I made an exception for Space Station 76 because it still falls under the sci-fi genre, despite its overtly soapish tone. It also packs enough laughs to qualify as a comedy, but don’t expect anything like Galaxy Quest or Spaceballs. Space Station 76 is a workplace “dramedy” set in a futuristic space-faring society that has not moved on culturally or socially from the 70s. There are other nods to the 70s − not to the culture of the times, but to the movies of that era. They can appear subtler, and they are the ones I really enjoyed most. First off, you can’t help but wonder if this is how Dark Star would have looked like had it been shot today. The CGI-free models were very refreshing if you are a bit fed up with computer imaging and animation in the movies. The models used for the transport (something not unlike the Winnebago from Spaceballs) and the space station provided rare moments of nostalgia for the space opera heydays prior to the advent of CGI. Watching Space Station 76 makes you want to watch Alien, Star Wars, Dark Star and other favourites from those days. The rest of the effects are a bit rough, most notably the asteroid field sequences, but they are not detrimental to the overall movie. Most people will liken the sets to 2001: A space Odyssey, but they also felt like a nostalgic nod to Space 1999, a personal favourite. There is another nod to 2001: A Space Odyssey, and it will not go unnoticed if you’re old enough, or are enough of a space movie buff, to recognize Keir Dullea in his cameo. Liv Tyler’s very presence in a film with an asteroid on a collision course may also be an unconscious nod to Armageddon, and so might Jerry O’Connell’s presence be a nod to Mission To Mars, both much maligned genre movies. Space Station 76 has a remarkably capable cast and some star power thrown in. The ensemble cast does an admirable job overall. Liv Tyler gives a solid performance, and it’s refreshing that Jack Plotnick, in his feature film directorial debut, did not bank too heavily on her sex appeal. Tyler appears actually demure while Plotnick could have gotten away with dressing her up in some of the 70s more suggestive fashions. Tyler and Wilson appear as the most emotionally believable and relatable characters of the cast. Patrick Wilson shows some very comedic talent as he manages to keep a straight face even amid the most ridiculous situations. His character is as ingratiating as Coughlan’s, but unlike Coughlan, you can sympathise with his situation, even though he’s dishing out some of the same discrimination he’s a victim of to Tyler’s character. In the end, this is a small indie film that will not fail to charm moviegoers. Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.