Dragonfly

Do voices from supernatural realms at times attempt to communicate with the terrestrially composed, is there something to be said for uncanny spiritual instincts without resorting to coincidence or mental illness, as Tom Shadyac's Dragonfly directly hypothesizes?

A lot of the time it seems like mumbo jumbo that can't be clarified or reasonably explained, even if it's supposed to exist beyond rationality and therefore isn't logically disposed. 

It's foolish to take the irrational seriously since believing in ghosts or the like can lead to folly, although it's fun to imagine they might exist while leaning towards the generally improbable. 

One trick is to consider the possibility of keeping an open yet skeptical mind, while always immediately denying its logical potential if someone starts asking for more than 10$.

I saw many an episode of America's Most Wanted as a lad where true believers were cheated out of tens of thousands, and it seemed like such a depressing waste considering the trusting hearts who took a faithful leap. 

I hate to see the innocent cheated especially when they're gentle and kind. Why people who prey on their humble instincts can't find something more constructive to do is beyond me.

Those humble instincts have persisted nevertheless after a century or so of scientific advancement, advancements that have found evidenced based factual reasons to validate so many practical truths.

As science proves more and more practical theories you would think religious belief would become more and more obsolete, but it still persists with resounding tenacity in many jurisdictions still spiritually composed.

It's like there's an innate drive residing in many to believe in the supernatural regardless of fact, and even if such a drive seems improbable, yet can still sometimes be fun, in the interests of democratic community, methinks it's best not to dismiss it.

Of course I tend to operate within a communal domain where there's mutual respect for opposing viewpoints, and improbability doesn't have the upper hand and isn't creating laws to dismiss science or pandemics accordingly.

I like to hear people tell stories so I'll listen as they narrate away, it's incredible the things some people say, the force of their convictions at times unsettling.

Just proving and dismissing everything with science can be incredibly boring too. Life needs a bit of excitement now and then that only werebears and vampires (etc.) can provide.

As long as you don't believe werebears and vampires are real and can find a practical metaphorical application for them.

Thus rationalizing fantasy.

To tell even more incredible stories.

With planned obsolescence and conflicting authenticities so much discourse sounds absurd (especially as you age).

But what's life without absurdity?

As long as it doesn't cost too much.

Evan Almighty

Tom Shadyac's Evan Almighty proceeds at a fast pace. Evan Baxter (Steve Carell) is elected to Congress, moves his family to Huntsville, and is visited by God who tasks him with building an Ark. While trying to deal with his new job, Evan takes God's suggestions lightly until his beard grows in permanently and several bird species roost. Evan's boss, Congressman Long (John Goodman), is dedicated to passing Bill HR7124 which hopes to open up public Parklands for private development (and he shines none to brightly to Evan's change of pace). Unfortunately, neither does Steve Carell and he's left spending most of his screen-time in a stressed out state where his character isn't given much room to develop. At the same time, as he begins to come to grips with being a Noahesque avatar, we are treated to a couple of lighthearted biblical moments which allow Carell's charm to come through. The same one-dimensional direction allows neither John Goodman nor Evan's wife Joan (Lauren Graham) much room for development, however, minor characters played by Wanda Sykes, John Michael Higgins, Jonah Hill and Morgan Freeman prosper comedically within.

My favourite scenes within Evan Almighty feature creatures of the four legged variety and if you're an animal enthusiast it doesn't disappoint. I was worried that the bear representation would be weak but we are treated to scenes with Polar, Panda, Black, and Grizzly Bears, the Grizzlies being the last of Evan's animals to enter his Ark. The cutesy animal scenes do little to elucidate the dangerous nature of many of these beasts, but they do provide Evan with enough domestic appeal to make it an excellent family film. Further, its overall meaning is cloaked in positive communal sentiments that challenge one to be a kinder, more loving human being; a friendly message with a healthy heart.