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I was asked on another site what were some of the most powerful films I have ever seen. This can be a fun way to generate some general film discussion and also become a notable source for recommendations. I'm sure we've all seen numerous films that we could subjectively describe as powerful. List them. Here are some of mine, with complimentary gifs
Close-Up (1990)
This is a hauntingly real and personal examination into fame and identity. Without getting into any personal explications, this was a work I could myself relating to on an immensely profound level. The notion of wanting to be your icons and your inspirations took me to a pretty dark spot as a viewer. Since this was based on a true story and Abbas Kiarostami used all the real people associated with the actual events in the film, it just made it feel all the more authentic and real. The ending is one of the most beautifully humane conclusions to any film I have ever seen. Admittedly, it made me weep like an infant.
Late Spring (1949)
Ozu was a visionary and well ahead of his time. Nobody could explore the contemporary, post-WWII Japanese family with more depth and humanity than him. This is such a simple, accessible drama, but so incredibly powerful. It's a film any daughter, son, father or mother can relate to on a wide range of different levels. A lot of people here, I'm assuming, probably have not heard of this film, but it's a masterwork and so powerful. Ozu's work were considered 'family dramas' back in 1940-1950s Japan, so it's a really simple film at its core. And that's why I adore it and why it is so very powerful.
The Terminator (1984)
This is a pretty strange addition for me. This is not powerful in the sense that it is poignant or moving, but it has a truly remarkable atmosphere. The amazing sequence at the Tech Noir nightclub is just a wonderful showcase for visual filmmaking. Perhaps nostalgia is playing a small part here, but I am totally, completely and 100% always immersed in this picture when I watch it. I'm still stunned at how adept Camera was from behind the camera. A truly sinister, dark, creepy slice of 80s science fiction horror.
Taxi Driver (1976)
This really is the ultimate film about dejection, loneliness, and insanity. As I may only slightly prefer The King of Comedy when it comes to Scorsese, I think this is a much more personal, intimate piece. It's not such the technical impeccability or De Niro's amazing performance, but the way Scorsese slowly and closely portrays the life of Travis Bickle. There are a handful of truly powerful moments, but the ultimate one has to be the scene where Bickle is watching television whilst Jackson Browne's Late For The Sky is playing. Simply stunning.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Having recently seen this masterwork in 70mm at the theatres, it'd be a crime not to bring this up. In my opinion, the most artificially complete, accomplished, ambitious and human of all films that I have seen. No other work in the science fiction comes close to the existentialism that Kubrick captures. Put it this way: if I was kidnapped by aliens and was forced to show them a film that depicts humanity at its most curious, audacious and expression, then I'd choose Kubrick's evocative masterpiece.
The Ascent (1977)
Out of all the films that I have ever seen, I believe this work shows war at its most tragic, brutal and harrowing. I'd even put it ahead of Come and See. This one wasn't so much an emotional experience, but just a forceful and depressing one. It gets under your skin and candidly confronts you with the grim realities of war. To think this came out of the Soviet Union, known for their artistic suppression, is rather amazing. It was also directed by a female - another rarity of the USSR film industry and the medium in general.
Paths of Glory (1957)
Another war film, although this was definitely much more poignant. The final act is one of the most tear-inducing scenes I have seen. This is just as much a political film as it is a war film and served as a huge thematic inspiration for The Wire. It's all about the repressive and dictatorial nature of our institutions and how they essentially serve the few at the expense of many. It also completely shatters the notion that Kubrick was a misanthrope - this film shows wonderful compassion for humanity.
The Elephant Man (1980)
Hands down, the most dejecting film I have ever seen. I have intentionally avoided seeing it on a numerous occasions because, frankly, it upsets me way too much. Not only is Lynch a brilliant surrealist, but he can clearly handle the dramatic without coming across as schmaltzy or overly-sentimental. This entire work is just one depressing blow after another. This one kept me down for days after I saw it for the first time.
Mulholland Drive (2001)
This is one of the most indescribably powerful movie viewing experiences of my life. I'm not sure what I feel when I watch this film, but it's something I've never managed to forget. I like to think that Lynch appeals more to the emotions first than he does the intellect, and this movie achieves that. It's an abstract experience, almost, akin to Inland Empire or 2001: A Space Odyssey. Beyond that, however, it's a wonderfully grim look into the show business industry. It has a handful of truly eerie and creepy moments, too.
The Girl Next Door (2007)
This has to be up there as one of the most upsetting and disturbing films I have seen. It truly makes you feel helpless and despondent. It's brutal and hard to watch. This is not a powerful experience I embrace but one I try to shrug off. I guess it is powerful in a negative way because it makes you feel so utterly dejected. But any film that has this impact on you must be represented.
Sling Blade (1996)
A beautifully restrained slice of Southern Gothic storytelling. A very simple film, but so.... poetic, for lack of better word. There is a calmness to this film. It could have easily fell victim to sentimentality if it were in the hands of a different director. This did not make me cry, but it certainly was a touching and beautiful experience. Billy Bob Thornton at his prime, as an actor, writer and director. The level of talent he exhibits here is off-the-wall.
Tokyo Story (1954)
Another Ozu, and like Late Spring, an accessible, simple family drama, but so incredibly touching and increasingly relevant in today's Western world. This one brought me to tears purely because it's a film everyone, on some level, can relate to. It's just staggering how far ahead of his time Ozu was. A truly unmatchable talent and this is generally regarded as his finest movie.
Detachment (2011)
I've reserved this until last because it's arguably the film I can relate to most. It felt like it was made for me because it mirrored so much of my life. Discarding that, however, it's an ambitious work, beautifully photographed and wonderfully written. It also echoes so much truth about our educational systems and the youth of today's world. I think about this frequently and it's one of the reasons why I want to be a filmmaker. This is how you tell a story.
There are so many others, too! List yours, TT.

Close-Up (1990)
This is a hauntingly real and personal examination into fame and identity. Without getting into any personal explications, this was a work I could myself relating to on an immensely profound level. The notion of wanting to be your icons and your inspirations took me to a pretty dark spot as a viewer. Since this was based on a true story and Abbas Kiarostami used all the real people associated with the actual events in the film, it just made it feel all the more authentic and real. The ending is one of the most beautifully humane conclusions to any film I have ever seen. Admittedly, it made me weep like an infant.

Late Spring (1949)
Ozu was a visionary and well ahead of his time. Nobody could explore the contemporary, post-WWII Japanese family with more depth and humanity than him. This is such a simple, accessible drama, but so incredibly powerful. It's a film any daughter, son, father or mother can relate to on a wide range of different levels. A lot of people here, I'm assuming, probably have not heard of this film, but it's a masterwork and so powerful. Ozu's work were considered 'family dramas' back in 1940-1950s Japan, so it's a really simple film at its core. And that's why I adore it and why it is so very powerful.

The Terminator (1984)
This is a pretty strange addition for me. This is not powerful in the sense that it is poignant or moving, but it has a truly remarkable atmosphere. The amazing sequence at the Tech Noir nightclub is just a wonderful showcase for visual filmmaking. Perhaps nostalgia is playing a small part here, but I am totally, completely and 100% always immersed in this picture when I watch it. I'm still stunned at how adept Camera was from behind the camera. A truly sinister, dark, creepy slice of 80s science fiction horror.

Taxi Driver (1976)
This really is the ultimate film about dejection, loneliness, and insanity. As I may only slightly prefer The King of Comedy when it comes to Scorsese, I think this is a much more personal, intimate piece. It's not such the technical impeccability or De Niro's amazing performance, but the way Scorsese slowly and closely portrays the life of Travis Bickle. There are a handful of truly powerful moments, but the ultimate one has to be the scene where Bickle is watching television whilst Jackson Browne's Late For The Sky is playing. Simply stunning.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Having recently seen this masterwork in 70mm at the theatres, it'd be a crime not to bring this up. In my opinion, the most artificially complete, accomplished, ambitious and human of all films that I have seen. No other work in the science fiction comes close to the existentialism that Kubrick captures. Put it this way: if I was kidnapped by aliens and was forced to show them a film that depicts humanity at its most curious, audacious and expression, then I'd choose Kubrick's evocative masterpiece.

The Ascent (1977)
Out of all the films that I have ever seen, I believe this work shows war at its most tragic, brutal and harrowing. I'd even put it ahead of Come and See. This one wasn't so much an emotional experience, but just a forceful and depressing one. It gets under your skin and candidly confronts you with the grim realities of war. To think this came out of the Soviet Union, known for their artistic suppression, is rather amazing. It was also directed by a female - another rarity of the USSR film industry and the medium in general.

Paths of Glory (1957)
Another war film, although this was definitely much more poignant. The final act is one of the most tear-inducing scenes I have seen. This is just as much a political film as it is a war film and served as a huge thematic inspiration for The Wire. It's all about the repressive and dictatorial nature of our institutions and how they essentially serve the few at the expense of many. It also completely shatters the notion that Kubrick was a misanthrope - this film shows wonderful compassion for humanity.

The Elephant Man (1980)
Hands down, the most dejecting film I have ever seen. I have intentionally avoided seeing it on a numerous occasions because, frankly, it upsets me way too much. Not only is Lynch a brilliant surrealist, but he can clearly handle the dramatic without coming across as schmaltzy or overly-sentimental. This entire work is just one depressing blow after another. This one kept me down for days after I saw it for the first time.

Mulholland Drive (2001)
This is one of the most indescribably powerful movie viewing experiences of my life. I'm not sure what I feel when I watch this film, but it's something I've never managed to forget. I like to think that Lynch appeals more to the emotions first than he does the intellect, and this movie achieves that. It's an abstract experience, almost, akin to Inland Empire or 2001: A Space Odyssey. Beyond that, however, it's a wonderfully grim look into the show business industry. It has a handful of truly eerie and creepy moments, too.

The Girl Next Door (2007)
This has to be up there as one of the most upsetting and disturbing films I have seen. It truly makes you feel helpless and despondent. It's brutal and hard to watch. This is not a powerful experience I embrace but one I try to shrug off. I guess it is powerful in a negative way because it makes you feel so utterly dejected. But any film that has this impact on you must be represented.

Sling Blade (1996)
A beautifully restrained slice of Southern Gothic storytelling. A very simple film, but so.... poetic, for lack of better word. There is a calmness to this film. It could have easily fell victim to sentimentality if it were in the hands of a different director. This did not make me cry, but it certainly was a touching and beautiful experience. Billy Bob Thornton at his prime, as an actor, writer and director. The level of talent he exhibits here is off-the-wall.

Tokyo Story (1954)
Another Ozu, and like Late Spring, an accessible, simple family drama, but so incredibly touching and increasingly relevant in today's Western world. This one brought me to tears purely because it's a film everyone, on some level, can relate to. It's just staggering how far ahead of his time Ozu was. A truly unmatchable talent and this is generally regarded as his finest movie.

Detachment (2011)
I've reserved this until last because it's arguably the film I can relate to most. It felt like it was made for me because it mirrored so much of my life. Discarding that, however, it's an ambitious work, beautifully photographed and wonderfully written. It also echoes so much truth about our educational systems and the youth of today's world. I think about this frequently and it's one of the reasons why I want to be a filmmaker. This is how you tell a story.
There are so many others, too! List yours, TT.