Best philosophical films or content in films

[john titor]

Off the top of my head I guess Robocop has some interesting questions pertaining to identity and brain functioning. It also uses the cruxifiction story as a kind of subtext, which is interesting in itself, that self realization/truth can only come from suffering. Enemy Mine, that scene when they're on the mountain and the drak guy says truth is truth, I can't remember what that refers to but would it be Kants idea that evil acts which result in harm to others are inherently illogical for if everyone were to act in such a way they would destroy themselves? Pi I guess would be an obvious choice. Cube is also another. Lets see...hmmm...Blade Runner and The Matrix, Star Trek 1, maybe TUC as it deals with political philosophy in a way perhaps.

I really like it when they mix philosophy in with films as its so rare these days and I can relate to it more, you know the director or scriptwriter put some of themselves into it the film when they do something like this as philosophical scenes can be shot down pretty quick as being boring, self indulgent or just plain wrong. Its also a measure of honesty of intent, for example there is nothing worse than a pretentious philosophical film. I didn't get this with the Matrix trilogy though as I think the Wachowski bros were really into philosophy and just want to make it a part of the script, however hamfisted it was.

 

[Trubinator]

I think The Dark Knight qualifies.

 

[spinnerlys]

Waking Live is an entire philosophical conversation, or better a combination of several conversations, that are intertwined.
Before Sunrise/Sunset also had some philosophy thrown into them.

Let's see about Moon.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

I love this topic.

Here are some:

Knowing: This film was panned, and I personally don't like where it ended, and the religious views that the filmmakers took, but I'm glad it was interested in philosophy. That would, in my book, place it higher than any film about organized crime, bar none.

The Truman Show A look at many philosophical issues, such as God, freewill, the artifice of reality, all of that.

Forrest Gump: Random chance versus destiny

I, Robot: The search for identity, the ability to break out of what is programmed. The need for empathy and compassion

Religulous Lack of common sense in modern religions

Dark City Living in a controlled world, man's relationship to time and his environment

The Shawshank Redemption The search for hope and friendship amidst confinement and how a man can be conditioned

 

[LitmusDragon]

Groundhog Day is a pretty good introduction to the basics of philosophy. Plus it has Bill Murray. Hard to go wrong there. I like how it touches on the concept of enlightenment but doesn't really bring religion into it at all.

Lost isn't a film, it's a tv series, but several of the characters are good examples of a particular philosophy. John Locke is the man of faith, Jack is a realist, Ben is an opportunist, Hurley is vaguely Taoist, etc.

A lot of good drama has philosophical undertones, I'm kind of drawing a blank right now though.

 

[Joy]

I think Dogma has a lot of good philosophy concerning religion that really makes you sit and think.

Joy