Being a massive fan of science fiction means that I never get tired of movies or television series that feature parallel universes, alternate realities and possible 'do over' scenarios. Ever since the Doctor Who series introduced me to the idea that there could be more to this life than what we perceive there to be (way back in the 1970's) I have allowed my imagination to indulge in a multitude of possibilities which has made me particularly susceptible to the concepts of time warping science fiction tales.
Unfortunately, my enthusiasm for the genre has meant that I have had to endure some tremendously bad science fiction viewings over the years, proving that just because the subject matter is interesting doesn't always mean that the interpretations are great. In fact, in spite of my genuine interest, there are not that many parallel universe movies or TV shows that have been done very well.
Creating a truly well crafted alternate universe tale takes a lot of skill and a tonne of talent, more than most moviegoers actually give script and story writers the credit for. For a start, interpreting a parallel universe into something that other people can understand and also engage in, is a major hurdle and then making sure that it doesn't get too 'quantum physics' weird and bogged down with scientific based fact in order to keep the loopholes to a minimum poses another major task.
When you tackle the parallel universe landscapes of a science fiction story where there are a multitude of timelines and endless possibilities, you run into two serious problems straight off the bat. One, is making the story interesting but not too convoluted, and the second is making it believable. Most people do not want to have a solve a Rubik's Cube of scientific information when they watch a movie, but they also don't want a script with more plot holes than swiss cheese; and that is so damn hard to do with time travel, alternate universe or multiple reality scripts. Hard, but not impossible. Sometimes they are done so well, that you leave the cinema thinking that you have just witnessed something so smart, so clever and so unique that everything else will pale in comparison until the next big blow up movie arrives. And they are the movies that keep me wanting more of the parallel universe genre, and they are the reason for my science fiction addiction.
Here is my list (in no particular order) of my favourite alternate reality, time travel and parallel universe based movies and TV series:
Movies:
Unfortunately, my enthusiasm for the genre has meant that I have had to endure some tremendously bad science fiction viewings over the years, proving that just because the subject matter is interesting doesn't always mean that the interpretations are great. In fact, in spite of my genuine interest, there are not that many parallel universe movies or TV shows that have been done very well.
Creating a truly well crafted alternate universe tale takes a lot of skill and a tonne of talent, more than most moviegoers actually give script and story writers the credit for. For a start, interpreting a parallel universe into something that other people can understand and also engage in, is a major hurdle and then making sure that it doesn't get too 'quantum physics' weird and bogged down with scientific based fact in order to keep the loopholes to a minimum poses another major task.
When you tackle the parallel universe landscapes of a science fiction story where there are a multitude of timelines and endless possibilities, you run into two serious problems straight off the bat. One, is making the story interesting but not too convoluted, and the second is making it believable. Most people do not want to have a solve a Rubik's Cube of scientific information when they watch a movie, but they also don't want a script with more plot holes than swiss cheese; and that is so damn hard to do with time travel, alternate universe or multiple reality scripts. Hard, but not impossible. Sometimes they are done so well, that you leave the cinema thinking that you have just witnessed something so smart, so clever and so unique that everything else will pale in comparison until the next big blow up movie arrives. And they are the movies that keep me wanting more of the parallel universe genre, and they are the reason for my science fiction addiction.
Here is my list (in no particular order) of my favourite alternate reality, time travel and parallel universe based movies and TV series:
Movies:
- The Matrix
- Coraline
- Edge of Tomorrow
- Donnie Darko
- Run Lola Run
- Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
- Interstellar
- Cloud Atlas
- Predestination
- eXistenZ
- Back to the Future Series
- The Time Machine
- The Terminator
- The Fountain
- 12 Monkeys
- The Endless
- Stranger Things
- The Twilight Zone
- Doctor Who
- Futurama
- Twin Peaks
- Rick and Morty
- Quantum Leap
- Maniac
THE ENDLESS
Release Date: 2017
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 116 mins
A curious science fiction film; which was directed by, written by and also starred Justin Benson and Aaron Moorehead. The Endless will definitely keep you interested with it's fascinating twists, originality and smart script writing.
Two brothers that years earlier had fled a suicide cult, find themselves swept back into the fold after they receive a curious tape message from one of the cult leaders. Upon returning, the brothers soon realise that there is a lot more going on at the camp than they had first perceived.
This is a mind and time warping watch, with loads of visually pleasing wide shots of the dry, remote American landscape and tonnes of inexplicable occurrences; this film will keep you on your toes! However, unlike a lot of other mind bending sci-fi's there are no loose ends to toil over because everything is eventually revealed, which should leave most viewers satisfied.
FINAL SAY: We never anticipate the ways we're gonna isolate ourselves from the ones we care about.
3.5 Chilli peppers
Release Date: 2017
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 116 mins
A curious science fiction film; which was directed by, written by and also starred Justin Benson and Aaron Moorehead. The Endless will definitely keep you interested with it's fascinating twists, originality and smart script writing.
Two brothers that years earlier had fled a suicide cult, find themselves swept back into the fold after they receive a curious tape message from one of the cult leaders. Upon returning, the brothers soon realise that there is a lot more going on at the camp than they had first perceived.
This is a mind and time warping watch, with loads of visually pleasing wide shots of the dry, remote American landscape and tonnes of inexplicable occurrences; this film will keep you on your toes! However, unlike a lot of other mind bending sci-fi's there are no loose ends to toil over because everything is eventually revealed, which should leave most viewers satisfied.
FINAL SAY: We never anticipate the ways we're gonna isolate ourselves from the ones we care about.
3.5 Chilli peppers
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