Fucking amazing. Malick's most ambitious work yet (which says quite a bit considering his previous films). I would compare it to 2001 such that you have to be patient, but it is completely rewarding. As with his other films, don't count on compelling dialogue to move the narrative forward, but the visual imagery to knit it together.

I'll second this. I loved it, but you have to understand its super pretentious and the themes he's trying to cover are huge. I can see why so many people walked out on it, found it stupid, etc. But truly, I think it was incredible. I'm going to go see it again.

aebriol

Norway2066 Posts

July 31 2011 22:12 GMT

#383

On February 08 2010 05:34 blomsterjohn wrote:
I dont know if this has been mentioned, but The man from Earth is imo one of the best "intellectual" movies ever made

So very very true. I love that movie.

slyboogie

United States3423 Posts

July 31 2011 22:14 GMT

#384

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie. Watch it, love it, realize the squalor of our middle class condition and the meaningless of our existence.

Kater

72 Posts

July 31 2011 22:17 GMT

#385

i don't think good will hunting or a beautiful mind needs alot of thinking.
although i enjoyed The Man from Earth lately

Equity213

Canada873 Posts

August 01 2011 02:02 GMT

#386

Hey awsome thread, I love movies like this (but dont mind getting my hands dirty with silly splatter flicks either).

My favorite 'intellectual' movie would definately be The Holy Mountain by Alejandro Jodorowski. Im not too eloquent so ill just rip a description from imdb.

"A Christlike figure wanders through bizarre, grotesque scenarios filled with religious and sacrilegious imagery. He meets a mystical guide who introduces him to seven wealthy and powerful individuals, each representing a planet in the solar system. These seven, along with the protagonist, the guide and the guide's assistant, divest themselves of their worldly goods and form a group of nine who will seek out the Holy Mountain, in order to displace the gods who live there and become immortal"

I checked youtube, and you can watch the full movie there:

Mykill

Canada3402 Posts

August 01 2011 02:09 GMT

#387

gah clockwork orange was too intense... >_>

Bobbias

Canada1373 Posts

August 01 2011 08:47 GMT

#388

Excellent movie. Image links to imdb page.

Great movie. Takes a while to get moving, but if you can handle slow paced psychological stuff, definitely watch it.

sleepingdog

Austria6145 Posts

August 01 2011 08:51 GMT

#389

On June 26 2011 14:27 Talco wrote:
A Requiem for a Dream (be careful how you watch this...)

Would also be my first choice for a movie that's not "fun" in the classic sense but more like a....."holy crap, WTF" experience. Still, not that much of a "thinking"movie.

Iñárritu movies are excellent if you want to use your brain:
- amores perros
- 21 grams
- babel

jeeeeohn

United States1343 Posts

August 01 2011 08:54 GMT

#390

Probably not intellectual movies but some of my recent favorites:

Pulp Fiction
Fargo
The Man Who Would Be King
Mystic River

Horiz0n

Sweden364 Posts

August 01 2011 09:26 GMT

#391

intellectual movies sounds a bit pretentious

watch the Cremaster Cycle by Matthew Barney and your brain will hurt (Its that Intellectual)

[image loading]

anycolourfloyd

Australia524 Posts

August 01 2011 09:35 GMT

#392

On August 01 2011 17:54 jeeeeohn wrote:
Pulp Fiction

lol

+many on a clockwork orange, read the book a few years ago and finally got around to watching the movie a couple of weeks ago.

zobz

Canada2175 Posts

August 01 2011 09:43 GMT

#393

On August 01 2011 18:26 Horiz0n wrote:
intellectual movies sounds a bit pretentious

watch the Cremaster Cycle by Matthew Barney and your brain will hurt (Its that Intellectual)

+ Show Spoiler +

Intellectual movies sounds a bit prentious because a surprising number of people find that kind of imagery intellectual. Many people are scared of the word, and partly for good reason....

Biff The Understudy

France8058 Posts

August 01 2011 09:52 GMT

#394

New Wave movies: especially Rohmer and Godard. They are the most exquisite, crafted and delicate movies I know.

I recommend sooo much Kurosawa, also. :-)

Mykill

Canada3402 Posts

August 01 2011 09:55 GMT

#395

Actually I thought Spirited Away had a good message within it. May not be as intellectual as people want though.

Also Inside Man =)

Slacker

Finland32 Posts

August 01 2011 10:25 GMT

#396

+1 the man from earth

oldgregg

New Zealand1176 Posts

August 01 2011 11:01 GMT

#397

a scanner darkly, if no one's mentioned it yet... dunno if its 'intellectual' but its definetly a mind fuck. drugs and madness and identity crisis, all done in roto scoping

Chickaboom

Canada47 Posts

August 01 2011 11:22 GMT

#398

the movie pi by Darren Aronofsky

Aphasie

Norway474 Posts

August 01 2011 12:24 GMT

#399

A lot of good suggestions in this thread. I've been on a hiatus the last four or so years but i feel its time to step it up again. I actually written a new list based on this thread.
I've also made a list of movies not yet mentioned. The focus isn't necessarily on what most in this thread (intricate plot lines or advanced philosophical thought) but aesthetics, capturing the moment, novelty, new take on cinema, wierd combinations and situations, etc:

Man With A Movie Camera (1929), A russian filming the every day life in a novel way and also capturing some great moments. There is no "acting" or strict plot line. Its without sound, but a great deal of artists has composed music scores to fit the film. The version i saw was with The Cinematic Orchestra (really good band), and it was beautiful. I also know Biosphere has composed a score for it.

The Fall (2006), Originally set in the 1920's a stuntman who has retained his imaginative child-like mind begins to spin a mystical and heroic journey. I really like the scenery and the costumes. Good movie.

5 Centimeters per second (2007, anime) An aesthetically beautiful movie that focuses on the sense of loss and love unfullfilled (due to external factors) with an existentialist tone.

Tokyo Drifter (1966) A kitsch cult classic by Seijun Suzuki. A gangster movie full of pasty colors and good sound score. Definitely worth it (especially if you like Tarantino. If you like it, you will probably like Branded to Kill, 1967, too)

Salo (1975): Exploring the lowest faculties of human nature the lust for domination, deprevaty and sexual ecstasy. Based on the book 120 days of Sodom by Marquis de Sade. (WARNING: Not for the weak hearted. I saw this movie when i was 16 and it gave me nightmares for three weeks afterwards. But it is really interesting)

The Short Films of David Lynch (2002): A lot of people might not realize this one is out there. But its a collection of his shorts and collages. Really good.

Naked Lunch (1991) To my surprise i cant remember reading about it here, though i might be mistaken. Explores the twisted reality of an author that is a heavy drug user, and all the madness and distortions that follows.

The Meaning of Life (1983) The Monty Python's are at it again. Sarcastic and entertaining take on the questions of life. I would aslo consider the whole Flying Circus intellectual and avant-garde. If you haven't seen it, you should be ashamed.

Honorable mentions:
Richard Linklater (director of Waking Life, probably my favorite movie of all time):
Before Sunrise (1995), A chance encounter in Vienna turns out to be a love between two total strangers. Due to other circumstances they only get their one night together.
Before Sunset (2004) Sequel to the former. If you liked that one, you'¨ll prolly like this too. (Though the first one is better imo)
A Scanner Darkly (2006) A different "post-apocalyptic" movie, with amazing drawings over the actual real life movie, giving it a very specialy look (same as in Waking Life)

SLC Punk! (1998) An original and incredibly entertaining black comedy about how it was to grow up as a punk in Salt Lake City in the 80's.

Sixshooter (2004, Short) Martin McDonagh (director of In Bruges) has created an awesome and wierd black comedy short with entertaining encounters and dialogue.

A River Runs Trough It (1992): One of the most aesthetical and poetical movies I've ever seen. Simply beautiful.

The Ninth Gate (1999): A mystical thriller that diggs deeper in the paranormal and darkness of humans.

Withnail & I (1987): Chaotic movie set with two british vagabonds doing weird stuff.

Man Bites Dog (1992): Set as a documentary it explores the everyday life of a murderous robber who has no morals what so ever. Its an almost too realistic black comedy.

This is what i managed to remember racking my brain, its been four years scince i last saw a lot of movies afterall. I'll try to find some movies that might fit better with enough time.

callecal

Sweden65 Posts

August 01 2011 13:50 GMT

#400

wow i just read the entire thread and despite i watch lots of this kind of movies there are lots mentioned here that i havent!

One movie that has not been mentioned is Dune. Dont know why ppl, critics, and even david lynch himself dont like it that much.
Its maybe not intellectual but very "psychedelic" in the way it tells the story and whats it all about. It offers an experience very different from most other movies.
The books are amazing as well.
oh and if a few years they´re gonna remake the movie, but this time in 3 movies! I think ppl want an easier movie made out of one of the best sci-fi stories ever told