May 11, 2008,
Dre Rivas
Like the visual overload of 'Speed Racer'? Here are five more movies that'll blow your mind.
I got out of Speed Racer not long ago and I'm on board with the geek contingent on this one: it blew me away. It's a great family film, one I plan on raising my kids on. And unlike Iron Man, it gave me something I hadn't really seen before. As much as I enjoyed Iron Man, it didn't thrill or wow me. This did.
Now a lot of the disdain that Speed Racer has met with has had to do with its visual overload. No doubt it is a trippy movie, but to me it was an entertaining one. Here are five more entertaining trips worth checking out.
The Big Lebowski
Jeff Bridges is one of our criminally underrated actors and it's a shame he was denied an Oscar nomination for his glorious performance as The Dude. John Goodman is his equal as his religiously confused vet buddy, Walter. This is a Chandleresque mystery by way of the Coen Brothers' bizarre filter with enough odd characters and dream sequences to satisfy the acid freak in you.
The Fountain
Darren Aronofsky's brilliant and beautiful death poem features great performances, cinematography and ideas. The science-fiction portions of the story -- particularly the ending -- burst off of the screen like a Crayola explosion.
A Scanner Darkly
Richard Linklater's talky, philosophical and mildly interesting Waking Life was just a warmup act for his adaptation of Phillip K. Dick's futuristic semi-crime tale. Some parts Trainspotting and some parts Total Recall, this is one of the most original and interesting science fiction films of recent years. It's a rotoscoped animated film which can best be described as "liquidy" or, if you prefer, "Charles Schwaby." An underrated and under-seen film.
Natural Born Killers
I have mixed feelings about Oliver Stone's impressive take on the media and its fascination with celebrity and violence. But what is undeniable is that once I set my eyes on this movie, I can't take them off of it. Stone is throwing in-you-face commentary and satire by way of lighting, costuming, even animation -- like a madman. "Subtle" is not a word that comes to mind when I think of this movie.
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
I may always prefer the original to some degree but this sequel to the 1995 classic is a visual feast. It remains one of the most beautiful and ponderous animated films ever made. The story and images wash over you like a dream. Use soap.
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Dre writes three times a week for Film.com. Email him!
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