Aliens

Could almost be classified as action, given the non-stop encounters with the slimy creatures in the second half of this film. Director Cameron veered from the horror tone of the original and turned this into an action thrill ride. The appearance of the queen and her nest is a highlight.

Back to the Future

It's not hard to see why Back to the Future was a huge hit with moviegoers. Younger people identified with Marty McFly, a rebellious teenager with neat skateboard tricks and played by the popular Michael J Fox. Adults liked the charming recreation of the 50s. And best of all, the humour and frenetic action appealed to everyone.

Contact

Carl Sagan's novel about first contact with an alien intelligence is meticulously transformed into this wonderful movie. Realistically considers the ramifications of such an event, including the reactions from both the scientific and religious communities. Jodie Foster is magnificent as the lead. Terrific special effects, including many that you won't notice.

Gattaca

An interesting look into the near-future, where genetic manipulation is prevalent and the sex and health of your offspring can be decided before birth. Vincent (Ethan Hawke) is an outcast because he was conceived by traditional methods. Having bluffed his way into Gattaca, a space agency making manned flights to Jupiter, his dreams of space travel are almost ruined when the flight director is murdered and suspicion falls on him. Haunting and, yet, inspiring. Rich, forlorn score by Michael Nyman.

The Time Machine

Fascinating time travel tale from the pen of H.G. Wells. A scientist around the turn of the century invents a time machine and travels into the future. He arrives in a post-nuclear war world where humans have evolved into two different species: the peaceful Eloi, and the dreaded Morlocks. Great special effects.

The Empire Strikes Back

The second part of the Star Wars trilogy is even better, combining non-stop action, character development, and spectacular battles on land and in space. John Williams' menacing score is a highlight. Only letdown is the ending, which leaves a loose end untied, but in the context of the whole series, this is the richest, darkest, and the best.

The Terminator

Arnold's break-out movie, where he is cast as a super robot from the future who arrives in present day LA to assassinate the mother of a future leader. Exciting action sequences, coupled with perfect monotonic performance by Arnold. Produced the memorable line, "I'll be back."

Star Wars

One of the most popular films of all time is a homage to old midday serials, King Arthur legends and Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress. Story of a farm boy thrown into the middle of an intergalactic war while romancing a beautiful princess is the stuff of every schoolboy's dreams. Pioneer in special effects work.

Total Recall

Beside the trademark Paul Verhoeven violence and deadpan Schwarzenegger one-liners, this is an unusually intelligent sci-fi film. Explores the difference between dreams and reality, interspersed with heaps of action, great special effects and evocative Jerry Goldsmith music.