Hello everyone. I hope you are doing well. As usual, my life has been a small boat in the midst of a raging oceanic storm. With that though, I am happy to give an update regarding Trinity of the Broken's audiobook. We are nearly half way completed and it sounds awesome. I know I am a little biased when it comes to judging it, but I feel that you all will agree that Kayll Heath has a strong connection to the soul of the story. For those of you that still have not picked up your own copy of Trinity, I am also excited to announce that it will be on sale at Amazon for 33% off this Thanksgiving week, just in time for Black Friday. I will be sharing a link once the sale goes live on here, as well as, on Twitter and Facebook.
This week Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was released on Disney+. It was one of the movies I really wanted to see in the theater, but like most things in life, did not fit into my schedule. So, instead, I popped some popcorn, and set myself up on the couch surrounded by my kids. I came into the movie with positive expectations, and I feel that they did not let me down. Shang Chi is not only action packed, but has that element of humor that is not present in every Marvel movie. Simu Liu did an excellent job of making Shang Chi both likable and formidable. In the early fight scenes I was reminded of the Jackie Chan style of action movies. Large number of enemies that all have a chance at being a danger, but thanks to his high level of skills and quick thinking, he is able to overcome the odds. In the second half of the movie, it transfers into a more traditional Wire Fu. The second half is also extremely heavy on the CGI, but there was no way to tell the story as they did without taking that route.
Overall, it was a great story about a young man who wanted to be more than a weapon, and escape the evils of his father. Tony Leung Chiu-wai does an amazing job at portraying a villain that you want to see change for the better. Xu Wenwu (Shang Chi's father) is relatable in that the viewer can sympathize with his driving force, even if you do not agree with his methods. I have always been drawn to the likable villain. They are more believable to me if they have qualities that make them human. Sure, sometimes the bad guy is a monster, human or otherwise, but a villain that has power and authority did not come to that point through violence alone. I want the audience to know that the bad guy needs to be stopped, but understand why he did the things that put him against the hero.
I feel this is a good segue to get to the second part of this discussion, the Super Hero Genera. Recently, a big named Hollywood director gave their opinion on Super Hero movies, and long story short, he dislikes them and feels they are inferior. This is an opinion I have heard from a number of people, and honestly it bothers me. First and foremost, it is a form of entertainment. Entertainment, as well as art in general, are not meant to be confined to serious study. It is meant to be entertaining. While I appreciate Monet, or Da Vinci, I will not spend hours upon hours pouring over their work. By contrast, I have spent hours exploring those pictures of buildings with the cutaway to see inside, with different movie characters doing different things throughout the complex. Is it high art, no. Some of the figures are barely recognizable at times, but it is still art, and one that draws me in much better than a proper landscape painting. It is the same when it comes to cinema and the Super Hero genera in general. People looking to watch Super Hero movies are not looking to be moved. They are not expecting a masterpiece of scriptwriting and cinematography, but it does happen from time to time, and they are praised even more for it. What they are looking for is something exciting, eye catching, and entertaining. They want to see action scenes, explosions, and harrowing moments. They want to escape their lives, just for a little while, to see something fantastical.
I think that beyond anything else, the reason that I love Super Hero movies is because they tend to inspire you to be more than you are. The Super Hero is given an advantage over regular people, and they use that to make a positive change around them. Superman and Captain America are beloved characters, not because they are perfect, but because they live their lives with conviction and strive to be a good person at all times. Average people do not have the luxury of conviction. They have responsibilities, be it their jobs, their families, their children, and so much more. They do not always get to make the choice. Rent is due, children need to eat and be clothed, sometimes, it is the heroic battle of survival that dictates a person's day to day life. The Super Hero movie helps to escape the daily grind. It gives them someone that enacts what they wish to emulate in real life. For the most part, they are for fun. They are entertaining and that is enough on its own, but they also are inspiring and (most of the time) provide a strong moral compass to strive to live by.
I want to thank you for giving me your time, it is invaluable and I am honored that you have shared it with me. I hope you feel it was time well spent. If you like what I am doing here, please feel free to hit the follow button, and then find me on Facebook and Twitter. May your days be fulfilling and your path be clear of trouble. All the best, and speak to you soon.
