If you use Netflix streaming video, you may be interested in watching 2010: The Year We Make Contact, the sequel to 2001: A Space Odyssey. I just noticed that this is available for streaming. Usually the availability of streaming videos lasts for only a limited time.
Though overshadowed by its groundbreaking predecessor, 2010 is an interesting film in its own right. Plotwise, it is much less murky than 2001, and some of its themes and content are surprisingly relevant to the subjects explored on this blog. In particular, the scene where Dave Bowman appears to his ex-wife ties in rather neatly with the whole idea of shedding the ego after death.
It's also a good example of visual effects in the pre-CG era, when spaceships were depicted by finely crafted miniature models. And the art design is quite good – check out the dolphin pool integrated into Roy Scheider's house.
Not a perfect film by any means, but an interesting one to watch if you have access to Netflix's streaming library. Certainly the best work I've seen from director Peter Hyams, with good performances bya skilled cast. Plus, it's kind of neat to see what the year 2010 looked like from the vantage point of the 1980s.