Indeed. I mean my primary framing now is: I’m watching for a class on “religion and philosophy through film” and going by the reading:
“Ronald Green, Buddhism Goes to the Movies”
I will give it a serious look from that framing as it’s the one that leads to a better grade than if I didn’t.
This is what I’ll be writing about:
Is film a good medium for mystical philosophy?
This week’s prompt is as follows:
Consider Ronald Green’s analysis of Fight Club. (You can consider some of the other mystically-themed films we have seen, such as The Willow Tree and Baran, but be sure to reference Green’s analysis. In other words, the article is key here, even if you do not discuss Fight Club.) To what extent does film distort or fail to convey mystical teachings, if at all? Is film—with all the contemporary baggage it carries with it—a good medium to convey mystical philosophy?
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So that’ll be my primary hook. Knowing I’m not alone in my hesitation with the movie is extremely helpful to me as well. Knowing a Buddhist friend here in this chat ended up watching is also useful because I might be able to bounce some extra ideas.
But the part of me that wants to scoff will be fed by Michael Cronin’s framing. Having several frameworks on hand while watching will keep me busy and hopefully help me in extracting what I need.