Thursday Movie Picks: Cyberpunk: Wandering through the Shelves hosts a weekly movie challenge in which you choose 3-5 movies based on that Thursday’s theme and explain why you chose those movies. Today’s theme is Cyberpunk so here are my choices! Full disclosure: I’m not a huge fan of cyberpunk, so I have seen very few of these movies, and I didn’t want to choose The Matrix! 😀
EX MACHINA (2014)
Funnily enough, I own Ex Machina, but I have never seen it! I will eventually because I love the cast, and I’ve heard good things about this movie. Honestly, I’ll watch anything with Oscar Issac, and he’s primarily the reason I chose this movie for TMP. #sorrynotsorry
BLADE RUNNER 2049 (2017)
Another film I haven’t seen. I want to, though. But I feel like I have to see the first Blade Runner, and I just need to find time to do that. So, I’ve chosen Blade Runner 2049 because of Ryan Gosling. I suppose I’m just choosing movies with good-looking actors…
DISTRICT 9 (2009)
Okay, I have seen District 9, though I haven’t watched it since it premiered in theaters. I do remember it being tense and enthralling, and I keep hoping for a sequel, but at this point, I don’t see it happening, though my fingers remain crossed.
Joel
May 20, 2021I watched Ex-Machina purely because of all the praise it garnered, and I like Oscar Isaac too, and was underwhelmed by it. I’ll never watch it again.
I’ve only seen the original Blade Runner which was okay-great look, fine actors-but another I’ve never felt the pull to see again.
I’ve also heard good things about District 9 and I’ll probably get around to it one day but I’m in no hurry.
I’m right there with you as far as not being much of a fan of cyberpunk movies and usually avoid them which made finding three a challenge until I decided to use that indifference and went with three that I thought were terrible examples of the genre.
Freejack (1992)-Future technology has advanced to the point that rich elderly citizens can hire thieves such as Vacendak (Mick Jagger) to jump back in time to kidnap young people, return with them then have their brains transplanted into the clients’ bodies. Racer Alex Furlong (Emilio Estevez) is captured, he manages to break free but finds this new world a dangerous place. Extremely short on logic this misguided flick managed to corral Anthony Hopkins and Rene Russo as well as Jagger. They collect a paycheck, the audience suffers.
Johnny Mnemonic (1995)-Implanted with a stash of information data courier Johnny (Keanu Reeves) must retrieve it within 48 hours or self-destruct. Guarded by turbo charged bodyguard Jane (Dina Meyer) but hunted by two foes he sets out to find the passwords needed to stop his death. When it’s not absurd it’s stupid.
Moon 44 (1990)-A group of prisoners is enlisted by a mining corporation against a corporate war where interplanetary companies vie for control of dwindling resources on distant moons. Agent Felix Stone (Michael Pare) is sent to the title planet when problems arise. This pastiche of Aliens, Blade Runner and every other conceivable cyberpunk film holds a whopping zero score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sara
May 20, 2021I have so many movies where I feel overwhelmed and while I’m glad I watched them, I know I’ll never watch them again. Freejack… Mick Jagger and Emilio Estevez?? Oh boy. I’ve never heard of that one! There’s probably a reason lol. I remember that I saw Johnny Mnemonic but honestly, I can’t remember anything about it.
Brittani
May 20, 2021I really liked District 9 at the time it came out, it was very cool. It doesn’t hold up for me as well on re watch but I still appreciate it. I LOVE Ex Machina and we match on Blade Runner!
Sara
May 20, 2021Oh, that’s interesting! I wonder if rewatching District 9 now would change my views on it. I really need to watch Ex Machina! My husband keeps trying to get me to do it but I feel like I have to be in the mood for cyberpunk/sci fi.
Allie
May 21, 2021Love your choices! It’s been too long since I saw District 9 too, but I’m definitely up for a sequel!
Sara
May 21, 2021Thanks! I just really want to know if Christopher ever came back to help Wikus!
Sonia
May 22, 2021I didn’t love Ex Machina but I’ve been meaning to give it another chance. I wasn’t a fan of Blade Runner 2049 either as it was very long and boring. The visuals are terrific though!
ThePunkTheory
May 30, 2021Great picks! I haven’t yet seen Ex Machina, but a guy in one of my courses at Uni last year wrote his master thesis on the film and it sounded super intriguing.