Mindful Movies

movies

Movies that decide to dive into the interworking of brains

by Alexander Baker

Memento

Christopher Nolan’s Memento was released on September 5, 2000. Produced by Jennifer and Suzanne Todd, this is easily one of Christopher Nolan’s noticeably critically acclaimed movies, earning a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, along with winning 32 awards by varied organizations along with getting academy nominations in 2006; Best original Screenplay/Best film editing respectfully.

Watching the film is one of close analysis and confusion. Due to the structure of the film being heavily segmented in abstract cuts to color and then black and white, it may be hard to follow. Considering the film itself is attempting to replicate short-term memory loss, it is meant to demonstrate the confusion that is associated with this affliction. This representation was well received by the scientific community such as neuroscientist Christopher Kosh, who stated the movie is “the most accurate portrayal of the different memory systems in the popular media.”

Inside Out

Inside Out is an American animated film by Disney/Pixar directed by Pete Doctor with help of Josh Cooley and Meg LeFauve in writing. The movie’s premise was a novelty for its release, that being the main cast would be the core emotions that make up the character Riley. The film, instead of just focusing on the plot of Riley’s parents moving from Minnesota to California, decides to focus mainly on the emotions of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, Fear, and Disgust. This way the main conflict quite literally takes place in the mind.

Inside Out was not only critically acclaimed, winning a “universal acclaim” title by Metacritic with a 94/100 average among fifty-five critics,but also culturally due to its empathic premise. It deals with not only emotions but memories as well.

The movie is one that is easily accessible to others. With its childish humor and soft animation style along with its actual logistical commentary on the human brain, it provides something for the whole family to pick up.

Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in a Shell is an animated cyberpunk thriller movie. The screenplay was written by Kazunori Ito and directed by Mamoru Oshii and based on the 1989 Manga by the same name. The movie itself amassed over 10 million dollars in the global box office and was well-received critically, With a 7.8/10 from rotten tomatoes and 76/100 average on Metacritic.

The movie’s plot revolves around a fully cybernetic human “Major” Motoko Kusanagi and her assault team, Security Section 9 in their pursuit of the cybernetic mind hacker called the Puppet Master.

While not at the forefront of the film, it is impossible to not notice the mental conflicts and propositions it brings up, such as mental illness, identity, and overall consciousness and what defines it in our new digital age. Oshii stated, “ There are only a few movies, even out of Hollywood, which clearly portray the influence and power of computers.”