The Four Most Important Movies For Modernity?

Cinema’s reach into the psyche exceeds literature. Truth, honesty and reality are themes are transmitted to society via popular movies. Four specific films captured modernity matters modernity in memorable fashion. Here is the list in increasing level of significance.

Minority Report, #4

Minority Report is based upon the legendary science fiction author Philip K. Dick’s novel. Despite Steven Spielberg directing and Tom Cruise starring, the film is awful. The subject matter, however, outshines the film making’s ineptitude. The issue raised is: “what are the consequences of implementing public policy based upon science?”

In the movie, science creates a device capable of predicting future behavior. Based upon this instrumentation, a futuristic government creates a “pre-crime” branch of law enforcement. Initially, the operation was local with the intentions of expansion. In the system, people are apprehended and taken into custody prior to committing criminal acts.

The story’s real theme: “what if the science was wrong?”

To Kill A Mockingbird, #3

To Kill a Mockingbird powerfully takes on racial prejudice, injustice, and poverty. The movie follows a black man falsely accused of a crime through a child’s eyes. The audience witnesses his unjust prosecution.

Despite this rich material, the movie’s ending bares the topic of interest. What is the value of truth? The protagonist lawyer Atticus Finch’s conversation with law enforcement officers gives rise to the question: “can the truth be problematic?”

The 1992 movie Hero repeated this theme. Starring Dustin Hoffman, Andy Garcia and Gena Davis, the movie addressed the issue in comedic fashion.

The Matrix, #2

The Matrix, until the explosion of artificial intelligence, was the most important modern movie. Being “in the matrix” and “getting red pilled” are phrases so culturally embedded that people may be unaware of the movie origins.

The Matrix addresses people living in an artificial programmed reality. Humans are employed as an energy source but essentially need for some brain stimulating activity. Thus, thus a program was created to provide for an artificial reality.

In our actual world, we are increasing living in a matrix. Programming is used to spark consumer spending and change political attitudes. Computer programs mine our e-mails, computer- based search results, and other activities to initiate manipulation. Our devices are literally listening to our conversations and manufacturing messaging in accordance with the data received.

The takeaway from the movie is an appreciating how we are being manipulated. Critical thinking is required to navigate through the distortion.

Blade Runner, #1

The Blade Runner‘s theme has encompassed our lives. The movie involves a Detective who is tasked to hunt down synthetic humans known as replicants. Rick Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, has the expertise to discern human from non-human.

As such, this move tackles one of our most pressing issues: “Who is a Human?”

With advances in Artificial Intelligence, there is an increased likelihood our interactions will be with non-human intelligence. E-mails, phone conversations, chat boxes and video interactions may very well not be human. How will we know the difference?

With every AI advancement and innovation, our discernment will be subjected to a greater challenges.

Conclusion

If you have not seen these movies, please do so and report back in the comments. If you have seen these movies, what are your thoughts? Are there any movie recommendations? Let me know.

Be well!!

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