25/02/2017

 I used to be a movie lover that was always being laughed at for couldn’t differentiate fantasies from realities. In the 80’s, I had lived in Los Angeles, for more than 6-year, actually, for my advanced education, and I was also deeply immersed in the US sub-culture of Hollywood, apart from my hectic schedule on campus.

Honestly, now, I am not about to say that I am not a movie goer anymore. But my priority has changed since I have become a Christian. I would still put movies as my hobbies if I were asked. I always make a point to watch movies on big screens, especially for those were nominated for the Oscar.

I like to watch the Red Carpet event, on Oscar night, for high fashions. Mostly, I want to see, how many major award winners those who are in line with predictions. In the meantime, I have a friend who is a Catholic, lives in Canada would send me do/don’t movie checklist for Christians. So it would be no fun to be a guilt-ridden movie-goer.

It is really disheartening to see the excessive of sexual scenes, violence and with so much vain use of Lord’s name. My friend, Polly shared my view and told me that she knew people are explicitly praying for Hollywood. As a result, I have been intently looking for traces of Jesus in whatever I watch. It brings warmth to my heart to hear entertainers openly acknowledge Jesus.

Take the movie ‘Jackie,’ for example, is not a documentary film on the former US first lady. Many people would probably want to see if the movie might tip-off whom, actually behind the Assassination. But the film hasn’t revealed more secrets than the world has already known.

All the critics of the film would be just Google away. And I have to say that I was mesmerised by Natalie Portman’s incredible performance; as Jackie, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Portman won her another Oscar after she received her award in the film of ‘Black Swan,’ 2010.

Personally to me, ‘Jackie’ is a God-glorifying film. And I have to say commending the production team would actually give in, and allow Jackie’s (Portman) “spiritually illuminating” dialogue with an old priest to be included in the movie. Without knowing how factual of Jackie’s spirituality, in life, but that’s a bold move in Hollywood production.

“ If God is love, why doesn’t HE stop all the horrors that we visit each other?” or “Was God in the bullets that killed Jack?” These questions are the classic, default way of thinking that bedevil both of the people with deep religious faith and pre-seekers.

I was moved by the answer that was given by an old priest (John Hurt, who died in Jan. 2017) to Jackie (Portman), in the film. He reassures her that “even in moments of unimaginable tragedy, God is still there…” And even more helpful. ’The  priest then challenges Jackie (Portman) to see that” the works of God have been revealed in her.”

I was serious as challenged in the cinema by the dialogues from a film as well listening to any truth that was brought out from the pulpit. Personally, the most thoughtful touch was the ending of the film that Jackie shared of her infatuation, over the enchanting music of the Camelot, to counter balance her grief of the tragic Assassination of her husband.

If the dialogues in the movie actually occurred in Jackie’s life, then I would think that was how my Daddy God prepared Jackie to face another tragic blow when her only son died on the plane he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near the Coast of Martha’s Vineyard, in 1999.

If not, it certainly brought the sense of victory and peace to those who have been praying for Hollywood. Unlike Mel Gilson’ s, ‘The Passion of Christ,’ the production team used the platform, which Jackie held, as the former US first lady, to be instrumental for HIS glory. Do you know there is another God-glorifying, Mel Gilson film, will be in the cinema soon?

Romans 8:39

“No power in the sky above or in the earth below–indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

p.s.

In the end, it was not Portman, but Emma Stone, of ‘LA LA Land’ took the Best Actress of the Oscar for 2017, and it gave me a good reason to go to the cinema for the film. And Emma Stone is perfect for her role. I love the movie, as what the critics were saying that “It brought tears to your eyes and a new song in your heart.”I thought that it was a movie for women, but it was on my brother-in-law’s high recommended list.

I would find time soon, to talk about another Movie, ” Churchill ”

Kay Loke

15/07/2017 modified

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