The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I just got back from watching this movie and I highly recommend seeing it.  The Curious Case of Benjamin Button shared so many similarities with my own life that it was chilling.  There are so many similarities that I cannot even begin to list them all.  I went into this movie not knowing what to expect besides a story about a guy growing younger and came out with life lessons or messages that are basically rewordings of my new year's resolutions.  I was pretty much in a daze of heavy thought coming out of the theatre.

The main theme of the film is that "nothing lasts" and the setting of the film (which you can look up or see in the film itself) really matches the theme as much of the region's history was lost after that great disaster.  Coincidentally, I will be visiting this place to help them rebuild during my reading week, which is another reason why the film was so chilling as if it was speaking out to me.

Benjamin Button has one of the most original movie plots I have ever seen.  It is an emotionally charged film (so bring Kleenex, at least for the ladies, haha) but when it gets really heavy, comic relief comes in at the perfect times ("You know I was struck by lightining seven times?" - even this comedic character delivered an important message on life).  All the characters Benjamin meets each have something to say and teach about life, death, perseverance, love, and fate.

"Life is short" because "you never know what's comin' for ya" and so while you still can, do "all those things you've always put off doing" because "nothing lasts".  We wish we can live life in hindsight, in the hopes we can see our children and soldiers alive once more, that our mistakes in the past be undone. But we can't, as we must keep moving forward, as life moves forward.  So, in the end, "when all that's left to do is to let go", you can do so without regrets.

In a time I was beginning to doubt myself in what I was doing, in a time I began looking back in regret, the little things that happened today gave me strength to truly appreciate the meaning behind being told (twice now) to "start over".  Today was filled with coincidences and little things that meant a lot to me.  And so, I hope today is a sign of, indeed, a happy new year to come.

P.S.  The new Famous Players Silver City theatre at Fairview Mall is totally kick-ass.  All the movie posters, as one person said, reminded her of "Harry Potter".  You'll see what she meant when you go there.  When I see animated newspapers, that's when I start calling it "Harry Potter"-ish .  I think the theatre is quite high-tech and that lounge/bar area looks really nice for when you're waiting to meet up with friends.  Tech Town is kinda small but it's an area I've long outgrown anyway.  The place certainly gave off a "state-of-the-art" feeling.  Oh, and the seats are reclining. Now that is comfort.  Even sitting near the front wasn't uncomfortable as there is a huge minimum distance away from the screen (in addition to the reclining seats).  Fairview Mall has really outdone itself in modernizing its look.