# Decent films of a philosophical nature? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 27, 2006, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468 "2006-05-27T18:01:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/21 "2006-05-29T16:49:20Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Rashomon Philosophical? That’s not how I recall it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2006, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/22 "2006-05-29T17:39:26Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > Yep, that was my first thought on seeing the thread title. I havent’ seen _Match Point_ yet, but _C&M_ is definitely my favorite from Woody Allen, and it’s a great existentialist flick. _Match Point_ is like _Crimes and Misdemeanors_ without the annoying Woody Allen plotline. It’s quite tense though the main bulk of the film, and then it evolves into an extremely black comedy–a satire, really, of _Fatal Attraction_-esque thrillers–with the existential bit in the end. I’d say it surpasses _Crimes and Midemeanors_, and indeed, may rank as one of the best films Allen has made. (Though I have to admit to not really being a fan of most of Allen’s stuff.) > [@KarlGauss](#): > > Philosophical? That’s not how I recall it. 🙂 The central theme of _Rashomon_ questioned the fundamental existence of an objective point of view; each witness describes the scene not only from a different perspective, but attributing differnet emphasis and motivation to some of the actions described by all characters. It’s one of Kurosawa’s best and certainly most imitated films. What about John Boorman’s [Point Blank](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062138/)? Lee Marvin’s Walker wrecks vengence upon his betrayers (which includes the faceless “Organization” which can’t give him his $93,000 back because it’s become a monsterous bureaucracy of a crime organization.) The whole story may or may not be just a figment of Walker’s dying last moments. While I can’t recommend it, cheesy as it is, Capra’s _It’s A Wonderful Life_ should fall into the parallel universes category. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Baine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Baine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baine)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2006, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/23 "2006-05-29T17:49:38Z")
**Being John Malkovich** , although I’m not sure how to classify it. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2006, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/24 "2006-05-29T17:54:45Z")
Oh! I just remembered: My second-favourite Orson Welles movie: _Mr. Arkadin_ It’s a surreal and allegorical little picture, sometimes straight-forward philosophical as far as the dialogue is concerned, but more often cryptic about it. For example, the protagonist (tasked with determining the identity of the mysterious Mr. Arkadin, _by_ Mr. Arkadin) literally seeks for for “Sophie,” to find out what clues she might offer— another character (a pawn-broker,) when questioned, keeps offering him a [“ **teleo** scope”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleology) – which, although lensless, comes bundled with a free (binocular) case. It is not one of Welles’ better _technical_ achievements, but the writing is right up there with the best of the best. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2006, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/25 "2006-05-29T17:55:26Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by KarlGauss > > Philosophical? That’s not how I recall it. 🙂 > > The central theme of _Rashomon_ questioned the fundamental existence of an objective point of view; each witness describes the scene not only from a different perspective, but attributing differnet emphasis and motivation to some of the actions described by all characters. It’s one of Kurosawa’s best and certainly most imitated films. Whoosh 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2006, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/26 "2006-05-29T18:12:43Z")
The Wings of Honneamise (subtitled…) Perfect Blue Revolutionary Girl Utena (particularly the movie, especially if you haven’t seen the TV series it will be quite random) Key: The Metal Idol Gattaca Tron Destiny Turned on the Radio Terminator 1, 2 Labyrinth Toys Metropolis (Anime) Somewhere in Time There’s the Jean-Pierre Jeunet trio: Delicatessen The City of Lost Children Amélie David Lynch’s collection: Eraserhead Twin Peaks Mulholland Drive (already mentioned) etc. Mamori Oshii’s works: Patlabor II Urusei Yatsura: Beatiful Dreamer Ghost in the Shell Innocence Avalon Gosenzo-sama Banbanzai! (which IMDB doesn’t even have listed so I’m doubting there is an English release) Possible Tim Burton films: (?) Beetlejuice Big Fish Pee-wee’s Big Adventure From Stanley Kubrick: A Clockwork Orange 2001: A Space Odyssey (already mentioned) Quite a few are just “maybes,” but so it goes. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2006, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/27 "2006-05-29T19:23:33Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > Whoosh 🙂 Ah yes, the equally onomatopoeic sequel to _Do Desu Ka Dan_. _“Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh…”_ ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2006, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/28 "2006-05-29T20:45:34Z")
I don’t think anyone mentioned _Altered States_, with William Hurt. One of my favorites. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2006, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/29 "2006-05-30T00:26:48Z")
Yet another vote for **Waking Life** for the Lucid Dreams category. It’s incredibly enjoyable for a film that provokes so much thought and discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2006, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/30 "2006-05-30T00:38:47Z")
_The Wizard Of Oz_, with it’s switch from B&W reality to color fantasy, its dreams & symbolism themes, obviously qualifies. ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2006, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/31 "2006-05-30T02:42:57Z")
Hm, now that **Sage Rat** broke the seal on anime, I’ll add Satoshi Kon’s _Millenium Actress_ to the mixed/“is this a movie or real life” category. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2006, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/32 "2006-05-30T02:47:12Z")
Meaning of Life Python ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2006, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468/33 "2006-05-30T02:50:39Z")
You might like some of Luis Bunuel’s surrealist films. Check out “The Exterminating Angel” (frustratingly unavailable on DVD) and “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeousie” in particular for flip sides of the same coin. You might also like Roman Polanski, especially his “apartment trilogy” – “Repulsion,” “Rosemary’s Baby”, and “The Tenant.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decent-films-of-a-philosophical-nature/358468.md?page=1)