We've recently watched a film and TV drama with an odd similarity: both had instances of characters seeing or experiencing the presence of person or persons who were not actually present....or were they?
In a short, 6 episode, British TV series titled River (available via Netflix) a detective, whose female detective partner had been recently killed in action, experiences visions of her constantly. She chats to him, advises and teases him. He talks back and reacts to her, throughout the series, much to the consternation of observers.
In a DVD I picked up in a thrift store, of the 2009 movie In the Electric Mist, a sheriff detective (Tommy Lee Jones) is investigating murders in the New Orleans area, and happens across visions of Civil War soldiers in the mists of swampy surroundings. One of the figures, a General Hood, talks to him, advises him on several occasions.
This vision or hallucination theme is a fairly common trope used in TV and film drama, but it struck me as a bit weird watching the two stories in succession. There are countless movies featuring ghosts, but this is a different type of vision - a vision with purpose, a vision conjured up, we have to suspect, by one's own mind and for a specific reason.
The first film I always think of in the vision/hallucination category is in lighter vein: that old 1950 movie Harvey with James Stewart chatting to a giant bunny rabbit. That then reminds me of an episode of British comedy series Doc Martin, The Portwenn Effect (available on PBS) The doc visits a PTSD suffering park ranger, out in the middle of nowhere, who has a giant squirrel called Antony as vision pal.
Another enjoyable, rather more serious, movie with visions involved was Field of Dreams - visions of old baseball players were part of the storyline.
Anyone recall other films or TV shows in a similar vision/hallucination category ?
In a short, 6 episode, British TV series titled River (available via Netflix) a detective, whose female detective partner had been recently killed in action, experiences visions of her constantly. She chats to him, advises and teases him. He talks back and reacts to her, throughout the series, much to the consternation of observers.
In a DVD I picked up in a thrift store, of the 2009 movie In the Electric Mist, a sheriff detective (Tommy Lee Jones) is investigating murders in the New Orleans area, and happens across visions of Civil War soldiers in the mists of swampy surroundings. One of the figures, a General Hood, talks to him, advises him on several occasions.
This vision or hallucination theme is a fairly common trope used in TV and film drama, but it struck me as a bit weird watching the two stories in succession. There are countless movies featuring ghosts, but this is a different type of vision - a vision with purpose, a vision conjured up, we have to suspect, by one's own mind and for a specific reason.
The first film I always think of in the vision/hallucination category is in lighter vein: that old 1950 movie Harvey with James Stewart chatting to a giant bunny rabbit. That then reminds me of an episode of British comedy series Doc Martin, The Portwenn Effect (available on PBS) The doc visits a PTSD suffering park ranger, out in the middle of nowhere, who has a giant squirrel called Antony as vision pal.
Another enjoyable, rather more serious, movie with visions involved was Field of Dreams - visions of old baseball players were part of the storyline.
Anyone recall other films or TV shows in a similar vision/hallucination category ?
ReplyDeleteI'll me watching that Electric Mist movie, for sure.
Annie, you are touching upon a part of me that I keep silent about, for obvious reasons.
Some people, do have visions and hear voices.. I believe the difference between them and the mental cases is that, no vision or voice would EVER say, suggest or be any part of Negative or Dangerous actions.. hope I was clear about that:) I had my first vision at age 3, I remember it well.
I'll share more on your saturday post.
"Ghost" with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore..."Beetlejuice"...the old TV series, "Topper", which was a favorite in my youth. Many more that I can't place right now.
ReplyDeleteHow could I forget "Ghostbusters"?
ReplyDeleteSonny ~ "In the Electric Mist" turned out to be a better than average movie - but Tommy Lee Jones is always good value. I was surprised I'd never heard of this one before. I've been a fan of TLJ ever since "Lonesome Dove", and have made it my business to see as many of his films as possible.
ReplyDeleteYou'd probably enjoy "River" too, Sonny.
Hearing of your own experiences will be intriguing - as long as it doesn't upset you to share them. I shall look forward to reading your story at the weekend. :-)
mike ~ Thanks, yes - but I think those are purely "ghost" stories rather than hallucinations conjured up by the inner mind to assist the outer self.
ReplyDeleteMe too Annie, a fan of TLJ's..
ReplyDeleteanother movie -- in fact the first I ever saw him in was called-
The Eyes of Laura Mars,, if you ever watch it- it will SHOW you in ways it would be difficult to explain, sort of what I go through-- though of course the movie is far more dramatic.....
that movie goes along well with your post today...
I believe it was his debut film.
And "It's a Wonderful Life", "A Christmas Carol" (or "Scrooge").
ReplyDeleteOne person's vision may be another's hallucination.
ReplyDeletevery true Mike..
ReplyDeleteI love the last set of movies you mentioned- as does my daughter..
we are both- numerological= 7's":) I am a 7 , 3 times.. but if ya just google- numerology 7 person it tells a lot..
mike ~ Those two are nearer to what I'm getting at, yes. It's hard to know how best to describe the two instances mentioned in the post - some people might watch the same films and see them as ghost stories, I didn't. Visions, hallucinations, ghosts - sometimes it'll depend on the viewer, and their interpretation of those words - I agree. I did start out, with "River" thinking that it was going to be a ghost story, then changed my mind as the story unfolded.
ReplyDeleteSonny ~ I've seen "The Eyes of Laura Mars" but long ago - must try to see it again.
ReplyDeleteThe oddest and probably earliest of TLJ's movies must be "Eliza's Horoscope" - I have the DVD. I wrote a post about it:
http://twilightstarsong.blogspot.com/2010/06/astrology-found-lurking-in-arty-farty.html
I haven't seen "River", so I'm not exactly sure how you are defining: ghost, vision, hallucination. It seems that "Ghost" (Patrick Swayze) would be along the same lines, as only Demi Moore saw and conversed with Patrick; only Cosmo Topper could see and converse with the deceased; "Beetlejuice" could be questionable, but only Lydia sees and converses with the deceased couple. "Ghostbusters"...yes, not along the lines you desired, as the ghosts were visible and terrorizing all.
ReplyDeletemike ~ "Ghost", I don't remember the movie too well, but yes, it was possibly similar- nobody else could see her. Haven't seen "Ghostbusters", but doesn't seem as though it's on the same track. Maybe Beetlejuice - but again don't recall the story well enough to decide.
ReplyDeleteI suppose the difference is that the vision/ghost/hallucination in the two films in the post are helping, giving advice - that's their only reason for appearing - and to straighten out the mind of the person receiving them, making them understand something.
(Hurrying...going out now - be back later).
hmm.. I found lots of River movies- mostly The River, but I couldnt find just River..
ReplyDeletemaybe when Annie gets back she can tell me where to look for it.
Sonny - I had the same problem locating "River"...search for "River" British TV series. It's on Wiki. None that I found gave a description of Sarah's ghost-vision-hallucination.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that Twilight may be inferring that the script of TV or film allowing for ambiguity whether the ghost is real, a vision, or a hallucination. In the film, "Ghost", Patrick Swayze's character is presented to the viewer as believable and real.
ohh I see , Mike..
ReplyDeleteI will search as you have suggested.
Seen Ghost many many times. It was my "scorpio husbands" very favorite movie:) so needless to say I almost know the entire script by heart, lol lol.. another fav of his was
"Sixth Sense", with Bruce Willis...
Bell,Book and Candle. Kim.Novak was a great witch, Jack LEmmons as her warlock brother and best of allElse Lancaster a s their Auntie
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ReplyDeleteI know I Annie said it was fine but have ya'll noticed I am rather talkative in the last week or so.. I mean I talk but not usually this much:)
Mike and Sonny ~
ReplyDeleteThe "River" mentioned in the post is this one:
(The vision is "Stevie" not Sarah)
Episode 1 ....
Detective Inspector John River is haunted by visions of his recently murdered colleague, Detective Sergeant Jackie 'Stevie' Stevenson. He continues in his attempts to find her killer although excluded from the case on the grounds of his proximity to the events surrounding it. River is told that he must undergo psychiatric evaluation, and his commanding officer makes it clear that he expects him to fail it. Meanwhile, River pursues a potential suspect who falls to his death and he is subsequently placed under increasing pressure from the media. Simultaneously, he faces demands from the mother of a missing teenager to find her daughter’s body......
mike/Sonny ~ sorry, forgot the link!
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_%28TV_series%29
got it Annie,, thanks..
ReplyDeleteit just came to international netflix nov. 15.. I added it to my list.
sounds very I N T E R E S T I N G lol
Twilight, how did you perceive his visions...psychosis or real...or was it impossible to conclude?
ReplyDeletemike (again) ~ I think his mind was trying to come to grips with the fact that he had loved her, and this was the way it forced him to the true conclusion. The series had one of the best final scenes I can remember - left one feeling really happy. :-)
ReplyDeleteLynda ~ Hi there! I've been trying to get a VHS tape of Bell Book & Candle for a while. Bought two from E-bay at intervals of several months between, and neither would play! I've concluded that I wasn't meant to see it. Maybe it'll be 3rd time lucky at some future time. :-)
ReplyDeleteMost religions were founded on visions, ie psychosis...LOL.
ReplyDeletemike (again) ~ Yes - food for thought!
ReplyDeleteHi Annie,
ReplyDeleteI bought a VHS from Ebay one time only. It looked like someone recorded it from a malfunctioning television. On top of that it was PAL which would not play on American equipment. Look on Amazon as I have bought some old VHS tapes and some films before they came out on DVD....Quality was always decent.
BB & C is one of my favorites...especially Pywacket, the cat.
Lynda ~ It's a bit of a crap-shoot on E-bay, I agree, though I've had some real bargains from there in the past. I've usually been happy with Amazon pre-owned DVDs and VHS tapes, not sure why I didn't go there for BB&C. Will take a look at their lists again. :-)
ReplyDelete