I need some help with my film consumption!
I have a bit of a story and some of you may not care about the details, so I'll ask the question up front.
Can anyone recommend me a genuinely intellectual film? Or at least a film (or TV show) that deals with mature themes in a non-cartoonish manner? Have you seen any films lately that challenge you or your world views?
The story: Last week I started watching the movies that start cropping up on top ten for the year lists. I watched The Hateful Eight, Sicario, The Revenant, and Ex Machina. I enjoyed The Revenant and Ex Machina and pretty much completely forgot the other two.
That said, I was still disappointed by Ex Machina because when I listened to podcasts and read reviews back when it was released everyone talked about how "smart" of a film it was and about the themes it raised. I expected it to be more about the ideas of what it means to be human and the implications of a true AI but it eschewed the deeper conversations in favor of being a straight thriller within a Sci-fi setting. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't the film I thought it would be.
I had the same problem with Sicario. I expected something along the lines of Traffic but it was a very straight forward thriller. Also, after about ten minutes of thought, I realized it had a lousy story. There's a couple of really stupid things going on in that film that I can't go into without spoiling the entire thing. Needless to say, I'm amazed that film got as much praise as it has (93% on Rotten Tomatoes?!?!?).
The Hateful Eight was Tarantino's worst film. It starts strong then turns to crap.
The Revenant was one of the most beautifully shot films I've seen in a long time. The story is straight forward, which is fine in a film like this. I really love The Revenant. No complaints.
Anyway, what's some really good films you've all seen lately. I'll give some examples of films I love that have the depth of scope or that just do something original or at least tell a grown-up story that's actually for grown-ups (just being an r-rated film doesn't mean it's a mature film, see the entire horror genre, for example). Upstream Color, The Great Beauty, Interstellar, City of God, Whiplash, Birdman, There Will Be Blood.
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The artist formerly known as Dimir Impersonator.
Follow me on Twitter @VapidPodcast and listen to my podcast "Vapid Existentialism" on iTunes!
If you enjoyed Upstream Color you could watch Primer. I also liked Another Earth and The Man from Earth. V for Vendetta is somehow intellectual, and I guess you could watch 1984 (never seen the movie, but the book is good)
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If your up for some good films I could name quite a few for you, you might now them already as some are widely accepted as brilliant. Your asking for intelligent non cartoony movies but that is a difficult question. For example you could name birdman as being a bit cartoonish, and I'd hardly call the revenant intelligent. So it is a personal thing, but I think I know what kind of movies your looking for! :
Requiem for a dream (in my opinion watch this before anything else)
Amores perros
Memento
Trainspotting
Pan's labyrinth
Intouchable
Her
Into the wild
Revolver (prepare, this one is difficult, maybe to much so for most people, but damn is it intriguing)
127 hours
The machinist
District 9
Blow
Donnie darko
Gran torino
American history X
Just a small but very good sample! Good luck in your search for good films! I know I still enjoy it
I hated Antichrist because it just made me feel yucky. It certainly makes one think!
I really enjoyed Dogtooth.
I haven't seen the others, but I'm aware of them and interested.
I'll give a couple more examples of films that didn't feel too condescending or juvenile. Spotlight, The Witch, and The Big Short. The Big Short is intentionally condescending at times, but it's only to explain things that really aren't common knowledge which didn't bother me. Someone told me the film felt like a power point presentation which is a criticism I can accept, but I enjoyed the film none the less.
Basically I'm looking for films that take chances with narrative or don't always lay the film out at the viewers feet. It's nice when a film forces its viewer to do some thinking either about the subject matter or in how the story is being told.
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The artist formerly known as Dimir Impersonator.
Follow me on Twitter @VapidPodcast and listen to my podcast "Vapid Existentialism" on iTunes!
Both the double and enemy are loosely (LOOSELY) based on The Double by Dostoevsky. I think the double is much better than enemy. But both are very good!
If your up for some good films I could name quite a few for you, you might now them already as some are widely accepted as brilliant. Your asking for intelligent non cartoony movies but that is a difficult question. For example you could name birdman as being a bit cartoonish, and I'd hardly call the revenant intelligent. So it is a personal thing, but I think I know what kind of movies your looking for! :
Requiem for a dream (in my opinion watch this before anything else)
Amores perros
Memento
Trainspotting
Pan's labyrinth
Intouchable
Her
Into the wild
Revolver (prepare, this one is difficult, maybe to much so for most people, but damn is it intriguing)
127 hours
The machinist
District 9
Blow
Donnie darko
Gran torino
American history X
Just a small but very good sample! Good luck in your search for good films! I know I still enjoy it
Good list. I've seen the majority of them.
"Cartoony" to me means absurd without intent. Too many films rely on ridiculous coincidences or laughable characters doing stupid things. It's refreshing when you see a film where people don't act like idiots or, if they do, it's to hammer home a point (In the Loop, for example).
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The artist formerly known as Dimir Impersonator.
Follow me on Twitter @VapidPodcast and listen to my podcast "Vapid Existentialism" on iTunes!
The movie Snowpiercer was really good. It puts the main character in tough choices, portrays a world that is rather interesting, and has some tones that make you think hard about ethics and the worth of human life.
I second Snowpiercer for a pretty good modern film in the science fiction genre. It's got a pretty interesting premise, and the international cast is full of talent. I wouldn't say it's the most intellectual, though it is quite enjoyable.
For some genuinely emotional and touching films, I would recommend these:
Record of a Tenement Gentleman. Very touching Japanese film that contains a decent amount of humour, while still remaining very human and poignant. It's pacing is slow compared to a lot of modern Hollywood cinema, but it's worth a viewing in the end simply based on it's sheer emotional depth.
The Bicycle Thieves. Portrays poverty and Post-War Italy better than any films I've ever seen. Very subtle film that manages to impress me on every viewing. It's definitely not a feel good film by any means, but it has that emotional punch that a movie based on working class struggles should have. Highly recommended.
The Searchers. While not as thought provoking, The Searches is probably the most intellectual and emotionally deep Western I've ever seen. The character development and sheer scope of this movie are very impressive. This film is beautifully shot, with a very engaging plot to boot.
The Mirror. If you want a film that is extremely visceral and requires a lot of critical thinking to process, this is the one. Beautiful experimental Russian film with extremely deep symbolism and unorthodox narrative. Recommended, but only if you have an interest in art cinema or experimental cinema. If you are more interested in traditional Hollywood cinema, you might want to avoid this one.
Two of my favorite films, which are strangely both about magicians, are The Illusionist and The prestige. I enjoyed them quite thoroughly although I am hesitant to truly call them intellectual films. I think you'll have to judge that for yourself lol
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A really good film that is quite intellectual and will challenge your thinking that I would suggest is What Dreams May Come. Another good intellectual film is About Schmidt.
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I have a bit of a story and some of you may not care about the details, so I'll ask the question up front.
Can anyone recommend me a genuinely intellectual film? Or at least a film (or TV show) that deals with mature themes in a non-cartoonish manner? Have you seen any films lately that challenge you or your world views?
The story: Last week I started watching the movies that start cropping up on top ten for the year lists. I watched The Hateful Eight, Sicario, The Revenant, and Ex Machina. I enjoyed The Revenant and Ex Machina and pretty much completely forgot the other two.
That said, I was still disappointed by Ex Machina because when I listened to podcasts and read reviews back when it was released everyone talked about how "smart" of a film it was and about the themes it raised. I expected it to be more about the ideas of what it means to be human and the implications of a true AI but it eschewed the deeper conversations in favor of being a straight thriller within a Sci-fi setting. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't the film I thought it would be.
I had the same problem with Sicario. I expected something along the lines of Traffic but it was a very straight forward thriller. Also, after about ten minutes of thought, I realized it had a lousy story. There's a couple of really stupid things going on in that film that I can't go into without spoiling the entire thing. Needless to say, I'm amazed that film got as much praise as it has (93% on Rotten Tomatoes?!?!?).
The Hateful Eight was Tarantino's worst film. It starts strong then turns to crap.
The Revenant was one of the most beautifully shot films I've seen in a long time. The story is straight forward, which is fine in a film like this. I really love The Revenant. No complaints.
Anyway, what's some really good films you've all seen lately. I'll give some examples of films I love that have the depth of scope or that just do something original or at least tell a grown-up story that's actually for grown-ups (just being an r-rated film doesn't mean it's a mature film, see the entire horror genre, for example). Upstream Color, The Great Beauty, Interstellar, City of God, Whiplash, Birdman, There Will Be Blood.
Follow me on Twitter @VapidPodcast and listen to my podcast "Vapid Existentialism" on iTunes!
Thanks!
Follow me on Twitter @VapidPodcast and listen to my podcast "Vapid Existentialism" on iTunes!
The Double by Richard Ayoade
Enemy by Denis Vileneuve
Antichrist by Lars Von Trier
Dogtooth by Yorgos Lanthimos
Requiem for a dream (in my opinion watch this before anything else)
Amores perros
Memento
Trainspotting
Pan's labyrinth
Intouchable
Her
Into the wild
Revolver (prepare, this one is difficult, maybe to much so for most people, but damn is it intriguing)
127 hours
The machinist
District 9
Blow
Donnie darko
Gran torino
American history X
Just a small but very good sample! Good luck in your search for good films! I know I still enjoy it
RJaya Ballard, Task Mage Mono Red Control Decklist
WNahiri, the Lithomancer Mono White Control Decklist
RGWUKynaios and Tiro of Meletis Aikido Control Decklist
UBGisa and Geralf Tribal Aggro Decklist
URGRiku of Two Reflections Non-combo coolstuff Decklist
RWUBruse Tarl, Boorish Herder and Kraum, Ludovic's Opus Equipments Decklist
WBAthreos, God of Passage Reanimate/Goodstuff Decklist
I really enjoyed Dogtooth.
I haven't seen the others, but I'm aware of them and interested.
I'll give a couple more examples of films that didn't feel too condescending or juvenile. Spotlight, The Witch, and The Big Short. The Big Short is intentionally condescending at times, but it's only to explain things that really aren't common knowledge which didn't bother me. Someone told me the film felt like a power point presentation which is a criticism I can accept, but I enjoyed the film none the less.
Basically I'm looking for films that take chances with narrative or don't always lay the film out at the viewers feet. It's nice when a film forces its viewer to do some thinking either about the subject matter or in how the story is being told.
Follow me on Twitter @VapidPodcast and listen to my podcast "Vapid Existentialism" on iTunes!
Good list. I've seen the majority of them.
"Cartoony" to me means absurd without intent. Too many films rely on ridiculous coincidences or laughable characters doing stupid things. It's refreshing when you see a film where people don't act like idiots or, if they do, it's to hammer home a point (In the Loop, for example).
Follow me on Twitter @VapidPodcast and listen to my podcast "Vapid Existentialism" on iTunes!
For some genuinely emotional and touching films, I would recommend these:
Record of a Tenement Gentleman. Very touching Japanese film that contains a decent amount of humour, while still remaining very human and poignant. It's pacing is slow compared to a lot of modern Hollywood cinema, but it's worth a viewing in the end simply based on it's sheer emotional depth.
The Bicycle Thieves. Portrays poverty and Post-War Italy better than any films I've ever seen. Very subtle film that manages to impress me on every viewing. It's definitely not a feel good film by any means, but it has that emotional punch that a movie based on working class struggles should have. Highly recommended.
The Searchers. While not as thought provoking, The Searches is probably the most intellectual and emotionally deep Western I've ever seen. The character development and sheer scope of this movie are very impressive. This film is beautifully shot, with a very engaging plot to boot.
The Mirror. If you want a film that is extremely visceral and requires a lot of critical thinking to process, this is the one. Beautiful experimental Russian film with extremely deep symbolism and unorthodox narrative. Recommended, but only if you have an interest in art cinema or experimental cinema. If you are more interested in traditional Hollywood cinema, you might want to avoid this one.
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Bouncingbrick, you got some suggestions yourself? As you have seen moest of my suggestions you must have some
RJaya Ballard, Task Mage Mono Red Control Decklist
WNahiri, the Lithomancer Mono White Control Decklist
RGWUKynaios and Tiro of Meletis Aikido Control Decklist
UBGisa and Geralf Tribal Aggro Decklist
URGRiku of Two Reflections Non-combo coolstuff Decklist
RWUBruse Tarl, Boorish Herder and Kraum, Ludovic's Opus Equipments Decklist
WBAthreos, God of Passage Reanimate/Goodstuff Decklist
WT*?!?!
Follow me on Twitter @VapidPodcast and listen to my podcast "Vapid Existentialism" on iTunes!
-Chandra Nalaar