...the power of dreams as both an escape and a path to wisdom ...
a former pop star-turned-underachieving composer escapes into his dreams, where an exotic beauty (Penelope Cruz) awaits him. Seeking advice on how to guide his dream life toward ever-more thrilling and satisfying experiences, Gary meets the eccentric Mel (Danny DeVito), who teaches a class on the subject ... --Tom Keogh.

The layers, signals and re-interpretation of signs will strike a chord with anyone who has gotten caught in false awakenings; and ultimately, perhaps an interesting idea about the relation of lucid dreams to reality. The grasshopper reality check (after watching the movie): tie a green band, string, twine or rubberband on your wrist and whenever you notice it by sight or feel during the day, do a reality check. First try to change its color. Next pinch your nostrils together and try to breath through your nose. If either of these work, you'll know you are dreaming. More on reality checks in the next post.

A little pedantic, but nice introduction to 'reality checks' and their application for eliciting lucid dreams.

The Lucid Dreamer: A Waking Guide for the Traveler Between Worlds. Malcolm Godwin. One of the best books on the lucid dream experience

Stephen Laberge. Good overview of basic techniques for inducing the lucid dream from one of the pioneers.

Thomas Yuschak. A thorough review of effectiveness of various supplements for stimulating lucid dreams and dream recall

Jeff Warren. Author's experiences with a variety of conscious states, including lucid dreaming at one of Laberge's dream camps