Thoughts on Halloween

There are many Christians that see Halloween as a demonic holiday.   They probably mean well in their show of disdain and scorn for it.  However, I don’t completely agree with them.  I understand where they’re coming from, but I don’t think it’s fully right to brand Halloween as essentially evil and declare that those who enjoy it are sinning.  I don’t believe that it’s necessarily a time of glorifying darkness and evil.  On the contrary, I think it’s a capital opportunity in declaring the Light (but I’m getting ahead of myself; more on this later)!

In this article, I will be discussing my thoughts on Halloween.  As usual in discussing these matters, I will do my best in tackling this in accordance to God’s standards.  But, of course, it’s always a possibility that I’m wrong with my beliefs and arguments, and I always welcome instruction and correcting from wiser people.  Nevertheless, at this point, what I will be laying down below is something I believe to be acceptable, logical, and would exalt Christ in the matter at hand (i.e. Halloween).

Background of Halloween

It’s considered by several historical sources that Halloween originated in an ancient pagan Celt festival named Samhain, on which the Celts simultaneously celebrated their harvest time and new year (November 1).  The ancient Celts also believed that during the last day of their calendar year (October 31), the spirits of the dead haunted the world of the living, so they would wear masks to ward off ghosts.

When the ninth century rolled in, Medieval Christians started celebrating “All Saints’ Day” on November 1.  Some historians hypothesized that, like the case with other pagan holidays, this was done by Christians in order to neutralize Samhain.  Vigils were done a night before the feast, and it came to be known as All Hallows’ Eve (“hallow” means “saint”, so it’s basically “All Saints’ Day Eve”) or Halloween, as the Scots put it.

The practice of dressing up for fun started with young people in Britain in the 16^th century, which they called “guising.”  These merrymaking, costumed young people would go house to house asking for “treats” in exchange for jokes, poems, or songs.  And this tradition would be carried over by immigrants to America, and would evolve into the Halloween that we know of today.

There’s also an alternative, darker belief on the origin trick-or-treating.   Some say that it started with the Druids, wherein they would go house to house to collect virgins or children as human sacrifice for their pagan rituals.  But what is being done in the present is closer to that 16^th century fad than this ancient pagan practice.

Modern Halloween Does Not Necessarily Celebrate Evil

It’s inappropriate to use Halloween’s pagan origin against it.  The relation of modern Halloween to the pagan practices of Samhain is pretty insubstantial, if there’s still one at all.  If you would choose to condemn Halloween because of its pagan connections, then you should also condemn Christmas, Easter, worshiping on the day of Sunday, and birthdays because all of these also have links to ancient paganism.  It was only because early Christians Christianized these pagan celebrations and practices – redeeming them and redirecting their purposes and form into those that will glorify God instead – that we modern Christians deem them appropriate in the present.

You may counter, “Regardless of its pagan connections or lack thereof, doesn’t modern Halloween celebrate darkness and horror anyway, and thus, it’s a demonic holiday nevertheless?”  That may or not may be true.  Either way, it’s not the really the heart of issue.  I will elaborate later on, but let me give my personal opinion about it.  I don’t think Halloween celebrates darkness per se, but a fictionalized version of it; “horror” in this context is that of fantasy.  Witches, ghouls, vampires, and other monsters – as they are being depicted in Halloween – are make-believe.  They aren’t any different from any other fictional characters – whom, by the way, people are also dressing up as during Halloween.  If anything else, the merriness is rooted in the dressing up and the treats obtained from dressing up, and not from having a delight in darkness per se.

Also worth noting is the overlooked fact that the original purpose of the early Christians to  illustrate the Devil with horns, tail, red suit, and pitchfork is not to lionize him and depict him as terrifying, but to mock him!  Martin Luther once said that “the best way to drive out the devil, if he will not yield to texts of Scripture, is to jeer and flout him for he cannot bear scorn.”  The popular visual representation of the Devil is for satire rather than for horror.  Thus, if one dresses up as the Devil in this appearance, it’s actually more apt that it’s to ridicule than to honor – as what early Christians had intended.

So the “darkness” of Halloween doesn’t necessarily pertain to its actual essence, but merely a make-believe caricature.

Maybe there are some – Satan worshipers – who deliberately celebrate evil during Halloween.  But, as mentioned above, that’s not how Halloween is being essentially considered by most people.  It only becomes “demonic” if one treats it as such.  Besides, how the world celebrates a tradition or holiday has no bearing at all on how Christians should approach it.

Halloween Is a “Man-Made Pleasure”, Thus, Permissible… to an Extent

I’ve already written a more in-depth essay about man-made pleasures as a whole in the past (I suggest you read that, too).  But the arguments there also apply for Halloween.

Halloween has elements of fun and thrill and delight and beauty.  I’m personally charmed of the impressive, intricate work on the costumes and props being made; the generosity for candies and other gifts; the creative pumpkin designs; the entertaining Halloween cartoons; and the jovial and excited atmosphere.  So, clearly, there’s something pleasurable about Halloween.  And Christian should treat Halloween like how he or she treats any other pleasures that he encounters in this world – be that a tradition, a work of art, or a celebration – that they are gifts from God (John 1:17) which he or she must be thankful for (1 Timothy 4:4), enjoy in accordance to His provided instruction (according to the parameters of His Word; e.g. sex is only for married couples, consume in moderation, etc.), and, most importantly, be able to project the delight he or she derives from them into his or her ultimate delight in God.

Of course, since this world is a fallen one, the pleasures that God had intended for good are warped and now tend to misplace our joy and satisfaction.  Good thing is we Christians can repurpose them for the glory of God.  While the world enjoys these pleasures wrongly and incompletely in its own way, we can however take what is beautiful, discard or cure what is corrupted, and then sanctify these pleasures to serve as things that can glorify God.  (Yes, I believe Halloween can be sanctified, too.  I will be discussing this a little bit later.)

In accordance to 1 Corinthians 6:12, we Christians – who are already free from the Law – are given the freedom to eat anything, drink anything, and do anything (as long as it’s not sinful).  However, 1 Corinthians 10:31 also stated that whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we should do it for the glory of God.  Therefore, we are permitted and allowed to do anything as long as we don’t neglect glorifying God through it.  So how can we then glorify God through our enjoyment of a particular pleasure – in this matter, Halloween?  We should first ask these things:

1.) Will we get a lesson from it?  Will it help us in our pursuit of holy living?

2.) Will it make us contemplate of God’s goodness and other attributes?

3.) Will enjoying it sharpen our own ultimate joy in God?

4.) Will we able to use it to point others to God? 

If the answers are all affirmative, then why not?  Let’s go enjoy it.

On the other hand, if there are doubts that we’ll be able to achieve those things, then it might be preferable to abstain from it.  Besides, in the same verse that declared we are permitted to do anything (1 Corinthians 6:12), it’s also pointed out that not everything is beneficial.  Hence, we should also consider carefully if enjoying a particular pleasure will truly benefit us and others.  Even if we’re permitted to enjoy something, we should still ask ourselves further:

1.) While enjoying it, will there be a high risk of being tempted to sin?

2.) Will I offend or trouble others when I proceed to enjoy it?

3.) Will I cause someone to stumble in his or her faith when I proceed to enjoy it?

If these would be the case, then we probably would please God more if we choose to abstain from it, even if it’s permissible to be enjoyed.

Glorifying God and recognizing that God is our greatest joy.  That should be what’s paramount to us Christians.  In the end, everything eventually comes down to it whether we should proceed to enjoy something – be it Halloween or any other pleasure – or not.

Sanctifying Halloween

Sanctification doesn’t mean “being separated from the world” only, but more accurately, it means “being separated from the world to be used for God’s purpose.”  And God’s purpose for us in this world is to know Him and make Him known.  We might not be of the world, but still, we are sent into it to be its salt and light.

Halloween isn’t anything different.  It can be sanctified.  The world might be celebrating it in its own imperfect way, but we Christians can use it to declare God’s glory.

Again, Halloween has elements of fun.  And things that are fun and joyful are opportunities to draw an audience to witness to and point them toward the splendor of Christ.

Kids, especially, are the ones that have the most fun during this event, with the candies and treats and costumes and all that.  This fun occasion can be used to teach biblical lessons to them, and make them realize that the reason they can enjoy themselves is because they are under God’s grace, and lead them towards the supreme joy in Christ.

Examples of some practices being done by Halloween-observing Christians (that I’ve read about) are giving out Gospel tracks along with treats to those who go trick-or-tricking on their homes, and having fun “counter-Halloween” parties in their churches wherein kids dress up as biblical characters or famous Christian historical figures.

What is preferable during Halloween, having a fun time and doing some witnessing or being bitter and gloomy and critical about it? 

Halloween Reflects Men’s Fascination and Fear of Death

Though I don’t agree that Halloween celebrates evil, what can’t be denied is it’s the time of year wherein everyone is provoked to think about death.  For centuries – through the various forms that Halloween has taken through history – death is something that humans are both fascinated and fearful about, as they conduct various means – from the ancient Celts’ mask-wearing to Hollywood’s horror films (and moviegoers’ penchant of watching such films, even the terrible ones, making the genre very profitable) – to both distract themselves of its eventuality and reflect on it.

This state of contemplation on death during Halloween is a great opening to share to unbelievers about the truth of eternal death that awaits in Hell and the eternal life that is found in Christ.

I Have Nothing but Respect for Those Who Don’t Celebrate It and Reject It

Nevertheless, if you’re a Christian that isn’t convinced that Halloween is okay, that it’s too uncomfortably dark, and reject it, then good for you.  That’s absolutely fine, too.  As I’ve mentioned before, what’s important is the thought of glorifying God.  Therefore, if your own personal faith and convictions led you to the conclusion that Halloween isn’t pleasing to God, then I really respect that.

In the Christian pursuit of exalting God, we are given the freedom of making choices without fear of condemnation when we pick the wrong choice out of innocent ignorance.  That’s why my advice to anti-Halloween Christians is to be not too quick to harshly rebuke their brethren who celebrate Halloween.  Take into mind that their purpose is the same as yours – glorifying God – and if they are indeed wrong in their means of doing so, like celebrating Halloween, let the Holy Spirit convict them about it.  You can gently share your opinions – preferably, with supporting Scriptures – why you think Halloween doesn’t glorify God, but you don’t have the right to objectively declare it as evil and condemn those who do celebrate it.

Remember who our real enemy is – it’s the Devil, not the kid in the devil costume.  And remember what our life’s main purpose is – it’s declaring the magnificence of Jesus Christ to others, not convincing everyone that Halloween is evil.

Don’t be mean and reprimanding just because someone greets you a “Happy Halloween,” or be sullen and stingy to someone who knocks at your door for some “trick or treat.”

I Actually Don’t Celebrate Halloween

With all my defense of Halloween, I actually don’t celebrate it myself.  For three reasons:

1.) Halloween isn’t deeply ingrained in Filipino traditions.  With all the facets of Halloween that I find interesting, Halloween itself is not something that I believe to be culturally significant and sentimentally important to be celebrated as a Filipino. 

2.) I belong in a Christian community that frowns upon Halloween.  Though I personally believe there’s nothing wrong with celebrating Halloween, I abstain from it to avoid offending or confusing other Christians in my circle.     

3.) Reformation Day fascinates me more.

Reformation Day is a holiday that commemorates the Reformation.  It coincides with the date (October 31, 1517) wherein Martin Luther notably nailed his 95 theses on the church door of Wittenberg, considered by many to be the time the Reformation kicked off.  It’s a terrific supplement to those Christians who celebrates Halloween, and a terrific alternative to those Christians who don’t.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Reformation Day also falls on the date of Halloween.

All Hallows’ Day and All Hallows’ Eve are, after all, the commemoration of the lives of the saints throughout history.  Thus, it’s a perfect time to thank God for using saints like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and other Reformers, who through their courageous and dedicated labors enabled Christianity to break itself free from the bondage of false doctrines.

Furthermore, “Post tenebras lux” is a Latin phrase that the Reformers had taken as one of their slogans.  It means “light after darkness.”  So, while Halloween has been associated with death and darkness, the Reformation has brought life and light to Christianity, which had been buried in false teachings and corruption for centuries.  It’s a wonderful analogy on what Christ has done for us.  From darkness to light.  From death to life.

Reformation Day dramatically changes the paradigm of Halloween.  So instead of Halloween serving as a reminder of darkness and death, we can now gratefully reflect on Jesus’ words in John 8:12:

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

'Cooties' Lacks the Script to Live Up to Its Promising Premise

After watching the trailer, I got pretty intrigued by Cooties’ premise, so I watched it.  The movie is about an outbreak in an elementary school of a zombie infection that exclusively affects prepubescent kids, turning almost all of its students into zombies, and besieging the surviving members of the faculty.  The nutty set-up is a fresh spin on the genre, and I was hoping that it would translate into a clever and hilarious horror-comedy in the same vein of Shawn of the Dead.

Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be the case.

Cooties’ gags made me crack a smile at most, but all in all, it’s barely funny.  It’s utterly stupid and bland.  Even Elijah Wood’s charming presence is unable to elevate the movie.  It’s a shame, really, for the premise is pretty original.  Heck, even the choice of title had been a witty one.  If only the script had been better, Cooties could have been the next Shawn of the Dead instead of another forgettable zombie flick. 

'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' Comes Short, but Is Delightful Enough to Warrant a Sequel

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is based on the classic 60’s TV series of the same name.  Set during the height of the Cold War, the movie is directed by Guy Ritchie and stars Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer as two rival spies, CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin, forced to put aside hostilities and team up to stop a mysterious criminal organization from upsetting the delicate, tense balance of nuclear arms between the US and the Soviet Union.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is a beautiful and very entertaining movie.  It has a great sense of humor.  It has several striking sequences and shots.  The sets and costumes are stylish and detailed.  The cast is great – the men are suave, the women are gorgeous.  The characters – particularly the main trio of Solo, Kuryakin, and Gaby Teller (played by Alicia Vikander) – have wonderful chemistry and are extremely likable.  The movie’s weakest point is its clichéd, unexceptional plot – which become more and more apparent while the second half of the story is unfolding – however, the movie benefits from Guy Ritchie’s engaging direction, thus, the narrative progresses in a confident, captivating manner nonetheless.

By itself, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is visually appealing, funny, and enjoyable.  However, it’s released in a year of notable spy movies.  This 2015, aside from it., we also have the awesome Kingsman, the terrific Rogue Nation, the hilarious Spy, and the upcoming Spectre, and it doesn’t pack enough punch to make itself stand out above the others.  It’s pretty likely that, in the end (I’ll only know for sure after I see Spectre in November), The Man from U.N.C.L.E. will end up last among the four.

Still, I would love to see Ritchie, Cavill, Hammer, and Vikander make a sequel.  Even with its shortcomings, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. still manages to deliver delightful stuff.   And I want more of it. 

As Expected, ‘Goosebumps’ Is Dumb and Campy but Also Extremely Enjoyable

Goosebumps is based on the fantastic children’s book series of the same name written by R.L. Stine.  It isn’t an adaptation of any of the stories in the anthology, but a stand-alone story that centers on a fictionalized R.L. Stine.  In the movie’s universe, Stine (Jack Black) has the ability to bring to life the monsters that he writes, which he keeps locked up within their respective Goosebumps manuscripts.  However, due to the meddling of two teenage friends, Zach (Dylan Minnette) and Champ (Ryan Lee) – after erroneously believing that Stine’s daughter, Hannah (Odeya Rush), is in trouble – the Goosebumps monsters are set loose in the town of Madison.

Right from the start, I felt that this movie was going to be dumb and campy, and such presumption was only enforced when I saw the trailers.  However, there was something about it that made me look forward to watching it.  It felt that no matter how dumb and campy it would be, I would still find it enjoyable.  I loved Goosebumps when I was a kid, so it probably appealed to my nostalgic tastes.

The movie turned out to be exactly as I was expecting it.  Holes can be easily punched through its flawed plot, the script lacks sophistication, and the third act is moderately dragged down by hackneyed plot elements.  I really wish the story was written better and has more depth and is more clever and creative.  I was also a bit disappointed that some monsters that I wanted to see aren’t included in the movie (or if they’re there, I missed seeing them because they only had quick cameos).  But most importantly, I’m not satisfied with the plot twist.  Goosebumps stories are known for having the best plot twists this side of the Twilight Zone, and the movie doesn’t have anything like that.

However, those said, I had a great time watching the movie.  It sustains a fulfilling ambiance of fun from start to finish.  I was pleased to see those Goosebumps monsters banding together on screen; back then, the only time I saw all those Goosebumps monsters together are on promotional artworks.  I also appreciate the R.L. Stine cameo – that’s a classy way of fan-servicing.  Above all, it’s quite hilarious, all thanks to the actors’ effective delivery of witty dialogue and slapstick humor (especially during the first two-thirds of the movie).

Goosebumps could have been done better.  But though it has an overall sense of missed opportunities, it’s still mightily enjoyable, especially to those who grew up reading the books.

‘Knock Knock’ Is a Boo-Worthy, Bad Joke

This remake of 1977 movie Death Game (unfortunately) stars Keanu Reeves and is directed and co-written by Eli Roth, who has made his reputation in making gory torture horror films.  Knock Knock tells the story of devoted family man Even Webber (Keanu Reeves) who has been left alone by his wife and children during one Father’s Day weekend and whose life crumbles after he makes the mistake of being hospitable and cordial to two lost and rain-drenched women, who happen to be sociopathic seductresses.

I’m having a hard time saying something substantial about this movie.  It’s pretty bland and anticlimactic actually, and wastes Keanu Reeve’s time and talent.  Its premise – it was trying to be a satirical home-invasion thriller – seemed to be marginally novel and intriguing at first; aside from Reeves, this is what drew me to the movie.  But, after watching it, I found out that it really doesn’t have anything I marginally liked or at least I found a tad notable.  Maybe if it was handled by a different director and writing team, it could have turned out being a more interesting and clever movie.

Simply put, Knock Knock is a trashy attempt of being a contemporarily relevant dark comedy, as it drastically fails at the hands of Eli Roth in being provocative and funny.

In 'Assassination Classroom', Education and Assassination Go Hand in Hand

What if you have to kill the best teacher you’ve ever had before the school year ends or he’ll destroy the world?

That’s basically what Assassination Classroom is all about.

One day, a huge chunk of the moon is obliterated, making it a permanent crescent shape.  A mysterious octopus-like creature claims credit for the deed, and threatens that within a year, he will also destroy the world.  However, he gives the world leaders a chance to prevent this from happening, he asks that he be made the homeroom teacher of class 3-E of Kunugigaoka Junior High School.  As their teacher, he promises not to hurt anyone, to act accordingly, and to teach the students not only the usual school subjects, but on the ways of assassination as well.  Furthermore, he will also give them the opportunity to attempt assassinating him as much as they can throughout the school year.  Seeing that it’s impossible to kill him by conventional means, the world governments take him on his offer.  And, thus, an unusual school year ensues.

I immediately found this anime series fresh and fascinating right in its first minutes.  At first look, Assassination Classroom being a lot of fun is seemingly guaranteed by its unique and quirky premise – and it’s indeed so.

Koro Sensei – the name that his students have given the creature, a pun of the Japanese words korosenai (unkillable) and sensei (teacher) – is a fascinatingly complex and enigmatic character.  Though he has weaknesses (which the character Nagisa is listing down), he is highly intelligent and durable.  Conventional human weapons don’t work on him, so he issued to his students special rubber knives and pellet airguns that aren’t lethal to humans but can damage his body.  His strange biology gives him several abilities, notable of which is his super-speed which allows him to move at a max speed of Mach 20.  And  though he appears goofy most of the time, it’s implied that he can become the monster that he is if he needs to be.  But above all, he is a sincere and caring teacher to his students.  In fact, if I had seen this anime sooner, he would have been part of my “top ten” list of fictional mentors/teachers.  He’s truly effective in bringing the best out of his students.

Kunugigaoka Junior High School has the reputation of having elite, high-achieving students.  However, those who don’t meet its high standards on academics and discipline are sent to Class 3-E (“E” derogatorily stands for “End Class”) whose classroom is located in a shabby, isolated school building, a mountain away from the main campus.  But under the dedicated tutelage of Koro Sensei – as he painstakingly guides each individual student depending on his particular strengths and personality – the Class 3-E students become competent in both academics and assassination.  The narrative impressively does well in juggling the character arcs of these students; it’s easy to get invested in all of them.

Koro Sensei and Class 3-E have an incredibly peculiar relationship.  Koro Sensei delights in their triumphs – even if that includes getting assassinated by them – and does everything in his power to build them up and protect them.  He genuinely cares for Class 3-E.  And yet, for mysterious reasons, he is firm in his threat that he will destroy the world once their school year ends.  Meanwhile, the Class 3-E students esteem and appreciate their teacher very much, and recognize his impact on their lives, but they are also fervent of assassinating him.  It’s a strange dynamic that Koro Sensei and Class 3-E won’t have any other way.  Thus, this makes Assassination Classroom a distinctive and very enjoyable teacher-and-his-students story.

Assassination Classroom had a wonderful debut season this 2015.  It has proven to be a fast-faced, hilarious, and extremely entertaining must-watch anime.  Moreover, despite its wackiness, it surprisingly has thoughtful insights and morals to tell as well, which I find somewhat inspiring as a teacher myself.

I love everything about Assassination Classroom, and I’m definitely along for the long ride.

Top 10 'Secret Wars' Comics

This October, the all-new, post-Secret Wars Marvel Universe officially begins as several titles set on it have started their runs (I’m personally enjoying the new Amazing Spider-Man status quo). Oddly, the Secret Wars event hasn’t technically ended yet.  A couple of Secret Wars tie-in titles are still ongoing, and the last issue of the main book – on which we’ll only get to see how the new Marvel multiverse is created – is scheduled on December.  Nonetheless – though I find it hard to construct this top 10 since there’s a variety of terrific titles to choose from (yep, I’ve read them all) – I feel that I can already comfortably list down my most favorite Secret Wars comic book titles at this point, and that no matter how the remaining ongoing stories will eventually end, there won’t be any real effect on the titles in this list and their rankings.

10.) SPIDER-ISLAND

There are actually other titles that have more substantial stories than this.  But I’m just a big fan of Spidey and Agent Venom that I enjoyed Spider-Island more.  Same as the original story that it’s based from, every single person in Manhattan gains spider-powers.  But this time around, they became susceptible to the mind-control powers of the Spider Queen, turning them into her minions as a result.  The book’s star is Venom (Spidey’s in it, but he’s just a supporting character), serving as the de facto leader of the resistance made up of characters immune to the Spider Queen’s influence.

My favorite part is the way the heroes “cured” their friends from the spider mutations – in order to remove the Spider Queen’s control over them – and that is, to mutate them into something else.  Hence, Captain America becomes a werewolf, Tony Stark becomes an Iron Goblin, Hulk becomes a Lizard-Hulk, and Captain Marvel becomes a vampire.  It’s a lot of weird fun.

Plus, the book has a bonus Mayday Parker as Spider-Woman (after ditching the name “Spider-Girl” post-Spider-Verse) story in it.

9.) SIEGE

Siege focuses on one of the two Battleworld places which I find the most fascinating (the other one is Knowhere as the planet’s moon!): the Shield.  The Shield is a ring of wall at the lower part of Battleworld that keeps massive hordes of Ultron machines and zombies out, protecting the southern domains.  Manning the Shield are exiles from the different domains of Battleworld, who have been assigned there after committing offenses that God-Doom has judged to warrant such sentence (it could be worse, they could had been sent outside the walls).  Though not totally original, I nevertheless find the whole set-up refreshing and intriguing.

8.) GIANT-SIZE LITTLE MARVEL – AvX

This is probably the most hilarious comic in Secret Wars – rivaled only by Garth Ennis’ Where Monsters Dwell.  It’s basically Avengers vs. X-Men, but in an adorable cartoony, kindgarten tone.  “G” humor is involved here, but an in-depth understanding of X-Men and Avengers mythology is required to thoroughly appreciate the clever gags.

7.) 1872

I love reinterpretations of the Marvel Universe set in different historical eras.  This is one of the best ones I’ve encountered of such concept.  It succeeds in giving an imaginative spin on Marvel mythology as a gritty Western.  Set in a Wild West town called Timely (clever, eh?), Steve Rogers is the Sheriff and Wilson Fish is the corrupt mayor; understandably, a critical clash is inevitable.

6.) 1602: WITCH HUNTER ANGELA

Here’s another version of the Marvel Universe set in a different era.  This time, it’s Elizabethan England.  It’s a charming fantasy story that centers on Angela as she journeys around England, hunting “witchbreeds” (the mutants of this world), and encountering interesting 1602 reinventions of Marvel characters, including the Guardians of the Galaxy, who, in this world, are a travelling troupe of eccentric performers.

5.) WEIRDWORLD

Weirdworld is a straight-up fantasy adventure with minimal allusions to the Marvel Universe.  It follows a Conan-like character named Akron, who is in a desperate quest to go back to his home.  I’m honestly not familiar with most of the references in this book, which are taken from Marvel’s obscure fantasy comics of the past.  Nonetheless, I love every single panel of Weirdworld – pretty epic – and I’m happy that it’s getting carried over to the new Marvel Universe (could be the new Savage Land?).

4.) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS

This is a treat for everyone who hates one of the dumbest comicbook storylines ever, “One More Day” (so, basically, just everyone).  This story explores a world where Peter and Mary Jane stayed married and had a daughter.  Despite having an original premise – wherein this domain is conquered and ruled by a supervillain named the Regent, who hunts down super-powered individuals to absorb their powers – it manages to hit all the familiar feels of a traditional Spider-Man story.  I also get to love the Parker family – all have great, shining moments – that, no matter how cool the new status quo is, I kind of wish that this had been what the status quo for Spider-Man turned out to be  post-Secret Wars.

3.) DEADPOOL’S SECRET WARS

This tale isn’t set on this Secret Wars, but on the original, classic 1984 crossover that started it all.  It tells the story of what really happened during the first Secret Wars according to Deadpool, who was apparently in it but everyone had forgotten.  Still, it’s Deadpool we’re talking about here, he’s such an unreliable narrator that we can’t really tell if this account is true or simply a figment of his warped mind.  Either way, the result is an extremely funny and entertaining book.

2.) SECRET WARS

Of course, the main title gets a spot on this list.  This comic book event is a legitimate epic, and this is the title that is telling the central storyline.  And through its narrative, I became more fascinated on Battleworld and its different domains, compelling me to learn more about them through the various tie-in titles.

1.) CIVIL WAR

Many of the Secret Wars tie-in titles are basically retelling of well-known Marvel Comics events and storylines.  Civil War is the best of such.  It tells of a “Civil War” that never ended – escalating into the country being torn apart between Steve Rogers’ Blue and Tony Stark’s Iron.   Everything about this book is gripping and imaginative.

It features characters that have reinvented themselves amidst the conflict.  Peter Parker still has his powers and web-shooters, but he’s no longer wearing a Spider-Man attire, but instead, a wing harness similar to that of the Falcon.  Logan has become a Hulk.  Clint Barton has become the new Venom.  Kingpin installed Doctor Octopus’ mechanical limbs on himself, but the AI on the limbs didn’t like it, killed him, and kept his corpse as their host.  Tony Stark has Iron Sentinels.  Steve Rogers’ enforcers are called “Punishers.”  It’s a crazy world.

Next to the mindblowing reveals in the main Secret Wars comic, Civil War is the most thrilling aspect of this mega-event.  Particularly, though short, the climactic final battle between the Blue and the Iron – and it’s not only between two super-groups, but involves actual armies –  is fantastic.

Religwo, 'Defiance'

So after three seasons, Defiance gets cancelled.  And I’m split about it.

Part of me is glad that it’s over.  Don’t get me wrong.  I enjoyed this show a lot.  It’s just that I started watching Defiance when I only had three other TV series to follow.  Since then, the shows I’ve been following have exponentially bloated; now, there are just several more shows that I find better than it.  So having one less TV series that needs watching should provide more “room” in my crowded annual TV watching.  However, it’s hard to just drop it when I still think it’s a pretty rewarding watch – the curse of nerdery and fandom.  Hence, it officially ending is the best way for me to have one less series to follow.

On the other hand, part of me wished to see more of Defiance.  It has successfully created a fascinating and distinct science fiction world.  It has magnificently featured powerful moments for its collection of complex, well-developed, and engrossing characters.  Best of all, it has nostalgic elements that appeal to someone like me who have got to love old-school science fictions shows like Star Trek: Deeps Space 9, Farscape, and Firefly.  I feel that there’s still a lot to be mined from the rich mythology it has built.

I’m definitely going to miss Defiance.  But I’m not heartbroken or disappointed about its cancellation.   The season 3 finale tied up everything so well anyway.  It’s good that it finished while still on top of its game and on its own terms.  So with a satisfying and neat wrap-up, Defiance has already completed a full, well-told story – thus, a follow-up season isn’t so necessary anymore.

Defiance’s potential and aspirations were so evident from the start that I even suggested that it could be the next Firefly.  However, it hasn’t been near in achieving the heights that it had been ambitiously aiming for.  The good thing is that it has been generally entertaining.  Even though there were some moments that it was getting too bizarre and shaky, it continued to be fresh and gratifying by being consistently unpredictable, establishing legitimate stakes on each season, introducing intriguing concepts, and utilizing its characters impeccably well.  Thus, in the end, it’s delightful enough to warrant being re-watched on a binge in the future. 

P.S. By the way, in relation to the title, "Religwo" is Castithan for "goodbye" (and can also mean "hello"), I think.  Hope I got that right. 

‘Resurrection F’ Is Crafted for ‘Dragon Ball Z’ Fans

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ is the sequel to 2013’s Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods.  And just like Battle of Gods, one needs to be a fan already of Dragon Ball Z – embracing and appreciating its delightfully over-the-top tropes – in order to enjoy it thoroughly.  The movie requires familiarity with the Dragon Ball Z mythology as well as the events of Battle of Gods.  Casual adult/teen audiences will find this movie dumb and incomprehensible.  But those who grew up on the anime – like me – will have a blast.

The “F” on the title stands for Frieza as this iconic villain is resurrected for this movie via Shenlong – the mystical wish-granting dragon that can be summoned by the Dragon Balls.  It’s revealed that Frieza has never in his life trained, that the power he had manifested before were simply inborn.  So in order to have his revenge on Goku – who has grown exponentially more powerful since their last meeting – Frieza decides to train for the first time ever.  After four months of training, Frieza – now implied to be more powerful than any other opponent that the Z Fighters have faced – arrives with his army to conquer Earth and challenge Goku.

Such is the set-up of Resurrection ‘F’.  It then follows a very familiar plotline that has been seen multiple times in Dragon Ball Z: the less powerful Z Fighters handles the big villain’s minions and initially face the big villain; before the big villain can slaughter the less powerful Z Fighters, Goku shows up to fight the big villain; Goku and the big villain exchange blows; the other Z Fighters just watch; screaming build-ups ensue; the big villain power-ups and beats up Goku; Goku then power-ups to a higher level and beats up the villain; Goku wins; congratulations are given; maybe some celebrating afterwards; roll credits.

If that sounds boring to you, well, it’s actually not – again, that is, if you’re a fan.  Dragon Ball Z is simply an anime that revels and thrives in its simplicity and absurdity.  A fan of Dragon Ball Z will almost always find the predictable and exaggerated elements awesome because they are really done so, so well.

In fact, Resurrection ‘F’ is a more traditional Dragon Ball Z story than what Battle of Gods had been.  Battle of Gods offered more new and different things, while Resurrection ‘F’ feels like the old-school, brawny Dragon Ball Z.  Thus, it has more kickass action.  The battle between Goku and Frieza is as much epic as their battle in the anime (albeit shorter in length), and Vegeta (my most favorite DBZ character) has an awesome sequence that allowed him to be more badass than he was in Battle of Gods.

Though I like this movie very much, I still have some few minor problems though. *MILD SPOILERS* First, when the Z Fighters have to face Frieza’s forces, I was surprised to see Master Roshi joining the battle.  He has never been portrayed to be this strong in Dragon Ball Z before.  It’s not far-fetched to think that he somehow became stronger since the last time we saw him, but I still feel it’s pretty bizarre.  It doesn’t make sense to have Master Roshi in the fight but not Majin Buu, Trunks, and Goten – who are definitely stronger.  In fact, along with Yamcha, these three didn’t make an appearance in the movie at all (at least with Battle of Gods, everyone was in it).  Second, I don’t buy the stupid, irrational manner in which Goku was put out of commission by Frieza’s dirty ploy.  It’s simply too unbelievable considering the power levels at play.  Third, once again, Gohan doesn’t do much.  This is supposed to be the badass that was able to defeat the android Cell.  But since then, Gohan hasn’t done anything significant and has been weaker.  There’s some merit on the argument that Gohan isn’t Goku, that he doesn’t have the same passion for fighting and training that his father has, and therefore, his power levels haven’t improved much since his battle with Cell.  Nonetheless, it would be nice to see Gohan be badass again (maybe in the next movie?).

In the end, Resurrection ‘F’ benefits from the Dragon Ball Z goodwill to have all its flaws pardoned.  Besides, it’s actually pretty great by itself – its positives outweigh its negatives.  The animation is pretty and crisp, the fight scenes are fantastic, it’s funny and entertaining, and the fact remains that it’s always a treat for every fan (which I am) to see more of these beloved Dragon Ball Z characters.

Of course, it would be nice to see the next Dragon Ball Z movie to have more depth and innovation.  But even if that won’t be the case, I think, I will still be fine with another traditional, fan-servicing movie as long as it’s going to be fun and exciting.    

'The Girl Who Sees Smells' Features Such a Girl Teaming up with a Man That Can't Feel to Catch a Serial Killer and to Eat as Much Delicious Food as They Can

I’ve just finished watching The Girl Who Sees Smells (also known alternatively as Sensory Couple), the fifth Koreanovela that I’ve watched in my search for the next I Hear Your Voice experience.  Well, I still haven’t found it with TGWSS (I will be abbreviating it as such).  In fact, it is probably one of the lesser Koreanovelas I’ve watched so far.   But I did enjoy it despite its problems. 

TGWSS’s plot summary:

A high school girl named Choi Eun-seol (Shin Se-kyung) arrives home to find her parents murdered by the notorious Barcode Killer (who got the name because he engraves barcodes on the wrists of his victims).  She is able to get away from the grasp of the killer, and a chase ensues.  However, she gets hit by a car, sending her to a coma for months. 

Meanwhile, another Choi Eun-seol is sent to the hospital to get treatment from minor injuries after a bus accident.  Her brother, Choi Mu-gak (Park Yoo-chun), visits her and is horrified to find her throat slit.  Apparently, in a case of mistaken identity, the Barcode Killer kills her thinking she’s the same Choi Eun-seol that has escaped him. 

A few years later, Eun-seol is now living with the name of Oh Cho-rim.  The accident has erased her memories and has mysteriously given her the ability to “see” smells (hence, the title) in vibrant shapes and colors.  In order to protect her, the lead detective of the Barcode Murders – now retired – adopts her as his own daughter and, through the witness protection program, falsifies the medical records to show that Cho Eun-seol has died while in coma.      

On the other hand, Mu-gak has become a police officer, obsessed on catching and killing his sister’s killer.   The painful trauma of finding his sister dead led to events that changed him tremendously.  Not only did his personality become deadpan and soulless, but he also lost the ability to taste, smell, and feel pain.

One fateful day, the two cross paths, resulting to the development between them of an unlikely crime-fighting partnership, friendship, and even love, as they discover the connection of their tragic pasts and work together to bring the Barcode Killer to justice.

TGWSS has a good amount of fresh and original ideas.  Despite of how much this show begs the audience to suspend disbelief (seriously, a girl gains the ability to see smells after getting hit by a car?  Come on), the absurdity does help the show avoid being boring.

The two lead characters are generally likable and fun, but I can’t say that I get to love them.   I’m mostly satisfied with their character arcs, but they aren’t really impactful characters.   The romance between them is cute and all that, but it fails to make a deeper impression on me.  Moreover, there are times that Officer Choi behaves like a jerk.  Though it’s made understandable to an extent by all the pent up anger and pain that the character has inside, the character is still unlikable during those moments.  Thankfully, he makes up for it for being one of the funniest characters in the show.  Sure, Cho-rim is the one who is a member of a comedy troupe, but it’s Officer Choi that got a lot of laughs from me.  Considering that his personality’s default mode is, at first, stoic – he becomes more light-hearted and loose as the series progresses – he’s unexpectedly and effectively hilarious whenever he has to act dumb.

The supporting characters are also a lot of fun.  I particularly enjoyed the dynamic and bond of the special investigation team – how they have each other’s backs, the bantering among themselves, and the fact that they didn’t start as a close-knit group at all and have to get there – as well as their individual colorful personalities.

The series also has a unique, complex villain in the Barcode Killer (though it’s fairly obvious for anyone who watches the show to guess his real identity, I won’t be spoiling it here).  Though not completely new, the way he conducts his murders does have layers of cunning, creativity, and originality.  He also possesses an interesting weakness (I won’t spoil what it is, but here’s a clue: it’s the reason why he killed the wrong Choi Eun-seol) that significantly boosts the novelty of the character.  I was however disappointed that there are no concrete, definite, and agreeable answers given on what turned him into the monster that he is or what drives him.  I thought that an in-depth character analysis was going to be provided because the narrative seemed to be leaning towards it.  But that never happened.  So interesting the Barcode Killer turned out to be as a character, a feeling of dissatisfaction is still left.

My biggest disappointment is its uneven script.  The series has a strong start.  Despite the absurd elements, the story flows in a satisfyingly logical and engrossing manner.  But in later episodes, there are a couple of times where this flow is interrupted by bad and lazy writing.  For example, Officer Choi, Lt. Yeom Mi, and the Barcode Killer are introduced as smart characters.  But in order to create tension or drama, all three of them have moments – some of them, more than once – where they made critically bad decisions, which made me groan since they were so unbelievably dumb.  And, thus, any tension or drama created feels exasperatingly gratuitous and artificial.

Anyway, do you know what is the most remarkable thing about TGWSS?  No, it’s not the ridiculous premise of “seeing smells.”  It’s this: every episode has made me hungry.  I’ve never had such experience with a Koreanovela – or a TV series, for that matter – before.  Strangely, TGWSS loves showcasing scrumptious Korean food.  And it’s actually not due to one of the characters being a chef.  The script just constantly makes an effort of featuring one or more scene/s wherein the characters – especially Officer Choi and Cho-rim – have to enjoy eating an appetizing meal.

In conclusion, TGWSS unfortunately has notable flaws.  And not only does it have the usual typical tropes I’ve learned to expect and tolerate (for the time being) from a Koreanovela (it has small-world coincidences once again – a lot of them.  And the lead female character also gets drunk again; the current score of such scene turning up in the Koreanovelas I’ve watched is now 6 out of 6!) but it also suffers from some insufferable cliches that typically plague awful Filipino dramas.  Nevertheless, though I think the script could have been written better, it’s a good thing that TGWSS has these: a unique premise; characters that are fun and interesting enough; syrupy but catchy music (“Honey, honey, honey…”); a decent amount of laughs; and delicious food being consistently (though unnecessarily) paraded – enough to make TGWSS pleasurable and entertaining to watch.

'Mr. Holmes' Wizens the Iconic Character; Takes a Different, Heartfelt Approach

Sherlock Holmes is a pop culture icon.  Ever since the character’s original run at the hands of master storyteller Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a fervent following has obsessed on him through the decades.  Thus, like Batman, he has transcended his original medium and depiction, and has been adapted or reinterpreted in a numerous variety of ways across different media.

I’ve loved Sherlock Holmes ever since I picked up my first Sherlock Holmes volume (I started in the middle of the chronology; it was Return of Sherlock Holmes) as a kid.  Since then, not only did I love the original literature (I have every volume in my library/collection) written by Doyle, but also have sought anything that has Sherlock Holmes on it – screen adaptations, non-canon stories written by other authors, reinventions, etc.  Though I didn’t get to like all of them, Sherlock Holmes possesses an inherent charm that made me appreciate most non-Doyle interpretations of the character, even the outlandish ones like The Asylum’s Sherlock Holmes.

Mr. Holmes is simply another reinterpretation of the famed fictional detective – and an endearing one at that.  Set in 1947, the movie features a long-retired, senile 93-year-old Sherlock Holmes (as expected, it’s another great performance from Sir Ian McKellen) as he struggles to remember the details of his last case – a case that he considers so great a failure that it had compelled him to completely abandon the life of a detective.  He desperately wants to recall what it was all about so that he might personally write its complete, actual account before he dies.  Meanwhile, he develops a paternal fondness for Roger (Milo Parker), his housekeeper’s bright son, and shares his fascination of bees with him and engages him in intellectual discussions.  As Roger spends more time with the brilliant Holmes, he grows more and more dissatisfied with his proletariat life and tension develops between him and his poorly-educated mother (Laura Linney).

This isn’t the first time I encountered a depiction of Sherlock Holmes in an advance elderly age (in a ludicrous anniversary issue of Detective Comics, Batman teamed-up with a 130-year-old Sherlock Holmes.  I kid you not!), but it’s probably the most satisfyingly exploration of such concept.  Mr. Holmes doesn’t have the thrills of the traditional Watsonian narrative, nor does it have the flair, fun, and action of modern reinventions like Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes movies or BBC’s Sherlock TV series.  It does however remains a unique and fascinating approach on the mythology that every professing Sherlock Holmes fan needs to see.  It explores a feeble, deteriorating Sherlock Holmes who has lost most of the potency of his much celebrated, incredible mental powers, and, at that point of his life, has grown reflective and sentimental, fully recognizing the superior worth of human companionship and kindness over cold logic.

Mr. Holmes isn’t the typical Sherlock Holmes crime drama.  Those who expect it to be such are going to be disappointed.  It instead delivers a heartfelt, philosophical meditation on the value of human connections, and cleverly uses Sherlock Holmes – who has made the reputation of someone that prefers to detach himself from human emotions and bond, which he thinks can hinder him in functioning as a cold analytical machine – to serve as its character study.  In this context, this Sherlock Holmes movie proves to be a beautiful and pleasing one.

Miscellaneous musings:

• Even if the movie is all about Holmes embracing his humanity (uh, SPOILERS?), I still felt that the last part where he conducts a Japanese spiritual practice, something he picked up from his recent visit to Hiroshima, was something too out-of-character.
• It was easy to deduce (SPOILERS, by the way) that the bees had nothing to do with the stings on Roger and the ensuing allergic reactions.  It was shown earlier in the film that he was stung by a bee with no ill effects manifesting.  And there was some subtle but evident foreshadowing beforehand about the wasps being the real villains.
• Sir Ian McKellen makes a great Sherlock Holmes.   In a way, I wish the whole movie turned out to be about an old Sherlock Holmes actually working on his last case.  So I totally adored the flashbacks of Holmes’ last case.  They were very compelling sequences.  Sir Ian really rocked as an elderly but still functioning Sherlock Holmes.

• That all said, I want nothing more but for Christmas to come already so that we can finally see Sherlock’s first special.  Sorry, Sir Ian, but Benedict Cumberbatch is simply the definitive Sherlock Holmes right now.

Kane Winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Should Happen

Two sides of the same fascinating coin

Back in the Attitude Era, Kane used to be this terrifying force of nature.  He always kept a full mask on, rarely utters a word, and was introduced as the half-brother of another legendary sinister character, the Undertaker – all of which gave him this mysterious vibes that further enhanced his frightening characterization.  However, years ago (I remember that I was still in high school then), in a bizarre story decision that I still can’t believe was green-lighted, Kane removed his mask.  From that moment on, though he had his moments, the character was never the same again.  He was no longer the intimidating and enigmatic character that inspires terror and intrigue whenever his music hits.  Gone was his status as an icon.  He was simply another character.

His recent “Corporate Kane” persona, where he serves as the Director of Operations for The Authority, has some degree of fun but is a goofy reinvention nonetheless.  At this point, I’ve already long given up on him that I just don’t care how he packages himself anymore.

Then this feud with Seth Rollins happened.  And it effectively reignited my interest on Kane.

Seth Rollins had been ill-treating Corporate Kane for some time, and there were hints that the latter was getting full of it and would turn on Rollins.  But it never happened.  Corporate Kane chose to put up with it and remained loyal to The Authority.

Then after being sidelined by an injury at the hands of Brock Lesnar, Kane made his return a few months later in Night of Champions as the masked “Demon Kane”, attacking Rollins.  But in a surprising turn of events, “Corporate Kane” also returned a night later, claiming that he was unaware of Demon Kane’s actions the night prior.  And thus, after all these years, begins a refreshing take on the character.  I immensely enjoy the Hyde-Jekyll element of his shifting between Corporate and Demon personalities with some ambiguity on whether he’s truly unaware when he transforms or is just pretending.  I like the fact that he’s screwing with Rollins while, as The Authority’s Director of Operations, being technically a part of Rollins’ team.  This was exactly the role that I wished Randy Orton had played when he returned to The Authority earlier this year (but didn’t): keep the facade of still being loyal to The Authority but in fact sabotage them from within.  And Kane is doing this with perfection.

I’m immensely enjoying this Corporate Kane/Demon Kane storyline, and I wish that this will stick around for a while.  Through this, I have high hopes that Kane will become the beloved, unstoppable Big Red Machine again.  And I think this happening is hinged on him winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Seth Rollins in Hell in a Cell.   Winning the title means Corporate Kane will remain as Director of Operations (per the stipulation of the match), the rivalry with Rollins (who, by the way, could be the best WWE talent right now) is sure to be continued, and Kane’s re-emergence as a legit A-list superstar will be solidified.

So, yeah, I’m rooting for him to win in Hell in a Cell.  I just want more of this stuff.

Now if only Kane will go back wearing a full mask all the time (or is it difficult for him to wear it now at his age?).

'Z for Zachariah' Features Surprising Christian Themes Alongside Its Post-Apocalyptic Love Triangle Premise

Z for Zachariah is a loose adaptation of the 1974 science fiction novel of the same name by Robert C. O’Brien.  The movie stars Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Chris Pine as (presumably) the last three human beings on earth after a nuclear holocaust devastates civilization and contaminates the world with radiation.  It is set in a valley unharmed by the radioactive fallout since it – as theorized by one of the characters – has been protected by its natural ridges and has its own self-contained weather system.

Since her farmstead is located in this valley, Ann Burden (Margot Robbie) is initially the only person in the area.  After a year of living alone, Ann encounters another survivor, a scientist named John Loomis, whom she nurses back to health after failing to stop him from swimming in a radioactive stream that he has mistakenly believed to be as clean and safe as the rest of the valley.  As the days passed, Ann and John work to rebuild life together, develop a friendship despite their differences, and are on their way of becoming lovers – but all is interrupted by the arrival of another survivor to the valley, a miner named Caleb (Chris Pine).  As to be expected, an awkward love triangle ensues.

There are aspects of this film that I didn’t like.  First of all, there were instances when the slow pace bored me, thus, the movie seemed to be longer than its hour-and-a-half running time.  Second, I’m not a fan of the edgy love triangle among their characters.  And third, I didn’t quite like the abrupt open-ending.

On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised of its Christian undertones since the trailers for it didn’t quite hint on this (or I missed it).  This is not a Christian movie at all, but it depicts Christian values, though not substantially, with sincerity and positivity.  And even though the supposedly Christian characters didn’t exactly behave in a pure, commendable, and Christ-exalting manner through 100% of the movie, the redemptive qualities portrayed still outweigh the negative.

This facet of the movie not only works as a sort of a contemporary parable, but also as a provocative, philosophical case study of how a person’s faith or lack of it will influence his or her attitude and decision-making in such terrifying, hopeless scenario.  And I really appreciate how the movie somewhat illustrates that a Christian’s faith can remain relevant even in a bleak post-apocalyptic backdrop.

All in all, though noticeably hindered by its shortcomings, Z for Zachary accomplishes being a contemplative drama, supplemented by no small amount by the compelling performances of the cast – who are definitely three of the best working actors today – and its lush New Zealand setting (though the story actually takes place somewhere in the Eastern United States).

Joel Edgerton Displays His Versatility in ‘The Gift’

Not only does Joel Edgerton star in The Gift, but he also wrote its script, serves as co-producer, and makes his directorial debut on it.  And I’m impressed.  Not because he made several contributions to this movie at once, but because he did them quite so well.  This movie is not one of those bland, sloppy, pretentious, and self-serving passion projects that some Hollywood stars dabble on.  The Gift is a genuinely well-made and competent film.  With this, Edgerton has effectively shown us that he’s more than a great actor (I particularly loved his performance in 2011’s Warrior), that he also has what it takes to excel in other aspects of filmmaking.  The man is truly talented.

The Gift is about a seemingly blissful, picture-perfect married couple, Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall), who one day unexpectedly run into Gordo (Joel Edgerton), an old schoolmate of Simon’s, whom he doesn’t recognize at first.  But after that initial meeting, Gordo begins showing up uninvited at the couple’s house and leaving them gifts.  These awkward encounters lead to the revelation of a dark past that will shake Simon and Robyn’s lives.

This movie is probably the best psychological thriller of the year.  Edgerton’s steady direction, collaborating with the lead actors’ compelling acting (I was particularly surprised on how good Jason Bateman is, considering his reputation as a moderately-talented comedian), superbly does a fine job in peeling the layers of the plot while building and maintaining tension.  The unsettling narrative (thanks to Edgerton’s subversive script) will continually keep its audience thinking and then side-steps whenever the audience believes to know where the story is going.

The Gift is a smart, suspenseful movie with a ponder-worthy message.  And by surprisingly crafting something as good as this, I have this newly amplified amount of interest in Edgerton’s future ventures in either side of the camera.