Cirque Magnifique!

Oh my Goodness!

I have not been particularly a fan of the trapeze, scared of heights myself, I never found it entertaining to watch people daring the very thing that terrifies me. I can appreciate the skill, the training and the nerve of course, but to and fro, to and fro, fly, catch, okay seen it.

But what an incredible experience Cirque du Soleil’s film was. It was our first 3D experience as well, as I had stubbornly refused to wear ‘those silly glasses’ all the way through a film, believing that they would spoil my enjoyment. (I thought they were still made of cardboard!) Quite the contrary.

This was a magical experience from start to finish. The theme of the story is that the young trapeze artist, daring and brave, falls without a safety net, and the ground gives way taking him through into another world. Beautiful girl seeks him….

The art, the scenery, the acting were all superb. I cannot praise the concept high enough, and cannot wait to see the show live in London. Do go if you can!

In England autumn 2013, Start here: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com and Enjoy!

The Hobbit

I am always a little wary of prequels which seem to ride on the back of previous success and so considered carefully before going to see this movie.

The Hobbit was a disappointment to me. I found nothing new to excite, but most importantly the ‘spiritual’ notion, so strong in the Lord of the Rings Triology, was missing or not apparent. I’ve seen the series three times now, and each time I am astounded and delighted with the multiple layers in this story.  Tolkien said that he did not write from any rememberance or experience of other worlds, but he must have done so from some level or another!

The perennial struggle of Light against Dark is so magnificently told in these stories – think of Gandalf riding out from Minas Tirith and holding his Staff aloft to scare away the Nazgul; see how courage even in the face of absolutely impossible odds pays off; think of the moment when Gandalf explains to Pippin that this will not be the end, even if it does end here; and note how at the Black Gates, as the seeing Eye retreats the ground breaks up under all the evil forces but not under our heroes’ toes!  Ponder on Frodo almost unable to part with the ring at the edge of the Fire, when Sam pleads – “Just let it go!” (how many of us find it so hard to give up unpleasant or impossible situations just because we are used to carrying them?) and think of who is your Sam in your life, the unsung hero without whom it could never happen, the mis-understood, sometimes overlooked loyal one who is always there for you.

Truly this Masterpiece inspires – I could go on and on.  Surely the Masterpiece of the Millennium!

Sadly I cannot say anything inspiring about this latest follow up and do not feel inclined to see the next two. Shame, the world badly needs inspiration, Truth disguised as story is an ideal way to help us to wake up in time.