Saturday, May 19, 2012

Neptune's Illusion: Films And Spirituality


Greetings, Gifted Reader! 


It’s interesting that the planet Neptune rules both films and spirituality because both come under the heading of illusion. But while books about spirituality seem to abound on bookshelves, films about the subject matter are more rare. Yet, they do exist.

Besides the obvious American hits like 2001: A Space Odysey, the Matrix series and Inception, what movies can you name that delve into the area of spirituality?

We’re talking feature narratives that address the outer limits of the unknown--not necessarily films about religion.

Here are some of Gypsy Stars’ favorites:

The Last Wave (1977) dir. Peter Weir

Richard Chamberlain is a white Australian lawyer hired to defend an Aborigine accused of murder. Soon, he’s living in the world of Aboriginal Dream Time and ends up spiritually battling with a Shaman. Here are the first five minutes:


Altered States (1980) dir. Ken Russell

William Hurt is a psychology student who soaks in a sensory deprivation tank, eats peyote, and swims into deeper levels of consciousness until he emerges as the Missing Link. Here’s a crucial scene:


The Brother from Another Planet (1984) dir. John Sayles

The Brother is Joe Morton as an alien crash landing on Ellis Island and, although he can’t speak, hears and see things no one human can. When The Brother happens upon Harlem, he’s unconditionally accepted even as slave catchers from his planet are in hot pursuit. Watch in its entirety here:




Daughters of the Dust (1991) dir. Julie Dash

This powerful film about the Gullah or Geechee people on the islands off the coast of Georgia takes place in one day and features the Ibo roots they’ve maintained throughout slavery. Author George Patton’s friend, Vertamae Grosvener, plays 'Hair Braider':


Dead Man (1995) dir. Jim Jarmusch

Johnny Depp is a Wild West accountant named Blake who, shot and dying, is helped by a Native American named Nobody (Gary Farmer). When Nobody starts believing that Blake is reincarnated poet William Blake, he sends him on a vision quest to the spirit world.

What Dreams May Come (1998) dir. Vincent Ward

Robin Williams is a doctor who loses his two children, followed by his own life. As a spirit, watching his widow suffer, he is helpless to do anything until she commits suicide. With the whole family on the other side, there are lessons to be learned. A racially diverse cast made this film watch-able even if the depictions of after-life are much too material.


Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) dir. Michel Gondry

After Kate Winslet has her memory erased of her ex-boyfriend, Jim Carey, he tries to do the same, but wants to keep one piece of their relationship alive. They later meet after they’ve erased each other and fall in love all over again, as strangers.


If you have anything to add to this list, don’t hesitate to contact gypysystars@me.com

Hey, and one thousand lashes with a strip of film for Gypsy Stars for still not creating any new t-shirt designs for T_zing. But look to this Fall for several new illustrations.


And, please continue to show your support by friending Gypsy Stars on Facebook and liking The Urban Goddess fan page, where we post on behalf of metaphysicians everywhere.

Happy movie watching!

Good luck, light and love,

Gypsy Stars