# Recommend intelligent, thought provoking films please **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 2, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903 "2011-04-02T02:18:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/41 "2011-04-02T23:23:29Z")
The Station Agent - wonderful movie about friendship. for an older thoughtful film with great acting - A Man for All Seasons and seconding Paths of Glory. If you haven’t seen it, you must. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/42 "2011-04-02T23:34:56Z")
I’m a little dubious as to the thread tittle and the examples given in the OP. I mean, I like those movies but they don’t strike me as to what the OP is asking for. Anyway, one of my favorite sleepers of all time is: [Mindwalk](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindwalk). A particular good combo for people who like politics and science type stuff. (When I say science. I mean science. Not sci-fi) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2011, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/43 "2011-04-02T23:41:23Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I’m a little dubious as to the thread tittle and the examples given in the OP. I mean, I like those movies but they don’t strike me as to what the OP is asking for. > > Anyway, one of my favorite sleepers of all time is: > > [Mindwalk](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindwalk). > > A particular good combo for people who like politics and science type stuff. > > (When I say science. I mean science. Not sci-fi) That sounds like a really cool movie. If it ever comes out on DVD I hope somebody remembers to post in this thread, even if it means resurrecting a zombie. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/44 "2011-04-02T23:42:12Z")
**Crimes and Misdemeanors** - Woody Allen’s take on Dostoyevsky. _Very_ thought provoking and philosphically daring. Dialogue heavy, but very engrossing and watchable. **Bad Lieutenant** - the original with Harvey Keitel, not the Nic Cage remake. A great meditation on morality and redemption. **Unforgiven** - you’ve probably already seen it, but if you haven’t, you should. Clint Eastwood’s best movie as either an actor or a director, and a tremendous meditation on the western genre in general. **United 93** - feels like you’re on the plane. **The Social Network** - sparkling dialogue, and the central character (whether it’s an accurate portrayal or not) is fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![MattProle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed8c4c/32.png) [@MattProle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MattProle)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/45 "2011-04-03T00:07:04Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I’m a little dubious as to the thread tittle and the examples given in the OP. I mean, I like those movies but they don’t strike me as to what the OP is asking for. > > Anyway, one of my favorite sleepers of all time is: > > [Mindwalk](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindwalk). > > A particular good combo for people who like politics and science type stuff. > > (When I say science. I mean science. Not sci-fi) This looks really interesting, especially since I love physics. I’m downloading now, I’ll let you know what I think. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/46 "2011-04-03T00:46:54Z")
[Water](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0240200/) [Empire of the Sun](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092965/) Another vote for The Machinist. [Hideous Kinky](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0136244/) ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/47 "2011-04-03T00:52:19Z")
> [@MattProle](#): > > This looks really interesting, especially since I love physics. I’m downloading now, I’ll let you know what I think. Please do! I’d love to think I’m not the only person on this planet who loved this movie. ---
**Author:** ![MattProle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed8c4c/32.png) [@MattProle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MattProle)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/48 "2011-04-03T02:40:22Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Please do! I’d love to think I’m not the only person on this planet who loved this movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Favorite character was Sonia. I was pleasantly surprised how well they covered the physics concepts. Was a genuinely thought provoking film, thank you so much for the recommendation! ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/49 "2011-04-03T02:55:43Z")
To add something new to the already good suggestions: [Rashomon](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042876/) - Really high on the thought provoking movie scale. [28 Days Later](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289043/) - One of my favorite thought provoking zombie films. [Children of Men](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206634/) - Another good science fiction movie. [Dead Poets Society](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097165/) - Teacher inspires some students. (If you liked the paper chase, you’ll like this film.) Any movie by Kubrick, the Coen Brothers, or Tarantino would work. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/50 "2011-04-03T03:02:03Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I’m a little dubious as to the thread tittle and the examples given in the OP. I mean, I like those movies but they don’t strike me as to what the OP is asking for. > > Anyway, one of my favorite sleepers of all time is: > > [Mindwalk](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindwalk). > > A particular good combo for people who like politics and science type stuff. > > (When I say science. I mean science. Not sci-fi) Ooh–I saw this when I was in high school, went to DC for some UN NGO conference, and Capra presented the movie. I loved it at the time, but I’m afraid I’d loathe it if I saw it now: I remember a lot of anti-science talk that seemed to be based around taking quotes from Newton et al where they appeared to be saying that science would rape mother nature and going, “See? SEE?!” But I could be remembering wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/51 "2011-04-03T03:56:39Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I will offer up just a single suggestion (for now), a film that meets your requirements and one that I never get tired of viewing: > > **12 Angry Men** I strongly second this. Be sure it is the original 1957 version and not the remake. Henry Fonda, Martin Balsam, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Warden, Jack Klugman, Ed Begley (not Jr), E.G. Marshall, and some of the best actors in the business at the time and at their finest. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/52 "2011-04-03T04:09:45Z")
> [@Chef\_Troy](#): > > I recommend [Passion Fish](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105107/plotsummary), a movie from the early 90s by John Sayles and starring Mary McDonnell and Alfre Woodard. A quiet gem. I strongly second this one. A quiet gem indeed. Also the first time my wife and I ever noticed David Strathairn. . ---
**Author:** ![MattProle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed8c4c/32.png) [@MattProle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MattProle)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/53 "2011-04-03T04:11:15Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > I strongly second this. Be sure it is the original 1957 version and not the remake. > > Henry Fonda, Martin Balsam, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Warden, Jack Klugman, Ed Begley (not Jr), E.G. Marshall, and some of the best actors in the business at the time and at their finest. I’ve actually already viewed this film twice. Excellent film! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/54 "2011-04-03T04:53:43Z")
Inherit the Wind The Corn is Green ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/55 "2011-04-03T07:53:49Z")
> [@MattProle](#): > > I thoroughly enjoyed it. Favorite character was Sonia. I was pleasantly surprised how well they covered the physics concepts. Was a genuinely thought provoking film, thank you so much for the recommendation! No problem. Glad you liked it. ---
**Author:** ![ktrolan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@ktrolan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ktrolan)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/56 "2011-05-30T23:47:40Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Please do! I’d love to think I’m not the only person on this planet who loved this movie. Also loved Mindwalk. Definitely my favourite film of all time. Have been looking for similar films for months but haven’t found any. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/57 "2011-05-31T01:17:51Z")
“man for all seasons” starring paul scofield “remains of the day” starring anthony hopkins “hamlet” starring lawrence olivier “sneakers” starring robert redford “midnight cowboy” starring john voight and dustin hoffman “that championship season” adapted for film starring gary sinisi and adrian shaloub “biloxi blues” adapted for film “taxi driver” starring robert de niro “the godfather 1” starring marlon brando “cyrano de bergerac” starring jose ferrer “the caine mutiny” starring henry fonda “citizen cain” starring orson welles “deliverance” starring burt reynolds “frost-nixon” starring frank langela “in the heat of the night” starring syney poitier special mention: that ed norton movie with him as a rabid white supremacist ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/58 "2011-05-31T02:06:52Z")
"that ed norton movie with him as a rabid white supremacist " American History X ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/59 "2011-05-31T02:21:47Z")
I recommend the HBO miniseries, “Angels in America.” It’s six hours, but beautifully done and just amazing. And anything by John Waters. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903/60 "2011-05-31T02:46:29Z")
[Gummo](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119237/) - Bizarre, possibly deep, but definitely begs for explanation. I don’t believe anyone can watch this and not want to discuss it. [The Straight Story](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0166896/) - Sometimes slow, but always incredibly moving. The acting and story is fantastic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-intelligent-thought-provoking-films-please/576903.md?page=4)