Simon Says

The following article is adapted from a series of messages by Stephen Simon. In it he is referring to the sad state of affairs in most of the entertainment we get on television and in the movies.

"The words 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,' which I saw on
an Italian movie poster, are perhaps the briefest
statement imaginable of the basic appeal of movies.
This appeal is what attracts us, and ultimately what
makes us despair when we begin to understand
how seldom movies are more than this."
- Pauline Kael, Film Critic

I'm guessing you can relate to Pauline Kael's
statement above. You see a great movie trailer with
beautiful stars and a few flashy, action-packed shots,
so you rush to the theater, only to be disappointed
because that's all there was: stars and action - but no
substance; nothing to nourish your soul.

You probably know that most movies these days are
geared toward young males. Why? Because young
men generally have lots of disposable income
(no house payments or families yet).

And what kind of movies do young males like?

Stupid comedies and big, violent action movies.

In fact, a recent National Television Violence
Study examined nearly 10,000 hours of television
programming over a three-year period and found
that 51 percent contained violence (source:
American Academy of Pediatrics, "Article Underscores
Media Impact on Children and Adolescents," press
release, 5 January 1999").

And the violence statistics for movies released in
theatres and on DVD are even worse.

Unfortunately, this leaves people like you and me, who
crave soulful, inspiring movies, with very little to choose
from.

But just because Hollywood doesn't see much profit
potential in enlightening entertainment doesn't mean
that we should be forced to go without.

Think about it. What are you watching?

"No form of art goes beyond ordinary consciousness
as film does, straight to our emotions, deep into the
twilight of the soul." - Ingrid Bergman, Actress

Ingrid was right. Movies probably are the most
powerful art form, because they can touch us deeply
on so many different levels.

In fact, I've always thought of movies as the modern
day version of shamanic storytelling.

Imagine... you're sitting at the campfire listening
spellbound as the village shaman relates our most
potent tribal myths and transformational stories,
shadows moving and drums beating...

You're captivated, inspired...

Today, our shamans are filmmakers, who combine
stories and sounds and images to create celluloid
visions of reflected light that initiate us in the
secret wisdom of our culture.

In other words, every time you pop in a DVD from
The Spiritual Cinema Circle, you have the opportunity to enjoy an inspiring multi-sensory experience that can
enlighten and empower your life.

"Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand
dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul." - Marilyn Monroe

Fifty cents for your soul? Hmm...

That raises the question: How much is your soul worth?

What's it worth to nourish your soul?

Think about it.

How often do you get to experience movies that…

Awaken your sense of joy and wonder and really
make you feel alive?

How often do you get to enjoy movies that…
Inspire love and compassion for your fellow
human beings?

How often do you get to discover movies that…
Evoke a deeper sense of connection with the
universe around you?

Intrigued?

"You must know that in any moment a decision
you make can change the course of your life
forever... the very next movie you see or book
you read or page you turn could be the one single
thing that causes the floodgates to open, and all
of the things that you've been waiting for to fall
into place." - Anthony Robbins, author & motivational speaker

This could be that moment and joining The Spiritual Cinema Circle could be the decision that opens the floodgates for you...

We're convinced our movies will entertain, enlighten and inspire you.

NOW'S THE TIME...

Join us now and help raise the consciousness of entertainment, one movie at a time. This month's volume features some of our best movies ever!

About Stephen Simon

Stephen Simon is a veteran producer whose distinguished career includes the Presidency of two major production companies and the development and production of a myriad of well-known films such as: "Smokey and the Bandit," "The Goodbye Girl," "The Electric Horseman," "Somewhere in Time," the Academy Award winning "What Dreams May Come", and the Emmy-nominated Lifetime movie "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story." He is also author of the definitive work "The Force is With You: Mystical Movie Messages that Inspire Our Lives," published by Walsch Books, an imprint of Hampton Roads. Simon is also co-founder of The Spiritual Cinema Circle.