Science Fiction explores the great unknown.  A nice blend of the imagined based upon the love of technology and the world it will form.  As America’s technology advances more quickly and even more quickly, we want movies that reflect the change.  In a day where we can control TV’s using just our bodies, the following question is just as relevant today as it was when these movies released. Really, what can’t we do if we dump enough money on the project?

Metropolis (1927)

Those wacky German Expressionists really knew how to make a great cinema. Clocking in as the most expensive silent film ever made, it tells the story of a young man born to luxury who stumbles upon the harsh working life of the lower class.  From there he vows to fight  for their freedom and increase the quality of their lives.

Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959)

Coined as the worst movie ever made, director Ed Wood creates a luscious masterpiece of failure.  Now a cult classic, the story shows aliens coming to Earth to create zombies and vampires. It features Bela Lugosi’s final role and uses hubcaps on strings as UFOs. How could you get much better?

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Space travel and artificial intelligence tend not to go as well together as you might think, especially when said AI gets an ego complex and starts putting the lives of everyone on board in significant danger. Add some extraterrestrial life and evolutionary themes and you’ve got a pretty trippy movie that is sure to stir up some delightful discussion afterwards.

Star Wars (1977)

Does this film even need an introduction? Released as Star Wars, and rereleased as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, this science-fantasy movie changed what we thought was capable in cinema. If you can, try to watch an older VHS version before Lucas started drawing CGI all over his work. And for the love of all that is good, don’t bother with Episodes I-III.

Back to the Future (1985)

When Marty McFly uses a suped up Delorean to time travel to 1955, he needs to figure out a way to get back to his time. This is all well and good until he accidentally gets in the way of his parents meeting and inadvertently begins to unwrap the fabric of reality itself. He must not only send himself back to the future, but also save his parent’s marriage before it even begins. Check out the sequels while you’re at it. This and the original Star Wars are some of the only good trilogies out there.

We know America loves the underdog, but we’ll go as far to say that EVERYONE loves an underdog story. Audiences want nothing more than a victory from the last person they’d expect. We relate to the down-on-their luck loser that eventually kicks some serious pompous upper-class butt.  And its more refreshing that a nice cool Sierra Mist on a hot sunny day. If you’re feeling a bit on the outside, why not watch one of these films where some poor kid just like you rises up and faces adversity head on!

Aladdin (1992)

If you grew up in the nineties, you probably learned the phrase “diamond in the rough” from this movie. Perhaps the most classic example of rags to riches you could ask for. Truly one of Disney’s finest, Aladdin delivers as much rewatching it as it did when you were a wee tyke. If you haven’t seen this movie, get out now and regain your childhood!

Strictly Ballroom (1992)

Baz Luhrman’s first major film follows a young ballroom dancer who wants to dance to his own rhythm. When the ballroom dancing community scolds him for this, they think they can keep his dreams from happening. Instead he teams up with an amateur girl as his dance partner, and together they dance for passion and for themselves.

8 Mile (2002)

Eminem’s first foray into acting, this movie tells the story of a young white rapper named Jimmy Smith as he struggles to earn respect of his peers. Growing up poor in Detroit, and struggling to make a name for himself, our hero uses his music to pull himself out of his personal nightmare.

Planet B-Boy (2007)

A documentary about street dance performers from various parts of the world. Spanning France, Japan, South Korea and the US, this film illustrates breakdancing as an art form that requires as much skill as classical dance.

Kick-Ass (2010)

Turning your standard superhero movie on its head, Kick-Ass aims to prove that even with no power comes great responsibility. High schooler, Dave, decides one day to be a superhero. Through that action alone he drastically changes New York City. Is it for the better?

When it comes down to it, the two things the whole world wants to see are zombies and sex.  Think about it. Take any mediocre story and make it better by adding either zombies or sex but you give yourself a boost by adding both. They are both such fundamental building blocks for compelling movies that it’s a wonder they aren’t mashed up more frequently. Because we know you’ve been searching hard for a way to get your fix of both, here are the results of our thorough research:

Re-Animator (1985)

When an experiment goes wrong on a college campus, it’s not long before a hoard of zombies are lumbering around wreaking havoc in both violent and sexy ways. This cult horror-comedy gives us good reason to fear messing around with the forces of nature. When will fictional characters ever learn? It never goes according to plan.

Death Becomes Her (1992)

When two vapid aging rivals individually find potions which grant them everlasting youth, they quickly realize that this potion really means everlasting. Even after their bodies lose all life, they keep walking and keep fighting over the affections of the one mortician who can keep their corpses looking fresh and lovely.

Boy Eats Girl (2005)

Ex-boyfriends tend to be a pain, but man they are a lot worse when their run-of-the-mill high school lust is replaced with bloodlust. Say what you will about him though; at least he’s interested in her for her brains.

Zombie Strippers! (2008)

Super porn star Jenna Jameson headlines in this over the top outrageous comedy/horror flick. The plot couldn’t be simpler. A zombie outbreak occurs and the first place it hits is a strip club. Now that promises to be at least a very entertaining movie, even if it lacks in profound insight into life and human nature.

Make Out With Violence (2009)

Young love is hard enough when the object of your affection is living and breathing. When she’s recently risen from the dead after having gone mysteriously missing, this could complicate matters even further.