I hope that everyone is doing well. I am doing GREAT. This week, I returned home from visiting Paris with my mom. You can read all of the details and see all of the photos and videos over on Foodie City Mom. It was an amazing time!
I did return home in time to attend an advanced screening of Here Comes the Boom followed by a Q&A with Henry Winkler (the Fonz!) and Kevin James. (The movie is out in theaters today, October 12th). I videotaped the Q&A that you can see below and I definitely recommend that you take your family to see this movie. I liked it so much that I’m taking my guys to see it in the movie theater tomorrow!
There were several standout performances in the film…
–Kevin James (the co-writer, lead actor and a producer) was convincing as a biology teacher, named Scott Voss, who became a mixed martial art fighter in order to save his friend’s job as a music teacher.
–Henry Winkler literally “dripped” musical passion in his role as Marty Streb, a music teacher who is on the verge of being laid off due to school budget cuts.
–Bas Ruten, an actual martial artist who plays Niko in the film, may very well have been my favorite supporting actor. He was both funny and vulnerable. In the film, he initially turns down a fight for Scott because he never personally realized his dream of becoming a fighter at that level – despite the fact that he was “better” and fitter. Fortunately, he is able to get over himself in order to allow Scott to shine.
–Charice, a musician from the Philippines, does a great job as Malia, a stellar student/musician. Her character’s desire to learn and her passion for music (instruments and singing) despite her father’s opposition provided a helpful additional layer to the plot of the movie. With her great voice and personality, I’m certain that Charice will become an even bigger “star”.
In addition to the great performances, I simply liked the plot of the movie. In the Q&A, Kevin James mentioned that the movie wasn’t really about mixed martial arts. Rather, it was about “overcoming and becoming a better version of yourself”. I agree. I think that we all have those moments in life when we get stagnant. This movie was a great reminder that we don’t have to stay “stuck”. While we don’t have to go out and moonlight as a mixed martial artist (thankfully!), it is essential that we figure out what makes life worth living. The answer is different for everyone, but it is essential that each of us fight to make it (whatever our “fill in the blank” is) a part of our lives as much as possible. In doing so, not only do we enjoy our lives more, but we also inspire others to have more fulfilling lives also. The way that Winkler’s character inspired James’ character who inspired the whole school, reminded me of this quote:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
― Marianne Williamson, Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”
Did I mention that I think you should go to see the movie? 🙂
{Post image courtesy of Here Comes the Boom}