Movies and our Stories

I've always been fascinated by films (movies). I just find it so interesting that visual images, dialogue and sounds all mashed together can make me feel joy (Star Wars), sadness (Toy Story 3) and a whole bunch of other emotions (Inside Out).

But its also interesting, to me, that so many different films can convey such different messages. Different stories...

I remember back to a time when movies were magical, they captivated my imagination and my mind. One of the first movies that really had a massive impact on me, any guesses? Come on, I bet you're close...

It was STAR WARS: The Phantom Menace (yes, arguably some people's worst Star Wars movie). It was that movie that made me want to be in a galaxy far, far away. It was this movie that me, my brother and cousin spent countless hours reenacting scenes and acting like certain characters. It shaped a lot of my childhood memories and will always have a special place in my heart.

Why am I saying all of this? Well I think as humans we are fascinated by "story". I think we often go to the movies to either escape our own stories or to see someone else's story. We want to be entertained and I also believe we want to see characters overcome obstacles or succeed.

I honestly believe above all else, what makes a movie great is its attention to story. Sure visuals, sound design, editing, big explosions etc can all help. But without a good story a movie isn't worth it and those are the ones that usually get the low ratings and reviews. But what makes a story good? Obviously a good screenwriter, but what else?

I believe a good story requires good characters, what makes movies like 'A New Hope' and 'Inception' great I believe is the attention to story and strong, rememberable, but also flawed characters. Cobb from inception is haunted by the loss of his wife and his blurred vision of what is real and what is a dream (a flawed character). Luke Skywalker looses his mentor and doesn't think he has it in him to learn the force and destroy the empire, he is impatient and doubtful (a flawed character). But what do both of these characters have in common? They both by the end of their stories have overcome something and have achieved something they didn't think they could achieve.

Donald Miller in a book he wrote describers a character as "someone who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it." I maybe paraphrasing there, but how true is that?  And I think that's what makes a strong character.

I mean look at Mad Max: Fury Road? Sure, I think the visuals and action in that movie were phenomenal, but that movie would not be the same without the strong female protagonist Furiosa.

I know I'm rambling on a bit, but I think we can learn quite a lot from movies with regards to our own lives, I think we all want something, but what is stopping us from getting that something? Fear, doubt, anxiety, bitterness, guilt?

Every time you watch a movie look at the main protagonist, he/she will often have to overcome some huge obstacle, physically or mentally, to get the thing they need or want.

I encourage to all those who read this to go out and get that something you are aspiring to (your dreams and goals) ecspecillay as we enter 2016, let's make ourselves strong characters in our own stories, don't let anything get in the way of living a good story.  Without us being 'strong characters' we live boring stories.

Hope this all made sense, I'm so excited about movies and all the elements that go into making movies, this stuff is my passion!

The Blues (9th of feb 2014)

Today turned out to be one of those days for me, I woke up feeling upset about various reasons such as the fact I have to do a maths sup exam, my closest friends are gone, feeling like I don't reach certain standards etc. It was not lekker, I felt alone in the struggle, even though the people I care about most are there for me constantly caring for and loving me, I still felt alone. 

I felt even when I cried out to God he  didn't hear or I didn't hear his response. I thought to myself perhaps He ,in a way, was focused on some bigger issues in the world, issues like injustice, war, human right violations/abuses, broken homes (and families) and many more major issues. This made me worse, because I felt guilty, how could I possibly be upset about such little, selfish concerns, that in the end will most likely add up to nothing, while people are literally facing life and death for reasons caused by others. 

I ended up feeling worse as the day progressed, "the chord is cut, the fears and doubts begin", I started doubting myself, I feared the idea that maybe I can't reach the standards people expected of me or that I couldn't  please anyone. 

After church at WBC, I felt a little more frustrated because the whole sermon was based on "patience" which clearly I hadn't had that whole day, it's something I needed to hear, but a part of me didn't want to, and that's me being honest.  

The thing about all this is the fact that my worry, frustration and guilt didn't matter, it did for me. But it didn't change the fact that even in the bitterness of life God is there. That even in the hardest of times his love prevails. I made a choice that even in the difficult times to believe rather then doubt. I also believe the people he has placed around me are there to help, support and love me, which I do experience countless times even when I need it the most, like today.

After church that evening a few people sent me some what's app messages, noticing I wasn't my self that night, I was immediately thankful for them and how they went out of their way to see if I was okay. I realized that I was never alone or never had to be alone, the people God has placed in my life are there for a reason. I started seeing that even when I'm frustrated, he is there.

When I let people down, God is there. 

When I doubt and fear, God is there.

When I have a really good chat with my epic Girlfriend, God is there.

When I watch The Walking Dead, God is there.

When I play music, God is there.

When things are really great, God is there.

When I'm scared, He is there.

"Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Philippians 4:6, 7 MSG)"

And today was one of those days but that day is about to end and I have concluded it with this simple sentence:

No, I'm not alright. But God is there. 

2014

I can't believe it is 2014 already, its been a crazy year (2013),  filled with ups and downs; joy and pain; fear and hope; bitterness and happiness. All in all it is over and I don't know if it felt complete or not, but its over, regardless to how I feel.

You maybe wondering why the heck you are reading a blog post by me (especially if you were in my english class.) But I have always had this strange urge to write (in this case type) and I never really committed to it. But this year I really want to commit and put a lot of effort into this. Many of my closest friends (who I don't even like calling friends, because they are so much more then that.) have either left or are leaving to continue their lives, to set and build foundations for their lives and I really want this "Blog thing" to just be a tool to stay connected with them, or to keep them posted on whats going in my life. But its also for you, I really want to eliminate the "I" factor in these posts and rather focus on the people and places around me.

Thanks for reading, this was just an introduction. Im excited for the future.

2014- let it happen!