THE CELESTINE PROPHECY (DVD)
Release Date: March 27th, 2007
Certificate: PG
Running Time: 96 minutes
Director: Armand Mastroianni
Cast: Matthew Settle, Thomas Kretschmann, Sarah Wayne Callies, Annabeth Gish, Hector Elizondo, Joaquim de Almeida and Jurgen Prochnow
The Celestine Prophecy is a spiritual adventure based on James Redfield’s worldwide best-selling novel of the same name. It tells the story of John Woodson (Matthew Settle) as he searches for a sacred manuscript; a journey which takes him deep into the Peruvian jungle. Along the way, each person he meets awakens a new level of consciousness and understanding within him. Through this understanding and letting go, he is able to see the truth which eluded him when he first began his journey.
The prophecy, which predates the birth of Christ to 600BC, foretells of nine insights which predict a new awakening that will redefine human life and set us forward into new kind of spirituality. It shows us that there is still hope, that no matter how far we think we have come, we are still quite young in terms of the scheme of things with still a long way to go.
If we pay attention, we can find a greater life, no matter where we are, no matter who we are, no matter what our circumstances are. If you tune into the mysterious coincidences in your life, if you discover and then follow your intuitions, you will find that there’s a door of opportunity for a greater life for you. You can’t be a victim and do it, but if you go beyond that, if you find a way out of whatever circumstance you’re in, whatever block you think you might face, what happens is that it works. It always works. The only thing that holds any of us back is not believing that it works.
- James Redfield
Although The Celestine Prophecy might be seen as philosophical, it does not actually engage the viewer in philosophical thought, rather, it simply puts forward a Brahman-like/Ultimate Reality type of thesis which you are left to either agree or disagree with. It gives you all of the answers at the end of the film. If it were the type of film that can be classified as truly philosophical, then it would leave you to discuss and interpret for yourself. It’s a shame as there was much potential, but nevertheless, it’s a thoughtful piece of film despite its Disney-like approach.
Songs from the Second Floor (2000), Roy Andersson’s deadpan vision of a society coming apart at the seams, is the focus of this week’s feature by Dominic Walker.
Submarine is the darkly comic coming-of-age tale of Oliver Tate who has 2 missions in life; get a girlfriend and keep his mum from going off with a mystic ninja.
Slavomir Rawicz’s novel The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom inspires Peter Weir’s latest film The Way Back, despite debate over its authenticty.
One of the greatest films ever made, The Bicycle Thieves, tells the story of Antonio (Lamberto Maggiorani) who loses his bicycle on his first day at a new job.
Luc Besson’s modern classic starring Natalie Portman in her breakout role as Mathilda, a girl who hires a hitman to get the guys who killed her little brother.