I'm a big fan of "Margin Call", it gave me lots of crypto flashbacks even though it's not a movie about crypto.
Monkey Business said:The Place Beyond The Pines
It's a film I come back to often. If I had to name one favorite, it would be it. For now anyways. It's beautifully shot, and tells a unique three-part story. It starts with some heist action, then a story unfolds about police corruption and opportunism, and then the film compels you to ponder the passage of time and the cyclical nature of things. It gets me every time.
saner said:District 9
Syberpunk said:saner said:District 9
Such a brilliant engrossing yet underrated film. Brutal but moving.
Here are some of my very strong recommendations and most favorite movies from Asia, which cover universal topics that all men would enjoy. Asia (especially India and China) is very far away from Hollywood's world, so public virtues and masculinity are generally still allowed to exist.
Chasing the Dragon (Zhui long)
Extremely manly movie with chivalry, honor, reputation, brotherhood, and comeradery in the chaotic world of colonial Hong Kong. How do you fight for your life in an honorable way in a broken government? Lots of cool fight scenes, good character dynamics, unique settings (Kowloon walled city and Hong Kong alleyways), and complex villains. Imagine a Mafia druglord movie that completely takes place in East Asia and is thoroughly entrenched with East Asian values.
To Live (Huozhe)
If you watch this movie to the very end, you will officially be in the top 20% of people who understand China. Literally watch this movie if you're interested in any way about the largest country and empire in East Asia. The story follows a normal Chinese man who is a husband, father, worker, and soldier. The topics include corruption, revolution, scraping by, debt, and family. It is very moving and extremely anti-Hollywood. If you were raised watching Western movies your entire life, I guarantee you've never seen anything like this before.
In Hollywood movies, you often see people who stubbornly refuse to change their degenerate behaviors because "that's just the way I am, I was born this way!" -- whereas in this movie, people must introspect on what society demands of them and actually strive to become better people.
Forrest Gump (which surprisingly has many east asian values) is very similar to this, so if you like that movie, definitely check this one.
Full movie link
After the Storm (Umi yori mo mada fukaku)
Fatherhood, being a son, and masculinity in the aftermath of the Lost Decade in Japan. Pretty much describes modern masculinity crisis in Japan. It is sort of like the opposite/counterpart to "To Live". Very interesting and bittersweet.
The Legend of Bhagat Singh
A good Indian movie about the legendary chad Bhagat Singh who risked everything to free his homeland of India from British rule. Correctly points out how Gandhi was actually a huge limp-wrist fool that just appeased British people rather than freeing the Indians. Very manly and makes you think what sort of things would modern Americans actually risk their life for? Bhagat Singh was around the age of a college freshman when he gave up his entire life to pursue political change. When was the last time we had a true movement to fight for freedom? Makes the concept close to home.
One thing that sucks is the dude is actually an atheist...but he's pretty manly about it anyways.
Full movie link
You ever seen Perth? It's a Singaporean movie from 2004 that's very similar to Taxi Driver in terms of storyline, albeit much darker. It's about a shipyard manager who gets laid off and decides to start driving taxis. On the job, he meets a Vietnamese prostitute and tries to save her from the occupation. It's called Perth because the main character often talks about moving to Perth to escape his troubles.