lessons from space; death

I think the reason space movies are so captivating, at least for me, is that they inspire extreme fear and incredible awe at the same time. at once a reminder of how magical and infinitely beautiful our universe is as well as how small and insignificant we are, space movies give us an "overview effect".

this effect is said to have been felt by astronauts, and this doesn't come as a surprise at all.
consider how, by simply sitting in front of the screen of a space movie, one can sufficiently experience a change in perception—an altered consciousness—that points us to a greater understanding of ourselves, our place in space and time, as well as life. i therefore find myself always in favour of space movies, and urge everyone to watch them. some that come to mind, in recent times, include "Gravity", "Interstellar" and more recently, "The Martian"—which I really enjoyed. Insignificance aside, another reason I feel extreme fear while confronting space (in movies) is that it connotes, re-enacts and approximates, at least to me, the notion of death. infinity, darkness, being untethered, and facing a huge foreboding unknown seem precisely what death would entail. at least— my notion of death. because, for all we know, death might just be a glorious party somewhere else.. But till then, it is space that reinforces, against my better, less cowardice self, the fears, anxieties and unknowns that accompany death.