<p>Do The Right Thing_La Haine<br><br>Films written about political unrest due to police brutality in direct response to real world police brutality. &nbsp;<i>Do The Right Thing</i> focuses on one day in New York ends with police brutality and the cycle restarting with a new day. &nbsp;<i>La Haine</i> is day two. &nbsp;<i>La Haine </i>focuses on one day in France and begins with police brutality and the response of the people towards it. &nbsp;</p>

Stalker_Annihilation<br><br>Mind bending sci-fi thrillers that artistically question humanity. &nbsp;<i>Stalker</i> leans more towards the emotional/religious themes of humanity and <i>Annihilation</i> the scientific/ethical side. &nbsp;<br>

Memories of Murder_Zodiac<br><br>An accounting of a serial killer investigation and the toll it takes on those involved. &nbsp;Both strings of killings remained unsolved at the time of their corresponding films release. &nbsp;

Taxi Driver_Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters <br><br>Paul Schrader written films about “the pathology of suicidal glory.” &nbsp;Travis Bickle and the real like Yukio Mishima are characters that are at odds with their world and government, the system of capitalism, they steel themselves and resolve to take on the issue with a violent act of martyrdom. &nbsp;

Black Swan_Whiplash<br><br>The emotional, physical, and mental toll of pursing greatness. &nbsp;Both films feature a character unraveling under the pressure of a toxic environment in the pursuit of perfection. &nbsp;

Joker_King of Comedy<br><br>Both films follow a failing comedian, their violent response, and the public’s support despite of or because of their actions. &nbsp;<br><br>I would introduce Joker first and then watch King of Comedy to see the influence. &nbsp;&nbsp;

American Psycho_Fight Club<br><br>Both focus on a mentally disturbed archetypal character in a sprawling city. &nbsp;Both have an intense sequence in an abandoned high rise building towards the end of the film. &nbsp;And both are misunderstood by the groups that love the film the most, as both films are satirical commentaries on culture, materialism, and the superficiality of the wealthy. &nbsp;

Se7en_The Batman<br><br><i>Se7en</i> features a dark, nameless, crime ridden city and the cat and mouse chase between detectives and killers as the protagonists ethics are questioned by the motives of the killer. &nbsp;Copy and paste that for <i>The Batman</i>. &nbsp;<br><br><i>Se7en</i> acts so well as a prologue for <i>The Batman</i> as Gotham before Batman enters the scene. &nbsp;

Fargo_A Simple Plan<br><br>Every decision by the characters digs a deeper and deeper hole that becomes harder and harder to climb out of. &nbsp;Both focus on crime in desolate small towns. &nbsp;

Dead Poets Society_Good Will Hunting<br><br>Two gut wrenching, encouraging, coming of age-esque films with Robin Williams delivering somehow two career defining loving fatherly performances. &nbsp;

The Truman Show_Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind<br><br>No surprise here. &nbsp;Two blue hued films with Jim Carrey as a normal dude in a not so normal world. &nbsp;Both explore reality vs illusion in different and innovative ways. &nbsp;

La La Land_Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)<br><br>A modern tale of the obsession with performance and recognition through theater. &nbsp;Both films lean heavily into surreal imagery and unreal artistic visions. &nbsp;Both films cast a looking glass at the cost of success in the chaos of the entertainment industry. &nbsp;

<p>Léon: The Professional_Matchstick Men<br><br>A quirky older man teaches a young girl about his trade as a criminal as a way to provide for and protect her.</p>

The Hunt for the Wilderpeople_Peanut Butter Falcon<br><br>The quasi adoption of an unlikely son leads to the betterment of a rugged outdooring loner on the fringes of the world. &nbsp;Both are incredibly charming, tender, and hilarious. &nbsp;