Here are some random thoughts I have been feeding myself on lately:

from Tarkovsky's book, "Sculpting in Time"
"When thought is expressed in an artistic image, it means that an exact form has been found for it, the form that comes nearest to conveying the author's world, to making incarnate his longing for the ideal.

The artist therefore tries to grasp that principle [life principle that the artist perceives] and make it incarnate, new each time; and each time he hopes, though in vain, to achieve an exhaustive image of the Truth of human existence. The quality of beauty is in the truth of life, newly assimilated and imparted by the artist, in fidelity to his personal vision."

One realization I have had from reading Kierkegaard, Tolstoy and Tarkovsky latley is that most modern Hollywood films don't satisfy, don't capture the heart and soul because they are not true, their creators haven't been students of life or atleast their fims don't reflect their passioniate search for the appropriate expression life's priciples. Dostoievsky said, "Life is more fantastic than any fiction."

An exception: I recently saw the movie, "The Nuns Story" (Warner Bros. starring Audrey Hepburn). It is based on a book about a woman who became a nun, her interior struggles, and the working out of those struggles. I found the depiction of her battle with pride so interesting and intricate. One reason I think the movie is satisfying to me is because it is accurate of the struggle of anyone who tries to submit their will to Christ's in their vocation. Its study of human nature is so satisfying, I think the movie is worth a viewing even if one doesn't appreciate all the facets of the depiction of religious life; it is one woman's experience of religious life interpreted by the director Zinnemann.

While we go along we should remember to bleed a little for those people and causes we hold dear. As St. Francis de Sales put it (paraphra sing) "We all like a little sugar sprinkled on our food, and likewise consolations in our spiritual lives, but consolations are not the signs of true love."