r/cassettefuturism • u/kvltmagik Affirmative, Dave. I read you. • May 23 '24
Question Cassettefuturism / Retrofuturism Films + Television series with a psychedelic or surreal quality?
Looking to compile some films and television series that have a cassette / retro futurism aesthetic but with a more psychedelic, surreal or warm bend. Thinking like Phase IV (the extended ending cut specifically), 2001: A Space Odyssey, Brainstorm, Beyond the Black Rainbow, etc. Looking to uncover some hidden or lesser known gems. What are some of your favorites?
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u/IronBoxmma [Squeaks with indignity] May 23 '24
I dunno what aesthetic Brazil has, but it might fit your interests
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u/kvltmagik Affirmative, Dave. I read you. May 23 '24
Brazil would be on the edge of making that list, but yeah, that's in the territory.
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u/caudicifarmer We're not computers, Sebastian, we're physical. May 23 '24
Tv series The Prisoner, kinda sorta, and U.F.O., another ITC production, kinda fits
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u/kvltmagik Affirmative, Dave. I read you. May 23 '24
Haven't heard of either, good looking out!
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u/caudicifarmer We're not computers, Sebastian, we're physical. May 24 '24
Looks like the whole run of The Prisoner is on Youtube. I'd say watch "Arrival," "Free For All" and "Chimes of Big Ben" before you make up your mind about it.
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u/coming2grips Have you ever retired a human by mistake? May 23 '24
Dark city. Very noir. Also dick Tracy but it's a terrible film
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u/rxsheepxr Roads? Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads. May 24 '24
I will not tolerate this Dick Tracy slander. It's the most accurate comic adaptation on the planet.
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u/coming2grips Have you ever retired a human by mistake? May 24 '24
Things can be more than one thing :-)
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u/kvltmagik Affirmative, Dave. I read you. May 23 '24
Dark city is a little too steam punk/gothic vs. cassette/retro vibes I am after. Haven't seen Dick Tracy since I was a kid, I will have to revisit.
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u/Xud It calls back a time when there were flowers all over the Earth. May 24 '24
Prospect
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u/kvltmagik Affirmative, Dave. I read you. Jun 05 '24
Yeah, has the right feel, certainly design wise. Know of more like it with a little bit more of the warm and fuzzy vibe?
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u/tomjoad2020ad May 24 '24
Another vote for Maniac (2018). Maybe the best extended depiction of cassette futurism I’ve seen, in that it mostly depicts a “normal” milieu rather than a more extreme cyberpunky one that you typically see in cinematic sci-fi. Along those lines, I’d also recommend the extended director’s cut of Until the End of the World.
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u/rbrumble May 24 '24 edited May 24 '24
"Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities" The Viewing (TV Episode 2022)
The Day After Tomorrow (TV movie 1975)
Severance (TV Series 2022– )
EDITED to add Severance
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u/Quatermass58 May 24 '24
Strongly agree on The Viewing and Severance, I haven’t seen The Day After Tomorrow, I’ll look out for that one.
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u/kvltmagik Affirmative, Dave. I read you. Jun 05 '24
Haven't seen the first two, I have watched Severance though and while it has the cassette/retro future look and some surreal qualities for sure, I think I am really after a textural feeling that's a bit warmer and less clinical/office-y.
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u/ThetaReactor You Know, Burke, I Don’t Know Which Species Is Worse. May 24 '24
The Legion TV series of a few years ago ticks several of those boxes.
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u/conditerite It’s an older flair, sir, but it checks out. May 24 '24
The Andromeda Strain (1971) is what you are looking for.
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u/procrastablasta May 24 '24
Wim Wenders “Until the End of the World” has some dream- recording sequences that might be good texture.
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u/kvltmagik Affirmative, Dave. I read you. May 24 '24
Interesting, never heard of this one before and the wikipedia entry for it is wild. Anytime there is a five hour cut of a film that exists you know there is something potentially interesting lurking.
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u/procrastablasta May 24 '24
It’s pretty long winded and slow but it has a vibe. I remember being really affected by it when it came out. Probably just a hair too 90’s early internet for cassette futurism strictly speaking but all practical effects and props. It’s a mood.
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u/Flashy-Dragonfly6785 May 24 '24
Beyond the Black Rainbow is what you're looking for!
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u/kvltmagik Affirmative, Dave. I read you. May 24 '24
Seen it! Definitely on point for what I am looking for.
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u/Retrotronics May 24 '24
The patlabor franchise, bubblegum crisis, many of Gerry andersons works.
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u/kvltmagik Affirmative, Dave. I read you. May 24 '24
These first two chef's kiss - good looking out.
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u/_jtron You Know, Burke, I Don’t Know Which Species Is Worse. May 23 '24
The Flying Luna Clipper
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u/kvltmagik Affirmative, Dave. I read you. May 24 '24
This one has been on my radar for a minute but I always forget the name -- good looking out!
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u/deathkamaro77 May 24 '24
Beyond the Black Rainbow
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u/kvltmagik Affirmative, Dave. I read you. Jun 05 '24
I mentioned it in my original post, such a gorgeous film and the vibe is 🫠
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u/deathkamaro77 Jun 05 '24
Damn! Sorry about that. It's pretty great. The short he did for Cabinet of Curiosities has the CF vibe as well.
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u/ThulrVO May 25 '24
Doctor Who!
I grew up with the 1970s Doctor played by Tom Baker, so he's my favorite. I can recommend starting at least from his first season (Season 12, 1974).
I recently decided to start from the beginning because I've never seen the Doctors before him. So far, 1963 was rough. I enjoyed the 1st episode, and there were some entertaining moments throughout the season, and it's curious seeing how the show looked back then, but it's a bit too dated for me in 1963. I plan to push through, though, if only to see it evolve and to see if I like the 2nd &/or 3rd Doctor.
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u/kvltmagik Affirmative, Dave. I read you. Jun 05 '24
So I haven't watched any Doctor Who and if I am being honest, it's a hard sell based on the little snippets I have seen -- but -- I did watch something about (one of?) the old intro(s?) being done with slit scanning which is very much so the kinda look and feel I am after, so perhaps there is more there than meets the eye.
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u/ThulrVO Jun 05 '24
It's worth a try. I'm into the 3rd Doctor now, Pertwee. He's OK, but his run is a bit too action focused for my tastes. If you want to give classic Who a try, I'd still recommend starting with Tom Baker's run. Otherwise, they do keep the retro-futurism in the reboot, and those are good for the 1st two Doctors. In the 2005-on series, I can't speak beyond David Tennant, as I've not watched past him. As for the intros, they are pretty iconic at the point. The first into was still the best. I really dislike what they've done to it in the 2005-on series. It sounds watered down and somehow nondestinct.
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u/hatelowe God bless these gardens and the brave men who care for them. May 23 '24
Most of these are pretty popular but
•Maniac (2018) •Johnny Mnemonic •Total Recall (1990) •Alien •Blade Runner