Ryu2.mind

Just over a day before I see The Passion of the Christ. GrX actually rented out an entire screen (400 seats) at the AMC Mercado 20 so that as many people from church could see it (preferably with non-believers in tow. I've delibrately stayed away from all the hype, previews, and commentary that people have been putting out surrounding the movie. I'm just going to see it for what it is.

A lot of evangelicals have been touting the movie as a powerful outreach tool. I don't doubt this, and it will certainly spark lots of discussion about a subject otherwise ignored or dismissed by most in the US.

Now, I've been thinking -- nary a major movie is released these days without it being quickly bootlegged through the usual channels. With Passion expected to be a significant box-office hit, I'm sure this film will be no exception.

And even more intriguing, I wonder how it will fare abroad in "unofficial release", especially in China and other non-Christian Asian countries. It's pretty safe to assume that it won't be officially released in China with the blessing of the Chinese government. But I wonder if they'll be up to making a bootleg DVD release as us Chinese often tend to do with major Hollywood movies, regardless of whether they're in the theaters or not.

Of course, they'd have to subtitle it in Chinese -- and who knows if the Chinese would be interested in this, most of them having hever heard of Christ before. They consume the likes of the Matrix and Lord of the Rings, but this? My guess is that it will be pirated, and some Chinese will buy it, but just view it as a Western historical drama, like "Ben Hur" or something. Two opposing forces -- the Chinese desire to copy anything popular in the West, and at the same time, the lack of Christ in the current Chinese cultural milieu. Who will win?

In any case, it potentially is a powerful hook for further discussion amongst seekers, so hopefully some ministry workers will recognize this and take the initiative to add this film to their arsenal.

It'd certainly be an interesting observation to see, what effect, if any, this film has on the church in China, and something I'll have to ask some of my contacts there a few months hence...

In response to BC2DC's latest entry, I have to admit -- in keeping with my social "late blooming" -- I'm getting more and more down with clubbing. Not for the drinking, the dancing, or hitting on girls, of course, but really, more to hang out with friends (of both genders).

However, one thing though that I have always been into is classical music. I'm a big fan of live performances, and wish I could do it more often... however, work is a big downer -- and more so, concerts are rather pricey and formal affairs. If I'm spending that kind of money, I want to maximize my investment by going with at least a friend (not a date necessarily, just some friends). It would be like eating at an expensive restaurant by yourself. Just like clubbing, much of the enjoyment comes from being with others.

So, I'm happy to find out there's a chance for me to kill two birds with one stone. The renowned Ahn Trio is making a single Bay Area performance in 2004, and in something rather unprecendented in the classical music world, it's followed by a retro 70s dance party. My Korean friends who've seen them play rave about them, and so I feel a big desire just to catch them before it's too late. The dancing is secondary, of course, but definitely a bonus. And hey, I'll be honest... the Ahns aren't too shabby looking either. =)

Now, I just need to get a group going. If anyone is seriously interested, drop me a line or comment. ;)

But thankfully not writing-less.

How was it? Yes, I almost cried at one point, when Jesus first beared the cross on the road to Calvary. I was squirming in my seat in discomfort quite a lot, though. And yes, some people were breaking out the tissues.

To me, the much talked about violence was not itself what shocked me. Yes, it was more explicit than anything I've seen, but the scenes which moved me the most were His anguished face and reactions, compounded by the realization that all this brutality was all focused on one person, and the fact that it actually happened. Yet, at the same time, I was living in the film so vicariously that the two hours flew by, just like that. It was the fastest two hours for me. So, Gibson certainly succeeded in the "connection" of emotion.

Really, he could do it no other way -- after all, the resolution of the story is known, there's no opportunities to break out the VFX, and character development for a film that covers 12 hours is largely irrelevant and a waste of screen time, so the raw emotion is the only card in the filmmaker's deck he could have really played.

So, is this a good "outreach" film? It packs a wallop without being preachy or overtly evangelistic like the CCC Jesus film. I do think it's indeed a unmatched way to convey the anguish of Christ's sufferings, and that will push some people over the brink of belief, but I personally wouldn't bring someone who doesn't have a familiarity with what Christians profess their belief in, and isn't nearly at the point of receiving Christ. It itself certainly is not the "best outreach opportunity in 2000 years" as billed by some organization or other, although I do think that Christians nowadays are better poised to reach those around them than at any time in history, and Passion is a part of the reason.

But, I strongly recommend that every Christian see it once. Once is all that's necessary, and I will say that my prayers and drinking that grape juice during communion will be forever in a different light after this. What this film does magnificently is to remind us Christians, especially living a cozy life in the valley and attending a nice "hip" church, what our faith is ultimately all about. Not about fast-paced multimedia-fueled worship, not about funny skits, not about basketball and ultimate frisbee in the afternoon, not about community building in small groups. But after all is said and done, it's just about someone who endured the ultimate shame and paid the ultimate price, making the great exchange so that we could all be free from our sins.

So, thank you God for that and thank you Mr. Gibson for that kick to wake us up.

Currently Playing Inspiration (includes Bonus DVD) By William Hung see related

Yesterday, after lunch, I picked up William Hung's debut CD, Inspiration.

All I have to say is -- I admire William's courage, but yikes -- this is everything I feared would happen and more. The vocals seem worse than his American Idol audition (I read that they actually pitch-bended it to make it sound worse than it actually was, which I find very disturbing if true) Songs like "Hotel California", and romantic Disney songs like "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" are butchered by his accent. I wonder if William is even trying to improve himself at all -- or if he's even aware many people are laughing at him, not with him.

It's obvious that Koch is capitalizing on William's current lack of musical aptitude in this release, because were it not for William's existing cult following, it would be ridiculed and slammed beyond belief. Maybe Inspiration is a comedy act, or a musical parody, in which case it fits well. But the tracks, including sound bites of William relating "inspirational" messages, seem to indicate it's something seriously marketed in earnest.

Others have already written about the damaging potential the public's misguided perceptions of William could have on other Asian-Americans, and I agree.

I will add too, that yes, William burst onto the scene because of his musical skills, or more precisely, lack thereof. But more importantly, he became an overnight hit because of his resilience and perseverance in the face of crushing defeat. And this is the spirit of William that Koch and everyone else should be embracing. William should be developing his own vocal abilities, rather than just quickly agreeing to a record for some quick cash.

William does seem to be a very decent guy -- from the interviews I've seen/read of him, he hasn't let his newfound fame really get to him and inflate his ego much at all, a rarity these days it seems. I do believe that if he'd get his "professional training", he'd have some potential at least in a few years -- maybe singing Cantonese pop songs rather than English ones, but he'd still be a hit in Asia and amongst fobulous Asian Americans, so it would be potential nonetheless.

Well, we can take solace in the fact that it's just his first album. However, if his nascent career is to take off, I only pray he finds a better manager focused on development, and not exploitation.