The following movies are relatively unpopular movies but are incredible cinematic masterpieces. Each movie is an existential and transcendental journey that will alter your perception and raise many questions within the viewer.
1. "Comet"
This unconventional love story takes place over six years and jumps from moment-to-moment in the relationship in no particular order. The movie exhibits how one moment of bravery and audacity can change the course of your life. A major theme of the film is how one person can impact and completely change your life.
Available to watch on Netflix.
2. "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"
This tale is the story of a traveling show troupe led by Dr. Parnassus who has the ability to guide others’ imaginations. Using his ability, Dr. Parnassus takes audience members through a magical mirror, the Imaginarium, and presents them with a choice between enlightenment and self-gratification. The film shows the consequences of one’s personal choices in life.
Available on Amazon Instant Video.
3. “I, Origins”
“I, Origins” is the story of a biologist, Ian Gray, who is researching the evolution of the human eye. In his research he meets a woman with the most beautiful eyes he has ever seen and eventually tracks her down and marries her. Through his research he learns that no set of eyes is the same as another, until his son is born. Ian’s son’s eyes are an exact match to a late farmer, and this discovery leads to the search for an exact match of another set of eyes. “I, Origins” explores the themes of reincarnation and spirituality, showing that the eyes are indeed the window to the soul.
Available on Cinemax.
4. "Beginners"
Oliver is a man reflecting on the life and death of his 75-year-old father who came out just five years before his death. While ruminating over his father’s life, Oliver meets and begins to see Anna, a woman with her own father issues. The film explores the themes of a new start, and reinvention of oneself as shown through Oliver’s father, Hal.
Available on Netflix.
5. "The Razor’s Edge" (1984)
Starring Bill Murray, "The Razor’s Edge” is about an American World War I pilot, Larry Darrell, who has everything. Larry sets off on a transcendental journey to search for meaning in his life. Through the rejection of conventional life Larry moves around the world experiencing different ways of life and eventually finds his way to India for enlightenment.
Available on Amazon Video.
6. "Enter The Void"
In “Enter The Void” we follow a US drug dealer in Tokyo immediately before his death. After his death, he becomes and ethereal being and we see his and his sister’s past, present, and future all at once. During the re-experience of his life, we observe the consequences of his life and death. The film explores the theme of reincarnation and focuses on “The Tibetan Book of the Dead.”
