Reflection: How does film in general affect the way you see the world?

As a movie lover, I had a hard time getting into Benjamin's "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" as, in the beginning of the essay, it seemed that Benjamin's intention was to reduce the invention of film to the next step in the progression of mass production (i.e. the process of cheapening an object so as to increase it's availability).  With the frequent use of such terms as "decay" it is not hard to associate his sentiments to an overall negative outlook on the history of film.  I began to warm up to the article when, after a long commentary on the value of art lying in its authenticity as an original work formed by the artist, Benjamin recognized the evolving ideals of art that parallel our evolving society when he says:

"... the instant the criterion of authenticity ceases to be applicable to artistic production, the total function of art is reversed."

Furthermore Benjamin made the astute observation:

"... mechanical reproduction emancipates the work of art from its parasitic dependence on ritual.  To an ever greater degree the work reproduced becomes the work of art designed for reproducibility."

I think the key idea from this observation is that the filmmaker (or the photographer) is aware that he is creating art that is meant to be reproduced.  Before the invention of still and motion photography, I believe it was suitable to include authenticity in the definition of art.  The introduction of photographic technology made it necessary to modify said definition.  I believe an appropriate and broader definition of this new art that includes photography and film can hold on to the ideals that have always been at the core of artistic expression:

Art is the intention to create and communicate by lending one's humanity to what is otherwise without meaning.  (Note: This is my own working definition of art, I obviously don't expect everyone to agree with it.)

The added bonus of this new technology/form of art is that it can touch many more observers.  I believe first and foremost art is a form of communication, it is a way to express other perspectives, share other worlds, and questions our own existing beliefs.  Film is particularly effectual in this expression due to its unique ability to carry the observer into an entirely different universe and live in someone else's shoes.  

A prime example of this immersion into another universe is Fight Club.  The "one day" moment that sets the wheels in motion is when Edward Norton's "narrator" meets Brad Pitt's "Tyler Durden".  Tyler opens the narrator's eyes and helps him realize the insignificance of his possessions that have come to define his life.  This inspires a new bohemian existence, which sets the narrator on a journey of self exploration.  What he finds is that he is Tyler Durden... sometimes.  We finally see what the rest of the world sees: a man beating himself up in a parking lot, a bipolar lover, an ardent leader, and a social terrorist.  The film-goer gets to see both perspectives and as a result gets to ride alongside the narrator in his roller coaster of self-discovery.

The power of film, as illustrated by Fight Club, is the ability to transport the viewer into the mind of another.  The viewer gets to sympathize with the man who can't control himself, who projects his darkest desires onto another being and who justifies destruction as a means to find meaning in his own life.

Other great examples:

- Monster - learn to sympathize with a real life serial killer

- The Sixth Sense - see from the perspective of... well, I won't spoil the surprise if you are one of the few people who haven't seen it yet

- The Purple Rose of Cairo - see a "man" come to terms with being a fictional character who doesn't belong in the real world