CMonster wrote:
Philosophy: Network (1976) also by Sidney Lumet but the real star is the screenplay by Paddy Chayefskys with towering monologues and a commentary on the media that has only ripened with age.
I'd like to double-down on the recommendation for Network. It's a rare example of a film that's only become more socially relevant with age.
Other recommendations: For something similar to 2001 in style and quality, or are looking for something very philosophical I'd recommend the works of Andrei Tarkovsky like either Solaris or Stalker.
And while we could devote an entire thread to debating which Kubrick films are masterpieces, I'd actually recommend Dr. Strangelove, Paths of Glory, Barry Lyndon & Spartacus over either Full Metal Jacket or Eyes Wise Shut, but maybe that's just me.
Though it's not a film, if you're at all interested in crime or politics I would highly recommend watching all 5 seasons of The Wire. I could probably spend atleast 1000 words writing about why it's so great, but the depth and breadth of both it's writing and sociological introspection is miles beyond any other piece of fiction I've ever encountered.