Sivin Kit’s Garden

It’s quite a while since I posted up any movies Entertainment is not high on the agenda on this blog these days. But then, when it becomes a time when we can spend together as a family, then it’s okay.

Since the arrival of Ewan, we have been unable to pop in a movie theater.  That would be too much for us parents and the 3 kids nowadays.  But we can still manage to watch a movie on the notebook!

I’m glad Gareth survived the whole show compared to Happy Feet (which we left after some intense scenes of fierce seals!) But I noticed as a five year old turning six in October, he was able to grasp the key themes of the movie of friendship, bonding, love and loyalty. As usual, he’s easily troubled by the more intense scenes (especially when it involves even mild violence).  He got quite emotional at the end of the movie (actually I think I was getting a little choked up as well - but then I’m a softy when it comes to these kind of moments even if I know it’s fiction!).

Elysia is like her mom, asking questions along every scene transition I can imagine if we were in the theater, she would either be as much of the entertainment for the audience or a itching disturbance through out the movie.  Looks like we’ll keep the movie nights at home for a while.  Both of them loved the "water horse" when it was small and cute.  But were able to warm up to it even when it was gigantic and huge. I think the director must have done something right to help Gareth and the 3 year old Elysia to be able to make that transition effortless.

Ah … as for 5 month old Ewan,  he followed the movie for the first part while on mummy May Chin’s lap, and then on my lap, then taking some snacks in between … with mummy of course Since Elysia did all the questions, May Chin had no chance to ask hers because she was busy answering the daughter … phew!

There were nice little moments where we parents had our hugs with the kids, calming them down when things got a little scary, and giggling together at funny parts, … all in all family entertainment at it’s best.

Oh .. yes, entertainment is still not high on the agenda for this blog.  But if it connects to some relationship building, then it can get a mention as a supplement but not the main thing. 

Go watch it and then make up your mind. I like one of the quotes during the closing credits … “When you pray, move your feet.”

I’ll never forget that eventful afternoon after school when Mom and a cousin sister waited for me to pick me up for Superman: The Movie. I might not remember the exact details on how it felt during the movie itself. But strangely, I can recall quite vividly the anticipation and excitement going for it

Gareth told us that he might be afraid of the bad guys in the movie but he’s not scared of Superman. So, after school today I took him to watch the movie. I think he prefered Superman to appear more. And Gareth was indeed scared of Lex Luther - He called him “Botak Man” (Botak is Bald in Malay) which brought some humor to a very cold air-conditioned cinema.

I’m always amazed at how Gareth identifies with the characters of a movie whether it’s animated or otherwise. He has very strong empathy. There were times when the “emotional” ride was a little too much for him. Of course, he’s a little young to appreciate the whole movie, the story, the plot and the dialogue etc. But for him it was a simple, “Superman is a good man oh? He takes care of all the people.” I think he’s a lot like his mother *grin* where he loves to asks questions throughout the movie, like “Why is Superman doing this or that? or “Where is he going?” or “Why is he in a particular place?” .. that kind of stuff. The fun part was he doesn’t ask quietly. But back to the emotional part, he’s sad when someone is hurt - especially the “good guy” - and ESPECIALLY when the “hero” is weak and vulnerable. But you can see Gareth brighten up when the “hero” is ok and doing what he does best “taking care of the people.”

Now I might try to get a hold of the first movie .. just to watch it again with new eyes. Interesting how the “new” brings us back to the “old”.

After reading A Kung Fu Swan Song, I decided last minute today to give this movie a try. I heard some comments here and there, but I have never really been a Jet Li fan (I’m impressed with his website though!). I think he’s got fantastic moves and is definately the REAL thing when it comes to Kung Fu. But when it comes to acting, it depends on the movie and is less consistent.

Fearless was much better than I expected. I didn’t go with much expectation … and this is in the context of not going to the movies for at least 2 months since Chicken Little. But perhaps it’s because of what’s on my mind lately that I was actually moved emotionally and intellectually at some points. In short, I didn’t just leave the movie appreciating some intense and excellently choreographed fight scenes. There was a story and insights that followed me back One thing for sure, to me it wasn’t to glorify the violence of Kung fu (or Wushu) which could have been the case, and I appreciated that there was more thought in the portrayal of some of the characters (so it wasn’t over simplistic that one nationality is painted a bad guy while another is the pure good guy.

I guess I liked the movie because I noticed and “felt” themes of honor, repentance, redemption, the bigger than personal vision, sacrifice, forgiveness, reconciliation, etc. so there were moments of connection.

I use to make it a point to occassionally go to the International Screens @ GSC Mid Valley and catch non-mainstream, art house and foreign language films. I enjoyed all of the ones I’ve chosen to watch. Quite a number of the movies moved me to feel and to think deeper. This particular one is coming soon to our Malaysian shores and it looks good.

Here’s a review which I didn’t really read and I’ve never seen the 1962 version. But, since this is the earliest movie I can get for today and Denzel Washington is in it we’ll see what happens. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to the cinema one BLC member said, “Yeah! Haven’t heard any illustrations from movies lately…”. Maybe that might change for this week?

I confess I’ve finally managed to watch Spiderman 2 with May Chin only last Friday (better late than never even then it was not easy to get decent seats). It was one of the things I wanted to do when I returned and just before I start my whirlwind season of ministry again. I loved the movie and there were quite a number of moments where the heart and mind was thoroughly engaged and there’s lots to think and talk about as well. I like the little slogan in the Eis Webzine’s Two Films, Two Questions: “Don’t just see films, talk about them, think about them” Here’s the 2 questions for the webslinger movie! (Thanks to Si Johnston)

1. Society teaches us that we are the centre of the world; consequences beyond ourselves are of little to no importance. Peter Parker (Toby Maguire) realises that his ‘lifestyle choices’ are coming at a cost to others around him. Raimi’s summer hit then becomes just as much about in(ner)security, personal turmoil and identity crisis as it is about a web-slinging superhero bringing salvation for New York. How does Peter Parker’s (Toby Maguire) schizophrenia mirror Christian life in contemporary culture?

2. ‘With great power comes great responsibility’, warns Dr. Octavia (Alfred Mollina) before he suffers at his own hands. Today, on both a personal and international level, power is an oft abused commodity. But interestingly, even in the film; redemption is born out of sacrifice. Should Christians ever work at becoming powerful? In what concrete ways can they / should they remain responsible?

Well, I’ve watched almost all that’s mentioned in Fitzpatrick’s list. I’m still waiting for a change to watch Luther (I saw the preview and reviews which says good stuff! and I am a Lutheran!*grin*) and The Passion of Christ (yes! I haven’t watched it yet!). Never saw High Fidelity though.

Thanks Jason for a good McLaren link “Apocalyse Now”

I watched this movie during Holy Week and had a “healing” time. More than that, I’m captured again by the amazing “magic” of storytelling and imagination.

If you can’t resist reviews, click here. But I warn you, watch the movie before you read the reviews. Then make up your own mind.