Thread: Philosophical Movies

Umm... I'm not. The manuscript was called 'Simulacra and Simulation' and they asked Keanu Reeves to read it before reading the script. The book appears in the film (Neo hides his hacks inside a hollowed out copy).

But again... metaphorical movies are never going to have a single, unambiguous objective meaning. Saying somebody is 'wrong' about their interpretation is ridiculous.

Originally Posted by drewmandan

Wrong again. That kind of thinking leads to communism, which is the canonical example of what the Matrix symbolizes.

I think he may be more correct than not, about that one. I believe that the anti-materialist undertone was a large part of what the movie symbolized (nuanced by Rage Against the Machine being a prevalent addition to the soundtrack). Why is the other interpretation that you got from it?

Originally Posted by Oneironaut

I think he may be more correct than not, about that one. I believe that the anti-materialist undertone was a large part of what the movie symbolized (nuanced by Rage Against the Machine being a prevalent addition to the soundtrack). Why is the other interpretation that you got from it?

Essentially about how mostly government, but also religion and so-called "culture" in general are imagined institutions that somehow hold great power over their subjects. In fact, they hold so much power that the subjects will fight to defend them. The "agents" are the police, teachers, and "philosophers" that spout utter nonsense like social contract theory. Of course, there's more to it than that, but I'm not about to write an essay.

Originally Posted by drewmandan

Essentially about how mostly government, but also religion and so-called "culture" in general are imagined institutions that somehow hold great power over their subjects. In fact, they hold so much power that the subjects will fight to defend them. The "agents" are the police, teachers, and "philosophers" that spout utter nonsense like social contract theory. Of course, there's more to it than that, but I'm not about to write an essay.

Ok, yeah. Going back on what I said about their being many interpretations, those are more of the main interpretations I've heard.

Originally Posted by wendylove

Equilibrium- Human race survives a third world war, however to prevent another emotions of the survivors are wiped out by taking drugs and all forms of art is destroyed. A group of rebals are trying to overthrow it. Its really good.

I concur. Love that film to death. Such is an issue humanity will always be torn by. Emotion/creativity and logic/reason.

"The Assassination of Richard Nixon" was a great movie that few have seen.

The Thin Red Line was another.

Originally Posted by Oneironaut

Edit: After reading a bit further, I see that the OP actually did miss that point of the film.

not necessarily.

You could argue that we actualy live in a simulated reality (that being what the film is about), everything around us is simulated: religion, media, government and the market system - and it is the energy of the masses that keeps the simulation alive (batteries). Withouth knowing the teachers preach the "matrix", the business men use it for personal gain and policemen guard it by force (You can't see the system from within the system). But it is also true that the Matrix, as it is displayed, is just a metaphor.

the Butterfly Effect.

That movie is quite distrubing, at least to me.

I suggest to watch the directors cut.

Star Wars - Original.


Obi-Wan: The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.

Han Solo: Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.


Wonder how many Han Solos are on this forum..

They pretty much cover the globe. At least I've only seen wars with people using "blasters" at their sides. Rather than a peaceful force and lightsabers.

Akira

the universe is folded within, and all of its memories are folded within the universe

though this message was missed amongst all the violence, drugs, and drama. Akira inspired many movies, including the Matrix

Neon Genesis Evangelion

again, another anime that deals with the power of the mind creating his or her own reality, mixed with more violence and adolescence and social commentary

That just about seems to be what makes the classic Sci-fi, so classic

A good social commentary, eye candy, and mind numbing ideas that go way over the heads of viewers

Originally Posted by juroara

Akira

the universe is folded within, and all of its memories are folded within the universe

though this message was missed amongst all the violence, drugs, and drama. Akira inspired many movies, including the Matrix

Neon Genesis Evangelion

again, another anime that deals with the power of the mind creating his or her own reality, mixed with more violence and adolescence and social commentary

That just about seems to be what makes the classic Sci-fi, so classic

A good social commentary, eye candy, and mind numbing ideas that go way over the heads of viewers

Evangelion that was one fucked up show I used to watch.

i'm gonna take a leap and say "The Fountain" even though its more kind of mystical and poetic than philosophical.

"No Country for Old Men"- Its all about determinism.

"Pi"

"Memento"

"Mulholland Drive"

"Apocalypse Now"

"American Psycho"

"Into The Wild"

"The Seventh Seal"

"Destiny"

"Barton Fink"

The whole "Faith Trilogy" by Ingmar Bergman

"Run, Lola, Run"

"Adaptation"

"Being John Malkovich"

"Eraserhead"

"Lost Highway"

"INLAND EMPIRE"

"Primer"

"The Holy Mountain"

"Jacobs Ladder"

"Solaris"Russian

"Jean de Florette"

"Manon de Sources"

Originally Posted by Omicron

i'm gonna take a leap and say "The Fountain" even though its more kind of mystical and poetic than philosophical.

I think it is also deeply philosophical!
But especially with this film, you have a LOT of room for interpretation, so it is a question of a subjective perception. But I LOVE this film, as I do all the Darren Aronofsky movies.

I really like your list of films. I will definetly check some of those out I haven't seen (or heard anything about) yet. Anything you think I have to watch asap?

"Destiny", "Barton Fink", "The Holy Mountain", "Jacobs Ladder", "Jean de Florette", "Manon de Sources"

Originally Posted by dajo

I think it is also deeply philosophical!
But especially with this film, you have a LOT of room for interpretation, so it is a question of a subjective perception. But I LOVE this film, as I do all the Darren Aronofsky movies.

I really like your list of films. I will definetly check some of those out I haven't seen (or heard anything about) yet. Anything you think I have to watch asap?

"Destiny", "Barton Fink", "The Holy Mountain", "Jacobs Ladder", "Jean de Florette", "Manon de Sources"

I think the two easiest are "Barton Fink" and "Jacobs Ladder".

"Destiny" is a very very old silent movie, but I love it.

"The Holy Mountain" is very weird, and quite dated to be honest, but it is interesting,if not massively fun.

The last two are french movies which are very sad, I found, but nice. No directly obvious philosophical themes but theyexplore various concepts of human interaction and emotion and justice.


"Barton Fink" is a movie about a playwright living in a very creepy motel, its a Coen brothers one, and has one of the most awesome endings ever. You'll see the philosophical points upon watching, but I fear spoilers now.

"Jacobs Ladder" is a thinking horror really, about a man haunted by demons after returning from vietnam. If you're familiar with Silent Hill, this movie was apparently one of the chief inspirations for the game series. Again, you'll see the philosophical significance upon watching it, but to tell you would spoil it maybe.

Originally Posted by drewmandan

I could tell from the OP that he was just seeing the layman's philosophy regarding simulated reality and not the deeper meaning.

A lot of the 'deeper meaning' you find in the matrix is your own projected ideas. Some of it isn't, but a lot of it is.

Also, you couldn't tell anything from the OP, you were just being a pretentious dick. All he said was that it was a philosophical film and that the questions it raises are obvious, which many of them are.

Easy Rider

The different meanings of true freedom

"They'll talk to you and talk to you and talk to you about individual freedom, but when they see a free individual, it's gonna scare them." - George Hansen (Jack Nicholson)

Pi

Crazy and fascinating ponderings on the supposed hidden significances of numbers

Menace II Society

A contemplation on dangerous living in the ghetto, what it means to get out of the life, and how some people in the ghetto end up so incredibly fucked up

The Graduate

Dustin Hoffman's character deals with the issue of what life is supposed to be about right after he graduates from college.

Planet of the Apes

An allegory that uses a planet dominated by apes for a contemplation on the meaning and significance of human life and religion

Being There

A satire on the naivete and obliviousness of society as illustrated by the social effect of a man who lives in his own naive and oblivious world

Waking Life - if anyone hasn't mentioned it - was pretty good. Some parts you might want to fast forward through but stop when you see the conversations.

Originally Posted by Universal Mind

Easy Rider

Menace II Society

A contemplation on dangerous living in the ghetto, what it means to get out of the life, and how some people in the ghetto end up so incredibly fucked up

O-Dog: You got some money or not?
Basehead: Come on, man. You kmow I'm a little short. Hook me up, man.
O-Dog: Nigga, hook you up? Fuck outta here.
Basehead: Man, I got these cheeseburgers. They some double cheeseburgers.
O-Dog: Nigga, I just ate. I just ate. If you ain't got no money, you just assed out.
Basehead: [as O-Dog was leaving] Come on, man. I'll suck your dick, man.
O-Dog: The fuck you just said?
Basehead: I said I'll suck your dick, man. Come on now.
O-Dog: [shoots basehead] Suck on that, you bitch-ass trick.
[to A-Wax]
O-Dog: Anybody want a hamburger?
A-Wax: I don't want no motherfucking hamburger

Wow, that's some serious philosophy.

Originally Posted by drewmandan

Wow, that's some serious philosophy.

What are your top suggestions?

Drewmandan what is your problem? Everyone is wrong but your own fucked up, narrow minded view of reality. You're obviously the greatest movie reviewer ever made and everyone has no idea what they're talking about. Great fucking job man, have a doughnut.

Anyway, moving on.

I liked that one scene in equillibrium, you know which one I'm talking about, when he's going through that woman's stuff. It was the shit, made me consider it one of my favorite movies for a long time but the crappy ending ultimately outweighed the awesomeness.

Also What Dreams May Come with Robin Williams is great, too. It makes you think about loss and regret and the different ways people experience suffering.

EDIT: Also Little Miss Sunshine

Well he banned now.

Drue bant?

Originally Posted by Xei

Drue bant?

yurp durp lol dno y