Movies, surprisingly!

Once in awhile, you stumble on a movie that brings life back to the old, dry bones! Well, it has been quite often that I have stumbled on movies that I really enjoy from romantic comedies to cartoons to Japanese anime. One movie leading to another and before I know it, a movie marathon every weekend.

Today, I saw 14 blades - yes, a Chinese movie and I was a little nervous about seeing this one. I had a free ticket and thought, "Why not? After all, the worse that could happen is sitting through a movie that I barely understand except for the subtitles. But surprisingly, I enjoyed the story line or at least I think I understood most of it. It was an interesting activity of reading subtitles and listening to the Cantonese although I must admit the "olden days" Chinese speak quite differently from what we know today.

The story was entertaining, too - the main character was somewhat like the musketeers with the best one having had a difficult past of having to kill his own brother in order to live. This turning point left him with endless nights of nightmare but his dedication to serve and complete missions for the rulers during the Ming Dynasty kept him going and alive. What later differentiates him from the rest was his hesitance to complete a mission when he discovered that seizing a treasure box and delivering it to the requestor would put the nation in jeopardy and many years of war.

The moment of truth - he does not complete his mission and loses his honor but instead journeys on a new mission - to retrieve the treasure box containing the royal seal from the wrong hands in order to restore his dignity. The story unfolds with the emergence of a hero, the discovery of tender love - rather surprisingly for a warrior with his tough exterior - and seeing a man give up what he had set out to gain in order to save the life of the woman he had grown to care for and perhaps love. Lots of bloodshed and all in this action-packed, kung fu movie ... but I thoroughly enjoyed it.



I have never seen this movie star before, but I thought he was pretty hot with his six packs and a broad display of tattoos ... kudos to Donnie Yen, martial artist and Hong Kong movie star who was born in Canton, China!

Totally unplanned, we went for a second movie after dinner. The Book of Eli. Thanks to the GSC-Eon Credit Card, I was able to line up on the VIP lane and obtain our tickets in a jiffy.

The Book of Eli was something else. Also filled with bloodshed - ah, my Saturday of bloodshed movies which is unbecoming of me - but surprisingly, I enjoyed this movie. I didn't care much about the post-apocalyptic setting nor the fashion that made the entire movie dull in appearance, but what made me sit up was that the movie portrayed and brought forth the an individual who is steadfast in this faith and staying the course to transport a book to its destination. To protect the truth ... of the book - The Bible. A very powerful book. A book that many sought for at a time when it was scarce. But oh, the power it brings to the one who would read it night and day and commit to memory its words. The words that would form the inner man. His character. His purpose and mission in life. His lifestyle. His actions. His care and protection towards the weak.

The movie spoke volumes to me, yet not in a way where I can say freely describe except that I would want to read the Bible as often as I can in order to commit His words to memory and know in my heart the path I am to walk and the mission I am to fulfill in this life. The character and lifestyle I am to embrace. And to know that when I walk by faith, and not by sight, He is beside me to protect and care for me. To walk with me through the valley of the shadow of death and give me peace because He is with me.



Now that I think about it, I have been praying about some things. Today, He has reassured me that I am to walk by faith and not by sight for He is with me. I have my answer as to what I need to do. Lord, give me the courage and strength to follow you!