Monocle
Member
No you're dead on.
Movies that work on as many levels as possible
- Thread starter gfxtwin
- Start date
- Status
jadedm17
Member
Im gonna say Breaking Bad even though its a show just because it fits so perfectly; As an increasingly hard to please cynic who can nitpick anything i have to say Breaking Bad is perfection in every scene. Sure, some things are pretty over the top, but it fits and every scene you learn something and every character choice makes complete sense to their motivations. I can never say enough good about this show.
This, to a point.
This, to a point.
Monocle
Member
Bro...
Adam_Vania
Banned
hey u want this in movies, i want this on message boards, look like we both lose
NoMoreTrolls
Banned
r/iamverysmart
Sorry that you can't find movies that can match your massive intellect, OP. Guess you'll have to find a new hobby, like following fellow verysmarters on Twitter. Here's a link to get you started. NdGT Twitter
Sorry that you can't find movies that can match your massive intellect, OP. Guess you'll have to find a new hobby, like following fellow verysmarters on Twitter. Here's a link to get you started. NdGT Twitter
FYI - when most people say that a movie works on many levels, they usually mean something else.
Anyway, you seem to want movies that are realistic as possible, such movies exist, but generally, most movies don't strive to such levels of realism. There is of course a range to this, it goes from films that are completely fantastical to pretty grounded yet still existing in a "movie world".
Whether that's a good or a bad thing, well, I don't have a definitive philosophical answer, but if I would make a list of my 100 favorite movies, there would not be too many movies that went for realism above all (though there will be some).
Edit: oh, I think Dogme 95 was an attempt to go after what you're talking about. I also think it's a complete failure from a cinematic perspective and it produced nothing but awful films, but maybe you should give it a look.
Anyway, you seem to want movies that are realistic as possible, such movies exist, but generally, most movies don't strive to such levels of realism. There is of course a range to this, it goes from films that are completely fantastical to pretty grounded yet still existing in a "movie world".
Whether that's a good or a bad thing, well, I don't have a definitive philosophical answer, but if I would make a list of my 100 favorite movies, there would not be too many movies that went for realism above all (though there will be some).
Edit: oh, I think Dogme 95 was an attempt to go after what you're talking about. I also think it's a complete failure from a cinematic perspective and it produced nothing but awful films, but maybe you should give it a look.
I mean, not even Shakespeare's going to be good enough for OP. That was written for the dirty masses.
With that said, I'd suggest a recent example that would satisfy you would be Manchester by the Sea. It goes for a fly on the wall approach to a very realistic depiction of grief. Seeing as how you appreciate Spotlight, OP, you're not above drama associated with tragedy, and this work of fiction falls neatly in line.
Super depressing though.
With that said, I'd suggest a recent example that would satisfy you would be Manchester by the Sea. It goes for a fly on the wall approach to a very realistic depiction of grief. Seeing as how you appreciate Spotlight, OP, you're not above drama associated with tragedy, and this work of fiction falls neatly in line.
Super depressing though.
PantherLotus
Professional Schmuck
LOL you are trying so hard. If you were as intelligent as you profess you'd understand the basic cultural expectations around discussing your own intelligence. It's a real challenge for the MENSA set, and is as useless as a strong bicep without an equally strong tricep. Shorter: IQs over 140-150 are mostly useless to society.
Probably should've saved some points for charisma, constitution, and dexterity. As is you'll live a wasted, unhappy life and you'll never know why. Enjoy!
Grizzlyjin
Supersonic, idiotic, disconnecting, not respecting, who would really ever wanna go and top that
I read this in a mid-Atlantic accent.
So you're asking for a couple of different things. Holding up with regards to race, culture, etc will be few and far between because accepted feelings on that evolve over time. So somebody might have written what you're looking for 100 years ago, but none of us have ever heard of it. Maybe it never even got published.
Plot holes happen. Sometimes you need contrivances so the story works.
Also, our understanding of science is constantly evolving as well. What might have been accurate a decade ago could be totally wrong now. I don't think you can fault a film for that.
Vulcano's assistant
Banned
That's not what "to work on many levels" in terms of movies means, OP.
Such a narrow set of priorities ends you with structurally faulty, unevenly acted, wrongly paced, uninspiredly photographed movies with unbalanced emotional beats or lacking them.
In the end, that's how making a feature work on many levels works, and the structural points you thought they hinged on was actually just paint to protect it from rust.
That said, you should check Amour and A Separation.
Such a narrow set of priorities ends you with structurally faulty, unevenly acted, wrongly paced, uninspiredly photographed movies with unbalanced emotional beats or lacking them.
In the end, that's how making a feature work on many levels works, and the structural points you thought they hinged on was actually just paint to protect it from rust.
That said, you should check Amour and A Separation.
Maybe fiction isn't for you because it tends to be fantastical in one way or another. It's fucking fantasy. Suspension of disbelief comes with the territory. If you can't do that even a minor amount and enjoy the spectacle, maybe stop watching film all together. No one is forcing you to do so.
Having not seen Arrival yet I might be way offbase here, but that description of what is asked sounds pretty fucking realistic if you've ever dealt with, well, normal people. You're the expert and you should know everything on the spot because we hired you to be that kind of expert, so deliver is fairly common in real life.
Having not seen Arrival yet I might be way offbase here, but that description of what is asked sounds pretty fucking realistic if you've ever dealt with, well, normal people. You're the expert and you should know everything on the spot because we hired you to be that kind of expert, so deliver is fairly common in real life.
butzopower
proud of his butz
I haven't seen it, but sounds like you want Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon.
Primer is a real great movie, especially considering of the like 88 minutes they shot film for, 86 were used.
Also you sound like a total prick. Did you make this thread to ask for recommendations or to bait people into an argument? If the later, why be so disingenuous about it?
Primer is a real great movie, especially considering of the like 88 minutes they shot film for, 86 were used.
Also you sound like a total prick. Did you make this thread to ask for recommendations or to bait people into an argument? If the later, why be so disingenuous about it?
TissueBox
Member
Interesting request OP, I know many people will pro'lly find it fruitless but I like to humor the idea myself sometimes. Taking it seriously, I'mma just throw random names I think qualify closely...
Fresh (1994)
It's a Wonderful Life
Dissect these GAF!! (Half-serious, but it has been a while since I've seen these so.
)
Fresh (1994)
It's a Wonderful Life
Dissect these GAF!! (Half-serious, but it has been a while since I've seen these so.
)Joe Shlabotnik
Banned
This. Also, even considering OP's 95% trolling, his criteria is dumber and more arbitrary than what is commonly meant by "working on all levels" (a film that succeeds in both text and subtext). ((See: Robocop)).
PantherLotus
Professional Schmuck
You can pick any film apart, even the best films ever made. That's because they're art -- an imperfect medium for telling stories and expressing emotion. The challenge posed to the audience is to willingly suspend your disbelief in exchange for the director's promise that he or she will treat that willingness with respect.
So when Gladiator, set in 2nd century AD, accidentally includes stirrups (not invented until centuries later and when they came on the scene, changed warfare entirely), the audience can look past that because the director otherwise respected that suspension with a well-crafted, emotional tale regardless of historical accuracy. But had it been a pistol, or a machine gun, that would have been too far.
Just think you cannot approach art looking for it to work on "all levels." Imagine sitting in an ancient Greek theater, upset because it's just a couple people wearing masks that totally don't look accurate. LOL. Way to miss the point.
So when Gladiator, set in 2nd century AD, accidentally includes stirrups (not invented until centuries later and when they came on the scene, changed warfare entirely), the audience can look past that because the director otherwise respected that suspension with a well-crafted, emotional tale regardless of historical accuracy. But had it been a pistol, or a machine gun, that would have been too far.
Just think you cannot approach art looking for it to work on "all levels." Imagine sitting in an ancient Greek theater, upset because it's just a couple people wearing masks that totally don't look accurate. LOL. Way to miss the point.
DashReindeer
Lead Community Manager, Outpost Games
After my initial negative reaction to this thread, I'm actually sad that OP seemingly disappeared. I wanted him to continue to mock us for engaging with him on a topic he created. Trolling is the basest form of humor. Was hoping he genuinely believed the things he said.
TissueBox
Member
Yeah this is exactly true. Once you pick apart 'art' for the sake of finding the work with the fewest seams, that is no longer caring for art, but for logical function as it pertains to you. It's more a personal thing.
That said as long as that's understood, then hey. There are folks who only look for certain things in movies and games unrelated to the overall artistic merit of them for instance, a certain infallibility may just be another one of 'em.
Adam_Vania
Banned
there is some insane irony in wanting movies to work on "as many levels as possible" and then demanding they actually only work on a few very harshly defined levels
SuperInuit
Member
fucking lol, and i say that as someone with an extremely high iq, as if that matters.
chill the fuck out and get off your high horse. and badlands? really? where the characters do that because... they got bored and have the depth and characterisation of mopey teenagers? okay.
on topic tho: check out anything by Charlie Kaufman and any of Paul Thomas Anderson's films.
Totes
DerangedHermit
Member
I think this was pretty clearly a troll / tag fish thread
Wow, I thought Ignatius J. Reilly was a fictitious character, great to see he really exists. If you have the stomach for it, mind telling the story about your bus trip out of town?
Do tags really mean that much to people that they're willing to go to the extent of making an ass out of themselves to get one?
CarpeDeezNutz
Member
Haha...so aptly put.
Given the focus on truth in the OP, I get the feeling that, ironically, there isn't actually much truth in the topic creators posts here.
Lol
I really enjoyed and appreciated this
Adam_Vania
Banned
the end of Holy Mountain has the main guy reveal that it's just a movie and they should go off to real life. that's about as real as you're gonna get.
the rest of the movie might struggle to meet OP's criteria.
the rest of the movie might struggle to meet OP's criteria.
Alligatorjandro
Banned
I too have many smart.
BrokenIcarus
Member
Someone tell OP about the Dunning-Kruger effect.
CarpeDeezNutz
Member
😂😎😆
Oh sweet jesus.
Kubrick is the man for you OP. Pretty much anything from Paths of Glory forward (well maybe not Spartacus he wasn't happy with script on that one).
Mad Max The Road Warrior too. It's even more realistic than the somewhat fantastical Fury Road (although Fury Road holds water well too).
Mad Max The Road Warrior too. It's even more realistic than the somewhat fantastical Fury Road (although Fury Road holds water well too).
Phineous_2
Member
Flawless victory
Summer Haze
Banned
FeenixRising
Banned
you're talking about simple plot holes more than films that work on different levels, ie subtextual, contextual and intertextual plot and narrative devices
I wouldn't worry about the plot holes though, your giant head is big enough to block even the most gaping ones in the most turgid of blockbusters
I wouldn't worry about the plot holes though, your giant head is big enough to block even the most gaping ones in the most turgid of blockbusters
digitalrelic
Banned
Honestly?
It hits so many notes.
It's a period piece. It's an epic. It's an action adventure film. It's a drama. It's a romance. It has comedic elements. It's got top-tier special effects. It's a tear-jerker. It appeals to both young and old.
It's no wonder it did so well in the box office.
It hits so many notes.
It's a period piece. It's an epic. It's an action adventure film. It's a drama. It's a romance. It has comedic elements. It's got top-tier special effects. It's a tear-jerker. It appeals to both young and old.
It's no wonder it did so well in the box office.
RickFrick'n
Banned
Recently re-watched Die Hard (again), and, baby, that film is solid! There's certain things you *may* take issues with, usually involving explosions, but from a story telling point of view, there's hardly a wasted scene. The characters all act logically, and it's just a good time. Heartfelt, too, if you're open to that kind of thing.
Yippee ki yay, mister falcon.
Yippee ki yay, mister falcon.
PeskyToaster
Member
Tango down
- Status