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1. Hugo
I was blown away by this film. I did like it a tiiiny bit better before I found out it wasn't an original work, but based on a book-- but it's still astounding. Creative, intelligent, and reaffirming of the joy of stories. The SF element isn't quite as central, in the sense that the doll could be any McGuffin and work in a similar way-- but the old films almost take on their own SF qualities, in the historical setting. And the film is about technology, in its own way. It's also beautiful, well-acted, emotional, and something I still remember and think about. And something of a rarity, a SF movie that doesn't focus on the action to the detriment of thoughtfulness-- the kind of SF movie that I want more of.
2. Source Code
Reading detailed recaps, I think I'd really enjoy this (though not enough to pay $15 to own it, so I'm going off recaps). It combines a lot of elements I really like (Groundhog Day scenarios, splitting timelines, explosions) in a way that looks interesting and thoughtful. It doesn't really bother me that the program itself is obviously impossible and a little illogical-- that's what makes it SF. SF is all about "what if?"-- the postulate doesn't have to be plausible. It doesn't seem to have inspired the same kind of feverish online dissection as, say, Inception, but I think that's more because not very many people have seen it, rather than a suggestion that there's nothing to think about.
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Harry Potter created something amazing. This is the payoff for all of that. It definitely rates as "haunting"; I've probably rewatched bits of it more than any of the others on this list. It was also beautifully-made, though my very favourite part of the Deathly Hallows (the infiltration of the Ministry) was in Part 1.
No Award
Captain America: The First Avenger
I've watched this several times, and I love it. I love Tiny Steve. I cry every single time he throws himself on the fake grenade, which is honestly kind of embarrassing. But I think the story loses something once the sci fi elements come in-- which is the opposite of what should happen in a Hugo-worthy movie. Big Steve is charming, but the whole Red Skull storyline is light. It tries to prevent you from thinking about what is happening-- also the opposite of Hugo-worthy. I think I actually nominated this one, but now I'm just not feeling it.
Game of Thrones (Season 1)
Talking to people who have seen it, its biggest selling point seems to be the incredible depth of history that George R. R. Martin has created. I'm sure it's exciting and interesting, but I'm not convinced that it's saying something bigger. Except that everybody dies.
I was blown away by this film. I did like it a tiiiny bit better before I found out it wasn't an original work, but based on a book-- but it's still astounding. Creative, intelligent, and reaffirming of the joy of stories. The SF element isn't quite as central, in the sense that the doll could be any McGuffin and work in a similar way-- but the old films almost take on their own SF qualities, in the historical setting. And the film is about technology, in its own way. It's also beautiful, well-acted, emotional, and something I still remember and think about. And something of a rarity, a SF movie that doesn't focus on the action to the detriment of thoughtfulness-- the kind of SF movie that I want more of.
2. Source Code
Reading detailed recaps, I think I'd really enjoy this (though not enough to pay $15 to own it, so I'm going off recaps). It combines a lot of elements I really like (Groundhog Day scenarios, splitting timelines, explosions) in a way that looks interesting and thoughtful. It doesn't really bother me that the program itself is obviously impossible and a little illogical-- that's what makes it SF. SF is all about "what if?"-- the postulate doesn't have to be plausible. It doesn't seem to have inspired the same kind of feverish online dissection as, say, Inception, but I think that's more because not very many people have seen it, rather than a suggestion that there's nothing to think about.
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Harry Potter created something amazing. This is the payoff for all of that. It definitely rates as "haunting"; I've probably rewatched bits of it more than any of the others on this list. It was also beautifully-made, though my very favourite part of the Deathly Hallows (the infiltration of the Ministry) was in Part 1.
No Award
Captain America: The First Avenger
I've watched this several times, and I love it. I love Tiny Steve. I cry every single time he throws himself on the fake grenade, which is honestly kind of embarrassing. But I think the story loses something once the sci fi elements come in-- which is the opposite of what should happen in a Hugo-worthy movie. Big Steve is charming, but the whole Red Skull storyline is light. It tries to prevent you from thinking about what is happening-- also the opposite of Hugo-worthy. I think I actually nominated this one, but now I'm just not feeling it.
Game of Thrones (Season 1)
Talking to people who have seen it, its biggest selling point seems to be the incredible depth of history that George R. R. Martin has created. I'm sure it's exciting and interesting, but I'm not convinced that it's saying something bigger. Except that everybody dies.
