The Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy to Watch This Week
This week sees some big releases for sci-fi fans, with yet another adaptation of one of the greatest science fictions novels ever written, while one of the best horror movies of the year arrives on digital.
War of the Worlds
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video July 30
A new adaptation of H.G. Wells’s classic science fiction novel. This time set in the present day and starring Ice Cube as William Radford, an analyst working for the Department of Homeland Security. The entire movie takes place on his computer screen, using things like Whatsapp messages and Facebook Live to keep the characters connected and show events unfolding around the world as aliens invade.
Sadly it’s a complete failure. The idea is better than the execution, and what could have been a cool concept instead becomes a cheap gimmick, used to make this movie stand out from other adaptations. Well, it does stand out but not for the right reasons. If this had received a theatrical release, I think it could have become the biggest flop of the year.
Darkman
Available to rent or buy on digital
Sam Raimi’s first attempt at a superhero is turning thirty-five this year. Before he became famous for his ‘Spider-man’ trilogy, he decided to give his own, original take on the genre.
The movie follows Peyton Westlake, a brilliant scientist working to create a synthetic skin. When he’s attacked by a mob and disfigured, he’s put through an experimental procedure which leaves him with super strength and unable to feel pain. With his new powers, he uses his synthetic skin to create masks for himself, and goes on a revenge mission against his attackers.
It’s a classic, featuring a great performance from Liam Neeson before he achieved stardom. Sadly it’s not available to stream anywhere, but it’s still available to rent through all the usual sites and is worth checking out.
28 Years Later
Available to rent or buy on digital
One of the best horror movies of the year is coming to digital. A sequel to 2002’s ‘28 Days Later’, this film is set, as you’d imagine, twenty-eight years after the Rage Virus spread across Britain and turned the inhabitants of the country into feral zombie-like creatures.
The movie follows twelve-year-old Spike as he leaves his safe home on an isolated island and travels into the zombie infested country to try and find medical help for his ill mother.
It is a shame that it’s arriving on digital so soon, just six weeks after its theatrical premiere, which can’t be good for the box office and follows the trend of other recent movies having short runs in theaters. But at least it gives those who missed it in cinemas a chance to check it out in time for the sequel coming in January next year.
