Top Five Upcoming Sci-fi Films

Most of the country has no doubt seen "The Dark Knight" or, at the very least, entertained the idea of shelling out $8 for the most hyped comic book film of the year. Along with the goods of the feature are fifteen minutes of previews that always make us forget what movie we have actually paid to see. In recent years, previews have mostly catered to the action crowd, but with the ongiong strides in technology, genres beyond sheer action are getting their fair share of attention. Science fiction is, perhaps, the genre with the most to gain from these advances, as illustrated by the popularity of "The Matrix" trilogy, "Transformers," and numerous other sci-fi/fantasy movies with CGI gloss. In anticipation for another wave of sci-fi films, here is a summary of movies to be released in the next year:

Within "The Dark Knight" previews is a science fiction gem; "The Day The Earth Stood Still." Largely regarded as a classic in the sci-fi genre, this remake of the 1951 original stars Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly. If the names alone do not convince you of the money poured into the film, one look at the trailer's extensive destruction scenes ought to do it. On the other hand, it should be noted that the production costs do not exceed the storyline; the plot follows an alien (Reeves) who must decide if the human race should be allowed to continue its existence on earth, in lieu of our destructive behavior. Compared to other sci-fi films and any genre of movie in general, "The Day The Earth Stood Still" is rather simple with two main characters and a straight-forward problem. However, it is this simplicity that may be a welcomed change on December 12 to the interweaving, mind-numbing character arches and plotlines of box office titans today.