Philosophical Movies

I think it's quite interesting that more than half of my favourite movies of all time are deeply philosophical, often with existentialist undertones... I love the serene, introspective feeling you get from them. I thought I'd start up this thread to get some philosophical discussion going and hopefully find some new favourites; don't hold back if it's not strictly related to philosophy though. Here's mine;

- The Truman Show
(incredible score, concept, acting, and overall vibe... I like to think of it as a metaphor for the allegory of the cave, but there are many other ideas here and completely different meanings to take from it).

- Blade Runner
(again, the music blows you away from the opening... the low-tech special effects used for the dystopia make a mockery of the plastic CGI around nowadays, and you can't help but think it's prophetic. I agree with the main philosophical message of the movie, which is that machine could someday emulate the mind; strong existentialist overtones too, in a world where morals seem completely futile).

- 2001: A Space Odyssey
(same as above; again I interpret this one as I do the Truman Show, with overtones of a technological singularity).

- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
(Carrey again... I just watched this recently and it inspired this thread. I like the disorientating aspect of the film, and was proud to have worked out what the hell was happening not too far into the movie... the clues are very clever. The subtle visual effects are brilliant... I loved the introspective vibe of the whole thing more than anything).

- The Matrix
(I was quite young at the time but I thought it was great the first time I watched it; the philosophical questions it raises are obvious).

- Lost In Translation
(beautiful movie, just for the visual and aural aspect (I'm a huge shoegaze fan). Deeply introspective and existentialist... I love this film).

- Groundhog Day
(the concept and execution is genius).

-Brazil
(brilliant from an artistic point of view... often very funny. Not what you'd expect from the title if you've never seen it before; it's actually about a totalitarian hyperbureaucratic dystopia).

That'll do for now I think.

Dark City - deals with memory and reality, as in what if your memories were implanted?

If you think The Matrix was really about simulated reality, you missed the point.

Fight Club.

I've heard those two mentioned here and there... I'll try to find them.

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If you think The Matrix was really about simulated reality, you missed the point.

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Please elaborate.

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Originally Posted by CoLd BlooDed

Fight Club.

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/signed

Also, if you liked 'The Matrix', check out Mamoru Oshii's 'Ghost in the Shell' and 'Avalon'.

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Originally Posted by drewmandan

If you think The Matrix was really about simulated reality, you missed the point.

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Yay, I don't have to be the asshole in this thread!

You really did miss the point, OP.

Elaborate ffs?

P.S. Movies are subjective.

Don't forget The Cube (1969) by Jim Henson. (There are a bunch of them on google video.)

About the Matrix:
I understood the movie from a Buddhist point of view.

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-Brazil
(brilliant from an artistic point of view... often very funny. Not what you'd expect from the title if you've never seen it before; it's actually about a totalitarian hyperbureaucratic dystopia).

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Brazil is basically a rip off of 1984, watch the 1984 on youtube its good.

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.

Oldboy- Really good.

Although not strictly a movie, but Outer limits is really good. If I was you, I would watch some episodes on youtube, dead man switch. However, my favourite is got to be the chilling and really thought provoking deprogrammar, that is really good and really scary you should watch it now http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=weofJfGNWhw
This is a really good one too http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uN25Am...3C5D&index=112

Anyway, everyone should watch the outer limits, so much better then the twilight zone.

D O N N I E D A R K O


<333333333

Donnie Darko was a little too religious for me.

As for The Matrix, try to think about the ways you're "under control".

Waking Life

What the Bleep

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Originally Posted by drewmandan

Donnie Darko was a little too religious for me.

As for The Matrix, try to think about the ways you're "under control".

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I would, but then people laugh at you because you are a "conspiracy theorist".

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Waking Life

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If you didn't like lucid dreaming then I'm pretty sure you would conclude the film was rubbish, as it was.

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What the Bleep

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Quantum mysticism is rubbish. Also, if you knew anything about Quantum mechanics you would conclude the film was nonsense.

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Originally Posted by Bonsay

I would, but then people laugh at you because you are a "conspiracy theorist".

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It's a shame that the legitimate philosophy often gets entangled with the crackpot bullshit that you see a lot on these boards.

Slacker. It's similar to waking life, but it isn't about lucid dreaming and it isn't squigglemation. Pretty much all of Linklaters work has some philosophy in it.

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Brazil is basically a rip off of 1984, watch the 1984 on youtube its good.

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It was meant to be an adaption really; as I said though, I think it's a brilliant piece from a visual perspective, and it's also hilarious.

I didn't think much of Equilibrium... I found it basically to be a cut and paste job of the Matrix to even the most superficial levels.

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Waking Life

What the Bleep

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I enjoyed the vibe of Waking Life, but there was a lot of nonsense to sift through.

What the Bleep was exlusively nonsense, coming close to unlawful propaganda.

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As for The Matrix, try to think about the ways you're "under control".

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I'm not so sure The Matrix explored this aspect as such... The Matrix was in my view a basic presentation of a simulated reality enslaving a population, without much exploration of that concept. The Truman show on the other hand really went into the nature of why (to quote), 'we accept the reality of the world we are presented with'.

Personally I'm relatively happy with my social freedoms though.

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D O N N I E D A R K O


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I found Donnie Darko to be without any particular purpose or meaning... there are supposed to be 'clues' in the movie for you to figure out what's happening but when I read the director's interpretation it was absolute nonsense with no higher truth and there was no way you could have worked it out. Eternal Sunshine did this much better.

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Originally Posted by Xei

I'm not so sure The Matrix explored this aspect as such... The Matrix was in my view a basic presentation of a simulated reality enslaving a population, without much exploration of that concept.

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Hint: The simulated reality is a metaphor.

The parallels behind The Matrix and many other analogous forms of control are practically limitless. I agree that it's not only about the simulated world vs. physical world the rebels fought for. What I don't see is why the OP's posting it on this list means he "missed the point." I don't see him go into his interpretation of the Matrix at all. All I see is that he notes it as a philosophical film which (regardless of what you believe the particular subject - which is being analogized - to be), is pretty much correct. It is a very philosophical film.

[Edit: After reading a bit further, I see that the OP actually did miss that point of the film. Ok, then. Never mind. At the time that the statement "If you think The Matrix was really about simulated reality, you missed the point." was posted, I wasn't quite sure why it was.]

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Originally Posted by Xei

I'm not so sure The Matrix explored this aspect as such... The Matrix was in my view a basic presentation of a simulated reality enslaving a population, without much exploration of that concept.

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What about the part when Morpheus explained:

The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around. What do you see?
Business people, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds
of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these
people are still a part of that system, and that makes them
our enemy.



You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to
be unplugged. And many of them are so inert, so hopelessly
dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it.

Sounds like something from a mouth of a modern day revolutionary. It can be taken totally out of context (meaning the whole Matrix/robots/dystopia story) and still be applied to the modern day society. At least this is what came to mind when I read drewmandan's post. Call me a stupid conspiracy theorist, but this is how I see the world. Maybe this doesn't apply to you, but it does to humanity in general.

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Originally Posted by Oneironaut

The parallels behind The Matrix and many other analogous forms of control are practically limitless. I agree that it's not only about the simulated world vs. physical world the rebels fought for. What I don't see is why the OP's posting it on this list means he "missed the point." I don't see him go into his interpretation of the Matrix at all. All I see is that he notes it as a philosophical film which (regardless of what you believe the particular subject - which is being analogized - to be), is pretty much correct. It is a very philosophical film.

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

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Originally Posted by Bonsay

What about the part when Morpheus explained:

The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around. What do you see?
Business people, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds
of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these
people are still a part of that system, and that makes them
our enemy.



You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to
be unplugged. And many of them are so inert, so hopelessly
dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it.

Sounds like something from a mouth of a modern day revolutionary. It can be taken totally out of context (meaning the whole Matrix/robots/dystopia story) and still be applied to the modern day society. At least this is what came to mind when I read drewmandan's post. Call me a stupid conspiracy theorist, but this is how I see the world. Maybe this doesn't apply to you, but it does to humanity in general.

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That's what I was thinking of, yes. Also, the battery scene comes to mind.

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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.

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Ok. I gotcha. Carry on. :goodjob2:

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Hint: The simulated reality is a metaphor.

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...yes? Maybe read my post again, I understand that, although I should point out that movies don't have objective meaning (a poster above sees parallels with Buddhism).

I assume your interpretation is related to the system of modern society stupefying the vast majority of the population (proles, you could call them) into fulfilling largely pointless functions.

I've read into it and apparently the film was actually based upon a philosophical manuscipt about how mass production and commercialism have veiled reality behind symbols.

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

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I was talking about simulated reality and the meaning discussed above.

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Originally Posted by Xei

I've read into it and apparently the film was actually based upon a philosophical manuscipt about how mass production and commercialism have veiled reality behind symbols.

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

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.

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Originally Posted by drewmandan

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

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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?

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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?

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by Oneironaut

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

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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.

:shock:

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

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Originally Posted by juroara

:shock:

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

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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"

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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.

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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"

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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"

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Originally Posted by drewmandan

Wow, that's some serious philosophy.

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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?

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Originally Posted by Xei

Drue bant?

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yurp durp lol dno y

I'd hazard a guess at the spontaneous flaming to be honest.

god bless him. every one.

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Originally Posted by Omicron

Well he banned now.

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Damn, I was hoping for an easy smack down on the Matrix elitism shit.

Anyway, Someone pick one of the movies and lets discuss the philosophical ramifications of it. We can go through the whole list.

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Originally Posted by Xaqaria

Damn, I was hoping for an easy smack down on the Matrix elitism shit.

Anyway, Someone pick one of the movies and lets discuss the philosophical ramifications of it. We can go through the whole list.

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No Country for Old Men.

Anton represents determinism and inevitability.

The major characters, particularly Llewelyn represent us, trying to run and change the inevitable, but it always comes.

Some supporting quotes by Anton;

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Anton Chigurh: Yes, you did. You've been putting it up your whole life you just didn't know it. You know what date is on this coin?
Gas Station Proprietor: No.
Anton Chigurh: 1958. It's been traveling twenty-two years to get here. And now it's here. And it's either heads or tails. And you have to say. Call it.
Gas Station Proprietor: Look, I need to know what I stand to win.
Anton Chigurh: Everything.
Gas Station Proprietor: How's that?
Anton Chigurh: You stand to win everything. Call it.
Gas Station Proprietor: Alright. Heads then.
[Chigurh removes his hand, revealing the coin is indeed heads]
Anton Chigurh: Well done.
[the gas station proprietor nervously takes the quarter with the small pile of change he's apparently won while Chigurh starts out]
Anton Chigurh: Don't put it in your pocket, sir. Don't put it in your pocket. It's your lucky quarter.
Gas Station Proprietor: Where do you want me to put it?
Anton Chigurh: Anywhere not in your pocket. Where it'll get mixed in with the others and become just a coin. Which it is.
[Chigurh leaves and the gas station proprietor stares at him as he walks out]

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Carla Jean Moss: You don't have to do this.
Anton Chigurh: [smiles] People always say the same thing.
Carla Jean Moss: What do they say?
Anton Chigurh: They say, "You don't have to do this."
Carla Jean Moss: You don't.
Anton Chigurh: Okay.
[Chigurh flips a coin and covers it with his hand]
Anton Chigurh: This is the best I can do. Call it.
Carla Jean Moss: I knowed you was crazy when I saw you sitting there. I knowed exactly what was in store for me.
Anton Chigurh: Call it.
Carla Jean Moss: No. I ain't gonna call it.
Anton Chigurh: Call it.
Carla Jean Moss: The coin don't have no say. It's just you.
Anton Chigurh: Well, I got here the same way the coin did.

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Comparing himself to the coin eliminates the idea of any kind of "choice" which Carla is suggesting. "This is the best I can do"; Again, although this is the main antagonist and deathly scary character, he almost admits his bending to what will be.


The last two lines of this quote say the most about it, quite evidently.


The sudden death of the protagonist LLewelyn like I said is telling of the complete unbending way things will be, regardless of who is right or wrong or sympathetic.


So this is only a half formed idea, but I like it.

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Originally Posted by Omicron

Well he banned now.

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I'll miss him.

legally blonde.

The Man From Earth. It's kind of a veiled critique on religion, but very interesting. Makes you actually think about how modern human thought came about.

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Originally Posted by Xei

I've heard those two mentioned here and there... I'll try to find them.

Please elaborate.

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Because the matrix movie wasn't just about simulated reality, actually it was about more than that if you pay real close attention.

Its about love, self-sacrifice, control , causality. Its really deeply philosophical, and the reason its not explained clearly in the movie is because the writers of the movie said they want people to be able to figure it out themselves. So for you to get it you'll need to watch it more than one time.

I think they were just a bit lazy, and threw in a bunch of religious and philosophical references to piss of Nietzsche fans. Either way, a kick-ass action movie.

The Man From Earth was epic. I loved the whole story, and how it all took place. The ending was expected, but still very nice.

No one mention Way of The Peacefull Warrior movie yet?

It was pretty good. The philosophy of that film is that the journey yeilds the greatest rewards and not the end goal itself. or something like that.

I remember that that was the philosophy of Pixar's Cars as well... :P

Wall-E had a nice message actually, though it was pretty simple. All of Pixar's films except Cars have been brilliant.

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Originally Posted by Xei

I remember that that was the philosophy of Pixar's Cars as well... :P

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Was that to me? lol

Nah, MoS.

It's a while since I watched The Matrix, but yes, there were evidently other ideas there.

Have you watched the thing from the Animatrix about how machine rule came about? I thought it was pretty good.

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Originally Posted by Xei

Have you watched the thing from the Animatrix about how machine rule came about? I thought it was pretty good.

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yeah that was awesome. Robotic technology is getting more advanced every year. Maybe... just maybe....

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Originally Posted by drewmandan

If you think The Matrix was really about simulated reality, you missed the point.

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The central theme was hologram theory among other things..It contained mostly Hindu, Buddhist and Christian philosophy as well.
Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind was a great movie as well. Really touching, carrey and winslet do an awesome job

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Originally Posted by Bonsay

Don't forget The Cube (1969) by Jim Henson. (There are a bunch of them on google video.)
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Agreed, check it out here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...80879952576646

Good thread....Obviously the annoying banter is present like always, but thats niether here or there :D

Whoever said Lost in Translation is correct, great movie!

Mystic River -- Deals a lot with subtle non verbal communication and the demons of both the mind and body. (the book is awesome)

Office Space - A comedy, yes, but slaps Life right in your face...

Cruel Intentions -- Underated and constantly overlooked, but listen to the dialogue, some very deep issues are dealt with; a modern day Shakespearean drama.

Paprika - Prepare yourself for this one, I suggest seeing it with English subtitles first

Spirited Away - Another great life paradox

American Beauty -- For oh so many reasons :D

The Doors -- with Val Kilmer

American Psycho -- If you don't see all of the layers than you missed the point...

I just posted these in another thread, but the unintentional trilogy of Orson Welles' The Trial, Terry Gilliam's Brazil and Fight Club.

Fight Club. 'nuff said

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Originally Posted by dreamingofdreaming

The Doors -- with Val Kilmer

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Just know that it is a fiction story. For example, Jim did not really meet Pam by following her to her boyfriend's house and popping out of nowhere on the back porch when the boyfriend was inside. Pam was a Doors groupie who knew who Jim was long before he knew who she was. Most importantly, Jim was not some narcissistic sociopath little shit. He was much more interesting and human than what the movie made him out to be. He got obnoxious when he was drunk (Janis Joplin knocked him out with a bottle of Southern Comfort at a party one time.), but other than that, he wasn't such a bad guy and was loved by his band members. Another example: Do you remember the Ed Sullivan scene where Jim was told at the last minute not to say "higher" in "Light My Fire"? He ended up getting his face right up in the camera and emphasizing "higher" and then going, "Yeah!" That was a crock of shit. Jim was told not to say "higher" and did it any way, but the movie exaggerated it big time. This is the actual Ed Sullivan performance...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAYFXms3oCs

The whole movie is that full of shit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Universal Mind

Just know that it is a fiction story. For example, Jim did not really meet Pam by following her to her boyfriend's house and popping out of nowhere on the back porch when the boyfriend was inside. Pam was a Doors groupie who knew who Jim was long before he knew who she was. Most importantly, Jim was not some narcissistic sociopath little shit. He was much more interesting and human than what the movie made him out to be. He got obnoxious when he was drunk (Janis Joplin knocked him out with a bottle of Southern Comfort at a party one time.), but other than that, he wasn't such a bad guy and was loved by his band members. Another example: Do you remember the Ed Sullivan scene where Jim was told at the last minute not to say "higher" in "Light My Fire"? He ended up getting his face right up in the camera and emphasizing "higher" and then going, "Yeah!" That was a crock of shit. Jim was told not to say "higher" and did it any way, but the movie exaggerated it big time. This is the actual Ed Sullivan performance...

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Uhhh.. I didn't say "Doors" because it is the the TRUE, best adaptation of jim morrison ever. I was mentioning it as being a philisophical movie (which is what this thread is about), it uses the Doors and JM as examples of the rock and roll industry during that era, it speaks about the world's reaction to it, and it demonstrates how the great can fall.....

What is it with people always have to pull something totally unrelated about the thread out of thier ass?????? :roll:

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Originally Posted by dreamingofdreaming

Uhhh.. I didn't say "Doors" because it is the the TRUE, best adaptation of jim morrison ever. I was mentioning it as being a philisophical movie (which is what this thread is about), it uses the Doors and JM as examples of the rock and roll industry during that era, it speaks about the world's reaction to it, and it demonstrates how the great can fall.....

What is it with people always have to pull something totally unrelated about the thread out of thier ass?????? :roll:

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Lighten up. I was not insulting you. I think the movie is entertaining too. This is a discussion thread, and I discussed one of the movies you listed. I said something that most people don't know and is interesting, and I thought you might possibly be interested in it since you listed the movie. Don't you find the least bit of interest in the actual clip of The Doors on Sullivan after seeing the movie?

Well, sorry for insulting your post

it really is off topic though.... and yes I have seen the clip, it is interesting....

thought of a couple others:

The Dark Knight (might have been mentioned)
Spun
Stepford Wives

Just a to name a few,

A Beautiful Life
Boondock Saints
Forrest Gump
Pulp Fiction
Seven Samurai

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Universal Mind

Lighten up. I was not insulting you. I think the movie is entertaining too. This is a discussion thread, and I discussed one of the movies you listed. I said something that most people don't know and is interesting, and I thought you might possibly be interested in it since you listed the movie. Don't you find the least bit of interest in the actual clip of The Doors on Sullivan after seeing the movie?

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I agree with UM on this one. The movie is entertaining and trippy with a
good soundtrack, as well as good visuals. That is it though. It is neither deep (to me),
nor does it have anything to do with the doors and I personally feel as it being a little
offensive towards the band, as well as Jim Morrison.

Ray Manzarek also hated it. And was planning on making his own movie.
Last thing I heard was, that he is actually going to. That would be
freakin' awesome. Does anyone know anything more specific?

edit: http://blog.spout.com/2008/05/28/the...e-doors-movie/

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Originally Posted by dajo

Ray Manzarek also hated it. And was planning on making his own movie.
Last thing I heard was, that he is actually going to. That would be
freakin' awesome. Does anyone know anything more specific?

edit: http://blog.spout.com/2008/05/28/the...e-doors-movie/

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That is awesome news. I would love to see the story told in a documentary. Then people can see the real Jim Morrison and realize that he had a lot less narcissism and a whole lot more depth than Oliver Stone's fiction character.

I have always thought the movie "Flatland" to be philosophical, albeit nonsensical and annoying at times.

It is quite a difficult movie to explain so here is a trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8oiwnNlyE4

Note: The above trailer is a newer version of the one I saw but is essentially the same plot

Here is the original trailer which I feel explains less, however I would recommend watching the original film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFDTc...eature=related

Nobody seen Tarkovsky's Stalker ?

If that film isn't philosophical ....with the right mindset a great film !

THX 1138
Zardoz (anyone remember that one :) )

Please keep em coming those philosophical movies there are some titles that i didn't know and i am definetly going to check those out.
There have to be lots more.

If you liked Lost in Translation then Broken flowers is the film for you.

I'm one of the few (that I know of) that LOVES Lost in Translation; I'll check out this Broken Flower film, thanks!

Also, I don't know if this has already been mentioned (sorry if I'm being redundant) but I just watched Fear and Loathing again and I believe that is a great example of a philosophical movie; even if it's because of the constant drug induced inner dialogue...

Yeah theres just something about lost in translation... such a sense of space and serenity. Broken flowers has a very similar feel, and again, i think Bill Murray's acting in these films is outstanding yet subtle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dreamingofdreaming

Uhhh.. I didn't say "Doors" because it is the the TRUE, best adaptation of jim morrison ever. I was mentioning it as being a philisophical movie (which is what this thread is about), it uses the Doors and JM as examples of the rock and roll industry during that era, it speaks about the world's reaction to it, and it demonstrates how the great can fall.....

What is it with people always have to pull something totally unrelated about the thread out of thier ass?????? :roll:

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Well Jim Morrison is awesome. + 10000 respect

^ Ouch! That was hard to read, I must of been drunk or something, my grammar is awful in that lol

Thanks, yeah Jim Morrison is awesome! His words of wisdom even quote my sig :D

Oh, and I saw this movie a year ago. It was very strange, almost needed a second watch, but interesting none the less...

Slipstream with Anthony Hopkins

http://www.souloflove.com/wp-content...a_sky_post.jpg

Hey, I noticed nobody really went into the actual philosophical basis of The Matrix so for anybody who's interested, The Matrix was actually based on Plato's Allegory of the Cave. The Allegory of the Cave basically revolves around a man who has been chained his entire life and has only been able to stare at shadows while real life went on outside of his cave. Because the shadows are the only things he sees, he believes them to be reality. Eventually he is set free and leaves the cave to discover what reality really is. There are a few minor differences such as in The Matrix Neo goes down while in the Allegory of the Cave he goes up to reality.

Other than that, The Matrix basically equals a more modern understing of Plato's Allegory of the Cave and depicts it very well if I may say so myself. Other movies involving the same basis include Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz.

Hope you found this helpful. =)

All these movies are great man, some I have never even heard of, needless to say I love movies that have meaning behind them and love them even more when they make me sit back and think about life. But Im shocked to see that my all time favorite movie both just because and because to me its the style of philosophy I am wanting to practice, Point Break, wasnt listed.

I know alot of the movie quotes are simplistic and the logic seems to be a little messed up because the main character Bodhi is a zen surfer and talks of the zen nature in life through peace. But at the same time he is somewhat of a nihilist. Maybe more of an anarchist. But he robs banks and talks of how they are going above the society that live the lives given to them instead of the lives that they chose for themselves. The movie is great and ever since having watched it, I got back into philosophy which I seemed to have grown out of when I was a kid.

Other movies I liked that I feel are philosophical are....

EdTV
Surfer Dude
The Machinist

And I hope nobody bashes on me for it, but The Dark Knight. But I favor the joker way over the batman. To me, the joker just made sense.

Man, what was that one movie.... Uhmmm....
I'll come back and edit this when I remember ^-^

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Originally Posted by Carôusoul

"Solaris"

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Is that based on the book?

If so I had no idea a film existed. Must see.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by juroara

Akira

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Awesome. I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed that movie.


And, it's for the most part political...but would Metropolis qualify? That movie has always stuck with me.

The main thing I tend to take away from a film is usually some sort of philisophical point[s] anyway, so this is to broad for me to really narrow it down.

Also, was I the only one that liked I Heart Huckabees? Everyone I saw it with thought it was a total snooze.

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Originally Posted by wendylove

If you didn't like lucid dreaming then I'm pretty sure you would conclude the film was rubbish, as it was.


Quantum mysticism is rubbish. Also, if you knew anything about Quantum mechanics you would conclude the film was nonsense.

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Elaborate upon your self-professed skill of quantum mechanics, and in such way that critiques waking life as "nonsense". In particular the subjective inquires in the dialogue that have absolutely no relevance to quantum mechanics. For example, the microbiology and trans-humanism excerpts, evolution of human language, self identity, consciousness, and political agenda.

You dumb broad. What you just wrote cannot be dignified as a review because of how little relevance you address the film. Moreover, I don't even know why I dignified what you just said with a response worth 5 minutes of my time. Perhaps its out of sympathy, I pity your poor perspective on an incredibility diverse film.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Xei

I've heard those two mentioned here and there... I'll try to find them.

Please elaborate.

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Your a lucid dreamer right? The movie is actually based on an old philosophy.

Quote:

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You believe so you are.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jesus of Suburbia

Man, what was that one movie.... Uhmmm....
I'll come back and edit this when I remember ^-^

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Ah, Stephen King's Riding the Bullet.

1984, The Boys From Brazil, The Divide

Fictional Films -

"Instinct" with Anthony Hopkins and Cuba Gooding Jr about a psychologist's attempts to understand the mind of a convicted murderer who went to used to be a famous anthropologist but gave up everything to live with gorillas.

"The Truman Show" My personal favorite film ever

"Never Let Me Go" What would you do if you only had 20 years?

"End of Evangelion" God is invading earth by using giant robots, or something

Documentaries

"The Mindscape of Alan Moore" - Author of V for Vendetta, Watchmen and From Hell goes on a 2 hour ramble about life, very interesting

"I Am" director of Ace Ventura and a ton of other comedies interviews notable people in religion, science and stuff to learn about life and what mankind can do to change it

Truman Show - I watched it again recently and expected it to seem quite dated, compared to when I first saw it, when it was new. Nope, still a great movie. Even my mom enjoyed it.

SLC Punk! - got me thinking a lot...

The Matrix - no reason why it can't be relevant on multiple levels, be it society, our entire reality, or the self.

The Fountain - stunningly beautiful movie.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Omnis Dei

"Instinct" with Anthony Hopkins and Cuba Gooding Jr about a psychologist's attempts to understand the mind of a convicted murderer who went to used to be a famous anthropologist but gave up everything to live with gorillas.

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Are you familiar with Daniel Quinn and his book Ishmael? Instinct started off as an adaptation of this book but it drifted quite far.

Yes the reason I watched the movie in the first place was because I heard it was based on Ishmael. I'm actually currently reading The Story of B

Office Space and Fight Club have some overlapping themes with different methods of storytelling (Both are great, though.)

Donnie Darko plays with the idea of free-will.

Surprised no one has mentioned eXistenZ... I really enjoyed that film. It creeps me out in the best way.

Wall-E was one of the best "kid" films I've seen, because it was very adult, and had a very important message. Pixar (with the exception of Cars) has made some great films.

Fight Club taught me how to treat women