Thursday, July 4

back in NY, in my room. fireworks just ended.

the bits of light in the sky was beautiful, to be sure, but the sound moved me more. at first it made me flinch, and think of war, missiles, what israel and palestine go through every day. then, the sound faded and was conducive for introspection...to just being still, no thoughts, just being.

the most enjoyable part of all this was to see so many people all gathered, to enjoy something together. a quarter of the time was spent just looking around, to see everyone packed together, all with smiles on their faces. i loved it. more than the fireworks.

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today, i spent a good part of the afternoon and early evening watching ben hur with dave and my parents.

i've seen this movie many times, as i'm sure everyone else has. yet it was as if i were seeing the movie for the first time today. maybe it was because it was on dvd.

there were few scenes that i remembered from the past: the tile falling from the roof to hit the governor, the shipwreck, and of course, the best race of all time: the chariot race with masselah. (who can forget the trampling?)

but i've never realized that this story was also about jesus. in fact, now i realize that the whole story is actually more about jesus than ben hur. this movie uses this character, ben hur, to show why jesus came into this world, and how he has affected people. it's actually an amazing thing, using the reponses and changes of other people to demonstrate the influence, the work, and ultimately the character and identity of jesus..

i don't remember being moved to tears in any of my previous viewings, yet i was moved thrice in this one.

i agree with my dad. this movie is without doubt the greatest movie of all time. it even surpasses braveheart. it has every facet of man. it is the east of eden of movies.



yakob at 10:37 PM

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