Grunge SF - Inspirational Movies

Mithras

Mithras

Banded Mongoose
I'm compiling a list of movies I think fit into the category of 'grunge SF', now that I have Outer Veil (and believing this game to come from that genre!).

Any help appreciated! This genre is typified by a dystopian view of near future space colonization; removed from the heroics of Star Wars, the optimism of Star Trek and the grandiose splendour and vastness of 'Imperial SF' fiction. There are few or usually no aliens, humans themselves often being the big problem.

My list so far has:


Alien (and sequels)
Outland
Pitch Black (but not its wonderful sequel)
Moon 44
Saturn 3
Supernova (yuk)
Event Horizon
Avatar
The Abyss (set on some distant colony world?)
Screamers (1995)

I'm discounting Firefly because it has a very different and unique feel. Also Moon, which I love, but is more psychological. Space Truckers is awesome, but too hilarious for my list!

I thought my list would be longer ....where are all the Alien rip-off's hiding? :)
 
far-trader said:
What? How could you forget Bladerunner?

:)
Click to expand...

Ah, well there is a fine line between what I've just called 'grunge SF' and cyberpunk! Since Bladerunner does feature (or mention) off-world colonies, and include replicants for working on those off world colonies, I suppose it could be included...

When I was 16 I liked to believe all these films co-existed in the same universe...
 
Soldier (kurt russel) fought at the battle of Tannhäuser gate, the same battle mentioned at the end of blade runner by Roy Batty.
 
barnest2 said:
Soldier (kurt russel) fought at the battle of Tannhäuser gate, the same battle mentioned at the end of blade runner by Roy Batty.
Click to expand...

Some of the tattoos that she reads are same battles as what you hear at the end of Blade Runner.


Also, I think that Kurt only says like 50 words total in the movie if you can grunt sounds too.

Dave Chase
 
Just because...

THX 1138
Which would make a hell of a world to deliver cargo to!

Dark Star
Entertaining; but you can also mine some interesting bits like conducting conversations with frozen patients.
 
While not from this era, Space Odyssey 2001 and 2010 seem to fit the general feel as well.

Also, Star Hunter, while sometimes not a very good TV show (to say the least), does fit the feel.

Now, Inspirational Grunge SF Books:
Mars Trilogy (Red Mars. Green Mars, Blue Mars) by Kim Stanley Robinson
Larry Niven's Known Space (before they have encountered the Kzinti and other aliens)
Encounters with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke (could be an Ascraeus space station)
Ground Zero Games wargames universe (up until they've encountered the aliens)

Inspirational Grunge SF Computer Games:
System Shock 1 and 2 (except for the teleporters and the energy shields)
Alien vs. Predator 1 and 2
Elite 2: Frontier and Elite 3: First Encounters (not Elite 1 which has aliens)
Martian Gothic: Unification
Alien Legacy
Dead Space (to a degree)
 
Well, Omer, I think literature is something else, though I do like your list. My problem is, I haven't read a huge amount.

I'd take Total Recall for sure, its all about mining and the greed of the corporation at the expense of the colonists. It even has alien ruins!

But 2001/2010? 2010 has the right grungy 'look', but these movies are not about the cyncial foibles of humans, and there's too much WHITE in 2001 to properly slot itself in next to Alien :)
 
I've just thought of another one: Starhunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone. Failed colony world, science settlers devolved into dictatorial 'Chemists', ruling a population of low-tech barbaric thugs and scavengers. TL 4 steam cars, trains etc. And Michael Ironside - no worries!

Straight from the Outer Veil!
 
Its not traveller, but it struck me as a traveller campaign:

Starrigger

starrigger.PNG

(yes that's a '57 Chevy)

Red Limit Freeway

red+limit+freeway.PNG


Paradox Alley

paradox.jpg

novels by John deChancie
 
To a degree, the remake of Lost in Space. Ignore the timetravel wierdness, and the cityscapes, fighters, foldout armour, etc, are quite cool.
 
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