Sunshine

Speaking of director Danny Boyle, his upcoming sci-fi freak-out Sunshine is feeling like it's going to be a credible heir to Alien, at least in production design. DNA Films has fully exploited the seductive pull of behind-the-scenes web marketing with a lavishly detailed production blog that's making design nuts and sci-fi geeks drool with anticipation. There’s clearly a similar visual ethic with Ridley Scott’s Alien—the high tech porn of the spaceship is grounded by little low-fi personal details, and outer space isn’t presented as a pristine extension of a video game but rather just another place for human beings to extend their earthly messiness. Also as with Scott’s film the casting defies standard sci-fi multiplex talent. Even the All-American Stud factor of Chris Evans is offset by Cillian Murphy’s strange, protean appeal, Troy Garrity’s hirsute virility and Michelle Yeoh’s quiet strength.