I Want To See It Again!

I am of the firm belief that stories are important to people. They influence the choices we make, how we chose to live as human beings. They can show us a new way to look at the world around us or they can reinforce what we believe already. No matter what form we hear them as -- books, movies, or oral tales told around the Thanksgiving table -- they influence us. They are important.

The most recent story that reminded me of this was a movie I saw the other day with my Dad and my sister. It was Rise of the Guardians, one of the newest Dreamworks films for last year. Now personally, I think Dreamworks have been doing a stellar job, both in their well known animation style and their storytelling, and Rise of the Guardians did not disappoint.



So I felt going into the theater that I would like the movie. I'd been itching to see it since it came out, but the timing was always wrong or no one else was in the mode to see it with me. And really, what's the point of going to a movie if you can't enjoy it with someone else?





But I didn't just like the movie. I loved it. I loved how they strung their words together and how they portrayed the different homes of North, Bunnymund (that is, the Easter Bunny), and Tooth Fairy. I loved Jack's self sacrifice and his love for his sister. That got me good let me tell you, especially since I've recently realized that sisters and familial love plays a big part in my own stories.

But my favorite, favorite part was when Santa - oh I'm sorry, North. n_n; I guess some habits will die hard - was talking about his center. At first it was just one of those things that I had heard of in about a thousand other stories before, but then he started talking about his eyes. His large eyes that no one else had. His eyes that saw wonder still even though he was hundreds of years old, and how he strove to share that wonder with children.

I think I stopped breathing for a moment there. My own eyes had gotten wider as I watched and tried to see the wonderful things that North saw. Have you ever tried to see the world like that? As if magic and beauty lived in everything? I've wanted that for a long time now, but it's difficult, especially in today's world. I remember hearing in one of my college classes that we live in a age of cynics. I suppose it's a sign of agreement that I didn't immediately protest at the idea.

I think the truth is that we do live in a very cynical age. We're always looking for the catch and waiting for the other shoe to drop. At least, I am. And I have a good feeling that I'm not the only one.

But I don't think it's wrong to try and see beauty and wonder in the world. What if there was no other shoe? What if we didn't have to be afraid of the 'what comes next?'

It feels as though sometimes people are ridiculed for believing. I find that...depressing. Belief in the unseen isn't stupid or crazy. Our view of the world has changed radically over history. People used to believe with absolute certainty that the Earth was the center of the universe. Dinosaurs weren't 'real' until suddenly their bones were discovered. Not so long ago people were freaked out over global cooling. As a race we actually don't know all that much about what's going on around us.

And...and...I've suddenly stopped being able to think. It's late here and the last few hours were...weepy. Thinking on the Rise of the Guardians made me feel less wrung out...but now I'm tired. I wanted to say something more, but I can't quite keep my thoughts straight anymore. I'll have to reorganize and return tomorrow. Or thereabouts at any rate... ;3

Good night then.