SCIENCE FICTION

related to space

-Theodore Sturgeon

A good science-fiction story is a story about human beings, with a human problem, and a human solution, which would not have happened at all without its scientific content."

Sam Moskowitz

"Science fiction is a brand of fantasy identifiable by the fact that it eases the 'willing suspension of disbelief' on the part of its readers by utilizing an atmosphere of scientific credibility for its imaginative speculations in physical science, space, time, social science, and philosophy."

Main ideasThe first contemporary novel to be considered

a part of the ‘Science Fiction’ genre was Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley.

The author used a scientific rationale, combined with certain religious ideas, to persuade the reader that her story took place in the realm of the possible but touched upon the improbable.

Science Fiction VS. Fantasy

In Science Fiction, there needs to be some possibility that the events could possibly happen.

In Fantasy, the author can use far-fetched assumptions. ie; unicorns, three-legged creatures etc.

Major Themes in Science Fiction

• Space travel to and from other planets

(ie: Star Wars, Star Trek)

• Time travel to the past and future

(ie: Back to the Future)

• Psychological/biological changes to man brought about by scientific changes

(ie: The Incredible Hulk)

• Supernormal powers/talents

(ie: Superman, Spiderman, Batman)

• Science applied to human relations for constructive or destructive purposes

(ie: Weird Science)

• Battle with alien life forms

(ie: Signs)

• Alternate Universe

(ie: Star Wars)

Sci Fi in the Movies• Even before talkies, science

fiction made its mark on film:

• A Trip to the Moon (1902) by the Frenchman Georges Melies

• Metropolis (1926) by the German Fritz Lang, the first classic science fiction film

Sci Fi movies

Sci Fi Movies Today• Matrix, Matrix Reloaded, Matrix

Revolutions (Certain critics felt that it was almost beyond the realm of belief that funding was available for the third part of the series)

• New Star Wars Trilogy• Spiderman• Men in Black 1&2• A.I.• Minority Report• Signs• Transformers

GRAVITYDirector Alfonso Cuaron's Gravity stars Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone, a scientist on a space shuttle mission headed by astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney), a talkative, charismatic leader full of colorful stories that he shares with his crewmates as well as mission control. As the two are on a space walk, debris hits the area where they are working, and soon the pair finds themselves detached from their ship and stranded in space. While figuring out what steps they can take to save themselves, Stone grapples with a painful past that makes her consider giving up altogether. Gravity screened at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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