Celebration of Life!

Movie Review: The Impossible

Before you read any of my movie reviews I must warn you - I talk about the whole thing, so if you haven't seen the movie yet, and if you don't want to know the ending, my reviews are not for you :)

Also, why am I choosing flowers for this blog, when this blog is about a tsunami in a tropical place?  Well, this blog post is about celebrating life!  Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim has taught me from day one, that
we need to celebrate every living breath we have, as if it was our last one - because it could well be!  She taught me early on that I need to appreciate, and celebrate every moment, every second of my life!

The movie "The Impossible" made a big impression in me - because it was a real life story.  This really happened!
There was so much that truly impressed me, so much I gained.  For example, in the beginning, on the airplane, the husband was soooo worried about whether they did or didn't lock their house.  By the ending of the story, they couldn't have cared less, as long as they had each other!
And also on the airplane, the oldest son didn't want to sit next to his siblings, he said they were bugging him and he wanted to be left alone.  And yet, by the end of the movie, those same brothers were incredibly precious to him!

Of course, there was so much in this movie, I could write a book about it.  But the things that touched me most:
1. the mother, no matter how badly hurt she was and how much she was suffering, always cared for others and insisted on saving the little boy, and insisted on Lukas helping out in the hospital.  This reminds me of Dr. Tae Yun Kim, who always, no matter how she feels, no matter if she's tired or sick, she always helps others, always thinks of others first before she will think about herself.

2. the father tirelessly looking for his wife and oldest son, even going so far as to putting the littlest son into his middle son's care.  And the middle son saying, he couldn't do it because he had never done it before - and then the father telling him basically he didn't have a choice - and how with pride the little guy started to watch his brother....

3. I will never forget the beautiful reunion scene, when the two little brothers recognize the voice of their big brother, when they jump off the truck and run like crazy to get to him.  The sheer determination, that look on their faces - it might only have been intended as a small part of the movie, but to me, that scene said it all. 
That they were going to cherish each other for the rest of their lives, that at that moment, nothing was more important, not even breathing, than getting to their brother.  It brought tears to my eyes.

I know - there is so much I am not saying, so much that went on.  This is only a small sampling of the things that impressed me the most with this movie.

Back to this Blog

It's been a long time since I have written in this particular blog, and Blogger even removed my original content.
But, I am back! 

I thought I would start with a movie review, and why I think movies are great.
I always liked going to the movies as a kid.  It was something very special.  I grew up in Austria, very poor family, and going to the movies happened maybe three times a year.
We went for the whole experience, but it was strictly for entertainment and nothing else.

When I started training in the Martial Arts under Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim, and went to see a movie with her and a group of other students, I still thought movies were for entertainment and fun.

So, when after the movie she asked me what I learned from watching the movie, my jaw dropped.  Learned from the movie?  I was supposed to "get something out of it" more than the pleasure of the moment?  What a concept!

For Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim, everything is a learning and growing opportunity, whether on the DoJang floor, or in the Mall, or movie theater.  She also says, "If you can think it, you can do it!" 

And aren't movies the perfect example for this?

Without further ado, here is my (very opinionated) view of Oscar winner "Argo."

Let me begin with "I LOVED IT!!!"

I like movies based on actual events.  I love movies that also have a happy ending.  I love movies that have me at the edge of my seat the entire time through.  This one fit everything.

It started with a group of 6 very brave people, that knew what they needed to do, although they didn't have much of any plan or knowledge - but they had the guts and drive to get out of the Embassy and find a safe place.

I admired the honor and integrity of the Canadian Ambassador who let the 6 Americans stay.

I admired the honor and integrity of the Iranian maid, who did not betray the 6 Americans, at the risk of her own life.

And I very much admired the main character, who did what he knew was right, even though it was against what the authorities told him to do, and was risking his own life.  He knew he could not just leave the 6 people behind, leave them to die one way or another. He didn't care that he wouldn't ever get credit for his heroic actions.  He didn't care that the Canadians got all the credit for what he did.  He simply was going to save those people's lives, and he did, no matter what.  He is a true hero.

One man CAN AND WILL make a difference.  There is no such thing - "I am only one, what I do doesn't ever make a difference."  Wrong!  One person can, and does make a difference.  And having the right support team, that knows when and how to push through any and all obstacles, makes all the difference between success and failure.  He had a team that didn't take no for an answer and used incredible awareness and creativity to do what they had to do.

So, if you haven't seen it yet - go do it!  I thank God every day for being a US Citizen today, and for all the opportunities I have in this great country.

So, go and see for yourself - maybe you like it as much as I did.
And for the record, I think the Oscar is well deserved!