Analyzing a maligned film - and the Editors Cut

Longtime readers of this blog will know that I have been an avid supporter of the 2007 film “Spider-Man 3”.  Right off the bat, I have to acknowledge that the movie has glaring flaws; no one is going to deny that.  To this day, I have difficulty seeing certain scenes of this film.  I once described some of these moments as cringe-worthy, and I stand by that again today.  Furthermore, if someone wanted to argue that this one is the weakest installment of the whole trilogy, I would say they probably aren’t wrong.  Yet, having all of this said, I submit that this film still does not deserve all of the negative press that it has received. 

I recently had the chance to see “Spider-Man 3” again.  It is so layered, I could go on and on citing various aspects of the film that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this time around.  You can relax; I’m not going to be writing such a blog today.  But let me give one example: I was very impressed with Thomas Haden Church’s portrayal of Flint Marko/Sandman.  I saw Church’s comedic talent as Lowell in the sitcom “Wings”; his portrayal of Flint Marko makes you forget all about Lowell.  Marko is nuanced with greed, menace, sympathy, and inner turmoil.

Furthermore, seeing this film again also made me change my mind on perceived negative elements.  For instance, in the past I criticized the decision to include Harry Osborn’s amnesia in this already overstuffed movie.  However, upon further review, I see now that I was wrong.  In fact, there’s an amazing moment in “Spider-Man 3” that doesn’t get nearly enough praise.  When Harry was in the hospital, with no memory of his bitterness and hatred, he looks happy and carefree.  After a nurse comments on how pleasant Peter and Mary Jane are, Harry says they are his best friends, and then he emphatically states, “I’d give my life for them.”  That’s what you call foreshadowing.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the infamous scenes in “Spider-Man 3”.  After Peter chooses to bond with a black alien suit; he gets decked out in all black clothes and dances lamely in the street.  This scene takes on a new context in “Spider-Man 3: Editors Cut” (which was released in 2017, and a film I was finally able to see); Peter brutally attacks Harry, verbally and physically.  He ends this horrible sequence by throwing a pumpkin bomb at Harry, leaving his face disfigured.  After all this occurs, Peter changes into his black duds, and dances in the street.  This shows that he has no remorse or guilt over what he has just done.  It’s dark and twisted, but I admit it’s better than the original theatrical version. 

Speaking of “Spider-Man 3: Editors Cut”, I would suggest to you that this movie is the superior version of the two.  The biggest evidence of this is how Harry’s change of heart is depicted.  In the theatrical version, it was Bernard, the butler, who told Harry it was obvious Norman Osborn had died at his own hand, not at Spider-Man’s.  In the Editor’s Cut, Harry sees a framed picture of himself, Peter, and Mary Jane, under cracked glass.  Seeing this shattered image grips Harry.  In that moment, he chooses to forgive Peter, and fight by his side.  The fact that Harry’s change comes from his own mind and heart makes this development in the story much stronger.

Unforgiveness and bitterness are too heavy a load to carry, it is so much better to choose to forgive.  Colossians 3 says, “You must rid yourselves of all things such as these: anger, rage, malice, slander…Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another” (verses 8 and 13).  That’s the biggest pull of “Spider-Man 3”.  It’s why I’m recommending “Spider-Man 3: Editors Cut” today.  Not because either film is a flawless masterpiece; they aren’t.  Rather, because we are shown that forgiveness is liberating.  Harry forgives Peter – and ultimately gives us a striking example of Jesus’ words in John 15:13 (“Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one’s life for a friend”); Peter forgives Flint Marko for his misdeeds.  And in a beautiful scene at the very end, Mary Jane forgives Peter.  It’s a satisfying conclusion to an epic trilogy.

God bless,

Kevin

"You've walked me through fires"

As important as the discipline of journaling is, I confess I don’t do it as often as I should.  However, I do have a special journal, that I do write in from time to time.  It was a gift from my mother, for my birthday last year.  Recently, I looked back at a special entry in that journal, from about this same time in August of 2023.  I began that entry by quoting a pastor that I had just recently heard on the radio; to this day, I still don’t know this pastor’s name, but I vividly recall his words.  He said, “We [Christians] do forget how God provides, helps, and is faithful.”  I went on to describe what I called “an extremely difficult day.”  How it hurt any time I tried to breathe deeply.  While the severe symptoms of that day subsided for a time, that was only the beginning.

What followed was a gradual decline.  I was off work for a time; I went to the doctor, but the root cause of my illness went undiscovered.  Various ailments continued to manifest, but no one could seem to determine what was going on.  Finally, weeks after that day I wrote about in my journal, through a blood test, a doctor discovered that I had developed internal bleeding.  Incidentally, I’m now intimately aware of the truth of the Bible verse that says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11).  Because you see, by this time it was late August, and I had lost so much blood that I wasn’t too far from death’s door. 

After a stay in an emergency room, an ulcer discovery, and the aid of talented men and women from the medical profession, ultimately the seriousness of my situation was averted.  I recall just what I was watching when I was told that I would be able to go back home – which at this point, was a few days into September.  I was viewing “Batman Begins” (and, by the way, I was stunned to realize that this movie is almost 20 years old; time sure flies when you’re having fun!).  As I was watching this excellent film, in that ER bed, I felt such relief and gratitude to just be alive.  I’ve decided to make it an annual event to watch “Batman Begins” every August now, in celebration.

You wouldn't be surprised to learn that there was a previous draft of this blog today where I went on and on; let me just start to wrap this up.  Why am I sharing this?  Because that pastor I quoted was right: God provides, helps, and is faithful, yet if we aren’t careful, we can completely forget it.  The God of the universe spared my life – He did it last year, and He has done so in other episodes in my life too – therefore, out of gratitude, I want to turn around and broadcast God.  You don’t want me to broadcast myself, believe me, it’s not always the prettiest of pictures.  But God, He is faithful, kind, merciful, gracious, and healing.

To conclude, in that journal entry last year, I cited Jordan St. Cyr’s song “Fires”; this was a song that helped me last August, when I didn’t even know what I was contending with.  It feels even more appropriate to quote it here.  Jordan sings to God, “You’ve walked me through fires, pulled me from flames; if You’re in this with me, I won’t be afraid.  When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher, and if feels like I can barely breathe, I’ll walk through these fires, ‘cause You’re walking with me.”

God bless,

Kevin

Initial August reflections

My plan was to submit multiple posts as we entered August, yet here it is the 10th; things didn’t pan out like I anticipated.  God had other plans, apparently. It’s a good reminder of how whenever plans are replaced with God’s, defer to His.  I’m just glad to have the opportunity to submit content, even if it’s not as frequently as I would.  That’s not even what I wanted to talk about today.  With those personal remarks out of the way, let’s move on.   

Whenever I listen to Rebecca St. James song “In the middle of the fire” (from her album “Kingdom Come”) it is an interesting experience, because my mind floods with visceral memories.  “In the middle of the fire, I will trust You, Father.  In the middle of the fire, You are standing with us.”  This refrain has particular relevance: “In the midst of my darkest hour, Holy Spirit come show your power.  In the middle of the fire, You are faithful Jesus.” 

To hear these words makes my mind go to two of the most difficult episodes of my entire life, each absolutely shattering, and each occurred in the past 18 months or so.  I bring it up today for two reasons.  Number one: the older I get, the more I see that life is a precious gift, but it is also filled with difficulties and pain.  The Bible says, “Yet man is born for trouble as surely as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7).  Number two: I echo the sentiment from the song: in the midst of my darkest hours, God has been faithful.  I could go on and on detailing various episodes in my life, and no matter what has come upon me, I can enthusiastically testify to you that God has been faithful.

Incidentally, the Lord has been faithful to me and, far too often, I have been anything but faithful to Him.  But in those moments, God doesn’t angrily chide me, and tell me to stand in the corner until I think about what I’ve done for a while.  He welcomes me back with open arms.  In Psalm 3, the Psalmist calls God “the lifter of my head.”  I love Acts 3:19: “Repent, then, and turn to God…that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.  Years ago, in a college paper, I likened God to a patient coach, who views the tape of episodes in my life, like a coach watches game footage. With His arm around me, He patiently says, “That’s not so good here, Kevin.  But don’t dwell on it; let’s move forward.  It’s on to the next series.  I’ll work with you, we’ll clean that up, and you’ll get there.”

In conclusion, I was recently listening to a talk by Billy Graham, a hero of mine; I look forward to thanking him for introducing me to the Lord in Heaven.  He shares in that talk that someone had asked him what was a big surprise in his life, his answer: the brevity of life.  I can relate with that.  Somehow here I am in my forties.  Time is fleeting; life moves so fast.  Therefore, I would say please don’t delay in making important spiritual decisions.  “Turn to me and be saved…for I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22).  Or perhaps Joel 2:13 is a word for someone: “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate.”  If there’s one thing I know it is this: the most thrilling adventure imaginable is to live a life connected to the God of the universe, named Jesus.

God bless,

Kevin 

July reflections

After taking almost the entire month off (which I didn’t intend to do, but life happens), here I am again.  I’m ready to present more content.  You know that I have probably 3 or 4 pent up blogs in me, right?  But I’m going to reel it in as much as I can.  With that said, let me just dive in.

July seems to feel heavier than it used to.  It was in July that several notable losses occurred.  For example, it was in July, back in 2002, that one of the first shocking losses of my life occurred; our beloved pastor named Rick Ferguson passed away at age 46.  To this day, I still quote truths that Rick proclaimed.  For instance, he often said, “If we knew what God knows, we would want what God wants.”  I recite that statement, and they inspire me to choose God’s plan for me, no matter what. 

The biggest loss of my life was also in July.  9 years ago, my father ended up having his 'home-going' (if you will) to Heaven sooner than anyone anticipated; he was only 60.  I still miss my dad.  The Christmas in July programming doesn’t help.  Recently, I saw a Christmas film where an adult daughter was mourning the loss of her father who loved Christmas very much.  That storyline hit me hard, because my father loved Christmas a lot as well.

I would be remiss if I didn’t stop here and talk about how grateful I am for the truth of the Bible. One day I will see men like Pastor Rick again; I will see my Grandpa again – who passed back in 2008 – and I will have a wonderful reunion with my dad.  Because these men have a right relationship with God, through faith in Christ, as do I, one day I will see them again in Heaven.  I could write a whole blog about this, but to put it succinctly, I love 1 Thessalonians 4 where we are told that we are not to “grieve like the rest of men who have no hope” (verse 13).  There will be a glorious reunion in Heaven.  Verse 17 sums it up: “And so we will be with the Lord forever.”  Thanks be to God for this hope!

So, not only has July been an ordeal because of loved ones in Heaven now, but I confess to you that this July has been difficult because there are intense storms of life that I’m currently enduring.  Once again, I could go on and on, but in short, life can be very hard, and I have felt the stress of this reality.  In fact, not long ago, I was feeling overwrought.  The best way I can describe it is it felt like my knees were buckling under the weight of life’s challenges.  It was a powerful moment of worship when I was listening to Matt Redman’s classic song “Blessed be Your name”.  Frankly, for a time all I could do was just listen, that is, until a certain section of the song played; I sang aloud during this stanza: “You give and take away.  You give and take away.  My heart will choose to say, ‘Lord, blessed be Your name.’”  

Psalm 121:1-2 says, “I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (NCV).  As I was putting this blog together, I read all of Psalm 121 to my mother, and I emphasized verses 1 and 2.  I did this to encourage and fortify us both, because these verses had been on my heart of late.  After the reading, my mom commented on how one might be feeling sad and discouraged, but even in the midst of this, how powerful it is when one chooses to recite and practice these verses.  How right she was!

God bless,

Kevin

"This is to be a day of independence"

Whenever I see a fireworks show, I think of “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie” (1995).  I know that sounds strange.  Stay with me and let me unpack that.  You see, the main villain of this film, Ivan Ooze (the proverbial scene stealer of the film, played brilliantly by seasoned actor Paul Freeman) posed an imminent threat to Earth.  At the beginning of the film, the Power Ranger’s leader and mentor, Zordon, tells the Rangers that centuries ago, Ivan had “ruled the world with a reign of unparalleled terror.”

Ooze had been imprisoned, but when he was released, he picked up right where he left off, boasting to the Rangers when he first meets them, “From this moment forth the world as you know it shall cease to exist.  Welcome to my nightmare!”  These were not just empty words, either.  Ivan Ooze proved to be the most formidable foe the Rangers had ever faced.  To sum it up, the Power Rangers eventually defeat Ivan Ooze.  At the film’s end, a fireworks show occurred, in celebration that the Earth inhabitants were safe and free!

If that film didn’t move you, another movie illustrates what I’m trying to convey today.  In “The Wizard of Oz” when Dorothy arrived in Oz, via a tornado that carried the house she was in, the house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, killing her, and thus ending the tyrannical reign she had over the town of Oz.  Upon discovering the news, the mayor made this proclamation: “This is to be a day of independence.”  

By now you are tracking with me, I use these stories to illustrate that the 4th of July isn’t just a chance to have some time off from work.  There’s a deeper, celebratory note we must not forget.  As a boy, I used to sing Lee Greenwood’s 1984 song “God bless the U.S.A” to audiences, with my dad playing the piano, for musical accompaniment.  The chorus of that song says, “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.  And I won’t forget the men who died and gave that life to me.  And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.”  

Enjoy the day.  Enjoy the fireworks.  Enjoy a day of different routine.  Enjoy spending time with family and/or friends.  But in whatever way you choose to fill July 4th, savor what the day is about: celebrating the freedom America enjoys.  It is a freedom that brave men and women gave their life for.  It is freedom we must not take for granted. 

God bless,

Kevin

Praising God today and every day

For my birthday blog, I decided to present content that is essentially nothing but a song of praise to God, in celebration for what He has done in my life.  This song I’m about to share is one that I’ve heard a hundred times perhaps, since its release in 2011.  Practically every time I would hear it, I would think, “I really need to work these powerful lyrics into a blog.”  I would think this because the sentiments are an echo of my heart.  But somehow it never made it to a blog post; until today!  I’m pleased to present the song “You still amaze me” by Rebecca St. James from her album “I will praise You”.

“Oh how beautiful the sound that has saved a wretch like me.  I was lost, but I am found; I was captive ‘til You made me free.  It was grace that taught my heart how to marvel at Your Name.  Breaking all my fears apart, taking all my doubt and shame.  And it all comes down to this: yeah, it all comes down to; [Chorus] Your grace is amazing to me; Your love is still such a wonder.  Your cross is still bringing me to my knees, oh God, You still amaze me.

When I stand before Your throne I will bring eternal praise.  For my heart has found a home, and a reason still to say, that it all comes down to this: yeah, it all comes down to; Your grace is amazing to me; Your love is still such a wonder.  Your cross is still bringing me to my knees, oh God [Bridge] and I am amazed.  How You paid in death every sinner’s wage; how You loved me first, so You took my place.  And redemption came through the work of grace.  It’s amazing, so amazing.

And it all comes down to this: yeah, it all comes down to; Your grace is amazing to me; Your love is still such a wonder.  Your cross is still bringing me to my knees, oh God, You still amaze me.”

Lord, after all these years, You do still amaze me, as this song says.  Thank You for Your faithfulness!  I worship You.  Amen.

God bless,

Kevin

An outstanding film is about to turn 20

June 30, 2004.  This is a famous day in superhero film history as it is the day that the film “Spider-Man 2” was released.  It’s no secret that I love this film; I have often contended – and I will continue to do so – that this is the best superhero film ever made.  I give my kudos to the film’s director Sam Raimi; he struck superhero storytelling gold.  Even though I’m a little bit early, I wanted to take some time to share some thoughts, in celebration of this great movie’s anniversary.  To be honest, I could go on and on and on praising various aspects, scenes, and character arcs from this movie, but let me just hit and run on a few elements.

First off, I came across an article from toms guide.com written by Dan Girolamo; he titled it, “‘Spider-Man 2’ is turning 20 – here’s why I think it’s the greatest superhero movie ever”.  I want to commend his article to you; the link is right here for you.  For my purposes today, I want to quote when Girolamo says these words:

“With great power comes great responsibility.” The famous line from Uncle Ben in “Spider-Man” became one of the defining moments of Raimi’s trilogy.  However, the phrase that better represents the core theme of “Spider-Man 2” is “You’ll always have a choice.”  This choice is what Raimi understood better than any director who’s ever worked on a “Spider-Man film.

The choice in “Spider-Man 2” revolves around who Peter wants to be, which determines the outlook on his life.  To live normally, can Peter still be Spider-Man?  Will he sacrifice appearances at plays or physics classes to capture some bank robbers?  Can he be a loyal friend to Harry while still being Spider-Man?  Can Peter love Mary Jane, or must he shut her out to protect her from Spider-Man’s enemies?  This existential crisis causes Peter to lose his powers.  This vulnerability from Peter is something is something rarely seen in a movie with comic book heroes.”

On a personal note, watching “Spider-Man 2” for the first time was a gripping experience that I will never forget.  I could relate to Peter’s desire to want to do the right thing; I resonate with it even stronger today.  At one point in the film, Peter throws his Spider-Man suit in a dumpster and announces, “I’m Spider-Man no more.”  Who among us wouldn’t have made the same choice?  I would have.  Yet, he realized that he could not simply turn his back on his heroic duties.  When he returns to the battle, it inspires us – it certainly inspires me – to stay faithful to our calling, no matter how difficult.  The fact that Peter gets to enjoy a happy ending, for a change, never fails to cause me to cry tears of joy.

To conclude, Dan Girolamo wrapped up his thoughts on this movie with these words: “Take away the webs, the suits, and the villains.  At its core, “Spider-Man 2” is a movie about sacrifice and responsibility.  Peter finally realizes this sentiment in his last conversation with [the film’s antagonist] Doc Ock.  Peter says, “Sometimes, to do what’s right, we must be steady and give up the things we desire the most, even our dreams.  Being a hero is hard, just like making a successful sequel.  But when a filmmaker like Raimi understands the emotional dilemma of being a hero, you get a masterpiece like “Spider-Man 2.”

God bless,

Kevin