The Matrix: Took Judaic stories and created a non-pushy film that shed new light on human limitation and culture
Last Temptation of Christ: Depicted this 'I am God, don't argue' saviour as an epileptic man struggling against Roman occupation. Loved the humanity and, again, lack of pushy take it on faith aspects.
Gnostic Bible: The notion that physical reality is false and that the body is a vessel for the soul, which is not only a true persona but also your 'heaven' is fascinating. Far more peaceful too!
The Rigveda: Hindu creation stories truly make you consider the ideas of sacrifice and how each individual is their own origin to the world.
Doctor Who: The constant belief that humanity is beautiful and is strong enough to throw away fear, help others, and achieve better rubs off on you. It's idealistic, but wow, it's empowering.
Fight Club (Book): Again, our world as it stands is false, but truth can be found within. I only wish this group happened so the change could effect the world too.
I'll explain a few of them a bit more. I found the Matrix moving in the same way the Last Temptation and Gnostic Bible changed how I thought. See, if you watch the Matrix series with Tanakh stories fresh in mind, it becomes impossible to ignore the deep ties to Jewish culture the movie has. They mix some overt references and stories into one futuristic tale that made many people question their reality and I am not surprised. The story held some key elements to the stories of Moses, Solomon, Daniel (Nebekenzor [sp] & I have dreamt a dream but now that dream has gone from me), and some of the gnostic interpretations brought on later. I found this to be a great move. The story is fascinating and interesting, using direct references, but never pushing this 'religion trumps all' message -- more the question physical reality bit. Last Temptation of Christ did this too, book and film, by telling the story of Yeshua ibn Yusef (Jesus son of Joseph) as a young man afflicted by seizures in which he believed he heard voices and saw images. His affliction leas to question his own sanity and the movie doesn't do a thing to pretty up this image. It depicts Mary (the follower) and his relationship, theorizing a badass what-if, and just takes this story people often tell with only one, hard perspective in a way that makes it less faith and more one man's struggle against occupation. The humanity there, I find, is more interesting than the religious fervour.
Finally, Doctor Who. This show didn't so much change my perspective as it reinforced something I rarely find agreement with. Humanity can achieve better, we can do the right thing beyond personal interests, and we can settle conflicts no matter how big with conversation if we try. There is always a solution and sometimes the strongest run while trying to find it. This is possibly the only show I've watched where killing and death are taken extremely seriously and always surrounded by immense level of compassion. Guns aren't fired without a direct emotional impact to the action or implications. I think it's stunning.
