Because of the non-stopping buzzes of "Inception" that are going on right now, I try to recall the great films which also feature dreams, dream sequences or alternative reality. The listed following films are not nessassarily based on dreams, but they can surely all be seen as a thread of dreams through out the whole film. I don't include the classics such as "The Wizard of Oz," "Alice in Wonderland(the original Disney animation)," "Last Year in Marienbad," 'That Obscure Object of Desire" and "8½" because I don't think I'm qualified to comment them since a few of them I haven't even seen or haven't seen enough times.
Click (Frank Corasi, USA, 2006)
It would've been a better film if it's not full of Adam Sandler's tacky jokes and cliché. This is what I called a combination of "Bruce Almighty" and "The Family Man," but it's actually more entertaining and thought-provoking(eh, I mean more). This could be by far the best product out of all Sandler projects and an unexpected tearjerker. I never get tired of a story about getting a second chance in life after a dream of moral lessons.
The Devil's Advocate (Taylor Hackford, USA, 1997)
It's actually not a dream but a flash in the head. Keanu Reeves played a devious attorney who gets seduced by the temptation of vanity. The brilliant script by the then-unknown screenwriter/director Tony Gilroy takes the audience on a journey full of twists and turns. To reveal the ending would be an absolutely guilty spoiler for people who haven't watched it yet(which might also be a sin). So if you're not only interested in Reeves' cute face and hot body, give this overlooked piece a shot and I'm sure you'll be surprised.
Donnie Darko (Richard Kelly, USA, 2001)
Warning: spoilers contained
Another poorly distributed excellent film debut by the arguably talented Richard Kelly gained a massive amount of cult fans through out the years. It would appear to be an alternative universe of the late 80's, but Kelly smartly put in the pop songs(notably two from Tears for Fears) to create the confusing reality. Some might interpret it as a time travel which is probably suggested by "Evil Dead II," the film Donnie Darko and Gretchen saw in the theater, but I would like to consider it more as a dream that makes Darko foresee the consequences that could've been prevented by a tiny change of decision. I hope I haven't spoil it too much by saying this.
Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, USA, 1993)
This compulsorily re-watchable comedy classic is about a guy who gets trapped in the day he hates the most out of an entire year and has to deal with it and tries to get out. Bill Murray's effortlessly brilliant performance is still his best work yet(yes, better than that in "Lost in Translation"). It's like a nightmare we all might've been trapped in in our dreams, but it turned out to be an even greater modern version of "A Christmas Carol." Is it a dream? Or did it actually happen? Since it has a delightful ending like this, who cares!
Mulholland Drive (David Lynch, USA, 2001)
Talking about masterpieces about dreams, this is definitely on the list. Lynch's obsession of torturing his characters reached an ultimate solution here. But since they are dream sequences, no one can say that he's brutal. Lynch let his mind wonder to wherever it went, the first half is clearly a dream, but the second half is arguably another dream trued into a nightmare on top of the first dream. The characters never found a way to wake up. They simply moved toward to a destruction that they have it coming. Anyway, it's a truly the one and only experience you don't get from any other film.
Open Your Eyes (Alejandro Amenábar, Spain, 1997)/Vanilla Sky (Cameron Crowe, USA, 2001)
Amenábar's psychological fantasy thriller and its hollywood remake by the well-received Crowe fascinate the audience with the endearing and unexpected essence of dreams. A good-looking wealthy guy who suffers from the losing of his appeal and confidence in an accident which led him into a good-dream-turn-into-a-nightmare experience. The idea brilliantly made the contrasts between the reality and the dream. Amenábar's beautiful score was turned into the brilliantly-selected atmospheric pop songs in Crowe's remake. Both versions are worth-seeing and were made in different tones.
Paprika (Satoshi Kon, Japan, 2006)
The adult-oriented animated feature is based the novel of the famous Japanese sci-fi novelist Yasutaka Tsutsui and shares the same concept as Nolan's in "Inception." A technology was invented for therapists to cure the patients by accessing into their dreams. But it then was stolen and transformed as a way of crime. Satoshi yet again presented a rich and thought-provoking work that might be his best to date. I'm not sure if Nolan has seen the film or even read the novel, but it would surely be a spectacular coincidence if he hasn't.
Sliding Doors (Peter Howitt, UK, 1998)
Warning: spoilers contained
I know, I know, it should be two parallel universes instead of a dream, but I found this interesting way to see it if the other universe is actually a dream while the unlucky Helen is in a coma after she fell down the stairs, and that also explains why she remembers the quote James often uses in the elevator. Sorry, if you haven't seen the film and accidentally read thus this far. It can be seen as a rom-com mix of Kieslowski's "Blind Chance" and "The Double Life of Veronique" but surely not a masterpiece like them. Still, it's a very well-done storytelling with delightful views of London.
Spirited Away (Hayao Miyazaki, Japan, 2001)
Warning: spoilers contained
Here we go again, I know this doesn't seem like a dream. But I simply put in a different aspect and see it as more of an Alice experience. Chihiro gradually forgets her real name in the Gods' resort just like we wouldn't remember anything in our dreams. And she appears not to recall the things she has just been through when she finally got her parents and herself out. The time contrast is also like a dream suggestion. But this film is so great and profound that there should be many ways to interpret it.
Waking Life (Richard Linklater, USA, 2001)
Linklater's first animated feature deals with things that are hard to digest, but it gets more and more interesting if you get the idea of capturing the essence of dreams. What's said in the film does not entirely matter, but if you catch one or two key quotes here and there, congratulations, you have successfully accessed this film. The point is, don't try to get every sentence in it and let your mind flow with it, it would be a very unique experience I guarantee.
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