The obligatory Dhamma themed movie thread

[tiltbillings]

And the obigatory listing of GROUNDHOG DAY

And a couple of others

O LUCKY MAN
FANNY AND ALEXANDER
KUNDUN
THE WICKER MAN (the 1973 original)
BLISS (1986 Australian film)
FISHER KING
ALL THAT JAZZ
THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING
MY DINNER WITH ANDRE
ALTERED STATES
THE ELEPHANT MAN
LITTLE BUDDHA
GANDHI
DARK CITY
ENGLIGHTENMENT GUARANTEED
WHY HAS BODHIDHARMA LEFT FOR THE EAST?
BARAKA
ECHOES OF ENLIGHTENMENT

[pink_trike]

American Beauty, in a sentimental messy sort of way.

[zavk]

You know.. now that you mention American Beauty, I find that many heavy-going, intense films are actually quite Dhammic in the sense that they are reflections on the painful truth of samsara.

Which reminds me of Kurosawa's Ikiru, a film that is an extended rumination on what it means 'to live'. A long and and sometimes slow film, but the ending makes it all worthwhile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc4y-asVh3c

There are other Dhamma themed films but they tend to have more of a Mahayana flavour. Just off the top of my head: Cave of the Yellow Dog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlan8eCU-sE

[nathan]

Conceivably potentially influenced:
2008, romantic comedy: Ghost Town
2006, drama, romance, sf-fantasy: The Fountain
2001, animated: Waking Life

As for Bill Murry's work, if Groundhog Day (1993) gets a pass then at least
2008, CIty of Ember
2005, Broken Flowers
2004, The Life Aquatic
2003, Lost in Translation
and
1984, The Razor's Edge
could be viewed in a similar light. I like his occasionally humorous and frequently sad but accurate portrayals of the human condition. A lot of entertaining and interesting cautionary tales in his career.
And , yes, I've watched far too many movies than any of those that could be watched entirely for my own benefit.

[David N. Snyder]

Asoka

(Ashoka) a Bollywood movie in Hindi with English subtitles, about King Ashoka, singing, dancing, love story, typical Bollywood, but still good.

[David N. Snyder]

Seven Years in Tibet, starring Brad Pitt (1997)

[David N. Snyder]

I'm still hoping for a good feature length film on the life of Buddha, but it doesn't look like this is happening soon. I can't find any updates from this old story:

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php ... 60,0,0,1,0

[SeerObserver]

Someone explain the Dharmic element of "Groundhog Day". It's been awhile since I've seen it and this is not the first time I've heard of this reference. I remember the gist of the film, but I'm not making the same connection at the moment as others are.

As much as I see it referred to, you would think this was some really strong and obvious connection like in "Little Buddha" or something like that. Title aside, that's a really Dhamma-themed movie.

Seven Years in Tibet, starring Brad Pitt (1997)

Agreed. There are some Buddhist principles in that movie as well. I really like the part regarding the beauty and impermanence of the sand murals.

[jcsuperstar]

wicker man?

oh anyways heres some
samsara (i'm not sure.. tibetan?)
spring summer fall winter and spring again (korean)
angulimala (thai)
the cup (tibetan)
red doors (usa)
come come come upwards (korean)
hwaomkyung (korean)
Down the River (thai)
Syndromes and a Century (thai)(maybe??)
Mujo (japanese)

[nathan]

Someone explain the Dharmic element of "Groundhog Day".

Those who don't learn from past mistakes and overcome them are doomed to repeat them.

[SeerObserver]

Someone explain the Dharmic element of "Groundhog Day".

Those who don't learn from past mistakes and overcome them are doomed to repeat them.

Thanks, I get it now. I guess I just didn't associate that principle with Buddhism per se since it's talked about in so many other contexts (especially history classes). I guess I generally more apt to make the association when it's something more along the lines of the noble truths, eightfold path, the three characteristics of existence, karma/rebirth, etc.

[David N. Snyder]

Someone explain the Dharmic element of "Groundhog Day".

Those who don't learn from past mistakes and overcome them are doomed to repeat them.

Thanks, I get it now.

Also samsara itself. Each day he is "re-born" in the same vicious circle.

[Karunika]

Milarepa; Magician, Murderer, Saint by Neten Chokling

[Cittasanto]

I'm still hoping for a good feature length film on the life of Buddha, but it doesn't look like this is happening soon. I can't find any updates from this old story:

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php ... 60,0,0,1,0

the site of this movie closed down a few months ago don't know why or if it has opened again?
I agree with you on Ashoka first subtitled movie I followed properly and enjoyed.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

spring summer fall winter and spring

Excellent.

Metta,
Retro.

[tiltbillings]

I forgot to add: I Huckabees. And Bee Season.

[floating_abu]

the Matrix

[nathan]

I watched "Seven Pounds" on the weekend and, I don't know, a very serious film anyways, truth and consequences.

[pink_trike]

Robert Tyner posted this on Facebook today - it is part of a 13 part series made for television that first aired in 1980.

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?s ... QTl&ref=nf

[pink_trike]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl6hNj1uOkY

Desire, attachment, dissatisfaction, impermanence, and more...