Although the world isn’t set to end until this winter (according to the Mayan calendar, anyway), if your homework, project and test load is anything like ours, it might feel as though the end is coming a little earlier than scheduled. But would the world really, truly end or just wipe a bunch of us out and start anew, possibly for the worst? What would happen? Check out our favorite dystopias for an idea of what might be coming.
“Children of Men,”@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206634/@@ recommended by Rebecca Sedlak
The year is 2027, and society is on the brink of collapse. Plagued by two generations of inexplicable infertility, humanity has lost hope — with no more children, cynicism and chaos reign. The United Kingdom has the last stable government (a militarized police state), and it is flooded with refugees and illegal immigrants. Bureaucrat Theo (Clive Owen)@@http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0654110/@@ lives a lonely, banal life — until he comes in contact with an immigrant rights group known as The Fishes, which is led by his estranged wife Julian (Julianne Moore).@@http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000194/@@ Political intrigue, plans for revolution, desperation and danger lie in the way. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206634/@@ and shot in a newsreel-documentary style, “Children of Men” is a raw, emotional vision of hope and redemption.
“Brazil,”@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088846/@@ recommended by Mitch Small
“Brazil” is set in a world where bureaucracy sprouts from every crevasse of massive, monochrome cityscapes. In this place, Sam Lowry, @@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088846/@@a miserable government employee, finds himself repeatedly dreaming of a beautiful woman. On an errand to fix a jammed printer error, he runs into the woman from his dreams and finds himself embroiled in a plot spanning dreams and reality. The 1985 film is directed by Terry Gilliam,@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088846/@@ most known for his work on “Time Bandits” and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” @@http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000416/@@and his vivid imagination is on full display. “Brazil” is flush with manic energy and wit, never failing to entertain while delivering its message. Gilliam’s vision of a bleak dystopia is not a political parable but a condemnation of the cynical, mundane world we all live in.
“Escape from New York” is a strong candidate for dystopian B-films. Aside from being the second best performance by Kurt Russell@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082340/@@ (his role as Jack Burton in “Big Trouble in Little China” being his best),@@damn straight!!! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090728/@@ the film casts a disapproving eye at the growing police state in the U.S. And this was in 1981! @@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082340/@@Russell plays Snake Plissken,@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082340/@@ a gunfighter and criminal having been arrested by the uber-powerful U.S. government and tasked with finding and rescuing the President after he crash lands on Manhattan Island, which has been transformed into a penitentiary to house all of the people the dominant paradigm doesn’t want. Keep in mind that back in 1981, Times Square was a cesspool of hookers ‘n blow @@lol@@and not the tourist attraction it is nowadays. But still, Russell as gravelly-voiced Snake is awesome, and it wouldn’t be a John Carpenter@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082340/@@ film without his strange, self-composed synth music. “Escape From New York” is a classic sci-fi, dystopian film. A B-rate, to be sure — but a classic nonetheless.
“I Am Legend,” recommended by Kevin Piaskowski
Will Smith’s post-apocalyptic dystopian blockbuster, “I Am Legend,”@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480249/@@ portrays a frightening world filled with violent, mutated humans. New York City is transformed into a volatile environment. Society has fled Manhattan, leaving Smith’s character to defend himself against the “Dark Seekers.”@@checked@@ The film is a combination of genuine heroism and eerie premonition. It is a stunning depiction of how fragile the human social structure can be. It keeps audiences deeply engaged while maintaining a sense of frustration and wonder. If you have yet to see “I Am Legend,” you must do so immediately. Smith does an impeccable job as the film’s protagonist and star. This film is epic, thrilling and, most importantly, captivating.@@oooo!@@
“V for Vendetta,”@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/@@ recommended by Amanda Barker
One of the best dystopian movies of all time is definitely “V for Vendetta.” Not only is it a trippy, crazy and awesome movie, but Natalie Portman@@http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/@@ delivers one of her best roles yet. And not to mention, she rocks the buzz cut. She plays the role of a young woman who is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked vigilante known only as “V.” He starts a revolution when he blows up two landmarks in London and takes over the government-controlled airwaves. In the midst of all this destruction, he urges his fellow citizens to rise up against the tyrannical government. As Portman catches on to the mysterious V, she also discovers something about herself. Even though the plot revolves around cruelty and corruption, it’s still a fantastic film.
