Creating, collecting, and sharing thoughts and ideas. And learning along the way.
Bold: The Beginning of a Brand New Brilliant Series
How about an epic way to start a new year? That may have been my subliminal thought as I prepared to watch this film with my family on New Year’s Day.
And epic it was, indeed. With creative license used liberally in the telling of the story, the acclaimed director Ridley Scott has certainly offered a grandiose viewing of an unforgiving landscape of Egypt and in the masses of Hebrew slaves who toil to build the architectural marvels, to the many plagues that come and go, and the eventual parting of the sea as Moses leads his people out of the clutches of Pharaoh.
And yet, there is something a little underwhelming about it all. For one thing, the famous phrase uttered by Moses, “Let my people, go!” is not once uttered by Christian Bale – who does a fine job nonetheless. And the famous burning bush scenes are accompanied by a personification of God in the form of a little boy who looks arguably quite sinister. And as for Moses and his struggle with his dual identity, it would have been nice to see that struggle explored more personally and convincingly.
Albeit the older movie, The Ten Commandments, that told the same story of the exodus of the Hebrew people may have lacked the digital and technological finesse of this one, it had a certain quality about it that overwhelmed. This one, on the other hand, succeeded unfortunately in underwhelming to a certain degree.
Still, it is a grand work of art, and the performances of the actors seem sincere and compelling. Mr. Bale makes a fine Moses, and wears his robes and sandals well. Surprising, there is even a handful of actors who play such small, insignificant roles that one wonders why they signed up – actors such as Aaron Paul (of Breaking Bad fame), Sigourney Weaver, and Sir Ben Kingsley.
Finally, the musical score is almost as grand as Gladiator, but not quite so haunting, and the battle scenes are definitely jaw-dropping.
If there’s ONE place I’d like to be right now — if I could hop on a plane and choose one destination, it would be Turkey! And Istanbul, in particular. Thank you, dear friend, for your lovely travelogue. You are the best kind of tourist — not only do you do all the traditional sights about town, but you go into the smaller places, the markets, the bazaars, the local restaurants. Enjoy your travels, and keep the posts coming. I HAVE to go there some day. 🙂
“Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.””
Frost, rain, sleet, snow, we got it all today. And still, it was painfully beautiful.
“Who Moved My Coffee Table?!”
This is so VERY magnanimous of you, dear Sana! Not only do you offer this beautiful piece of artwork, but you provide a beautiful narrative explaining your process of thought and drawing style and influences. It is a terrific template for one who might wish to embark on something like this. How very generous of you to offer all this great advice!
And finally, as the proud (and awe-struck) recipient of this piece, I cannot find the right words to express my shock and gratitude. I do believe I am unworthy of your great love for me, and yet, I couldn’t be more proud! To think that you belong to me and I to you, and that we are rooted in one another like this is — to use a cliched word — simply mind-blowing!
I love it. And you.
““When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.”
Matthew 6:3-4 MSG – A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection below.
