LWA - Literary Writers Association Forum Hero's Journey and Contemporar..

I recently reread and watched Bill Moyers' fantastic interview with Joseph Campbell entitled The Power of Myth (if you haven't read it you should really check it out as it's an excellent resource for anyone engaged in the art of storytelling). One of my favorite parts of the discussion involves George Lucas' mythological inspirations when creating the Star Wars universe and Campbell's influence is strikingly evident in the first of his films.

I am curious to know: what your favorite modern stories/novels/books/films ect. that utilize classical mythology and character development?

Do you think writers today still focus on the importance of symbolism in crafting their stories or are too many of us focused on getting paid rather than crafting important and significant works of art that engage the imagination and create a call to action in our real every day lives?