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“The Plot Thickens!” The Spontaneous Creative Impulse
In my freshmen year of High School, I had a teacher who compared books to drugs for their ability to transport readers beyond their reality into a fantastical world an author has contrived.
Not the most appropriate analogy to be sure, although it left an impact on my memory. It was one of the first times I had seen such passion for the art, aside from my own, albeit expressed in a crude fashion.
For I have, since early years of literary comprehension, found reading to be a magical experience. And such an appreciation was accompanied by an insatiable desire to have more. For many years, book after book, I scoured the shelves of libraries and stores for those tomes which could suit my fancy.
Eventually, however, I grew restless, and became determined to forge my own master tale. I envisioned dwarves and little children like me, and the first manuscript I called “The Enchanted Library.” I had finally found my niche, although unrefined, until it culminated to heights I never would have dreamed. I sat amazed as the stories unraveled like a yarn, an inundation of words which no dam could withstand.
One might say it became a Spiritual experience, although I believe it to be much more than that. The fruits of the Holy Spirit within is my only explanation for such rapid acceleration in learning, and such depth in delving into a story whose end I cannot see, but is in the next moment revealed to me.
The cry of my heart is an eternal promise. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who holds the stars in His hands, and all of life in His uncomparable mercies. Let the greatest story of all time be unveiled, and eyes be opened as the foundations of the earth are shaken. A chosen generation.
Looking Back at Art Gone By…
When I was in Middle School I took two years of art, during which I produced all sorts of paintings, drawings, and sketches. Some weren’t that bad, others were truthfully dreadful. Two of my better ones are shown below.
At the time of this drawing's conception I was an avid fantasy-novel fan, and I somewhat still am.
Can you believe it? This picture was chosen for display in an art shop to be sold for around, 20-25$? My mother, who liked to collect the artwork of her children, bought it straightaway.
…and that’s why I stick to writing and photography!
How to Train Your Dragon
Image by Daniel Semper via Flickr
How to Train Your Dragon is about a boy named Hiccup, an out-of-sorts viking, who lives in a world that sees strength in line with respectability. But he’s more of the creative type… so while his father, Stoick the Vast, the viking chieftain, is out with his fellow men hunting dragons, Hiccup is putting his imagination to work. His sight is set on catching Night Fury, the most elusive and dangerous of all dragons – to gain the admiration of the viking community, and his crush – a tough viking girl named Astrid.
His plan to catch the most infamous Night Fury? Intense studying! And the creation of ingenious traps! Who would’ve thought that one day he would actually catch something? None other than the prized dragon itself. Yet, as Hiccup’s viking nature would otherwise demand, he does not kill the dragon but instead keeps it as a pet – feeding it fish, and gradually gaining it’s trust. Soon, he learns more about the world of dragons, and becomes a sort of Dragon Rider, (*cough* Cornelia Funke & Christopher Paolini reference *cough*) gaining enough of Night Fury’s trust to finally ride him (though at first somewhat unwillingly). A hero is born!
Amidst these fortunate developments, Hiccup finds himself in a dilemma. First of all, he must constantly keep Night Fury hidden, or risk exposure and his dragon’s capture… and ensuing demise. Next, his father has registered him for dragon-killing lessons – during which, he defeats the dragons by anatomical means, knocking them out without any harm. This fact is, however, unknown to anyone else, and they believe Hiccup to be a skilled warrior, rather than who he really is – a unique viking boy who has, with an acute intelligence, found a benevolent position among dragons.
It is inevitable that an intense competition is to take place – Hiccup vs a fierce breed of dragon – to the death! While Hiccup refuses to kill the dragon, the dragon has other plans – putting Hiccup in a life-and-death situation, in which Night Fury (named Toothless), comes to the rescue!
At first the villagers respond negatively, capturing Toothless and taking him to the home of all dragons, in hopes of a successful crusade against them. When, however, the vikings find themselves overpowered by an enormous Godzilla-size dragon – Hiccup, along with his persuaded friends (and crush), mount upon dragons of their own and come to the rescue! Successfully defeating “Dragonzilla,” Hiccup becomes a true hero and finally gains his long-desired respect. Dragons become incorporated into the community, and everyone lives happily ever after! Or do they? Find out in the sequal, coming out in 2013! (and a threequel coming later)
As many of the other movies I’ve reviewed recently – this movie is also a great choice for the family setting. Enjoyed by the young and old – that’s the magic of DreamWorks! (no, not Macy’s) It shares a similar “heroic, adventure, comedic” feel to it, that most DreamWorks movies appear to contain – which provides for a relaxing and most enjoyable movie atmosphere.
Fun-Wikipedia-Fact: “…the writer-directors of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, took over as co-directors”
No wonder it reminded me of Lilo & Stitch!
If you liked this movie, be sure to check out…
In order of relevance, recomendation, and other factors…
Adventure Writer Favorite: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader [In Theaters]
Tron: Legacy [December 17, 2010]
How to Train Your Dragon II [Summer 2013]
Disney’s A Christmas Carol [Available on DVD]
Despicable Me [Available on DVD]
Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom [May 27, 2011]
Kung-Fu Panda [Available on DVD]
How to Train Your Dragon [Available on DVD]
Iron Man II [Available on DVD]
Iron Man III [May 3rd, 2013]
Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World [August 19, 2011]
Captain America: The First Avenger [July 22nd, 2011]
Green Lantern [June 17th 2011]
Sherlock Holmes II (December 16th, 2011]
Ice Age: Continental Drift [July 13th, 2012]
From Wikipedia: Movie Release Dates.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Image via Wikipedia
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the third installment of the TCON (The Chronicles of Narnia) movies released by Disney, Walden Media, & 20th Century Fox. The first movie, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was a hit, making way for it’s sequel, Prince Caspian, which received a fair amount of positive and critical feedback from it’s fans. The latest film, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, seemed to promise much when I first came across the previews – a surge of excitement at finally being able to see the magic brought to life in another blockbuster film. However, was it successful?
Overview & Speculation:
Unlike my opinion with Prince Caspian, I believe The Dawn Treader is well accomplished. Although some areas of the movie differ from the book, I could recall a plethora of scenes that I remembered were in the book (when I read it sometime around 2004). The end even serves to make way for the next two books in the storyline, The Silver Chair and The Final Battle. Though the Final Battle will most likely be the only option, as it appears the Dawn Treader film has already taken many scenes from The Silver Chair.
The movie is filled with amazing effects, beautifully accomplished animation, all-around design, and a fitting cast. It returns with the same feel that was brought about by The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, taking the audience back into the magic, wonder, adventure, and inspired genius that is the world of Narnia.
As for the basic storyline:
It has been a year since the events of Prince Caspian, and Edmond and Lucy find themselves in a terrible situation – as the war persists, they must live with their Aunt and Uncle… along with their cousin, Eustace Scrubb, who takes an immediate disliking to the Pevensie children and their Narnia non-sense, and finds no trouble, in his odious manner, in expressing his aversion. As in most stories as this, the boy is bound to become a believer. But how, one may ask? Why, being sucked into a painting! The room fills with the water, once a mere beauty to admire in the painting, now a torrent which violently tosses them back into a sudden reunion with Narnia, and onto one of their greatest adventures yet. Evil has shrouded the land of Narnia once again and Prince Caspian, accompanied by his royal castaways (Edmund and Lucy), must gather the Seven Swords of the Seven Lords (that’s a mouthful…) and set them on Aslan’s Table, which will vanquish the darkness if they succeed.
Many characters reappear from the previous movies, including one of my personal favorites: Reepicheep (beside my top favorite Aslan.)
It’s a terrific movie fit for the whole family – although there are some elements which may be unsuitable to younger audiences [Rated PG].
Religious Elements:
The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader is rich in Christian elements and theology.
“I am,” said Aslan. “But there [in your world] I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.”
The name He speaks of is evident and beyond misconception, though some people may bring up controversy to attempt to establish otherwise. In the world of the Pevensie’s, and our world as well, His name is Jesus Christ – Savior of Humanity – The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
If you liked this movie, be sure to check out…
In order of relevance, recomendation, and other factors…
Tron: Legacy [December 17, 2010]
Disney’s A Christmas Carol [Available on DVD]
Despicable Me [Available on DVD]
Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom [May 27, 2011]
Kung-Fu Panda [Available on DVD]
How to Train Your Dragon [Available on DVD]
Iron Man II [Available on DVD]
Iron Man III [May 3rd, 2013]
Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World [August 19, 2011]
X-Men: First Class [June 3rd, 2011]
Captain America: The First Avenger [July 22nd, 2011]
Transformers III: The Dark of the Moon [July 1st, 2011]
Green Lantern [June 17th 2011]
Sherlock Holmes II (December 16th, 2011]
Ice Age: Continental Drift [July 13th, 2012]
From Wikipedia: Movie Release Dates.
