7. Battlefield Earth (2000)
The catastrophically bad adaptation of Scientology founders Ron L Hubbards work, was inspired by Hubbards disgust at how brain surgeons and psychologists mess people up, which is another of those fictions that a lot of people somehow see as gospel. In 3000 AD, the dreadlocked and subtlety named Psychlos have conquered Earth: they're played in the film by John Travolta and the far too talented Forrest Whittaker who should both be hugely ashamed of themselves. While the Psychlos are played as camp drunk Klingons, the humans are played as the dumbest species that have ever existed: for instance, the word craplousy and the phrase blow the dome are used to conversation without any irony. There's a few neat examples of fine special effects thrown in there and some nicely overworked set pieces, but that doesn't make up for why aliens teach their slaves microbiology? Tarantino gave you a comeback Travolta, and this is what you do with it?
Amelia Harvey
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Bournemouth born journalist, radio DJ and fiction writer. A fan of loud music, quiet films, Doctor Who and trashy TV.
Editor at http://dailyactress.tumblr.com/
email me at hillbourne2006@yahoo.co.uk
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Amelia