Metaphysical Movie Review

Rating some must-see flicks

There are few things I love more than sneaking off to see a midweek movie in the afternoon. It’s a great way to beat the weekend crowds. Sometimes, I’m lucky enough to have the theater all to myself. Usually, this is a good thing… except for that time I saw a ghost walk past my aisle in theater number 13. I wish I hadn’t been alone that time. Needless to say, I spilled half my popcorn sprinting out of there. It’s ironic, considering I’ve made a living talking to spirits. In my defense, though, I was already on edge due to the killer alligator movie that was playing. So when the little girl in the old-fashioned white dress walked past me, it was a bit too much.

Killer alligators aside, I’m channeling my inner movie critic for this article. I’m not including horror movies since there are far too many of them. Besides, I shy away from movies that are needlessly gory or violent. Here, I’m focusing on metaphysical, spiritual, or mind-bending flicks that stuck with me long after seeing them. A few of these will leave you questioning reality, while others relate to subjects we’re all fascinated with - angels, miracles, fate, destiny, soul lessons, etc. If you’re a paid subscriber, you’ll see the list in its entirety. If you’re not yet a paid subscriber, please consider supporting this blog. In no particular order, here we go…

The Adjustment Bureau
It’s a 2011 movie starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. The plot centers around two people who feel inexplicably drawn to one another. However, “agents” intervene and prevent this blossoming love, claiming the relationship would detail critical aspects of each person’s destiny. It’s an action-packed thrill ride that will have you emotionally invested from the start. You’ll find yourself shouting at the screen… like your favorite sports team is about to lose the big game. I’ve spent the last fifteen years communicating with spirit guides (guardian angels.) The Adjustment Bureau damn near gets it “spot on” in terms of how they influence our lives and destinies. I rate it 9 stars out of 10.

Winter’s Tale
A 2014 flick starring Colin Farrell that takes place in 1916 New York. Holy shit! What a movie! Keep the tissues handy for this one. It’s equal parts drama, action, and fantasy. Russell Crow plays one of the scariest villains in recent memory, and Will Smith plays a BAD guy (who would have thought the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air could perform the role of Satan?) Winter’s Tale involves angels, demons, fate, destiny, miracles, and even time travel. It contains one of the best plot twists I’ve ever seen. Just when you think you’ve got the plot nailed down, it wiggles free and kicks you right in the feels. Heartwarming. Tear-jerking. Captivating. 9.5 out of 10 stars.

Cloud Atlas
Don’t watch this one with the kids. It’s rated R for good reasons. Violence? Check. Adult situations? Check. Tom Hanks and Halle Berry jumping through multiple lifetimes like it’s a game of hopscotch? Check. This movie is raw, gritty, and unrelenting. If you can grasp what’s happening, your jaw will be on the floor for much of the film. It centers around karma and reincarnation. The movie follows multiple storylines through past, present, and future lifetimes. If you’re confused at first, stick with it. Everything comes together at the end. It lacks the feel-good aspect of Winter’s Tale, but it accurately represents our struggles and triumphs from one life to the next. 9 out of 10 stars.

K-Pax
A psychiatrist cares for a patient who claims to be from another world. Although the doctor is naturally skeptical, he slowly grows more curious as the plot unfolds. Is the man mentally ill, an alien, or something entirely different? The ending really threw me for a loop. I watched it again years later and had a completely different takeaway. K-Pax is a slow burn, yet it’s a must-see if you like psychological thrillers with a metaphysical plot twist. 8 stars out of 10.

Interstellar
Who do you call when humanity needs saving? Matthew McConaughey! That is, if Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is busy and Samuel L. Jackson is on vacation with the Avengers. But in a pinch, good old Matty boy can save the day. Interstellar is unique among space travel movies. The film’s creators consulted with astrophysicists to ensure every situation in the movie is 100% true to science. In other words, if Earthlings did scour the cosmos for a new home, this movie is an example of how it would unfold. The special effects and alien landscapes will take your breath away. The story even involves “paranormal” activity… which turns out to be something completely different from what you might expect. It’s somber in parts but boasts an epic soundtrack. 8 stars out of 10.

The Butterfly Effect
It’s a psychological thriller starring Ashton Kutcher. His character discovers he can travel back in time. Yet, each time he does so, he distorts another aspect of his future. This movie spills into the territory of alternate futures and timeline variations. Certain parts are unsettling and disturbing, so do not watch it unless you have the intestinal fortitude. I’m giving it a 7 out of 10, but I would rank it higher if they omitted certain scenes.

Contact
One of my ALL-TIME favorite movies - a film adaptation of the book written by Carl Sagan. What would happen if extraterrestrials contacted humanity? Would there be religious, political, spiritual, and ethical concerns? I’m sure many of you have seen this by now since it came out in the mid 1990s. But if not, you’re in for a real treat! The ending is open to interpretation but will leave you pondering your place in the Universe. 9.5 out of 10 stars.

What Dreams May Come
If you have leftover tissues after watching Winter’s Tale, you’ll need them for this one. Although certain scenes are deeply sad, an underlying element of hope will carry you through this movie. Robin Williams portrays a man who dies and enters the afterlife. In this colorful and surreal landscape, he encounters several individuals who give him a new perspective on life, death, and the nature of reality itself. This movie has excellent acting and otherworldly visuals. 8 out of 10 stars.

Dragonfly
It’s a 2002 movie starring Kevin Costner. This one is for you if you enjoy signs from the afterlife and synchronicity. Homeboy goes on a wild goose chase, finding clues that tie to his wife’s death in Venezuela. It will keep you glued to the edge of your couch. Plus, no dragonflies were harmed in the making of the film. So that’s cool. 7 out of 10 stars.

The Edge of Tomorrow
Tom Cruise. Love him or hate him, he’s damn good at jumping out of airplanes and shooting aliens. There’s a lot of that going on in this movie. What makes it worth mentioning on this list is the element of time loops, destiny, and alternate futures. The movie is similar to a real-life video game. Every time the alien invaders kill Tom Cruise’s character, he is “reincarnated” back to the same time and location to fight again. How far can he make it in the level? Well, I won’t ruin the ending, but Emily Blunt shows up with all her badassery and helps his cause. One point for Hollywood there. If the world needed saving, I’m convinced a woman could do it better than a man. 9 out of 10 stars. What a ride!