X-traordinary Humans

Hello America, I know it has been a minute since I have touched base with you all, but I have been busy with the business of living, and getting things done. My latest effort has been to join the rest of the planet in the ownership and acquisition of a ‘smart phone.’ But that is not why I am here today; quite recently I have been swept by this summer’s storm of modern day mythology of the comic book hero. This storm that has been powered by Hollywood, and fueled by the American public is going to be a sight for those eyes that choose to take it in. The one I’d like to talk bring to you is X-Men: First Class. Quite honestly all I can do is 'marvel' at the work that was done by all the players involved in the making of this film.

There are a myraid of reasons that I adore this film; and the least of these is it’s continuity with the original written material, as I am not a ‘fan boy’ and would not recognize if I saw it. But the pure artistry of it all for starters, the musical score for one of the characters in the movie Magneto [Michael Fassbender].  His storyline is one in this multi-pronged plot that a dig the most; as the director is telling the genesis of a villain. Making the viewer almost sympathize with his aching evil streak. So this either cleared up some errors you had after the three other previous films in the franchise or pissed you off for some reason because its not exactly like the comic. To address my oversensitive ‘fan boy’ readers- it’s a different medium to express a very popular art form; so that others may also take part the satisfaction you get from reading this artistic expression.  For me personally it was absolutely exhilarating.

But  that is not why I am here today, towards the end of this modern day epic moving piece of art it dawned on me all the major players in this story were analogies in that they have an affinity with certain public figures in popular American culture at the time they were created. In fact the entire X-Men Franchise is mostly about the differences in the human melting pot that we as individuals may snarl at, if you haven’t picked up on that already. But more specifically I’d like to take an opportunity to begin a discussion about how popular forms of art can open our imaginations to the possibilities of the human mind and spirit. We may not [yet]  posses the ‘powers’ of telekinesis or the ability to project sound waves through the air, but we all humans have our voices, and the ability to resist our lower nature and appeal to our higher angels.  I think a lot of us take the lower more accessible road because it is one of convenience and comfort but it is in times like these that we should “check ourselves” and challenge one another to go to our limits, or until it hurts whichever comes first. The stories that were told in the above mentioned film are a few that struck me as I watched the drama unfold, and forced me to ask myself: When was the moment that I chose to take the road that I am on? And whose villain am I? If I am even a villain at all.


All this talk of Super heroes is beginning to stir up a bit a nostalgia in me. My last summer at a place I like to call my own personal patch of heaven, that I now only visit in dreams. There was this song that the kids used to sing under the tent (very corny indeed, but it never escapes you psyche no matter how hard you try). To see the kids prancing and jumping around shouting the lyrics send my heart soaring. It went something like this. I like to think I am a bit more mature than a child learning about the depths of their souls and taking their first steps into an eternal relationship with Jesus but the idea here is the same. So until I continue with this conversation to discuss some of my more terrestrial contemporary heroes I leave you with this: