The Movie Mystic
by Stephen Simon
 Welcome
to The Movie Mystic! The films we discuss each month in this column are not
"reviewed" in the traditional sense of that word; rather, we look at
"mystical messages" in films, both current and classic.
??
SIGNS (with Mel Gibson)
and our fascination with extraterrestrials
Hundreds of movies have been made about our love/fear relationship with
extraterrestrials. The films either reflect our terror of these aliens as
threats to our very existence or as friends who can help us reach our full
potential as a species.
Some as this fascination can be explained rather easily. We have always
looked up at the stars and wondered: are we alone in the universe? For me, the
answer has always seemed obvious. There are millions of millions of other worlds
"out there". Isn?t it just the height of earth-based arrogance to
think of this small planet -- as significant in scale to the universe as a speck
of sand on any beach -- as the only repository of human consciousness anywhere?
Of course, I do recognize that this question also contains a potentially hot
religious "button" for some. In 2001:
A Space Odyssey, the discovery of the monolith on the moon was classified
as top secret because of the supposed threat of "destabilizing the world?s
religions". In addition, there is also the question in so many aspects of
world culture (and books like Chariots
of the Gods) over whether or not aliens actually "seeded" the
earth originally with humans or played a major role in our evolution by stepping
in at some time in our distant past to do some genetic engineering. Adherence to
any of these theories is, of course, anathema to many traditional religious
beliefs. Although space limitations here prevent me from delving too deeply into
this debate, I go into the controversy in much more detail in my book The
Force is With You: Mystical Movie Messages That Inspire Our Lives (available
mid-October 2002).
Alien movies separate basically into the frightening (Alien, Independence
Day, War of the Worlds, etc.) and the comforting (E.T., Close Encounters of the
Third Kind, Starman, etc.)
Signs fits squarely into the frightening alien category and, for me, that was
somewhat disappointing. There were great opportunities in the film to make a
more hopeful statement about our interaction with aliens. The choice was made to
traverse a more standard scary-movie route and the movie does work on that
level. The director, M. Night Shyamalan, who also directed Sixth Sense and
Unbreakable, has a sure touch when it comes to creating an eerie atmosphere.
As a movie about the phenomenon of crop circles, it doesn?t really say much
except to imply that they are landing guidelines for extraterrestrial
navigators. I?d like to believe that they are more elegant than that but,
again, to each his own.
As a movie about a spiritual crisis and its resolution through the
realization that there are no coincidences in the world, the film is wonderful!
Mel Gibson plays Reverend Graham Hess, a widower who, due to the
circumstances surrounding his wife?s death, has lost his faith -- and given up
his ministry. His belief in God has actually turned to rage. In a key scene
early on in the film, he tells his younger brother that he believes that we are,
in fact, all alone in the world. Without giving away too much of the movie here,
the circumstances of the alien invasion that ensues put his family in dire
jeopardy. The resolution of that conflict is worked out in such a manner that
the Reverend realizes ? from actual experience -- that he was never alone and
that his wife?s death also carried a message of salvation, both spiritually
and physically.
This aspect of the film carries a powerful message of hope for all of us when
we encounter dark nights of the soul. It is those moments that truly test both
our faith and our beliefs. The saving grace of Signs is that it demonstrates the
value of maintaining both our strength and our courage during those painful and
lonely sojourns into sadness.
One last observation about extraterrestrials?
Personally, I do not believe in the hostile intent of aliens ? most of them
anyway. (One note that I just can?t resist to those of you who have seen
Signs: with these aliens? particular vulnerability, didn?t they totally
choose the wrong planet to invade?) If aliens are actually bent on our
destruction, what?s stopping them? If they have the technology to warp time
and space and engage in interstellar travel, shouldn?t they be able to destroy
us rather handily if they want to?
For me, there?s a more tantalizing possibility. Perhaps they are here
simply as observers. If so, what makes us so fascinating? Armageddon enthusiasts
might think they are here to witness our doom, but civilizations have destroyed
themselves so many times that such an occurrence has got to be back page news in
the universe, don?t you think? I personally find it hard to believe that any
self-respecting alien would traverse the galaxies just to watch another species
go extinct. They could simply stay home and watch their own version of Star Trek
reruns.
So why are they here?
I think the answer lies in the extraordinary and perhaps even unparalleled
evolution of consciousness that is occurring on Earth right now. If we are
indeed consciously committed to and in the process of manifesting a whole new
paradigm of human achievement, it would deservedly make us the hottest
destination in the universe, wouldn?t it?
So, here?s my idea---let?s show them how it?s done!
*****
Movie Mystic Chakra Ratings
for Signs
Movies are rated 1-5 for each Chakra, for a total score range of 7-35. The
scores correspond roughly to the familiar A-F grading system, with a
"3" score being similar to receiving a "C". Please keep in
mind that the Chakra Rating system used herein relates to rating movies, not as
a definition for Chakras per se -- and is just for fun!
|
Chakra: |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
Signs' Rating: |
2 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
22 out of a possible 35. Average: 3.1 |
(For a full explanation of the Chakra Rating System,
please visit www.MysticalMovies.com)
*****
 Stephen
Simon's first book The Force Is With You: Mystical Movie Messages
That Inspire Our Lives will be published on October 15th, 2002 by
Walsch Books/Hampton Roads.
Info
or pre-order this book.
About the Author
Stephen
Simon has produced such films as Somewhere
in Time and What
Dreams May Come. A sought-after speaker
on topics related to visionary cinema, Stephen teaches a seminar across the
United States called "Mystical Movie Messages That Inspire Our Lives."
He invites you to visit his website, www.MysticalMovies.com,
for more information and to read previous Movie Mystic columns. Stephen also
welcomes your comments:
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