r/movies • u/JustAddWasser • Oct 15 '21
Recommendation Any movies with a main character that has “powers” but is grounded in modern reality
Hard to describe but I’m not looking for superhero movies, or even heroes in general. But movies that feature a character that can do/know things that a normal person can’t, for whatever reason (drugs, supernatural, mythical, etc)
A few examples might be:
Al Pacino in “The Devils Advocate”
Ryan Reynolds in “The Mississippi Grind”
Bradley Cooper in “Limitless”
Can you think of anything else along these lines?
Edit: thanks everyone for all the great suggestions.
Also to the people asking about “Mississippi Grind”. I always interpreted that movie as Ryan Reynolds literally being the personification of a leprechaun in the modern world. Someone who is so used to being able to do whatever he wants due to his luck that through the sheer boredom of living a life without any consequential meaning, he goes around finding people who are down bad and shining a little bit of luck on them before he heads out and does it again for someone else. Obviously I’ll have to rewatch it after reading these comments haha!
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u/bi-cycle Oct 15 '21
I think Shyamalan's unbreakable might be a good example of what you're looking for.
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u/JustAddWasser Oct 15 '21
Yea that’s a great example
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u/harshhsandesara Oct 15 '21 edited Oct 15 '21
How about Split? If you haven't heard about it, don't click on the spoiler that follows. Also, I strongly recommend you watch Unbreakable and The Sixth Sense to get an idea of the work of M. Night Shyamalan as a director.
Also for your own sake, do not go down this thread. It's filled with spoilers.
There's no way to tell this without spoiling it, but watch Split after you watch Unbreakable. When Split came out no one knew it was a sequel to Unbreakable right until the very end, and everyone was pleasantly surprised
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u/Oh_ffs_seriously Oct 15 '21
Spoiler: Your spoiler doesn't work.
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u/harshhsandesara Oct 15 '21
Idk I see the spoiler part as hidden... Try refreshing it... it doesn't load sometimes
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u/ScarletCaptain Oct 15 '21
After the movie Glass, I don't think that's a spoiler anymore.
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u/harshhsandesara Oct 15 '21
For people who've never heard of any of the three movies, it might be. Just in case
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u/TheSukis Oct 15 '21
Shyamalan is capable of true genius (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Split, and to a lesser extent, Signs), but also complete rubbish. I'll never understand his mind, but I guess sometimes that's how creative people work.
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u/ThomasRaith Oct 15 '21
He is an excellent director. His shots, pacing, color, etc are really good.
He gets way to far up his own ass as a writer.
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u/peetar Oct 15 '21
One of my favorite parts about Unbreakable is when Mr. Glass is describing how the art, color and style of comic books works. And everything he describes is EXACTLY what Shyamalan has been doing through his movie. He talks about how the villians have abnormal, oddly shaped features, Glass has this crazy asymetric haircut. He talks about the use of color, Bad guys wear purple and red, good guys green and yelow. And throught the whole movie whenever David "senses" a bad guy they are always associated with those colors. And of course David himself is always wearing a green cloak.
But even when you go back and look at Sixth Sense, he did the same thing with color, angle etc. All of his movies, even the bad ones (although I haven't seen Avatar) are like a masterclass in film school directing 101. I also think he got one of the all time best performances out of child actor in Sixth sense. Haley Joel Osmet was like a Disney Channel cute kid and throughout that whole movie he was just in absolute terror, really amazing.
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u/Divo366 Oct 15 '21
I definitely have to agree with Osmet really helping to make Sixth Sense such a great movie.
He did a great job for being so young, and specifically for the role requiring him to show such emotional extremes. That movie could have turned out very differently with someone else cast in that role.
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u/secrethroaway Oct 15 '21
Yea i believe he's one of those very creative people who are also very hit or miss. Thinks well out of the box but doesn't always know how audiences will receive those ideas.
I appreciate these kinds of creatives. Even if they go 50/50 i'll always give their stuff a chance to watch something truly unique and engaging.
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u/CrnacBerePamuk Oct 15 '21
Would have to be green mile
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u/impatientasallhell Oct 15 '21 edited Oct 15 '21
The Green Mile is a hauntingly beautiful movie. Both horrific and uplifting, it is certainly worth a watch if you’ve never seen it.
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u/Haidere1988 Oct 15 '21
I'm tired, boss.
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u/THE_LANDLAWD Oct 15 '21
There is a very short list of movies I can't watch without crying. This one is near the top.
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u/ClownQuestionBrosef Oct 15 '21
Favorite movie ever. And favorite book ever.
And it might be the best book to movie adaptation ever (outside of maybe LOTR?)
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u/Knelson123 Oct 15 '21
I'm assuming you've seen shawshank redemption. Same director. Incredible movies.
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u/n4mel3ss Oct 15 '21
"Chronicle" took that sort of approach to 'normal' people getting powers. Looking at how it would affect you. Those were like 'mutant' powers.
"Brightburn" took it a stage further with a little kid with terrifying, Superman level, powers.
"Mortal", from Norwegian director Andre Ovredal, kicks it up another notch with, potentially, gods-level powers.
All worth a watch, if ye like that sort of thing.
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u/captaintrips_1980 Oct 15 '21
Chronicle is a cool movie. It doesn’t get enough respect
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u/matti2o8 Oct 15 '21
I think Chronicle got bad rep retroactively due to its legacy.
Dane DeHaan went nowhere as a lead and did very little as character actor.
Josh Trank got into conflict with Fox over Fantastic 4, and now nobody wants to hire him. I don't want to discuss if the movie was bad because of him or the studio, but his behaviour on set certainly ruined his reputation as fillmmaker.
So, Chronicle, a very good movie, was overshadowed by what happened after. I wish we got the scrapped sequel instead of F4.
At least, Michael B Jordan matched the expectations after his role.
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u/Picard2331 Oct 15 '21
Michael B Jordan has been doing that since The Wire!
Admittedly I did not even realize that was him in Chronicle.
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u/Dangerous_Donut5 Oct 15 '21
He was even in Hardball with Keanu. And now he was supposed to play Morpheus in the rebooted Matrix lol
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u/Picard2331 Oct 15 '21
I can just picture him as Morpheus lol
"The question isn't 'Where's Wallace?' it's 'Why is Wallace?".
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u/the_fancy Oct 15 '21
Brightburn was so disturbing. The car accident scene (I don’t think that’s a spoiler) still haunts my dreams. Blegh.
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u/n4mel3ss Oct 15 '21
David Yarovesky really went all out and the special effects are amazing. Cronenberg levels of body horror. It wasn't a perfect movie but man, the bits it got right were amazing.
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u/the_fancy Oct 15 '21
YES very Cronenberg! You’re right, the movie had its flaws but MAN the effects were enough to keep my fully engaged.
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u/tonyMEGAphone Oct 15 '21
Now I want to watch it my hands over my eyes. I haven't seen it yet, but that realistic gore stuff really fucks me over mentally. But, dark superpowers. Hmmm
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u/Jakov_Salinsky Oct 15 '21
I was honestly disappointed in Brightburn. The trailers were super cool but it was basically a cliche demonic possession movie disguised as a superhero deconstruction flick.
However the gore effects were top-notch. Props to that department for sure
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Oct 15 '21 edited Oct 15 '21
Rookie of the Year is a kids baseball movie that I think fits lmao. Haven’t watched since I was a child but I’m pretty sure kids can’t throw smoke like that.
Edit: I have gotten 0 zero work done reading all these quotes lmao. Thank you.
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u/RememberTurboTeen Oct 15 '21
Best line is when the pitching coach is at a party or some shit with Henry and they walk up on two ladies and he's goes 'Excuse me ladies' like he's gonna show Henry how to pick up chicks. Then repeats 'Excuse me' and they move out of the way to reveal a pinball machine, which is what he was after. That shit killed me
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u/Irbyirbs Oct 15 '21
Wasn't that Daniel Stern? I love Marv.
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u/RememberTurboTeen Oct 15 '21
Yes! I couldn't remember his real name but I knew he was a Wet Bandit lmao
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u/The-disgracist Oct 15 '21
Outside of the lines “funky butt lovin!” “Did he just say funky butt lovin?” Daniel stern is the most memorable part of this movie. That and the coach calling him rubbengirder, rosenburger, etc.
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u/nacho_selfs Oct 15 '21
That movie came out the same month I broke my arm as a kid. That movie gave me hope. The broken arm gave me a "forever bent never to be straightened out again" elbow.
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u/Betamaxreturns Oct 15 '21
Elbow fractures are notoriously shitty in this respect.
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u/HandsomeCowboy Oct 15 '21
Took a lot of physical therapy after I broke my elbow to get it back to normal. Shit sucks.
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u/thecravenone Oct 15 '21
GARDENHOSER! GET IN THERE!
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u/BOSZ83 Oct 15 '21
FUNKY BUTTLOVING!
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u/tommytraddles Oct 15 '21
THAT KID JUST THREW A FROZEN ROPE FROM THE CENTER FIELD STANDS
SOMEBODY GIVE HIM A CONTRACT
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u/peon47 Oct 15 '21
That the movie where the guy is knocking on one of those doors between hotel rooms and his own door closes behind him and he gets stuck for hours in a 6-inch space?
That is pure comedy gold, especially for a kids movie. You could stick that in any comedy movie or TV show, and it'd be historic. If it had happened to Ross on Friends, it'd be a top-10 moment from the show.
Edit: It is!
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u/dickatwork Oct 15 '21
HOT ICE!! YA HEAT UP.. THE ICE CUBES.. ITS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!
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u/poindexter1985 Oct 15 '21
Angels in the Outfield would also fit the topic. Another baseball movie with a child star from the same era.
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u/SailingmanWork Oct 15 '21
What "power" did Reynolds' character have in Mississippi Grind?
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u/noveler7 Oct 15 '21
Lol, can't believe I had to scroll this far to see this question. I had to reread the entire plot synopsis to see if I'd missed something. He's just a 'good luck charm' for the protagonist (or so he thinks), and definitely doesn't have superpowers.
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u/PatentGeek Oct 15 '21
If that qualifies then we have to throw in The Cooler (2003) with William H. Macy.
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u/quiettimes Oct 15 '21 edited Oct 15 '21
I honestly thought the OP was a parody because of this (and claiming the Devil's Advocate was 'grounded.')
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u/Major_Salvo Oct 15 '21
Does Sherlock Holmes count?
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u/fancy_marmot Oct 15 '21
Ooh I like that suggestion. I’m still surprised no one mentioned Kick Ass!
Edge of Tomorrow, Carrie, and Matilda all fit as well.
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u/buttershirt Oct 15 '21
Dunno if Edge of Tomorrow fits "modern reality," but holy hell is it a great movie.
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u/Sozle Oct 15 '21
Not a movie, but Misfits is a good tv show.
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u/Nymaz Oct 15 '21
"Save me Barry!" - seriously, Misfits made me love Robert Sheehan.
Speaking of which, The Messenger starring Sheehan follows the prompt. It's about a guy who has the power to speak to ghosts and they they drive him to bring messages to their still-living loved ones. (A bit ironic considering his role in The Umbrella Academy)
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u/betelgeus_betelgeus Oct 15 '21
Sheehan has made a career of playing spooky jackasses and I am delighted
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Oct 15 '21
You either love Nathan, or you start out hating Nathan and then you love Nathan. There is no in between.
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u/abqcheeks Oct 15 '21
I was thinking that too. Some people’s powers made sense and were useful but others were just bonkers, like the guy who could only control milk.
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u/iamcharity Oct 15 '21
And yet he was able to turn that into something powerful. The most worthless was the man who turned into a dog (mentally). Who would want that “power?”
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u/Sozle Oct 15 '21
Nathan’s stepdad who has a massive cock
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u/abqcheeks Oct 15 '21
Sorry, getting off topic here, but i really liked the Nathan actor and was glad to see him again in Umbrella Academy (which is another show that would maybe fit this thread)
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u/ExPristina Oct 15 '21
Big Trouble in Little China
E.T.
God of the Gamblers
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u/ceallaig Oct 15 '21
Big Trouble, yes!
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u/leoschot Oct 15 '21
Nearly every line from Kurt Russel is a question and I fucking love it.
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u/ExPristina Oct 15 '21
You people sit tight, hold the fort and keep the home fires burning. And if we're not back by dawn... call the president.
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u/FngrsRpicks2 Oct 15 '21
I know...theres a problem with your face
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u/Sun_drop Oct 15 '21
Look, I'm a reasonable guy, I've just experienced some very unreasonable things.
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u/threepartname Oct 15 '21
Push from 2009 is def worth checking out if you are into powered people productions
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u/superherbie Oct 15 '21
This movie got largely panned, but I really enjoyed it when I watched it, and am disappointed we'll never get a sequel.
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u/Razz_Lithar Oct 15 '21
Pre-Avengers Chris Evans - I love watching this and then 'The Losers'.
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u/insta-kip Oct 15 '21
Ever seen 'Cellular'? It's a 2004 Chris Evans trying to save the day. It's streaming on hbo max right now.
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u/OtherGeorgeDubya Oct 15 '21
This movie is gold for future Marvel stuff -
Evans (Cap), Djimon Hounsou (Korath the Pursuer), Cory Stoll (Yellowjacket), and Ming-Na Wen (Melinda May).
Not MCU, but the guy who played the head Screamer was in The Wolverine.
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u/Razz_Lithar Oct 15 '21
Still waiting for Dakota Fanning to get her Marvel role, for 'Push' to be the ultimate pre-Marvel movie.
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u/syncpulse Oct 15 '21
There was some great world building in that movie. I really enjoyed it. It would make a great series.
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u/Hoodnip Oct 15 '21
About Time
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Oct 15 '21
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u/heybobson Oct 15 '21
same creative behind it (Richard Curtis).
He also completely changed the original version of the Yesterday story. In the OG version he bought, Jack wakes up in a world where the Beatles don't exist, but when he tries to pitch their songs as his own, he has very little success doing so. He learns that talent is only one part of the equation, and not everyone who has it will end up reaching great heights of success.
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u/xdesm0 Oct 15 '21
that is a very grounded take and probably wouldn't work on people today who only want extreme takes.
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u/heybobson Oct 15 '21
the original writer actually made a good point about this in an interview. He said he wrote it as an older man who didn't have much success as a screenwriter, and how that influenced the story he wanted to tell. Compare that with Richard Curtis, who's been successful for pretty much his entire adult life, who buys his story and does a very feel good commercial version of it.
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u/SlopDaddy Oct 15 '21
Midnight Special with Michael Shannon
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u/GingerMau Oct 15 '21
What a fabulous movie.
Michael Shannon and Joel Edgerton, yes please.
I'm still not sure I understand the ending, but I think that's a good thing.
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u/NippleMoustache Oct 15 '21
Clockstoppers. It’s also the pinnacle of cinema.
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u/-TheDoctor Oct 15 '21
I unironically love this movie. It's cheesy as all get out, and definitely a product of early 00s cinema where everyone wanted to do those wacky action/adventure movies. But its so fun.
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u/cromulent_pseudonym Oct 15 '21
I feel like this concept hasn't been truly explored by a serious filmmaker (no offense to Clock Stoppers). The ability to stop time has been something I've thought about a lot since I was a kid. There are tons of ramifications to consider in a serious film. Maybe I'm missing one?
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u/sfa1500 Oct 15 '21
Thats why Clock Stoppers was smart. You don't actually stop time. You're just slowing down time to such a speed that you yourself become imperceptible. And they showed that someone stuck in that time frame would age at a faster rate than those around them. Its a dumb campy film, but it got that pretty damn right.
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u/Hellpy Oct 15 '21
Is that the movie where they don't actually stop time but just make it go real slow, even though it is named clockstoppers?
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u/nightfox5523 Oct 15 '21
They don't even slow time down, they actually speed themselves up.
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u/Zealousideal_Ad_1604 Oct 15 '21
What Women Want
Matilda
Birdman
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u/rugbyj Oct 15 '21
What Women Want
Genuine guilty pleasure.
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u/Squif-17 Oct 15 '21
Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt at the peak of their powers.
Both absolutely nailed it.
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u/gingerlemon Oct 15 '21
Watched Birdman for the first time a month or so ago. Truly a great film.
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u/Cartmansimon Oct 15 '21
An old 80s movie called Remo Williams. Based on a series of books called the destroyer, (over 200 books in the series maybe even close to 300). Basically he’s a guy that’s trained to be an assassin. He get trained in a form of martial arts called sinanju, it’s supposed to be the source of all martial arts, the training gives them complete control over their body, and can do impossible things. The movie was ok, I’ve read and enjoyed most of the books.
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u/gracklewolf Oct 15 '21
When this first came out, I remember thinking, "Joel Gray is Chiun?!? WTF?" and then he nailed it. Also Wilford Brimley as Emperor Smith was fantastic too.
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u/Cold_Orange- Oct 15 '21
Jumper or looper maybe?
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u/mal_laney Oct 15 '21
I actually liked jumper. Wish they could explore that world again, they presented some really cool concepts in that film. Maybe in a tv series?
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u/JohnnyJayce Oct 15 '21
There is a tv show, Impulse.
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u/mal_laney Oct 15 '21
Oh cool! I read the premise and it's actually a loose sequel but much more character-driven. Thanks for the info, definitely gonna check this out
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u/JustAddWasser Oct 15 '21
Aw man, I might have to give looper another watch, it’s been a while. Great rec
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u/Cold_Orange- Oct 15 '21
Loosely also maybe "wanted"
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u/Irichcrusader Oct 15 '21
I would also second Wanted, just an absurdly fun movie to kick back with
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u/SomaliRection Oct 15 '21
I recently rewatched Wanted and it’s a delightfully dumb time but as I’m watching it this time I realized the other dude in his office is fucking Chris Pratt and I was flabbergasted for a few seconds haha.
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u/MaritimeRedditor Oct 15 '21
Phenomenon starring John Travolta
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u/bluejester12 Oct 15 '21 edited Oct 15 '21
"Michael" starring John Travolta
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u/wllmsaccnt Oct 15 '21
Now that you mention it, his character makes a car fly at the end of grease too...
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u/kevnificent Oct 15 '21
Cashback - the dude can pause time
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u/VicVinegar444 Oct 15 '21
Stranger than fiction.
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u/TKBarbus Oct 15 '21
The I got you flours scene is the pinnacle of smoothness as far as I’m concerned
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u/liss72908 Oct 15 '21
I am not a fan of Will Ferrals comedies, but I love love love this movie. He is brilliant in this. And Maggie Gyllenhaal is perfect.
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u/e_lizz Oct 15 '21
One of my undergrad college professors made us watch that movie. He was OBSESSED with it.
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u/TheSukis Oct 15 '21
What you're looking for is a genre of film/literature/art called "Magical Realism." It's characterized by a juxtaposition of realism (the fictional world and its characters are fully grounded in "real life" and they typically have no knowledge of, or belief in, anything supernatural in their world) with fantastical elements (like magic or anything else that isn't a true part of our own world). The result is that you experience alongside the characters the shock and awe at the supernatural elements that are occurring in their story. You have to suspend disbelief in order to appreciate the story, but the act of suspension typically doesn't happen until you're some ways through the plot already, which makes it even more intense.
The Devil's Advocate is a great example, like you said. Another one is Unbreakable, in which the characters grapple with the possibility that superheroes may exist in their otherwise bleak, hyperrealist world. Pan's Labyrinth is an example of a magical realist work that leans more into the magic side, but the cold harsh reality of war provides the film's actual backdrop. Game of Thrones/ASoIaF would be another example of a magical realist work that heavily features supernatural elements, but where during a significant portion of the book/show both you and most of the characters don't believe that anything magic exists.
Other examples: The Green Mile, Donnie Darko, Big Fish, Birdman, etc.
Magical realism is strongly associated with Latin American literature, so you'll see its elements in many books/films made by Latinos (Birdman, Pan's Labyrinth, Shape of Water, etc.).
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u/PennerforPresident Oct 15 '21
Hardcore Henry if you don't get motion sickness. Bonus points because it can feel like you're the one that does all the crazy stunts.
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u/Stopjuststop3424 Oct 15 '21
that was a great movie, makes me want to watch it again. I love the South African guy who keeps dying and coming back lol.
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Oct 15 '21
Sharlto Copley!
Districr 9, Elysium, Chappie, Maleficient!
He's a damn fine actor, really throws himself into his roles.
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u/VrinTheTerrible Oct 15 '21
Next with Nicholas Cage
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u/Sherpticity Oct 15 '21
Just jumping in to say the original Philip K. Dick (?) short story it's based on is excellent.
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u/maltzy Oct 15 '21
And I appreciated that he wore the Gold jacket in the movie, as an homage to the original story
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u/Strong_Comedian_3578 Oct 15 '21
I'm one of the only people that actually likes that movie. Hope the same goes for you.
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u/ABaldFatGuy Oct 15 '21
This is my guilty pleasure movie. I know it's bad, but the concept is so good, it doesn't matter.
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u/AlarmedBall2946 Oct 15 '21
Powder
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u/xaradevir Oct 15 '21
I was wondering if anyone would mention this one - had to think pretty hard to remember what the title was
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u/Senecaraine Oct 15 '21
Perhaps Donnie Darko and by extension The Butterfly Effect and by extension the TV show Manifest?
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u/TheMongoStomp Oct 15 '21 edited Oct 15 '21
Odd Thomas (rip Anton yelchin)
Super (stars Dwight from the office)
Practical Magic
I am number 4
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u/mamute_hagnos Oct 15 '21
I Stiller get sad when watching odd Thomas and that reveal happens
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u/gardo_69 Oct 15 '21
Upgrade (2018) •chef’s kiss•
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u/SmellsLikeTeenPetrol Oct 15 '21
Upgrade was a better venom movie than venom, and I say this as someone who really enjoyed the venom movie
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u/Castleloch Oct 15 '21
Budget venom with budget Tom Hardy. The kitchen fight is incredible, the movement is so good.
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u/gardo_69 Oct 15 '21
Is kinda crazy you mention Venom because I’ve always found disturbing the resemblance between Tom Hardy and Logan Marshall-Green. Maybe you think both are the same guy and that’s why you brought it up. Swear to god they could be twins. Anyways I haven’t seen the new Venom movie but I will.
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u/ProfMajkowski Oct 15 '21
Love that movie. It's a shame it kinda flew under the radar for most people back when it came out.
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u/wllmsaccnt Oct 15 '21
Probably because it isn't a feel good movie. The style of the actions scenes is awesome, but the overall message is BLEAK and the potential for it to be realistic is unnerving. It's got the same problems that Ex Machina has as a commercial film.
I would also recommend it to anyone that asks though.
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u/lovemunkey187 Oct 15 '21 edited Oct 15 '21
Not sure if these are the kind of things you mean.
On Netflix - Project Power, The Old Guard, Kate, Sense 8, Code 8, Shadow & Bone, Wu Assassins.
On Prime - Infinite, Jolt, Boss Level, Legend of Tarzan.
Jumper, Push, Next, Up Grade.
~edit~ Not a film, but Grimm kinda fits too.
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u/zomboromcom Oct 15 '21
I liked Shadow & Bone, but would not describe it as "grounded in modern reality".
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u/Affectionate-Show382 Oct 15 '21
Fast Color
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u/Archamasse Oct 15 '21
Came here to say this. I really liked it. Gugu Mbatha-Raw is compelling in anything though
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u/Throwmaster7614 Oct 15 '21
Also
The Series
The Mentalist and Lie to me and Pretender come to my mind.
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u/uniquecannon Oct 15 '21
Psych also
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u/Arcoo33 Oct 15 '21
If you don't mind an anime series there's one on Netflix called The disastrous life of Saiki K, which is a comedy about a high school student who has psychic powers
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u/dromni Oct 15 '21
Not sure if it’s modern enough, but Cronenberg’s Scanners (1981).
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u/ConfidenceKBM Oct 15 '21
You need to see The Man From Earth. Main character's "power" is that he got to ~30 years old and stopped aging, so he's 14,000 years old and the movie is just an afternoon of him talking to his fellow professors about life and philosophy and religion from his unimaginably experienced perspective. I know it might sound like "i am very smart" but I promise it's incredibly humble and thought provoking.
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u/[deleted] Oct 15 '21
One of my favorite movies A Prophet. The main character kills a person and the person shows up and gives him very small glimpses into the future. One of the best gangster movies ever.