ALL-TIME CLASSIC MOVIE FAVOURITES – WESTWORLD (1973)

 “Westworld” is a Sci-Fi Thriller, written and Directed by Michael Crichton.

The story takes place at Delos, an exclusive vacation resort, an amusement park for rich, where guests get the choice of Medieval World, Roman World or Westworld, to live out their fantasies through the use of robots that provide anything they want.

Two of the vacationers Peter Martin (Richard Benjamin) and John Blane (James Brolin) choose a wild west adventure, however, after a couple of days, a computer breakdown leads to a system wide malfunction, and they find that they are now being stalked by a rogue robot gunslinger (Yul Brynner).

A great movie of its time, although the technology dates it, but it is still very watchable and Brynner as the gunfighter is truly excellent.

ALL-TIME CLASSIC MOVIE FAVOURITES – PHENOMENON (1996)

 

“Phenomenon” is a fantasy romantic drama, screenplay by Gerald Di Pego and Directed by Phil Jon Turteltaub.

The film is set in a small California town and tells the story of George Malley (John Travolta), the owner of the local auto repair shop.

George heads for home, after celebrating his birthday at the local bar with friends but pauses to watch a strange light in the sky, and collapses for a few seconds in the middle of the deserted street.

It becomes apparent in the days and weeks that follow that something is amiss as George finds his IQ and consciousness expanding dramatically, and he reveals to his closest friends Doc (Robert Duvall) and Nate Pope (Forest Whitaker) that he had developed telekinetic abilities, and while he’s with the girl he loves, Lace Pennamin (Kyra Sedgwick), his new-found abilities allow him to correctly predict an earthquake.

However, despite his attempts to explain what has happened to him, with just a very few exceptions, most of the local townspeople treat George as a freak.

His state of isolation becomes even more pronounced when outside authorities become interested in what's happened to him in particular the FBI, but worst of all Dr. Wellin (Richard Kiley) who wants to dissect his brain, but George has other ideas on how his life will end.

ALL-TIME CLASSIC MOVIE FAVOURITES – BICENTENNIAL MAN (1999)

 

“Bicentennial Man” is a Comedy Sci-Fi Drama, screenplay by Nicholas Kazan based on the short story by Isaac Asimov and Directed by Chris Columbus.

The story follows the life and times of an android call Andrew (Robin Williams), who is purchased as a household robot by Richard Martin (Sam Neill) and programmed to perform menial tasks.

However, within a few days the Martin family realizes that they don't have an ordinary droid as Andrew begins to experience emotions and creative thought.

The Isaac Asimov story spans two centuries, and Andrew learns the intricacies of humanity.

It’s a wonderfully charming film with wit and pathos, full of love and hope brilliantly acted by Robin Williams with a measured performance by Sam Neill, but Embeth Davidtz as Portia is an absolute delight, Oliver Platt is excellent as Rupert Burns the android expert and Kiersten Warren as the effervescent Galatea

Even if you are averse to the Sci-Fi genre, I recommend `Bicentennial Man', because even if it may not what you are looking for, you will be pleasantly surprised.