Tag Archives: Movie

Mamma Mia

I want my writing to be “good”, so that my thoughts will reach people.  Usually that’s what I want.  Tonight I don’t care.  I have a simple message:

Go see Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

I cried.  I sang along.  I applauded at the end.  Truly one of the finest movies I’ve ever seen.  Naturally I’m biased.  Your take may be different.  So what?  Go see it.

What do I say without spoiling it for you?  I don’t know, but I’ll give ‘er a go.  We long for friendship … it’s here.  We long for community … it’s here.  We long for romantic love … it’s here.

The biggest smiles, the deepest sadnesses and the most profound joys.  A few moments that I will play over and over again once I get the Blu-ray.  Moments that stop the world and break the heart wide open.

Good writing tells me to be specific.  Paint the emotional scenes with great detail.  Well, sorry – not tonight.  You’ll just have to trust me on this.

We get to see folks who are young adults, and then decades later.  The souls still shine.

We get to hear the blessed Abba songs that weave into the lives of this story.

We get to celebrate the ecstasy, tenderness and sorrows of life because they’re onscreen, right in front of our noses.

Chiquitita, you and I know
How the heartaches come and they go
And the scars they’re leaving
You’ll be dancing once again
And the pain will end
You will have no time for grieving
Chiquitita, you and I cry
But the sun is still in the sky
And shining above you
Let me hear you sing once more
Like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita

Jolt In The Darkness

I went to a movie yesterday at the Hyland Cinema in London.  It’s such a cozy place and shows real stories with real people.  I was settling into the Coming Attractions.  And then …

“We can hear you talking from over here!”

The voice from behind was female and snarly, and was aimed at someone on the far side of the theatre.  I forgot about the upcoming movie.

What washed over me was sadness.  It was such a violent outburst.  And I don’t want any violence in my life.  But nor do I want to hear chatting moviegoers while I’m sinking into the film.

One choice is whether to speak up when something’s not right.  I say yes.  Suppressing myself surely withers my internal organs along with my psyche.  I’ve spent too much time in my life not saying what’s true for me.

But how to do it?  I fear confrontations.  In this situation, I would have left the theatre and asked an employee to speak to the yapper.  Once, at a concert, I said “Please don’t talk while the singer is performing” to the people beside me, and that felt good.  Plus nobody hit me.

If I’m to continue making a difference in this world, I need all of me available for the next person I meet.  Shutting myself down won’t get the job done.  So I will express, with caring and without antagonism.