SIMON NEIL

THE BIFFY CLYRO FRONTMAN REVEALS HIS SCI-FI AND FANTASY FAVES

Favourite SF/fantasy film

The Fountain by Darren Aronofsky – this is a beautiful film, which spans about 400 years. It is first and foremost a love story, but told against the changing backdrop of an evolving universe and through different historical contexts. I think that, visually, it is simply stunning – it came to me at an important time in my life and it is a movie which still brings tears to my eyes even now, every time I watch it. The performances of Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman are simply breathtaking.

Favourite SF/fantasy TV show

I had been obsessed with the concept of Westworld ever since I heard of the story of the original film when I was growing up. This remake is such a step up from the original movie and I thought that Ed Harris gives a stand-out performance as the man in black. It really feels that, despite this belonging to the sci-fi genre, we really are, as a society, not too far away from this type of scenario, or setting, from happening in real life and, yes, of course I would want a ticket.

Favourite SF/fantasy comics

Watchmen is probably my favourite of all time but I have to also say that the comic book of The Fountain is just a beautiful piece of art, so much so that I actually have some tattoos of the final three frames of the book dotted around my body.

Favourite SF/fantasy guilty pleasures

Mork & Mindy is so nostalgic for me, and really reminds me of being young. I just loved Robin Williams’s outfit, I loved Mork and I always wanted a name like his. ’Mon the Mork!

Biffy Clyro’s new album, Ellipsis, is out now.