If Your Interested in Apocalyptic Fiction - Check These 8 Movies
What is Apocalyptic fiction? this is quite a misunderstood sub genre that even
Google gets wrong at times.
Unlike Post-Apocalyptic sci-fi where it follows after a disaster. Apocalyptic is set
just before or during a potential threat- such as an impact event or nuclear
warfare where the fate of humanity is uncertain.
To be honest its very similar to disaster movies, where the main difference is
apocalyptic is based around people who don't have a solution to the problem, while
disaster actually focuses on attempts to avert or escape the problem.
But I'm open to debate on the semantics of these two genres in the comments
section - as this is a rather grey topic.
Director Robert Rodriguez's, Comedy Horror, Planet Terror 2007
After a lethal gas based bio-weapon is accidentally released at a military base.
The Local hospital and Sherriff's department start to become overrun with these
so-called "sickos". Where it's down to a rag-tag group of survivors to get out of
Texas before they're eaten alive.
A hilariously suspenseful thrill ride throughout, Planet Terror is a cheesy and
intentionally so bad it's good film, that plays homage to all those classic zombie B
movies.�
Where it's pretty silly in places; filled with over the top acting, which is somehow
balanced out to become a great zombie film. If you're looking for lots of obscene
gore, strange exploitation and lots of fun, then give Planet Terror a go. Director
Steve De Jarnatt's, Action romance, Miracle Mile 1988
When Harry awakes at night after his alarm clock fails, he arrives three and a half
hours late to a date with the woman he loves. After trying to call her to apologise
Harry receives a mistaken phone call that informs him that a nuclear war has
started and that a missile will hit his city within the hour.
While its beginning is pretty much a love-at-first sight drama; Miracle Mile has
some fairly strong social commentary on racism, sexism and sexuality. But due to
the theme of the film, none of the characters really has time to acknowledge it as
everyone is frantically trying to get out of the city.
Miracle Mile is a very low-key film, but that in itself is what makes it such a
thought provoking and effective movie.
Director Val Guest's, Romance Drama, The day the Earth caught fire 1961
When the U.S. and Soviet Union unwittingly detonate atomic bombs simultaneously,
the staff at the Daily Express start to get reports of dramatic changes to the
world's climate. Where they eventually discover a frightening theory involving the
earth's axis being shifted.
Where it's first act is pretty slow paced, The Day the Earth caught fire soon
becomes a great example of everything done right with classic sci-fi.
It's an enjoyable disaster movie where it's well-written with fine acting, likeable
characters, and has a very snappy script.
But a warning to some of you, this movie is very heavy on dialog and it's visual
effects are not its focus, so don't be expecting anything to the quality of a movie
like Forbidden Planet.
Director Lars von Trier's, Sci-Fi Drama, Melancholia 2011
Follows Justine and Michael who are celebrating their marriage at Justine's sister
and brother-in-laws home. Where the two sisters whose already strained
relationship, is challenged, when Justine starts to fall into depression during the
wedding party. Meanwhile, Melancholia, a large planet, threatens to collide with
Earth.
This is one of those movies that feels like two different films put together; the
first being this chaotic wedding and the latter which focus on depression and the
possible end of the world. Melancholia is defiantly not a feel-good movie, but as
far as Lars von Trier's films go it's pretty funny in places with a very engaging
story that is well acted. This is one of those love hate movies that is very slow
paced, so if you don't like art house movies, then stay far away from this film.
Director John Carpenter's, sci-fi Horror, Prince of Darkness 1987
When investigating an abandoned church a priest finds a cylinder that appears to
contain a weird green energy.�Where he ends up contacting a physics professor
who is intrigued by the priest's discovery. With a team of grad students the
professor heads to the abandoned church to study the cylinder. Where they find, if
opened, it could mean the end of the world.
I honestly never thought that I'd find something as simple a green tube to be so
creepy, this chilling and very dark film from the master of horror John Carpenter is
not a Dracula flick, so don't let the title fool you. While it's not his strongest
movie, Prince of Darkness is a well paced original film that places atmosphere &
eeriness over blood and gore.
Director Joseph Sargent's, Sci-fi Thriller, Colossus the Forbin project 1970
Follows Forbin who is the designer of an incredibly advanced computer that in
theory should run all of America's nuclear defences. Convinced it will prevent all
future wars, the US government gives the super computer complete control over
its missile launchers. What happens next, not even Forbin could have predicted.
The movie that started the 'AI Threatens the World' trope. While obviously dated,
it's still a pretty chilling film�that demonstrates some early 70s paranoia about
computers.
While by today's standards the plot is very predictable, it's cinematography is
fairly enticing and its acting is pretty convincing too.
Well made and suspenseful, Colossus the Forbin project hopefully should appeal to
even the most picky fans of science fiction.
Director Torn Eberhardt's, Comedy Horror, Night of the comet 1984
When a comet which has not passed by the Earth, for millions of years is about to
fly by. Large crowds appear to be celebrating the event except a theatre Usher
called Regina -would rather spend the night with her projectionest friend. When the
next day arrives the sky has a mysterious reddish haze and there are no signs of
life. �
This under seen B-movie of the 80s is a decent Sci-Fi comedy which is a pretty fun
satire of the apocalypse genre. Where is has some pretty cool low budget
cinematography that makes good use of red filters to produce this hazy fallout
effect that looks pretty convincing.
The biggest downfall of this movie is that it almost has no plot whatsoever but
that's compensated for by relationship between the sisters and the fairly random
and goofy events of the film.
Director Edgar Wright's, Comedy Horror, Shaun of the dead 2004
Follows Shaun an ambitionless electronics store employee -who spends most of his
spare time at his local pub with his Housemate Ed. After Shaun is dumped by his
girlfriend he decides it's a good idea to try to win her back while at the same time
attempting to survive a zombie infested neighbourhood.
What I love about this film, apart from it been a great parody- is that if a zombie
outbreak ever did happen- I would probably act exactly the same as the characters
in this movie. It's rare for a comedy-horror to be both funny and frightening where
Shaun of the dead excels at both. It's easily one of the best horror comedies ever
made so if you haven't seen it yet, then what are you waiting for?
If Your Interested in Apocalyptic Fiction - Check These 8 Movies