spaceballs

The Top Ten Sci-Fi Robots for Boys

Oct 22nd 2009 5:02PM By: Peter Martin

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'The Iron Giant'

Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, first spelled out in 1942, cast a large shadow over all future robot stories. They're so logical, why wouldn't future manufacturers program them into every robot they made? Asimov delighted in bending the laws in a series of stories and novels, but it's fair to say that he influenced an entire generation of science fiction-loving boys to think of robots as beneficent and helpful rather than evil and malignant.

The love affair of boys and their robots may have begun on the printed page, but it quickly spread to movies and television shows. Astro Boy takes that love affair one step further, fusing boy and robot into a singular being, the creation of a scientist in memory of his lost son. The character first appeared in a manga before migrating to TV and film; the latest cinematic version opens tomorrow. In honor of Astro Boy, who surely is the most fitting embodiment of the term, we present the top ten sci-fi movies featuring boys and their robots:

1. The Iron Giant

An easy call. Hogarth is nine years old, a kind-hearted boy who is only too happy to hide his new friend, who just happens to be a 100-foot tall metal man. Hogarth is also wise beyond his years, boldly imploring the Iron Giant: "You don't have to be a gun. You are what you choose to be. You choose. Choose." Brad Bird's film is filled with impish fun and a gentle approach to morality that goes down easy and hits every target.

Filed under: Movies We Love

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The Top Five Hunk of Junk Spaceships

Oct 21st 2009 10:02AM By: John Gholson

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Their engines whine; their walls creak. These spaceships may look like antiques from the future, but many pack more punch under the hood than they let on. Never judge a book by its cover, and never judge a spaceship by its rust-holes and sputtering warp drive. What space-faring rattletraps make the cut in our top five list of "hunk of junk" spaceships?



5. EAGLE V from Spaceballs

The most impressive thing about the Eagle V is its amazingly pristine (and retro-hideous) 1973 Winnebago chassis. Piloted by Captain Lone Starr and his Mawg co-pilot, Barf, the Eagle V is a ship-for-hire last seen crash landing on the surface of MoonaVega. I would say it was last seen on the recent Spaceballs cartoon series, but that would imply that people actually watched it.

FEATURES: Interior shag carpeting, perfect for camping.

DRAWBACKS: Screen door, chemical toilet, small fuel tank.


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The Top Ten Princesses of Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Jul 8th 2009 9:02AM By: Sci-Fi Squad Staff

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By: Elisabeth Rappe

Move over, Disney! When it comes to princesses, the sci-fi / fantasy genre has you completely outnumbered, outgunned, and outdressed.

Actually, I find the genre's obsession with princesses rather strange. Not on the fantasy end, mind you, as that genre draws heavily on European fairy tales and dynastic history, and will always find room for royal courts. But you'd think those galaxies far, far away would steer clear of European titles and class systems, and invent new systems of government. But let's face it, few labels evoke such a specific and exotic image as that of "princess," and slapping it onto your heroine does half your screenwriting for you. All you have to decide is if she carries a weapon or prefers a tiara, or if she's comfortable enough to coolly wield both in the name of duty. Luckily, the sci-fi / fantasy genre is rife with examples of all three. So drop a curtsy, and check out the list of my favorite genre princesses. And bow to Erik Davis for hatching the idea while you're at it.

1. Princess Leia Organa (Star Wars)

Princess Leia may not have been science fiction's first princess, but she's the one they all have to measure up to. Every girl since 1977 has thrilled to the fact that the head of the Rebel Alliance was a woman, and that no one (not even the cocky Han Solo, who needed her more than she needed him) raised an eyebrow at the fact. As if being fearless, diplomatic, intelligent, and one hell of a shot wasn't enough, she was also a Jedi like her father before her. No wonder Yoda seemed so calm when Luke flew off to his possible doom. Leia was the ace in the hole.

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Ship Clips: Spaceballs

Jun 9th 2009 10:01AM By: Erik Davis

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For those who missed our first post, Ship Clips is a sometimes-daily feature that celebrates our favorite moments from film and TV that happened to take place on a ship of some kind. Obviously there are a number of different avenues to travel down -- with some being more serious than others -- but for my second trip around the block, I had to give a shout out to this hilarious Mel Brooks comedy that spoofed Star Wars mainly, but also the science fiction genre in general. We love you Spaceballs!

In this ship clip, Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis in one of his great roles) instructs his two henchmen to use the ship's VCR to scroll back through the film to try to get an upper hand. It's one of my favorite scenes, and although it doesn't exactly highlight the ship in all its spoofed-up glory (with the exception of its handy VCR station), it's still a great ship clip and I'm sure you'll agree ... I hope.

Watch the clip after the jump

Discuss: Are we due for another Star Wars-type spoof? And if so, who should we trust with such an important task?

Filed under: Trailers/Clips, Movies We Love, Fan Movies

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