Lee Chong Wei

I've never been a big sports fan to begin with. Sure I've my basketball days back in Catholic High and I'm a ardent fan (really) of the Bulls and Real Madrid. My sporting heroes are His Royal Airness - Michael Jordan and the Royal Spanish White Wizard - Raul. 

Much less for asian sporting heroes. The few names I can call to mind are Joseph Schooling, Yip Pin Xiu, Tan Howe Liang and Fandi Ahmad, then the brain goes blank. Worse still when it comes to other sports 

Last evening, I managed to catch the biopic of one of our neighbour's greatest sporting stars - Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

Storyline wise, it's a rags to riches story of a boy having dreams of being the best in the world. The film captures the story of the challenges he faced on his journey to becoming a champion. 

Technically, as a film it's a done-to-death formula. 

Challenging growing up environments? Check

Child prodigy? Check

Wise mentor that opens his door to a whole new world? Check

Finding motivation from within to attain success? Check

It's in the same mold as Goal (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0380389/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)

The movie could have been better if the pace was faster. That said, the action scenes during the badminton games were well edited, keeping you at the edge of your seat (only if you didn't know the results beforehand)

Yet, in an otherwise exhausted genre, this film stood out for me. I believe this film is something that any Malaysian or Singaporean can relate to. His successes in placing South East Asia, particularly Malaysia on the world map in badminton is something that all of us South East Asians can be proud of. It gives me a renewed sense of hope that our small corner of the globe is also capable of producing talents that can stand tall and against the legions of caucasian, african and latino athletes.

Lee Chong Wei held the world number spot in badminton for a whopping nearly 200 weeks, that's nearly 4 years', thus being the first Malaysian who attained that record. Despite this, there virtually no website who acknowledge shuttlers' achievements, much less an Asian from an insignificant part of the world.

Therefore, this film comes as a big encouragement to fellow South East Asians that we can be better if not as good as the pro-athletes from around the globe. Just ask Joseph Schooling, just ask Yip Pin Xiu - our duo gold medalist in swimming. These are giants not because they had easy, they are giants because of the hard work and sacrifice that were demanded from them and their family to be where they are today. South East Asia... Time to take back the world.

This film, if anything, sums up Edison's quote. "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration"

The Greatest Showman

My 1st movie for 2018 would be musical film, The Greatest Showman

What a start to my movie season 2018. I can't remember the last time I walked out of the cinema feeling absolutely uplifted.

While there isn't much to rave about in terms of storyline, it was the songs that spoke to me tremendously. I, too, haven't walked out of a musical feeling that much euphoria

Of the entire track list, 2 songs stood out the most.

A Million Dreams & Never Enough

Maybe it's my current season of life where I'm about to enter into the vocation of holy matrimony, this song really reminds me of life coming full circle. This part of the song, the chorus particularly shouts out to me...

A Million Dreams

"Cause every night I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it's gonna take
A million dreams for the world we're gonna make"

It gives me a strengthened sense of hope for the future as I move into this new season.

The other song stood out due to Loren Allred's merit. I've only watched snippets of The Voice, therefore, naturally wouldn't know of her existence.

That woman can sing.

As the song progressed to the chorus, I was captivated hook, line and sinker. How is it that I've never heard her before?

The chorus of this song goes...

Never Enough
"All the shine of a thousand spotlights
All the stars we steal from the nightsky
Will never be enough
Never be enough
Towers of gold are still too little
These hands could hold the world but it'll
Never be enough
Never be enough"

Tying this back to God. I see the central theme proclaiming that all the riches and material goods of this world will never satisfy. God alone does, and in Him alone are we made whole. In accordance to scripture...

"For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." Matthew 4:10

There was another point in the movie which stood out to me... Hugh Jackman's character was presented with the temptation of being unfaithful to his wife.

Like most Hollywood products, it would make for a good plot point to actually have the deed committed.

But, it didn't happen, and that for me is significant.

Why? In a day and age where relationships mean nothing and people change partners as often as they do clothes, it is significant that the writers of this story chose to not make adultery the main cause of conflict, and in doing so uphold and defending the sanctity and sacredness of marriage.

Marriage is eroding daily through liberalistic views and constantly challenged by the growing onslaught of the alternative lifestyle.

We as Christians need to be steadfast in being the keepers of the flame and institution, one that was commanded by God Himself.

The Greatest Showman, now playing in cinemas