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
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