The Great Snowpocalypse of ’14 (with more snow on the way) has given many of us a snow day or two. Whatever are we to do with this sudden influx of free time?
Five great Sci-Fi classics that just may curb your boredom:
1 . The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
This black and white film is plot driven and isn’t flash-bang-flash like a lot of the movies you see today. It isn’t a puppies and roses sort of movie either. The human mind is a fascinating thing; The Day the Earth Stood Still did a great job of contrasting irrational fear of the unknown and curiosity. There are a few dated aspects of it, but they aren’t campy and don’t take away from the story.
2 . The Flight that Disappeared (1961)
Like The Day the Earth Stood Still, this one is driven by characters. Suspense flows through subtle things like the plane mysteriously climbing altitude, the air traffic control office tracking the flight and watching it vanish, and the three scientists on board talking about their work (which ends up being a recipe for doom). The Flight that Disappeared is a thrilling mixture of The Twilight Zone and Star Trek: The Original Series.
3 . Godzilla
Pick any of the older, black and white Godzilla movies, and you have yourself a campy classic…not to mention some turn-your-brain-off destruction fun! I remember parking myself in front of the TV every Saturday morning (on the weekends I spent at my dad’s house). My little sister and I skipped the cartoons and went straight for the “black and white” channel. It always aired the good stuff.
4 . Gamera (1965)
This is another B movie classic that aired on the “black and white” channel. Oh, how I used to love Gamera! I thought he was the awesome of the awesome. When we played monsters on the old dirt hill behind my father’s house, I was always Gamera. If you like humor, you should check out Mystery Science Theater 3000’s mocking episode on it. There will be laughter, I promise!
5 . The Birds (1963)
Ornithophobia need not apply! This is an Alfred Hitchcock classic. It delves more into horror than science fiction, but I feel that it is a good classic for any snow day. Bring on the popcorn and the cheesy special effects!
