While disenchanting, there is nearly always entertainment value in a culture like ours. There is so much to poke fun at, to cry at, to think about. Naturally there are an abundance of great books, movies and television programs which give us a break from the seriousness of the whole thing to be entertained. Enjoy a good laugh or a good cry, talk with your friends, and just revel in the delight that is good entertainment. A good movie or book can take you away and give you a break from everything for a while. Here are some of our favorites for that purpose.
The Story of B
by Daniel Quinn
This story of a priest who goes through the experience of losing his faith will make you see our modern religions in a way you may never have dreamed. Quinn takes us on a roller coaster ride of a mystery story and educates us along the way with a long-term view of religion and its effects on our lives. Guaranteed to keep you riveted while exploring issues you may never have touched.
Roger & Me
A film by Michael Moore
The ultimate David and Goliath film about an Everyman confronting corporate America. If you've ever wanted to bring the big time CEO down to the level of the rest of us, Moore is your man. He has gone on to bigger and better things, but this is where it all started. Was the biggest selling documentary ever when it was released until his newest movie broke that record.
Office Space
A film by Mike Judge
Possibly the funniest movie about work ever made. A cult classic that even the most serious can't fail to laugh at. Judge so accurately pinpoints everything that is wrong with work in a way that is sure to have you repeating the lines for years to come. Everything your friends told you is true. See it! You'll be glad you did and you'll laugh for years.
August & Everything After
An Album by Counting Crows
 This is the best album ever. Heartbreaking lyrics, beautiful melodies and a voice that goes right to the core. These songs discuss love, loss, memory and life so poignantly, it is hard to believe it is a debut album. if all you have heard is Mr. Jones, you haven't heard anything yet. Anna Begins, Round Here and others are far better.
Wag the Dog
A film by David Mamet
These days even an 8-year old can see through how our leaders use marketing and the media to instill fear in us, create war and keep us constantly on edge. But, it wasn't always as obvious as Bush has made it. It used to happen behind closed doors. Wag the Dog gives one of the most hilarious satires ever written about the way our leaders our deciding what the public should do...backwards isn't it?
The Daily Show
Starring John Stewart
John Stewart is one funny man, and when he takes aim at everyone from the government to the media corporate America, he usually hits a bullseye. Running on Comedy Central, Stewart will have you in stitches as he satires our culture and interviews stars from throughout the entertainment industry. It's one damn fun way to get the news!
The Onion
Satire at its finest
From out in the dells of Wisconsin comes perhaps the funniest satire newspaper of our time. The Onion mixes dark humor and irreverence with a twist of absurdity to produce a product only a man with his jaw wired shut could fail to laugh at. And their comedy-tipped arrow has an extremely broad aim, targetting corporate America, the schools, the government and everyone in between. Watch out, you could be the next one in one of their "official" polls!
The Insider
A film starring Russell Crowe
Few companies show more flagrant disregard for the public good than the tobacco companies. And few areas of the fight against corporations have been more successful than that against the cigarette hucksters. In The Insider, Russell Crowe portrays Dr. Jeffrey Wigand, an honest to gosh real life man who quit the tobacco world, became a teacher and used his knowledge to help take them to court and hold them accountable.
Network
A film starring Robert Duvall
This movie was truly ahead of its time. Winner of Best Screenplay in the 70's, it predicted prophetically the deterioration of television news into a virtual circus where ratings matter and real issues fall by the wayside. The movie's protagonist, Howard Beale, is a character for the ages and has given us some of the most hilarious scenes in film, capped by the ever-famous "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" scene.
Pleasantville
A film by Gary Ross
A film of great visual beauty and wicked satire starring Toby Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, Jeff Daniels, William H. Macy and even an appearance by good ol' Don Knotts. The movie takes a look at our culture of conformity, its roots and the importance of being true to yourself. It illuminates the fact that all of us have a true self deep down trying to come out, if we only let it.
Home | About Disenchantmentville | Contact
All content © Disenchantmentville.com 2002