Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Unseen on June 25, 2012 at 6:28pm

Remind us: how does it end and how do you think it might lend itself to believing in theism?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Conrad on June 25, 2012 at 6:53pm

*SPOILER*

I can't remember exactly how the movie ends, but the book ends like this: a computer that's calculating pi comes across a string of numbers deep in pi that is clearly not random, that was placed there.  In other words, a message is built into the fabric of the universe itself, in the very number that defines a circle, by an intelligence.  The protagonist takes this as an indication of the existence of a creator god, though the reader might argue that it was an extremely powerful and ancient species such as the one that built the wormholes and sent the instructions for the machine.  At any rate, as I wrote earlier in the thread, I think the theistic overtones have to be viewed in the context of Sagan's other works, and thus are more palatable than they appear to be from this brief, out-of-context summary.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Doug Reardon on June 25, 2012 at 9:20pm

After the book came out there was furious activity into finding the most digits of pi.  People, obviously took the suggestion of a message in the digits as a serious possibility!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mabel on June 26, 2012 at 11:32am

If I recall correctly, it ends where she is reunited with her dead father. I don't see how this relates to theism unless you feel certain this would not be possible, because there was no god involved or mentioned in the movie.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Unseen on June 26, 2012 at 2:39pm

There are certainly several, if not dozens, of possible explanations for her reunion with her father, including an alien intelligence that can read one's mind and grant the wishes it finds there.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gabriela Menicucci on June 25, 2012 at 6:58pm

There are far more hardcore Atheist movies, examples: Den brysomme mannen (Norway) Martyrs (France) Breaking the waves (Denmark) The Antichrist (Denmark) Det sjunde inseglet (Sweden) Salo (Italy) Le conseguenze dell'amore (Italy) Agora (Spain) Open your eyes (Spain) Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (South Korea) Oldboy (South Korea).

The directors of ALL this films are Atheists and they make their statement loud and clear for atheists to understand it behind a good plot, theists only see the superficial level of the films.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gabriela Menicucci on June 26, 2012 at 8:56am

Another good movies are The tree of life(hard to watch too many emotions and too long), We need to talk about Kevin(excellent) and Melancholia(nihilistic).

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Unseen on June 26, 2012 at 9:00am

I loved Melancholia. It's a slow-paced movie, but slow pace doesn't bother me. I like car chases, explosions, and shootouts as much as any guy, but character studies need time.

This is why I love Hamlet so much, whether it's Kenneth Branagh's, Mel Gibson's, or Ethan Hawke's (I think the Hawke version is my favorite).

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gabriela Menicucci on June 26, 2012 at 9:18am

"'I'm a very bad Catholic. In fact, I'm becoming more and more of an atheist. Religion in general is shit. I know that much." the words of the director himself. How not to love his movies?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by archaeopteryx on June 26, 2012 at 10:26am

I can't believe you left out Olivier! Must be that Alzheimer's flaring up again --

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gabriela Menicucci on June 25, 2012 at 7:07pm

The movie is crap but to answer your question at the end there is EVIDENCE that what she experienced was real. And that's the point of the movie, that for what is real there'll be evidence no matter how absurd it is. While for god there is none. But this is stated in a subtle way. maybe because is Hollywood.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Eric Diaz on June 25, 2012 at 10:11pm

To me the movie does not make belief in god necessary, instead it shows that a feeling of wonder, beauty and humility is not monopolized by religious experiences. It also presents how our cosmic loneliness has been the root of all our troubles....that is what I got from that movie

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• Next ›
• Page