Dr. Strangelove
People think of it as a comedy (it is hysterically funny), but it is almost a documentary. Of course, people should have realized it was close to the truth, given the government warning at the beginning that was forced onto it, that says that it could never happen. The government never requires such a message on films that tell a story that cannot happen.
For how close to the truth it really was, see:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/10/movies...d=all&_r=0
http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/...e-was-true
http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nukevault/ebb304/
Life of Brian
Again, an hysterically funny comedy that is nevertheless very serious. It illustrates the way people actually think. Viewed in that light, it is a frightening film.
Brazil
Watching Brazil for the first time was a unique experience for me in cinema. Never before, or since, have I gone from not understanding what is going on, to having instant clarity. It was quite an invigorating experience.
Of course, if I made up such a list on another day, I would likely come up with a different film or two, as obviously a list of only three films leaves off many great ones.
People think of it as a comedy (it is hysterically funny), but it is almost a documentary. Of course, people should have realized it was close to the truth, given the government warning at the beginning that was forced onto it, that says that it could never happen. The government never requires such a message on films that tell a story that cannot happen.
For how close to the truth it really was, see:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/10/movies...d=all&_r=0
http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/...e-was-true
http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nukevault/ebb304/
Life of Brian
Again, an hysterically funny comedy that is nevertheless very serious. It illustrates the way people actually think. Viewed in that light, it is a frightening film.
Brazil
Watching Brazil for the first time was a unique experience for me in cinema. Never before, or since, have I gone from not understanding what is going on, to having instant clarity. It was quite an invigorating experience.
Of course, if I made up such a list on another day, I would likely come up with a different film or two, as obviously a list of only three films leaves off many great ones.
"A wise man ... proportions his belief to the evidence."
— David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section X, Part I.
