Yeah, battle cruisers and explosions are cool, but my favorite aspect of the SF genre is delving into those great "what if?" thought puzzles. Makes for the best books, and usually for the best films, too. So what was the last excellent "smart" SF flick, and why should I watch it?

A Scanner Darkly, the Richard Linklater adaptation of the Philip K. Dick novel.

Gattaca

Gattaca was, like, a billion years ago.

I've wanted to see A Scanner Darkly, largely because I'm a PKD head, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

The 1st half of The Island was pretty good. You can stop once they leave the Island It then became a standard action Movie.

Hard to describe why without blowing any surprises.

I saw The Island and agree with your asessment. I enjoyed it far more than I expected, right up until 10 minutes after they left the Island. Then it became a Michael Bay film.

When they hit the Bar?

That was both mine and somebody I work with out point.

So be more specific in your opening post, Fat Boy!

Man! You are such a

These were correct answers. Gattaca is the first thing that shot into my head. A Scanner Darkly is almost a direct translation of the book, so I have trouble separating it and thinking of it as a "smart SF film."

I liked The Prestige a lot. I could play that final speech of Hugh Jackman 20 times.

Scanner Darkly was fascinating. Blade Runner was two billion years ago and I just saw the latest latest cut and it still stands up well.

Yes, EXACTLY that point. The bar was a shark. And they jumped it. I agree completely.

I recommend Code 46, a little-seen SF from 2003. Like Gattaca, genetics plays a big theme, and the director uses real world locations in such a way that is looks more futuristic than sets and CGI. Thumbs up.

I haven't seen A Scanner Darkly; apparently I should.

I think Children of Men would qualify. There was some action, of course, but I don't think it''s primarily an action movie.

A few years earlier, Primer had a pretty smart script. I only saw it a month or two ago, thanks to recommendations here.

I just saw Primer last weekend. I'd definitely recommend it if you like "thought puzzle" sci fi. It confused the f*ck out of me.

Edit: But in a good way.

JEEZ how did I forget that?! Easily my favorite film of 2006, and one of the best SF flicks I've seen in the last 10 years. Loved it.

Triple ditto on "Primer", Taft. Check it out.

Good call on Children of Men.

Primer, huh? Okay, that one's new to me. Consider it on my radar.

Well, I guess I can't suggest Contact, then.

Even though it borrowed from a dozen other movies and was based on an impossible premise, I thought Sunshine was intelligent and engrossing.

P.S. If anybody dares to say The Fountain, they will be smacked silly.

No, you can't.

I liked some of the background aspects of Minority Report.....

Jimbo has inadvertently reminded me of another recent favorite: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Also old, but I'm throwing Dark City out there.