So, I'm in love with movies like Being John Malkovich, The Truman Show, Groundhog Day and The Matrix, which question our understanding about the extent of reality. I especially love "loophole" movies. What movies do you have to recommend to me?


Also: I'm writing a super secret, super hardcore roleplaying game (called Cheap) about such things right now. Bonus points go to anyone who recommends me one of those movies which further meets the following requirements: about power, about abuse, about domination, about opportunism, about social experimentation.

Final caveat: I rank entertainment as more important than bulletproof logic. Movies rife with plot holes are still full of awesome idea potential.

Jacob's Ladder

The first time I saw this movie was at the theatre, in an altered state. It freaked me out. The next time I saw it, I was not so altered, and it still freaked me out.

Speaking of altered states, I recommend Altered States. It's a movie about reality, addiction, and what it means to be human. Plus, it features sensory deprivation tanks, which fascinate me.

Thanks, both. I'm going to do Jacob's Ladder some time this week, hopefully, and I'll pick up Altered States when I get around to it. Sensory Deprivation tanks for the win!

How about The Cell?

And A Scanner Darkly the film adaptation of Philip K. Dick's Novel.

Waking Life

The Cell is fantastic and spot on, Fisherman's Wife! I already know it and have seen it, but that's totally perfect. Will check out the other two! Thanks.

Cool! Okay, I have two more for the night. This is fun!:

Silent Hill. I know nothing about the video game, but the movie was both campy and visually disturbing.

The Dark. One of the cool things about this movie (other than Sean Bean) is that it's an altered existence that draws upon Celtic/Welsh mythology and the concept of Annwfn or the Otherworld. Oh yeah--and it's a ghost story with a scary child.

Enjoy!-Julia

Finally saw it the other day and thought of you, Joe:

Paprika

Holy crap what an amazing movie. Mind-bending, visually stunning, great tense pacing. Highly recommended.

And, now that I think of it, one of Satoshi Kon's other films, Perfect Blue, is another great mindtrip movie.

(Full disclosure: I am not a fan of anime, as a rule. But these are great movies.)

I'll go rent one of these tonight. I know my local video store has Paprika.

Dark City

Dark City is fantastic. I saw it about a year ago for the first time. I love how cheesy the aesthetics are throughout.

Agreed. Dark City is a nice mix of awesome and over the top. Kiefer Sutherland's delivery makes me cry, though.

My husband and I watched Oni Baba last night. It was not at all what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised. Netflix has it, it's listed (incorrectly) as Onibaba (which means "demon woman" by the way.) It's slow moving at first, but worth it.

Cypher is a an underrated B-Movie that is worth a look.

You should check out Stranger than Fiction. Good stuff.