Must-see movies are futuristic classics that shouldn't be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That's why we've rated them 1-5 on the patented "crunchy goodness" scale.


Title: 2001: A Space Odyssey
Date: 1968
Vitals: Possibly the best example of a psychedelic science fiction flick, this artsy story of a spaceship on its way to Saturn turns into the bizarre, claustrophobic tale of a shipboard computer, HAL, going homicidally nuts, and the astronaut who must stop him. Oh, and there are also trippy aliens and ballet music.

Famous names: Directed by Stanley Kubrick; starring a cast of unknowns.

Crunchy goodness: 3

Design breakthrough: In a prescient and influential move, Kubrick packs his future with corporate branding and ambient advertising.

Deadliest spoiler: There are giant babies floating in space who have something to do with early human evolution.

Sight you'll never unsee: Sweaty, freaked-out astronaut Dave, the only human on the ship HAL hasn't murdered, must feign calmness as he convinces HAL to let him back onto the ship through the pod bay doors. "Open the pod bay door, HAL," he says. "I'm sorry I can't do that Dave," HAL replies smoothly, his emotionless voice embodying everything creepy about killers and robots.

2001 Internet Resource Archive

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