yes of course.

What was life like for this rock and roll star growing up? Tom got his ear for music by listening to Broadway show tunes instead of watching television. He’s mother would take a big stack of LPs, place them on the console to play and all four children, including Tom would sing and dance the afternoon away. 

So, after I talked with Tom, my daughter and I sat down and watched the DVD. It captures the band performing many of its hits live in 5.1 surround sound. The DVD also contains performances filmed during the band’s recently completed European tour. We were amazed at how vibrant the band could be, even though some of them look a little older – I am being kind, but it’s obvious, they are not slowing down. The performances were fantastic!

Also featured is a behind-the-scenes, but we didn’t look at that part of the DVD. But it contains the creation of Can’t Slow Down, from writing sessions in New York, Nashville, and Los Angeles to the Wal-Mart shareholders meeting where the exclusive partnership behind this project was finalized.

Screenhead has the 3-disc collection Can’t Slow Down available for giveaway.  Please post your name and we will pick the winner Wednesday, October 28, 2009.

Jude Law performs a dramatic reading of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” and challenges Jimmy to a duel.

Stephen Stills has influenced generations with his powerful voice, song writing artistry, and passionate guitar playing, both as a solo artist and as a member of Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and Manassas. The album Pieces reveals snapshots of Stills’ early days with a 15-song collection of unreleased recordings from sessions for both of the band’s albums. After recording his second solo album, Stills formed Manassas in 1971 with a talented group of musicians that included Chris Hillman, a former member of the Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers. Manassas released two albums, 1972’s eponymous double-album debut and the 1973 follow-up, Down The Road. The album Pieces features alternate versions of two songs from Down The Road: “Do You Remember The Americans” and “Lies” (featuring guitarist Joe Walsh). The collection also includes the legendary group’s unreleased performances of “Sugar Babe” and “Word Game,” a pair of songs Stills recorded in 1971 for his second solo album. The remaining tracks include “Like A Fox,” a song recorded with blues guitarist Bonnie Raitt on background vocals and the Latin-tinged “Tan Sola Y Triste” (Spanish for ‘So Alone and Sad’).

I find the album easy to listen to while working or driving.  The Stephen Stills songs bring back memories of my youth and the pleasant times of being with friends.

Screenhead has Manassas – Pieces available for give away. Post your name and we will pick the winner Wednesday, October 28, 2009.

A Christmas Carol is taking shape nicely.  I am impressed with the second trailer offering more information about the film and insight into the making of the film. The animation looks awesome with even more detailed work in the background.

THR reports that Brad Pitt has been the subject of blog rumors of him appearing in several shots of Sherlock Holmes as Moriarty.  Pitt has been talking with producers to star in Holmes as Moriarty in the new installment that is currently in development.  Yet no deal has transpired yet. 

Robert Downey, Jr.,  Brad Pitt , Jude Law in movie with Guy Ritchie directing is an entertaining idea that would cost big dollars to get on the silver screen. I am all for it but hope the story of Holmes doesn’t get lost in the limelight.

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