Need movie suggestions, oh please!

[Speedbump]

So, I used to really love movies. I love books too and read all the time, but sometimes I just want something escapist that is on a screen. Thus, movies. I've probably seen at least a thousand by now. (I hate TV and got rid of cable years ago.)

Well, the whole "raise your vibration" and "becoming a vegetarian" thing has really cramped my movie style. The first to go were horror films. I could never watch the really bad ones anyway, but I used to love vampire movies. Well guess what? Can't watch them anymore, and haven't been able to for almost a year. That second sequel to "Underworld" I would have been all about last year? I can't even think about it now.

I also can't watch most action films now, and I used to love those. I literally was physically ill after watching "Wanted" in the theater. (Boy was THAT a huge mistake I'd love to go back in time and erase!) As I have raised my vibration, seeing pretty much any modern action film, with all the horrible gun violence, is awful.

I tried watching classic movies, but even those aren't safe! I had to stop watching "20 Million Miles to Earth" yesterday because I got incredibly upset at how the scientists and Army men were abusing the monster from Venus. I KNOW this sounds like a joke, but I swear to you it is TRUE. When it was a helpless baby they didn't feed it and stuck it in a cage outside by itself, and when it got bigger and broke out (smart monster!) they poked it with a stick and shortly afterward hurt it with a pitchfork. I had to quit watching it because I was so angry and almost in tears.

So I think you can see my dilemma. It really is funny on one level, but on another level I'm actually really stuck. Right now I'm pretty much reduced to sober social documentaries, cheesy 40s-60s movies in which nothing happens and animated children's movies.

Anyone have ANY ideas on ADULT movies I can watch (no, not THAT kind of adult! ) that don't involve guns, gore, animal abuse, sexual abuse or pretty much any other super low vibration activities? I already own or have watched a lot of the Jane Austen films and some of the tamer movies from the 80s like "The Goonies" (and even THAT has more violence than you'd think in it!). I would love to hear ANY suggestions.

At this rate, I'm going to be hiding under the bed, crying and holding my teddy, after trying to watch "The Wizard of Oz" this time next year. Sheesh.

[Chris Cade]

My wife and I have had the same problem! I used to watch action movies (especially martial arts!) and comedies (used to love all the Kevin Smith movies)...

and now, it's a real odd occasion to even see an R rated movie... most of the movies we watch are family oriented.

Anyway, if you're looking for more conscious films then check out the movies page on my website (see the link in my sig)

I review movies somewhat regularly... (reminds me to start going through the stack in front of me! Haven't been watching many lately)

[WanderingOak]

I know the feeling. I started watching 'Eastern Promises' a few months ago on DVD, but I had to turn it off and return it to Blockbuster after the 'corpse desecration' scene began. One thing I've noticed is that while a lot of Film Noir did have violent themes, it was usually more implied than explicit. In other words, it usually happened off-camera, rather than in your face splattering ketchup all over the camera. I'm not sure if that would work for you or not...

[ProjectX]

Same here. I can't watch horror movies much anymore. I prefer now thrillers, Sci-Fi and mystery. But not many movies are like that only TV shows like LOST.

A really good movie I suggest watching is Shawshank Redemption.

[Slamboard]

I wracked my brain for a couple of minutes and then I remembered that there are websites that provide detailed information for parents who want to be diligent about what their kids watch.

Here's an example from parentstv.org

Beverly Hills Chihuahua
By Christopher Gildemeister

Release Date: October 3, 2008

MPAA rating: PG for some mild thematic elements

Starring: voices of Drew Barrymore, Andy Garcia, George Lopez, Cheech Marin, Placido Domingo and Edward James Olmos

Recommended age: 6+

Overall PTC Traffic Light Rating: Green

Sex: Very mild and brief innuendo

Violence: “Dognapping,” brief implied violence against human, dogs chasing one another, threats, slapstick violence

Language: “Bugger it,” “tinkle”

Behavior: None

Please note that this is an example I am not personally recommending this particular movie

[Speedbump]

It's nice to know I'm not alone, and thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am going to follow all links suggested.

I did find a really great one last night, although it is animated: "Meet the Robinsons." It even has a little bit of an LOA/personal development theme in there.

[Annabelle]

August Rush. I loved it in so many levels!

[Slamboard]

Originally Posted by ProjectX

A really good movie I suggest watching is Shawshank Redemption.

Just in case the OP thinks this was a serious recommendation, the redemption is at the very end, the movie is mostly shanking.

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by Speedbump

As I have raised my vibration, seeing pretty much any modern action film, with all the horrible gun violence, is awful.

How does this work? Do you mean to say that as you raise your level of awareness you somehow become less able to take a movie for what it is? Where's the fun in that?

[lifetimelearner]

I can see what you are saying
and I hate horror movies too

but if the movie teaches a valuable life lesson and is made well-
I try to ignore some of the other stuff


such as the new movie -The day the earth stood still
it teaches a valuable lesson but has violence in it


everyone has their own opinion

ps I loved Horton Hears a Who
and I am over the age of 5

[Rapid]

I highly recommend Before Sunset. It's about two old friends/lovers who find one another after nine years and have an incredible two-hour conversation. Setting is in Paris. Very well-written and well-acted. Some mature language but no violence or gore.

[missing]

My idea of a very "high vibrational" filmmaker would be Andrei Tarkovsky. However, his films require a certain commitment that most people aren't willing to take on, especially if they are used to Hollywood fluff that only requires passivity. Tarkovsky films are very sensual, in that they require you to be in tune to subtle sounds and movements, otherwise you get bored. He uses the elements a lot (earth, water, wind, fire) so if you are the type who can find beauty in natural things, you might enjoy his stuff. That said, his films are not completely free of things like violence and other "low vibrational activities", but they are not treated in that pornographic low-vibe way that the OP is complaining about. I don't think that just because a film is free of that stuff it means that it's automatically high vibrational. In fact, I'd posit the opposite, that a film that is completely void of the ugly realities of the world is not serious or spiritual, but a low vibrational way to pass time. There is nothing wrong with this in it's own right, but don't kid yourselves that there is anything more "spiritual" about it than watching an action movie. Of course personally, I believe there is nothing more low vibrational than blotting out all the negative things in the world as if they didn't exist. If doing that makes somebody feel good, than it's a trap. Kind of like applying a cheat code to beat a tough video game.

anyway, if you want to watch higher quality films, try "Stalker" or "Solaris" or "The Sacrifice" by Tarkovsky. Or just go do some research about slower, artistic foreign films in general. They might seem hard to watch at first but if you stick with them you can get much more out of your film viewing than "entertainment".

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by Rapid

I highly recommend Before Sunset.

That's actually the sequel (of sorts) to Before Sunrise. I'd start with the first one first

[Chris Cade]

Originally Posted by Annabelle

August Rush. I loved it in so many levels!

Me too! That's one of the movies I reviewed on my website... it's a much deeper movie than it looks on the surface.

[Jay Pavlina]

I know what you mean. I don't think I have it to the extreme that you do, but I notice that the violence and action I used to love in movies isn't all that exciting any more. However, I only don't enjoy it when things are done just for the sake of sensationalizing violence. If there is some "hero" running around shooting people and the movie makes him look like a badass because he kills everyone, then I find it boring... and stupid.

But there are some movies with violence, such as 300, that I enjoy. It is an extremely violent movie, but it's shot so beautifully and has a very powerful message of courage. The fact that I like this may seem like a contradiction to what I said earlier, and I can't really explain why.

To confuse you further, I enjoy drawing cartoons about stick people killing each other in extremely violent ways. It is portrayed as a comedy though and the drawings are really bad. I don't think it's something that would make anyone sick. Someone even told me they thought it was cute! It's just for fun.

So I can relate, but I don't understand it completely. And I'm a filmmaker. I've been drawn to making more purposeful films now, but I still enjoy making stupid comedies. I think when your vibration is raised, you shouldn't ignore violent movies even though they make you feel bad because they portray what is popular in the world. It's good to be aware of what is going on. But you shouldn't overexpose yourself either.

I hope what I wrote made sense. I've been thinking a lot about this lately because I've been trying to decide what my next project will be.

[Lauxa]

I like comedies, but haven't been keeping up lately, some I liked in the past:
50 First Dates, Liar Liar, Legally Blond, El Prieto, Little Miss Sunshine (this is a dark comedy... the dad is a PD writer...)

What do you hate about TV? Maybe if you bought or rented the season DVD so you wouldn't have to watch commercials it would be okay? I'm really enjoying the series 30 Rock, a light comedy. Also watching Babylon 5, there is violence in there, but it's also the best sci-fi series ever.

Documentaries - Carl Sagan's Cosmos, Milton Friedman's Free to Choose, Planet Earth (these are all PBS series)

@Chris Cade - turn on your sig so we can see your reviews!

[Chris Cade]

Originally Posted by Jay Pavlina

But there are some movies with violence, such as 300, that I enjoy. It is an extremely violent movie, but it's shot so beautifully and has a very powerful message of courage.

I know what you mean. I typically fast forward through a lot of the violence in The Matrix trilogy, but there is just so much spiritual depth in those movies that it's impossible for me to not appreciate their depth. Every time I watch each of the movies, with an eye for the spiritual content, I discover something new.

Originally Posted by Jay Pavlina

JayThe fact that I like this may seem like a contradiction to what I said earlier, and I can't really explain why.

To confuse you further, I enjoy drawing cartoons about stick people killing each other in extremely violent ways.

Sounds more confusing for you than for me I delight in contradictions and paradoxes... because they point towards exactly one thing, if we choose to pay attention:

"There is something more here that I don't fully understand."

I really believe there is no such thing as a true "paradox." I can't prove it... heck, I can barely even explain it... but it's something I feel. And the more I feel it, believe it, and live with that in mind, the more I come to understand (including paradoxes).

Originally Posted by Jay Pavlina

I've been drawn to making more purposeful films now, but I still enjoy making stupid comedies.

And I've been drawn to writing purposeful stories. Perhaps we should get together sometime

Originally Posted by Jay Pavlina

I think when your vibration is raised, you shouldn't ignore violent movies even though they make you feel bad because they portray what is popular in the world. It's good to be aware of what is going on. But you shouldn't overexpose yourself either.

I know what you mean. It's fascinating when people say, "Because I'm spiritual, I don't watch violent movies." That kind of attitude is actually the exact opposite of being spiritual... because those people are shoving themselves into a little box... a little mold that they only feel safe when they fit into it.

That's not to say I advocate intentionally subjecting one's self to grotesquely violent movies, but rather, it's the energy behind the attitude. It's one thing to say "I won't watch them *because* I'm spiritual" and it's an entirely different thing to say, "I don't feel drawn to watch them, but if I do then I can choose how I want to be affected... and I can choose if I want to leave or stop watching it for whatever reason."

[Chris Cade]

Originally Posted by Lauxa

@Chris Cade - turn on your sig so we can see your reviews!

I can see my sig.... that's strange that others can't. Is there a setting I need to do to make sure others can see it?

In the meantime, here's the link to my movie reviews page for reference:

Spiritual Movie Reviews

(and just in case books are of interest...)

Spiritual Book Reviews

[carenkh]

A friend told me about Spiritual Cinema Circle - I haven't joined, but like the concept. You pay a monthly fee and they send 4 movies per month. This is from their site: "Your monthly selection of films includes a mixture of features, shorts and documentaries that explore spirit, spirituality, existence, morality, compassion, the power of the mind, metaphysics and other enriching topics that take your personal journey further."

A couple of times, he hosted viewings and discussions of some of the movies he got from them. That's where I saw "Safety of Objects", a really unique, beautiful movie.

[Chris Cade]

Originally Posted by carenkh

A friend told me about Spiritual Cinema Circle - I haven't joined, but like the concept. You pay a monthly fee and they send 4 movies per month. This is from their site: "Your monthly selection of films includes a mixture of features, shorts and documentaries that explore spirit, spirituality, existence, morality, compassion, the power of the mind, metaphysics and other enriching topics that take your personal journey further."

I'm a big fan (and subscriber) of Spiritual Cinema Circle. I even review several of their movies on my website (see link in my post above). That reminds me I still have some of their recent movies to review again!

Also for the more Eco-friendly there's Earth Cinema Circle which I'm also a subscriber of. Both ECC and SCC are now owned by GAIAM.

[tin]

These are some movies I watched and would recommend to everyone:

FANTASTIC ( meaning: has lots of value in it and very uplifting effect, not just feelgood):

21 Grams( do not miss this movie..the message is so strong)
Forrest Gump
The Man From earth (low budget movie..but very high calibre..content.)
Before Sunrise
Before Sunset
Cast Away
The Sweet Hereafter ( asks difficult questions!! bittersweet ending )
Batman: Dark knight ( believe me..content is MATURE).
Iron Man
Contact
Saving Private Ryan ( the first 30 minutes are RIVETTING..it is a war movie which conveys the madness:war like driving nail in ones head)
Munich(WOW! just WOW!!!..very thought provoking)
A Beautiful Mind
Minority Report
The lives of others( a german movie..available with subtitles)
Into the Wild

'Feelgood' movies:

A lot like Love
Elizabethtown

PM me or just raise a request here, if anyone wants to get any of these movies from net (downloading) I can find ftp, http sites from which you can download these and watch in your PC.

update:
I used to read complete review(s) of the movies and watch them. I found this to be biasing me and I started 'getting' movie from that reviewer's perspective and missed 'AA- Haaa' moments which would be got when watching without pre-conditioning..so a recommendation would be to watch movies without reading reviews.( just know whether it would be worth watching from 2, 3 sources >> watch it.

[Dev]

Speedbump, I would suggest offbeat/offstream movies with English subtitles of other countries/languages for a change. I would recommend some very good Iranian and Indian art movies. You will find very good parallel cinema in various Indian languages by accomplished directors.

These will not only entertain you, but also set you thinking and teach you a thing or too about different cultures & milieu of the world.

Please give a serious thought about this.

[Chris Cade]

Originally Posted by Dev

Speedbump, I would suggest offbeat/offstream movies with English subtitles of other countries/languages for a change. I would recommend some very good Iranian and Indian art movies. You will find very good parallel cinema in various Indian languages by accomplished directors.

These will not only entertain you, but also set you thinking and teach you a thing or too about different cultures & milieu of the world.

I agree - I enjoy foreign movies with subtitles. Now that I hae a son who requires attention during movietime, and a wife who is naturally healing her eyesight (so she doesn't / won't wear glasses), I don't watch many of these.

Probably in the future when it's more convenient, I'll revisit.