Knock on Wood

Welcome to class! My full time job is working at a university, and I teach as well. One of my dreams has always been to teach a film class. Taking students through the world of cinema and helping them learn about the art form that I am so passionate about would be an amazing experience. But alas…I teach math. This series, “Lessons from the Wasteland,” is my opportunity to offer readers a curated watchlist to learn through doing (…watching movies). Each film on this list will highlight either a filmmaker, sub-genre, filmmaking technique, or significant topic in order to broaden your cinematic horizons. For this month we have…

Science Fiction

A Trip to the Moon

Jules Verne and Georges Méliès are two of the most important figures in the history of science fiction. Verne’s novels captured the imaginations of young people through generations including myself. Méliès saw his fellow Frenchman’s work and wanted to put his grand magical background to work to bring one of Verne’s class novels to life. With around 10 minutes to work with in the early days of cinema, Méliès was able to pack in so much that helped define the science fiction genre. The high concept idea of “what if we went to the moon?” might seem mundane with decades passed since humanity reached that milestone, but in 1902…this was mind-blowing. The iconic moments are worth the tiny time investment to watch Méliès’ significant cinematic achievement. “The Man in the Moon” is one of the most recognizable visuals in the history of film. The crazy kingdom of lizard people and the surrealist looking landscape of the moon surface might be incredibly farfetched in modern times but it was a miraculous achievement in those days. From its cannon launch to sea landing, A Trip to the Moon is a cinematic journey that stands the test of time.

Metropolis

The greatest potential of science fiction is the ability to transport an audience to a believably futuristic world while filling its layers with themes and ideas that resonate with our contemporary society. Fritz Lang understood this greatly back in the 1920s when he brought one of the first true science fiction epics, Metropolis, to the big screen. Those pop culture fans have seen the influences of this film in the music videos of Queen (specifically “Radio Gaga”), the design of C-3PO in Star Wars, and even in the universe of Doctor Who. But the significance does not just lie in the incredible production design and costuming; the deep themes that navigate the challenging world of capitalism and the effects on the working class are also prevalent and important. Our young and naive protagonist must find his purpose as he attempts to bridge the brain (the upper class) who controls the flow of production and the hands (the working class) who create it all. Throw in mad scientists, malicious robots in disguise, and a grand scale of noir and steampunk influences come together to create one of the most awe-inspiring feats in cinematic world-building. The performances are impressive and the filmmaking is revolutionary with its artistic close-ups and big scaled wide shots. From the torturous factories to the Eden type upper class clubs and the eerie castle of a madman, this world will never be quite matched on screen.

Forbidden Planet

What images come to mind when you think about the classic era of rising science fiction? You might think of robots. Spaceships. Strange planets. Freud. Wait…Freud? Maybe that might not have been a consistent fixture in 1950s science fiction, but Forbidden Planet can certainly boast that. This space journey is one of the most iconic science fiction films of the era for a variety of reasons. First off, this film helped set the tone for what a sci-fi film sounds like. The sound design and mixing is iconic, and you have certainly heard these designs used throughout the coming decades. When you close your eyes and think about flying saucers and ray guns, you hear Forbidden Planet. The designs are prototypical as well, including the inclusion of Robbie the Robot. This mechanical design is one of the most recognizable and more influential machines in all of film…and all of pop culture for that matter. You might also be surprised to see the inclusion of Leslie Nielsen, a few decades before becoming a bonafide dry comedic icon thanks to Airplane! and Naked Gun. Here he portrays the stern and strong leader of this space crew as they land on a strange planet inhabited by a brilliant scientific genius, his sexually repressed daughter, that iconic robot, and a creature from deep inside our minds. The sound design, production design, practical effects, and psychological themes make this one of the most significant checkpoints in the evolution of science fiction.

2001: A Space Odyssey

There is certainly an argument that can be made that Stanley Kubrick’s epic and iconic sci-fi drama, 2001: A Space Odyssey, is one of the greatest films ever made. Kubrick was one of the most inventive, obsessive, and talented filmmakers to ever shape the world of cinema. With the foresight of influential writer Arthur C. Clarke’s collaboration, Kubrick created a towering epic of cinema as it mixes technological advancement, biological evolution, and the ever heightening conflict of humanity. In just a few segments, Kubrick brings his audience through the evolution of humankind with impeccable filmmaking, visual storytelling, and rich themes that are layered beyond most other films. This legendary picture is filled to the brim with so many ideas and themes including the darkness in humanity, the human need to stifle our enemies, the paranoia driven life of the Cold War, the limitless potential of technology, the wonders of human creation, and the dangers of artificial intelligence. All of these ideas are relevant in today’s world, especially when it comes to AI. But the effects and filmmaking techniques from Kubrick and his team make this film so iconic. Then, there’s the music. Originally fillers, this slate of classic music brings the perfect atmosphere and emotional effects to each and every scene. But the most recognizable and important aspect of this film is the antagonistic HAL-9000, whose horrifying and haunting red eye is always watching. HAL is the key to one of the film’s most significant themes as well as being one of the greatest antagonists in all of film. 2001 is legendary for a reason and just might be the most important science fiction film of all time.

The Matrix

The Matrix is the modern bearer of the legacy sci-fi achievement of 2001: A Space Odyssey. The Wachowski sisters created one of the greatest science fiction films of all time, but there is more to this action film than that. The Matrix not only delivers an epic science fiction/action experience unmatched but it also revolutionized filmmaking and storytelling. The action is exhilarating and thrilling. The “bullet-time” effects were so influential that other films were “borrowing” from its action set pieces for years afterward. The practical stunt work and choreography is leaps and bounds above most of its competition. Even before diving into the sci-fi nitty gritty of the film, the genre mixing with its action is reason enough to make this such an iconic and important film. But the action is just the icing on top of this impressive sundae. The deeply rich themes of its trans allegory, along with the constant battle with technology that defines modern society, make this a film that will live on for years to come. It has been 25 years since its release, but The Matrix still wows with its impressive depth, the mysterious and engaging approach to the storytelling, and revolutionary special effects. There are few films that feel so fresh and unique no matter how many times you watch it. The nu metal and black leather might feel incredibly ’90s, but the filmmaking is so dynamic that it transcends just being a late ’90s film. This may be the most recent science fiction to truly be groundbreaking and genre-defining, but I am sure the Wachowskis will not argue with such a label.