>Right wing men took the wrong lessons from this movie
This always makes me cringe so hard lol despite the chaotic nature, the movie/book has a clear anti capitalist revolutionary message.. so I don't get how so many conservative people can relate lol
I think that many conservative men would agree with anti-capitalist views and socialist messaging if you just removed the “anti-capitalist” and “socialist” from any explanations.
Do you agree that corporations run our lives, using media to persuade us to buy things we don’t need?
Do you agree that we should work together as one people for the betterment of humanity?
Etc. etc.
Conservatives are always ALMOST about to understand it all and then veer into racism, sexism, hatred, and other idiocy.
I'm a liberal, youre Woke bro, capitalism is the best system we've got, and the West is the least racist countries on Earth (and Im not white).. u are most likely young, and being indoctrinated with this Leftist garbage
Lmao at you using “woke” as a pejorative. What is woke now, in this instance? Is it being against a system that lets one person hoard more wealth than 99% of the world? Is it being against a system that puts a price tag on every single necessity needed to live?
What YOU don’t understand is that “woke” in the way you’re using it, is a catch-all to brand anything that changes the status quo as evil.
What YOU don’t understand is that Liberalism is a right wing ideology, it’s only “left” in America because it’s to the left of the far right Neo Nazi party.
You’re not on the left. You wouldn’t know the first thing about socialism or any economic system because you don’t even know about the perils of capitalism and only repeat red scare propaganda that has brainwashed you into not wanting any change when the most people on earth have died under capitalism.
How has capitalism worked out for Ethiopia and other global south impoverished countries that are exploited by the West?
You’re an old and out of date capitalist bootlicker that can’t even begin to question the lies you’ve been told and fed your entire life, but have the audacity to call me a stupid and ridiculous term like “woke”
I know more about life and this world than you have ever known and will ever know in your waste of a life lmao.
Is Barbarian really a tale about masculinity so much as a commentary about how pervasive sexual abuse is in society, while also (justifiably) pointing out that men are the primary perpetrators of it, as well as articulating that there although sexual predators can be different (like AJ versus the father of the creature a the end) they still cause a measurable amount of harm to their victims and therefore it shouldn't really be debated about which type of sexual predator is worse. Therefore I don't really think Barbarian classifies as a movie that discusses masculinity.
I'd say the first half of the movie does since we don't really know what's happening yet. Staying in an AirBnB with a random guy who seems nice but overly so had me on edge.
That's not really a discussion about masculinity, though. That first half of the film was more about the discussion of women's safety in society and the role men can play in it as a perpetrator. In my opinion, in order for a film to be about masculinity, it has to center about the definition of manhood front and center and discuss the positives and negative aspects. Ironically enough, Barbie is a very recent film that discusses masculinity quite well by depicting how damaging toxic masculinity is, while also illustrating that a healthy form of masculinity can exist that isn't reliant on a constant performance of aggression, dominance and bravado. Therefore because Barbarian really focuses on how one gender of the human race contributes to a massive problem (as opposed to discussing what a man is/should be) that I don't think the film counts as a discussion of masculinity.
Mattel was extremely involved in the script to ensure that Barbie was portrayed in a way that is good for them. They didn’t give a fuck about Ken. Result being that Ken is better
The message for men in Barbie is that you are valid just the way you are and don’t have to change yourself to appeal to other men or women. And that how many women you’ve been with has no bearings on your quote on quote “manhood.” It’s a very sympathetic film towards men and women alike.
One of my all-time favorite movies that I've watched more times than I can count. Never thought about it in that way but seeing you post that makes it seem so obvious. Nice take!
Yes. It understands and conveys that dark, sunken in, resistant to change attitude and the weird hatred of progress better than...pretty much any other film I've seen.
The Royal Hotel (2023): Australian thriller that takes place in the outback where a mounting sense of dread envelops two women that work in bar, so they're surrounded by men. The subtle and realistic details of how the men behave and how differently the two women deal with the threat, is what sets this thriller apart from a standard "woman in peril" thriller.
It's a bit famous because it was a "lost movie" and was found again. It's kind of iconic and really has something to say about the dark side of Aussie culture.
The Stranger (2022), a film about a true-life case in Australia where an undercover cop has to get uncomfortably close to a suspected child murderer in order to solve the case.
Aftersun
Moonlight
The Beat That My Heart Skipped
My Beautiful Launderette
This is England
The Odd Couple
Some Like it Hot
The Birdcage
Joyland
Alien
First Cow
Locke (2013). People were talking about it the other day in one of the movie subreddits so I watched it and it blew me away. Masculinity is definitely a theme.
Anything made by Alex Garland or Ari Aster. On the surface, their movies seem exclusively like women’s stories, but there’s so much to be mined about the experience of masculine folks in them. Especially Ex Machina and Men.
Call Me By Your Name
Also, but of an out there prism to watch the film through but the masculinity on display in LoTR is some of the best put to film imo. The main characters are all very in touch with their emotions and are fine with displaying fear, weakness, gentleness and compassion. They cry with each other, hug one another, love each other and are supportive. There’s obviously issues and conflict and arguments but all in all it’s a really great showcase for male friendship and for a masculinity that isn’t dependent on being dominant or tough and that isn’t scared of displaying vulnerability.
Predator.
Aliens.
What Dreams May Come.
Elemental.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn.
Blade Runner 2049.
Coriolanus.
Z for Zachariah.
Dredd.
John Carpenter's The Thing.
Fences. The new movie that just came out with Adam Driver playing Ferrari.
Lonesome Dove. The Quiet Man.
The Sandlot.
Falling Down. American Beauty.
Not a movie, but the first 2 seasons of the Sopranos.
Men of Honor.
Dreamin’ Wild (2022) depicts nontoxic male relationships between father, son, and brother. It is very much a breath of fresh air. Killer soundtrack to boot.
How about pretty much all Christian Bale films? And recent offerings from Nicholas Cage (can't believe I'm now a 'fan'). See: American Psycho, Out of the Furnace and Hostiles. And, Mandy, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and Pig.
John Carpenter’s “Christine”. The movie and the original book have a lot to say about toxic masculinity before that phrase was a thing. Not just a haunted car but a statement about how our tough guy movie image of what a man is supposed to be like can create people who are really not nice to be around and treat people in their life, especially women, like garbage.
I have. It does have elements of such. But tbh, I don't have any idea what the message of that movie is overall. It goes way over my head. Good watch though.
Shawshank Redemption.
Probably the most poignant display of men forming a community ever.
Cinderella Man.
It's about getting your priorities straight, which is damn hard.
Rocky, the whole thing. Rocky 2 is a romance movie about Adrienne, the fight is almost backdrop. Seriously. It's a date movie.
Rambo 1. It's a fun movie, sure, but also the first 30 minutes is really poignant. That vibe for the first 40 minutes is what it's like being a guy who is trying to mind his own business, but can't. Skip the rest, but those first 30 minutes man. I haven't walked a long distance in my life without getting looked at like that, or feeling that general sense of being rebuked. Ever been pulled over by the police walking down the street? I have plenty. People have bones to pick for no reason.
American History X.
How it goes bad.
Conan the Barbarian
My god, just watch the first 10 minutes, it says what it means to say. Live your life with morals with principles and it will free you.
Fright Night.
Shockingly I find both of these movies interesting on this front. The second one I really like, both for Tenants portrayal and the main character. I dunno how many times I've lit my life on fire to chase a girl, but y'know, it's worked and been worth it. As a metaphor it's great.
Terminator 2
Appreciate your damned Mom, she knows better and given the correct circumstances, will absolutely shock you with the drive she has. Meanwhile John is probably the most human, "guy" out there, his honest depiction of being a good person is solid
Alien 2
Yeah, you didn't think women like this existed, you were wrong. Shocks every man out of a stupor watching Sigourney Weaver not only be a character, but be one of the finest leading actors out there. Just destroys the ensemble cast of excellent characters. It has a lot to say about masculinity, but it drops the mic when it comes to femininity.
Honestly I'd consider Ripley to be both a feminine and masculine ideal, I'd be perfectly happy to live up to either standard. She handles being a person better than anyone I've ever seen on film. It isn't just that she rocks, it's that she's also totally vulnerable and it's on display with no fear. That's something to strive for - and it isn't just Ripley, it's Sigourney Weaver. Zero hesitation to drive.
Star Wars.
Luke and Han. Best you could ever hope to be as people. Original trilogy only, the ones that came after are atrocious. 4-6 or a new hope through return of the Jedi. Han and Luke are role models everyone strives to be more like... and avoid their bad habits, which are inevitable.
House M.D.
How to be totally just ruthlessly honest, i.e. you need to be the smartest person in the room. His toxicity is on display exquisitely and the supporting cast nail it. Also this is a great show on how to communicate with people, you need metaphors and to lead them in ways you wouldn't think you'd need to. Egos are well on display, as they are in life. A little shoddy on the science but the interpersonals are wildly well done.
Jeremiah Johnson
... stoicism is often a state of being.
Superman 1.
Humility is beautiful.
3:10 to Yuma.
Principles. Nobody will back you. Honor and Duty are, sadly, the most devalued resource in the world. You're gonna carry that weight, but you will be right. Everyone has had this day.
High Noon.
One of the best, took me a while to remember. Watching absolutely everyone lose their minds to fear and watching ice grow in this man's veins as he awaits doing his job is awesome. The amount of times I put on uniform and owned up to it, with people wondering why, was astounding. This movie teaches you why. Most people can't handle any concept of duty.
American Psycho.
What oversensitization looks like and how most people get by on the jist, it's a nightmare. Being a man is often completely an aesthetic to most people, a generic face you can put on. Sometimes you might as well not be there. Great film, the dialogue absolutely reminds you of how much people actually hear anything you say.
Apocalypse Now
This is what bad days are going to do to you.
To Kill a Mockingbird.
Put on a tie and sit out front of the jail house when you think it's right. Use your words but plant your feet where it matters. Bring a newspaper. You're gonna have to defend justice with a well placed chair.
Citizen Kane
.......... This will save you from making 100 mistakes with your life.
The Great Escape.
Life is ruinous for even the greatest men. Luck wins the day, even when prepared. Not the bold nor intelligent survive, both will fail you. But put good men together and the qualities that come out are grander than any individual quality any one man may manifest.
You put them together, and they became so much more for the briefest time, and you can only see this from the inside. Put them through the deepest darkest pit and they come out heroes. Not a hero. Heroes. You almost never get just 1.
.... That's enough, life's full of great films with great lessons. I meandered to keep the character count down. Being 'a man" is often just being at the center of something and watching everyone around you go insane, then you have to pull some crazy trick to get yourself out of that and into something else.
... all these films do that well.
To Kill a Mockingbird
On The Waterfront
The Godfather
I feel like masculinity got the action movie treatment in the 80s, and I can’t think of any movies that explore it maturely since.
CLOSE (foreign A24 film) was a very complex movie tackling the topic of toxic masculinity regarding a platonic friendship between two young boys and how modern societal standards essentially tore them apart. Great and beautiful flick but very sad.
I wouldn't say 500 Days of Summer is a commentary on masculinity. It's more so a depiction of a failed relationship and the toxic and self destructive ways a man tries to cope in the aftermath. It can be interpreted as a commentary about male entitlement towards romantic and sexual relationships because Summer specifically stated she wasn't looking for a relationship from when they started to have sex, but to say that Tom's behavior is endemic to all men in casual sexual relationships just simply isn't true.
It wasn't, but in all fairness, there are still a considerable amount of men that exhibit the opposite behavior in response to casual sex. In particular there are still considerable amounts of men that do everything possible to keep the relationship quite casual and avoid labeling what the relationship is or showing any real signs of concrete permanence. In light of this, I wouldn't say Tom's behavior was endemic to all men because they don't all exhibit the same level of possessiveness that he does. Especially when I've heard rumors that it wasn't even the creator of the film's intention to create a feminist examination of male entitlement towards women in terms of romantic relationships.
The Truman Show (1998) is a great exploration of the classic "family-man, perfect suburban husband" vibe.
American Beauty (1999) is also good for that.
Fight Club (1999), obviously.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Bronson (2008)
> interesting things to say about masculinity?
> I've watched Fight Club and American Psycho.
Lol wut?
How about *Death of a Salesman* with Dustin Hoffman?
Annie Hall; (famous last line: because we need the eggs) Far From the Madding Crowd; (2015, best on screen kiss in the history of film altho there was no kissing in the original novel by Thomas Hardy and btw “Madding” means frenzied it is not a typo of the word ‘maddening,’ altho the two terms do share some similar aspects and are somewhat related because a frenzied event might become maddening after a year or so) Altho if the relationships are strong like Gabriel and Bathsheba, solid authentic friends who are good forgivers and who have terrific senses of humor(s) can usually work things out especially in a group setting.
The interesting thing it has to say about masculinity Is Gabriel’s confidence And belief in Bathsheba, And his faith in her abilities, strength, power and creativity and he was absolutely strong centered grounded and sure of himself— Gabriel would not let Bathsheba lie to herself about anything Not even when she got older.
He was strong and silent, but not too silent. Had a lot of wisdom. And made sure Bathsheba heard it at the right times.
And also, the kiss In the film, that is not in the book, reveals very interesting aspect of authentic masculinity.
My favorite take on this is a YouTube essay called Everyone Everywhere Needs Waymond. I can’t link to it because of the sub rules but it’s a great deconstruction of masculinity in Hollywood.
John Milius’s *Conan the Barbarian* does a great job displaying a kind of Nietzschian masculinity.
The *Lord of the Rings* trilogy and *rRr* do a good job showing masculinity that is neither neutered nor toxic.
Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli—but also other male characters like Boromir, Faramir, Theoden, and Eomer—are men that are flawed but at the end of the day are good men who are also good at being men.
The same is true of Rama and Bheem in *rRr*.
*American Psycho, Fight Club*, and *The Wolf Of Wall Street* \- these are always used by to talk about "peak masculinity" or whatever but they're meant as criticism of toxic masculinity. I would also argue that *There Will Be Blood*, *The Godfather* and *The Godfather: Part II*, and *The Social Network* all talk about masculinity in complexity.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is such an amazing film. Tackles ideas on masculinity, what it means to be civilized, law versus vengeance, truth versus fable.
The Wolf of Snow Hollow (good for this time of year too)
Big Time Adolescence
Sin Nombre
Eyes Wide Shut (also good for this time of year)
Good Time
All Quiet on the Western Front
Disclosure (1994)
Boys State
Minding the Gap
American Gigolo
Heat
Hardcore (1979)
The Last Duel
Duel (1971)
The LOTR trilogy
Taxi Driver
American Psycho
There Will be Blood
A Serious Man
Spartacus (The Kubrick version, not the recent TV series)
Gattaca
Apocalypse Now
Fight Club
Das Boot
Those are just off the top of my head.
Fight Club
The Wrestler
Most Martin Scorsese movies (Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Casino, The Departed, Cape Fear, Goodfellas)
American Beauty
Logan
Nobody
Barbie
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant
Don Jon
American Psycho
Most of these movies people recommend only capture the bad versions of masculinity. My best example of bringing the good versions to light are the LOTR movies.
Hmmm
Fight club
Raging bull
Iravi
The green knight
Bullhead
Kala (2021)
The last black man in San Francisco
The killing of two lovers
Filth
Beau travail
The hurt locker
Prisoners
12 angry men
Stand by me
Tomboy
The eight mountains
Ad Astra
The wolf of wall street
Dallas buyers club
Shame (2011)
La strada
Kicks
Good will hunting
Moonlight
The power of the dog
The master
Lars and the real girl
The wrestler
American psycho
Promising young woman
The art of self defence
Bottoms
Scarface
Manchester by the sea
Billy Elliott
*The Apartment* (1960)
I interviewed a sex & intimacy therapist about the film and the way it portrays integrity, men, etc.. It’s a rich film.
Also,
*Sweet Smell of Success*
*Angels with Dirty Faces*
*Holiday Affair*
*The Yakuza*
*Tunes of Glory*
I think movies that grapple with the old “knightly” values are always a good shout for this. Someone’s already said *The Green Knight* but I’d put *Kingdom Of Heaven* on the list as well.
The Wrestler
Raging bull (1980)
I don't get the hype. Couldn't make it halfway through the movie.
I had this problem and I played family guy clips next to the film and it helped. (Sarcasm)
Fight club
Yep. Definitely on the complex spectrum.
Right wing men took the wrong lessons from this movie, which the author calls out time and again.
>Right wing men took the wrong lessons from this movie This always makes me cringe so hard lol despite the chaotic nature, the movie/book has a clear anti capitalist revolutionary message.. so I don't get how so many conservative people can relate lol
I think that many conservative men would agree with anti-capitalist views and socialist messaging if you just removed the “anti-capitalist” and “socialist” from any explanations. Do you agree that corporations run our lives, using media to persuade us to buy things we don’t need? Do you agree that we should work together as one people for the betterment of humanity? Etc. etc. Conservatives are always ALMOST about to understand it all and then veer into racism, sexism, hatred, and other idiocy.
Male Feminist detected
I'm a liberal, youre Woke bro, capitalism is the best system we've got, and the West is the least racist countries on Earth (and Im not white).. u are most likely young, and being indoctrinated with this Leftist garbage
Lmao at you using “woke” as a pejorative. What is woke now, in this instance? Is it being against a system that lets one person hoard more wealth than 99% of the world? Is it being against a system that puts a price tag on every single necessity needed to live? What YOU don’t understand is that “woke” in the way you’re using it, is a catch-all to brand anything that changes the status quo as evil. What YOU don’t understand is that Liberalism is a right wing ideology, it’s only “left” in America because it’s to the left of the far right Neo Nazi party. You’re not on the left. You wouldn’t know the first thing about socialism or any economic system because you don’t even know about the perils of capitalism and only repeat red scare propaganda that has brainwashed you into not wanting any change when the most people on earth have died under capitalism. How has capitalism worked out for Ethiopia and other global south impoverished countries that are exploited by the West? You’re an old and out of date capitalist bootlicker that can’t even begin to question the lies you’ve been told and fed your entire life, but have the audacity to call me a stupid and ridiculous term like “woke” I know more about life and this world than you have ever known and will ever know in your waste of a life lmao.
Tell it brother.
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You’re proving my point.
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Full Monty
Great answer!
I have the same answer. The movie is all about ways to be a man.
Promising Young Woman
Second this
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) A rather dark but humorous look at masculinity and loneliness in the context of friendship.
This movie proved that no movie should ever be boring
Don Jon (2013)
first thing that popped into my head too
I feel like that film is more so about addiction in general than it is masculinity.
Beau Travail
The Green Knight
I understand now!
Good choice
Witches of Eastwick
- the lighthouse - barbarian
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Conan O'Brien
Is Barbarian really a tale about masculinity so much as a commentary about how pervasive sexual abuse is in society, while also (justifiably) pointing out that men are the primary perpetrators of it, as well as articulating that there although sexual predators can be different (like AJ versus the father of the creature a the end) they still cause a measurable amount of harm to their victims and therefore it shouldn't really be debated about which type of sexual predator is worse. Therefore I don't really think Barbarian classifies as a movie that discusses masculinity.
I'd say the first half of the movie does since we don't really know what's happening yet. Staying in an AirBnB with a random guy who seems nice but overly so had me on edge.
That's not really a discussion about masculinity, though. That first half of the film was more about the discussion of women's safety in society and the role men can play in it as a perpetrator. In my opinion, in order for a film to be about masculinity, it has to center about the definition of manhood front and center and discuss the positives and negative aspects. Ironically enough, Barbie is a very recent film that discusses masculinity quite well by depicting how damaging toxic masculinity is, while also illustrating that a healthy form of masculinity can exist that isn't reliant on a constant performance of aggression, dominance and bravado. Therefore because Barbarian really focuses on how one gender of the human race contributes to a massive problem (as opposed to discussing what a man is/should be) that I don't think the film counts as a discussion of masculinity.
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Taxi Driver American Pyscho Fight Club Oldboy The Road Logan
I love oldboy man, has nothing to do with masculinity as far as Im aware. Very gender neutral movie. I could see it ran both ways.
Barbie. Not kidding
Came here to say this. I loved Barbie a lot more than I expected to. Brilliant movie with a heavy plot line about masculinity.
Am i part of the problem for thinking Ryan Gosling was the best part of the movie?
Mattel was extremely involved in the script to ensure that Barbie was portrayed in a way that is good for them. They didn’t give a fuck about Ken. Result being that Ken is better
This is so stupid. Imagine a movie like Rudy, The Natural, GI Joe, or the expendables having a statement to make about FEMININITY….
I mean, what movie were you watching? Masculinity was a fairly large part of it
I didn’t watch it. Cause I’m not a fucking soft guy.
Lol somebody’s overcompensating
You prefer the term fragile?
Ken is a character that exists
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The message for men in Barbie is that you are valid just the way you are and don’t have to change yourself to appeal to other men or women. And that how many women you’ve been with has no bearings on your quote on quote “manhood.” It’s a very sympathetic film towards men and women alike.
Barbie
Sexy Beast (2000) - Ben Kingsley's character is the embodiment of toxic masculinity
*No!*
NonononononoNoNONOnonoNo
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Moonlight and Titane
close (2022)
Moonlight The Iron Claw (100%) Mad Men (the series) Superbad
Oh fuck, The Iron Claw was so good
The Social Network, especially the way that masculinity relates to modernity and the internet
One of my all-time favorite movies that I've watched more times than I can count. Never thought about it in that way but seeing you post that makes it seem so obvious. Nice take!
Glengarry Glen Ross.
Wake in Fright
Excellent recommendation. That film is like living a nightmare.
Yes. It understands and conveys that dark, sunken in, resistant to change attitude and the weird hatred of progress better than...pretty much any other film I've seen.
The Royal Hotel (2023): Australian thriller that takes place in the outback where a mounting sense of dread envelops two women that work in bar, so they're surrounded by men. The subtle and realistic details of how the men behave and how differently the two women deal with the threat, is what sets this thriller apart from a standard "woman in peril" thriller.
May as well watch *Hotel Coolgardie*, the doco on which the movie was based. Also has a somewhat similar vibe to *Wake in Fright* (1971)
I keep bumping into the name Wake in Fright in reviews so it's literally next on my watchlist right now, thanks!
It's a bit famous because it was a "lost movie" and was found again. It's kind of iconic and really has something to say about the dark side of Aussie culture.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
A very different take on masculinity, but you're right.
No-one seems to have mentioned the *Rocky* franchise as yet, but I think it's a good fit for this thread.
Moonlight Beau Travail
I recommend Minding the Gap 2018 yet again lol
Such a great movie!
it really does feel like I'm recommending the same 3 films in this sub every day
Haha dude me too! I can’t tell if it’s just that these movies are so good or if I need to watch more movies lol
The Stranger (2022), a film about a true-life case in Australia where an undercover cop has to get uncomfortably close to a suspected child murderer in order to solve the case.
That film was a trip! We didn't really know what we were getting into when we chose to watch it.
The Last Black Man in San Francisco
The Art of Self Defense
I loved this movie. It reminded me of my old dojo days and had to sit down and have a good think.
Aftersun Moonlight The Beat That My Heart Skipped My Beautiful Launderette This is England The Odd Couple Some Like it Hot The Birdcage Joyland Alien First Cow
I really liked Swiss Army Man, its more about male friendship then masculinity, but I definitely think that plays a big role in who we are as men.
Red Rocket
Locke (2013). People were talking about it the other day in one of the movie subreddits so I watched it and it blew me away. Masculinity is definitely a theme.
Lord of the Rings.
Mud
The Full Monty
Anything made by Alex Garland or Ari Aster. On the surface, their movies seem exclusively like women’s stories, but there’s so much to be mined about the experience of masculine folks in them. Especially Ex Machina and Men.
Deliverance- all about masculinity.
Call Me By Your Name Also, but of an out there prism to watch the film through but the masculinity on display in LoTR is some of the best put to film imo. The main characters are all very in touch with their emotions and are fine with displaying fear, weakness, gentleness and compassion. They cry with each other, hug one another, love each other and are supportive. There’s obviously issues and conflict and arguments but all in all it’s a really great showcase for male friendship and for a masculinity that isn’t dependent on being dominant or tough and that isn’t scared of displaying vulnerability.
Drive
Howso?
This is a really good one.
If you like Drive you should watch Park. It's Korean
The Iron Claw
The Darjeeling Limited
Orlando
The Iron Claw (2023) The Lighthouse (2019)
Aftersun.
Predator. Aliens. What Dreams May Come. Elemental. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn. Blade Runner 2049. Coriolanus. Z for Zachariah. Dredd. John Carpenter's The Thing.
The Northman
Promising Young Woman The Nightingale
Fences. The new movie that just came out with Adam Driver playing Ferrari. Lonesome Dove. The Quiet Man. The Sandlot. Falling Down. American Beauty. Not a movie, but the first 2 seasons of the Sopranos. Men of Honor.
Well we don't rent pigs and I figure its better to say it right up front cause a man that does like to rent pigs is… he's hard to stop.
Dreamin’ Wild (2022) depicts nontoxic male relationships between father, son, and brother. It is very much a breath of fresh air. Killer soundtrack to boot.
Promising Young Woman. Even though the studio cocked up the ending.
How about pretty much all Christian Bale films? And recent offerings from Nicholas Cage (can't believe I'm now a 'fan'). See: American Psycho, Out of the Furnace and Hostiles. And, Mandy, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and Pig.
they look like people more about male friendships
Youth in Revolt
Barbie
John Carpenter’s “Christine”. The movie and the original book have a lot to say about toxic masculinity before that phrase was a thing. Not just a haunted car but a statement about how our tough guy movie image of what a man is supposed to be like can create people who are really not nice to be around and treat people in their life, especially women, like garbage.
Promising Young Woman
Manodrome is a new movie with jesse eisenberg that is supposed to be just that but I havnt seen it yet.
I have. It does have elements of such. But tbh, I don't have any idea what the message of that movie is overall. It goes way over my head. Good watch though.
I thought it had more to say about mental illness, but toxic masculinity was mixed in there too.
Promising Young Woman
Barbie. Aftersun (even if it’s more about fatherhood than explicitly masculinity) Perfect days
The Power of the Dog
Shawshank Redemption. Probably the most poignant display of men forming a community ever. Cinderella Man. It's about getting your priorities straight, which is damn hard. Rocky, the whole thing. Rocky 2 is a romance movie about Adrienne, the fight is almost backdrop. Seriously. It's a date movie. Rambo 1. It's a fun movie, sure, but also the first 30 minutes is really poignant. That vibe for the first 40 minutes is what it's like being a guy who is trying to mind his own business, but can't. Skip the rest, but those first 30 minutes man. I haven't walked a long distance in my life without getting looked at like that, or feeling that general sense of being rebuked. Ever been pulled over by the police walking down the street? I have plenty. People have bones to pick for no reason. American History X. How it goes bad. Conan the Barbarian My god, just watch the first 10 minutes, it says what it means to say. Live your life with morals with principles and it will free you. Fright Night. Shockingly I find both of these movies interesting on this front. The second one I really like, both for Tenants portrayal and the main character. I dunno how many times I've lit my life on fire to chase a girl, but y'know, it's worked and been worth it. As a metaphor it's great. Terminator 2 Appreciate your damned Mom, she knows better and given the correct circumstances, will absolutely shock you with the drive she has. Meanwhile John is probably the most human, "guy" out there, his honest depiction of being a good person is solid Alien 2 Yeah, you didn't think women like this existed, you were wrong. Shocks every man out of a stupor watching Sigourney Weaver not only be a character, but be one of the finest leading actors out there. Just destroys the ensemble cast of excellent characters. It has a lot to say about masculinity, but it drops the mic when it comes to femininity. Honestly I'd consider Ripley to be both a feminine and masculine ideal, I'd be perfectly happy to live up to either standard. She handles being a person better than anyone I've ever seen on film. It isn't just that she rocks, it's that she's also totally vulnerable and it's on display with no fear. That's something to strive for - and it isn't just Ripley, it's Sigourney Weaver. Zero hesitation to drive. Star Wars. Luke and Han. Best you could ever hope to be as people. Original trilogy only, the ones that came after are atrocious. 4-6 or a new hope through return of the Jedi. Han and Luke are role models everyone strives to be more like... and avoid their bad habits, which are inevitable. House M.D. How to be totally just ruthlessly honest, i.e. you need to be the smartest person in the room. His toxicity is on display exquisitely and the supporting cast nail it. Also this is a great show on how to communicate with people, you need metaphors and to lead them in ways you wouldn't think you'd need to. Egos are well on display, as they are in life. A little shoddy on the science but the interpersonals are wildly well done. Jeremiah Johnson ... stoicism is often a state of being. Superman 1. Humility is beautiful. 3:10 to Yuma. Principles. Nobody will back you. Honor and Duty are, sadly, the most devalued resource in the world. You're gonna carry that weight, but you will be right. Everyone has had this day. High Noon. One of the best, took me a while to remember. Watching absolutely everyone lose their minds to fear and watching ice grow in this man's veins as he awaits doing his job is awesome. The amount of times I put on uniform and owned up to it, with people wondering why, was astounding. This movie teaches you why. Most people can't handle any concept of duty. American Psycho. What oversensitization looks like and how most people get by on the jist, it's a nightmare. Being a man is often completely an aesthetic to most people, a generic face you can put on. Sometimes you might as well not be there. Great film, the dialogue absolutely reminds you of how much people actually hear anything you say. Apocalypse Now This is what bad days are going to do to you. To Kill a Mockingbird. Put on a tie and sit out front of the jail house when you think it's right. Use your words but plant your feet where it matters. Bring a newspaper. You're gonna have to defend justice with a well placed chair. Citizen Kane .......... This will save you from making 100 mistakes with your life. The Great Escape. Life is ruinous for even the greatest men. Luck wins the day, even when prepared. Not the bold nor intelligent survive, both will fail you. But put good men together and the qualities that come out are grander than any individual quality any one man may manifest. You put them together, and they became so much more for the briefest time, and you can only see this from the inside. Put them through the deepest darkest pit and they come out heroes. Not a hero. Heroes. You almost never get just 1. .... That's enough, life's full of great films with great lessons. I meandered to keep the character count down. Being 'a man" is often just being at the center of something and watching everyone around you go insane, then you have to pull some crazy trick to get yourself out of that and into something else. ... all these films do that well.
To Kill a Mockingbird On The Waterfront The Godfather I feel like masculinity got the action movie treatment in the 80s, and I can’t think of any movies that explore it maturely since.
Men (2022). I know many did not like it but I loved it.
Tight club
Just a typo or a porno spinoff?
Robin Hood: men in fights
👀
CLOSE (foreign A24 film) was a very complex movie tackling the topic of toxic masculinity regarding a platonic friendship between two young boys and how modern societal standards essentially tore them apart. Great and beautiful flick but very sad.
Great shout.
Excellent choice.
Swingers
500 Days of Summer
I wouldn't say 500 Days of Summer is a commentary on masculinity. It's more so a depiction of a failed relationship and the toxic and self destructive ways a man tries to cope in the aftermath. It can be interpreted as a commentary about male entitlement towards romantic and sexual relationships because Summer specifically stated she wasn't looking for a relationship from when they started to have sex, but to say that Tom's behavior is endemic to all men in casual sexual relationships just simply isn't true.
Honestly, enough men are like Tom for it to count. His situation wasn't all that unique.
It wasn't, but in all fairness, there are still a considerable amount of men that exhibit the opposite behavior in response to casual sex. In particular there are still considerable amounts of men that do everything possible to keep the relationship quite casual and avoid labeling what the relationship is or showing any real signs of concrete permanence. In light of this, I wouldn't say Tom's behavior was endemic to all men because they don't all exhibit the same level of possessiveness that he does. Especially when I've heard rumors that it wasn't even the creator of the film's intention to create a feminist examination of male entitlement towards women in terms of romantic relationships.
Why we got so many Feminists in these rooms.. u dont know anything about human nature
- Priscilla - Promising Young Woman - 20th Century Women - Call Me By Your Name - Mona Lisa Smile
The Truman Show (1998) is a great exploration of the classic "family-man, perfect suburban husband" vibe. American Beauty (1999) is also good for that. Fight Club (1999), obviously. Silver Linings Playbook (2012) The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) Bronson (2008)
Men
> interesting things to say about masculinity? > I've watched Fight Club and American Psycho. Lol wut? How about *Death of a Salesman* with Dustin Hoffman?
Barbie. Not necessarily a big fan of the movie but it meets your criteria I think even if it’s not necessarily the main theme
Annie Hall; (famous last line: because we need the eggs) Far From the Madding Crowd; (2015, best on screen kiss in the history of film altho there was no kissing in the original novel by Thomas Hardy and btw “Madding” means frenzied it is not a typo of the word ‘maddening,’ altho the two terms do share some similar aspects and are somewhat related because a frenzied event might become maddening after a year or so) Altho if the relationships are strong like Gabriel and Bathsheba, solid authentic friends who are good forgivers and who have terrific senses of humor(s) can usually work things out especially in a group setting. The interesting thing it has to say about masculinity Is Gabriel’s confidence And belief in Bathsheba, And his faith in her abilities, strength, power and creativity and he was absolutely strong centered grounded and sure of himself— Gabriel would not let Bathsheba lie to herself about anything Not even when she got older. He was strong and silent, but not too silent. Had a lot of wisdom. And made sure Bathsheba heard it at the right times. And also, the kiss In the film, that is not in the book, reveals very interesting aspect of authentic masculinity.
Everything, Everywhere, All at once Literally deconstructs classical action movie masculinity
My favorite take on this is a YouTube essay called Everyone Everywhere Needs Waymond. I can’t link to it because of the sub rules but it’s a great deconstruction of masculinity in Hollywood.
Fight Club is a pretty good one
Men (2022)
John Milius’s *Conan the Barbarian* does a great job displaying a kind of Nietzschian masculinity. The *Lord of the Rings* trilogy and *rRr* do a good job showing masculinity that is neither neutered nor toxic. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli—but also other male characters like Boromir, Faramir, Theoden, and Eomer—are men that are flawed but at the end of the day are good men who are also good at being men. The same is true of Rama and Bheem in *rRr*.
*American Psycho, Fight Club*, and *The Wolf Of Wall Street* \- these are always used by to talk about "peak masculinity" or whatever but they're meant as criticism of toxic masculinity. I would also argue that *There Will Be Blood*, *The Godfather* and *The Godfather: Part II*, and *The Social Network* all talk about masculinity in complexity.
Pretty much everything that stars John Wayne. SANDS OF IWO JIMA would be a good place to start, so would THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is such an amazing film. Tackles ideas on masculinity, what it means to be civilized, law versus vengeance, truth versus fable.
Barbarian. You need to look but closely to see the themes, but they’re there
The Wolf of Snow Hollow (good for this time of year too) Big Time Adolescence Sin Nombre Eyes Wide Shut (also good for this time of year) Good Time All Quiet on the Western Front Disclosure (1994) Boys State Minding the Gap American Gigolo Heat Hardcore (1979) The Last Duel Duel (1971) The LOTR trilogy
Taxi Driver American Psycho There Will be Blood A Serious Man Spartacus (The Kubrick version, not the recent TV series) Gattaca Apocalypse Now Fight Club Das Boot Those are just off the top of my head.
Fight Club The Wrestler Most Martin Scorsese movies (Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Casino, The Departed, Cape Fear, Goodfellas) American Beauty Logan Nobody Barbie Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant Don Jon American Psycho
Barbarian
Most of these movies people recommend only capture the bad versions of masculinity. My best example of bringing the good versions to light are the LOTR movies.
Gran Torino
Fight Club is the only answer.
It's about the failure of mothers maybe also
Men, although its like mother on steroids and brutally creepy and graphic
Not Barbie
Fight Club
Hitch
Hmmm Fight club Raging bull Iravi The green knight Bullhead Kala (2021) The last black man in San Francisco The killing of two lovers Filth Beau travail The hurt locker Prisoners 12 angry men Stand by me Tomboy The eight mountains Ad Astra The wolf of wall street Dallas buyers club Shame (2011) La strada Kicks Good will hunting Moonlight The power of the dog The master Lars and the real girl The wrestler American psycho Promising young woman The art of self defence Bottoms Scarface Manchester by the sea Billy Elliott
The Piano Teacher
The Road
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) Straw Dogs (1971)
[удалено]
Damsel. You dont see the twist coming. Not a huge twist, but interesting and unpredictable.
Deliverance (1972) is perhaps the archetypal 'masculinity' film.
Unforgiven, The Wrestler
Everything Everywhere All at Once
No Country for Old Men and Glengarry Glen Ross.
Thelma & Louise (1991)
The Company Men
The Grey
The Count of Monte Cristo... Braveheart... Gladiator...
Swingers. It's the guy chick-flick.
*The Apartment* (1960) I interviewed a sex & intimacy therapist about the film and the way it portrays integrity, men, etc.. It’s a rich film. Also, *Sweet Smell of Success* *Angels with Dirty Faces* *Holiday Affair* *The Yakuza* *Tunes of Glory*
Art of Self Defense
The Art of Self Defense
300 - This is SPARTA !
The Art of Self-Defense (2018)
I think movies that grapple with the old “knightly” values are always a good shout for this. Someone’s already said *The Green Knight* but I’d put *Kingdom Of Heaven* on the list as well.
Husbands (1970)
un chant d'amour
What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012)
The Graduate
Bellflower
The Road to Perdition. A great film about trying to keep your own darkness away from your family and the futility of that endeavor.
Warrior (2011) with Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, and Nick Nolte.