Movie Reviews- Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol, The Sitter, Sherlock Homes 2 and Alvin and the Chipmunks 3.

Well, the first film on the review list is the one that I wanted to see the most and it was not because of the actor, it was because this was the first live action film for the director, Brad Bird. (If the name sounds familiar, he is known for his work in Pixar films, The Incredibles and Ratatouille. I wanted to see if he could try and make the film at least watchable after the total mess of the last film in this series and I must confess that, I actually liked this film.



The idea of the film was simple enough about the destruction of the Kremlin and its aftermath and how the team was set up. The rest of the film is how the team tries to clear their name and get things right in the world.

I was lucky and got to see this film in the IMAX format and this film really needs to be seen in the format to be able to show you all of the tricks that this film will have in it. The film was an action film that the audience and me really seemed to like and after the film was over, the audience left happy and they really seemed to enjoy it.

The film needs to be seen spoiler-free and I have made this review that way. The one thing I will say about it was that I did like the Pixar nod to A113 in the film and I was laughing when I heard it.

Please see the film in the IMAX format if you can at CGV in Korea.
Grade B+


The Sitter
Now, if you are looking for an adult comedy then this one should do the trick when or if it ever plays in South Korea.



The idea of this film is a simple one, Noah Griffith (Jonah Hill) has dropped out of college and has become a stay at home son with no future. His mom has a chance at a date with a nice Dr and he decides that his mom needs a night out and he will be the baby sitter at the last minute.

The film then introduces you to the 3 children that become the center of the film. Slater, the pill popping child who is at the state of uber over-medication, Blithe, no-nonsense wild child, who has seen one too many shows of “The Kardashians” and wants to go to the hottest clubs and wear the most expensive make up but knows what is going on around her. The last child’s name is Rodrigo, who is a pyromaniac exchange student who likes to destroy bathrooms. The rest of the film is his night of babysitting these 3 kids and what happens when his frigid girl friend want to have sex tonight while he is babysitting these children.

The film will offer nothing new and you will have seen of many of the plots in this film before and that could make a lot of viewers turn off on this film. If you want a simple film that you will laugh at then please see the film. If you are looking for anything else then you might want to give this film a pass.
Grade C –

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Now, I had no real feel for the film before I went into the theater and afterwards I still wasn’t sure of the film. I could see a good film here but with a lot of the mistakes made in the film, I started to notice the errors and quit watching the plot of the film.

If you know the back story then this film is very simple, it’s Holmes against his main rival Professor James Moriarty. For a modern look, think Batman vs. Joker.



The idea of the film is simple enough it’s the 1890’s and Moriarty wants to let Europe start a war, as long as he can supply both sides with the weapons of war and Holmes wants to try and stop him. Now what you see is a nice game of cat and mouse between the 2 foes in this film and if you just focus on that, I think you’re going to really like this film. My fault is that I was catching a lot of the small errors made in the film and it started to bother me. In the past reviews when this has happened then, I really haven’t enjoyed the film that much.

The film is a good film that could have been great if they had kept a better pace and eliminated all of the mistakes. Either you are going to like this film or really hate it and try and see it spoiler free like I have tried to do in this film.
Grade B-
Alvin and the Chipmunks [3]: Chipwrecked

Now, I knew that I was the wrong person to see this film, I had seen the other 2 and decided, oh heck, it can’t be that bad..I was wrong..it was much worse than the other 2 put together.



I knew that when I hated the Scrat carton in front of the film that this could be a bad time watching a movie. The film just started out lame and it just kept getting worse with every bad remake or attempt at humor being based of past songs or films. The “Cast Away” plot was old after the first 10 seconds but to see it for 80+ minutes was way too much for the majority of the audience I went to see it with.

After the film was over I saw a few kids tell their parents not to take them to any more Alvin films and if this was their core audience then this maybe the film that kills this franchise for a few years.

Please pass on this film at all cost, even if your child tries to drag you to this..Do not see this film.

Grade F

Movie Reviews: Arthur Christmas, The Adventures of Tintin & J. Edgar

There are days that I really enjoying to the movies, I really thought a day of these 3 films would be a great day, by the time the 3rd film was over, I couldn't believe that I had wasted about 6-7 on these 3 films.

Arthur Christmas

Now I had seen a preview of the film and it really left me flat and sad to say the film never really got better for me or for the audience that saw the film with me.

The film was shot with British English and I realize that I might have missed a lot of the jokes in the film but when the audience I was with wasn't laughing at this film either, I realized that it just wasn't me. Nobody was laughing at this film. When the little kids in the audience were not laughing at this film, I knew that this film just wasn't clicking with this audience.

This film should have been a nice Christmas hit but for some reason it just didn't work for me. The film just left me flat and wondering why the company that made the awesome "Wallace and Gromit" made this bad of a film.

Please pass on this film at all cost

Grade: D

The Adventures of Tintin

Now I had no idea about this film. I knew who the character Tin Tin was and I had seen his cartons in the past. The problem is that I am not a fan of the character and the film did nothing to change that.

In my simple opinion, if you like the character TinTin, then you are going to love this film based on the world wide reaction to this film so far. if you have no idea or are not really keen on this character, then you might want to pass on this film because it brings nothing new to the table for liking or hating this film.

Please remember in Korea it will be released in 3D IMAX and the people who have seen this film in this format and loved this character, have praised this film.

If you like the character then see the film. If not and your like me and you are not a fan of this series, you might want to give a pass on this film.

Grade C-

J. Edgar

Of all of the films this day, I was looking towards this one the most because my favorite director, Clint Eastwood had directed it and when the film was over I could not believe the mis-step this film was.

To me, the film was a collection of greatest hits of J Edgar Hoover but that the film just seemed never in the right mood, the film just never really synched for me. I thought that the writing was horrible and some of the acting just seemed lazy and never made me believed in what I was watching on the screen.

I really thought that Leonardo DiCaprio could pull of this role of this historically complex man, but in the end he never really made me believe that he was Hoover.

It was a noble attempt to make a film about this man but in the end it just never worked for me and should not be sen when, or if, it ever comes to the Korean Theaters.

Grade: C-

Movie Reviews: "The Way" & "The Descendants"

There are days that I actually dread going to the movies because I know that I am going to see a "crap" film and that I will actually try and write a review telling you how bad the film was that I had just watched. Today was a rare day, I did not see 2 good films back to back, I saw 2 great films today that I want to add to my Blu-Ray collection ASAP!

I had heard good things about these 2 films and was surprised that both films had done great business by word-of-mouth. I was able to both of these films in AMC's new Dine-in theater experience.



This film opens up with a man (Tom)trying live his life and he has missed a call from his son. We are then taken to the screen where the father learns that his son has died in France and that he has to go there to retrieve his body. However, in a combination of grief and homage to his son, the father decides to walk the same ancient spiritual trail, "The Walk of St. James", where his son died in order to try and understand his son better.

What we are soon introduced to is the rest of the people that the father meets along the way. He kind of falls in with three other pilgrims in particular. Joost is a large overweight Dutchman from Amsterdam who says he is walking the route to lose weight to get ready for his brother's third wedding and so that his wife will want to have sex with him again. He is a warm, extrovert who is the first to start walking with Tom and is marked by an unfailing kindness to all he meets. Sarah is a Canadian divorcee who has fled an abusive marriage and the resulting loss of a child through abortion, who she stills see and talks to, who says she is walking the pilgrimage to quit smoking. She is the second to join Tom and belittles him as a defense mechanism and calls him "Boomer" due to him being a baby-boomer. "Jack from Ireland" is a travel writer from Ireland who when younger had desires to be the next Yeats or Joyce but grew accustomed to the lucrative field of travel writing. He states that the great writes died broke and he didn't want to do that. He is the last to join the quartet and has been suffering from writer's block.

What I really liked was the path that all 4 of these people take and how they interact with the different people that they met along the way. I kept thinking that, if I was healthy, this would be a great summer trip and one heck of a walk between France and Spain. I was also thinking how many Ex-Pats would love to take this trip.

The story of the Spanish Gypsies and its results was the highlight of this film for me. The film at times pace is very slow but if you can look past that, you are in store to see a great film. I have no idea if this film will ever see the light of day in Korea. If it plays there, it might just be at the small independent cinema's that are in the major Korean cities. This one might have to be a DVD Screener viewing in Korea. Please watch this film when the opportunity presents itself. I am leaving the ending of the film spoiler free because that the way it needs to be for this film.

Please see this film when you get the chance

Grade: A+

The Descendants



Now with George Clooney either I have loved his films (Up in the Air, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Ocean 11-13, O Brother, Where Art Thou?)Or I have really hated them (The American, The Ides of March, Letherheads, Michael Clayton, The Good German) I have very rarely had him in the middle. SO going into this film I knew that it had great word-of-mouth and that the film was directed by Alexander Payne. I loved his film "Sideways" and was looking forward to seeing this film.

This film is basically about 2 paths that Matt King (George Clooney)has to take. We are shown that his wife is now in a coma and will not recover and that the machine keeping her alive will be turned off. It is discovered that she had an affair and that Matt knew nothing about it.

The 2nd part of the film is that Matt is the sole trustee of sole trustee of 25,000 acres of untouched land on the island of Kaua'i, passed down from his ancestors. The trust will expire in seven years, and the family has decided to sell the land and Matt has to decide who to sell the land to.

The rest of the story I will leave unspoiled for you.

What I really liked about this film was the way that George kept dealing with these 2 main issues and how it is affecting his 2 daughters in this film. I really believed that this was his family and that he was trying to keep it all together and he really was not sure how to do it. The more I watched the film, the more I believed what I was seeing.

The magic that was in the film "Sideways" was also in this one and when it was over I was really glad that I had watched this film and I understood why George is getting serious Oscar talk for his role in this film.

Grade: A

Now for the AMC dine-in experience. I saw that these 2 films were both shown in this type of theater. I had no idea what to think about it. I had a film worker come to my seat and explain to me how it worked. You could order food, drinks and beer at this screen and all you had to do was push a service button and this person would come and take my order. What I really liked was that the seat was awesome and I felt very comfortable in it and for me and my size to say that, it was something. When you come back to the USA or to a visit, please check out this type and I think that you will enjoy it. I know that some CGV's in Seoul offer a similar experience and the food's menu I know is different.

Film Reviews: Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1, Happy Feet 2 (3D), The Muppets

Well, the big film for the week was the new "Twilight" and I was all ready to write a review, in which, I hated the film. Only thing was that I actually liked the film.

For those who have followed this site, you have read of my utter disgust of the first 3 films in this series and I went into this film with no real high hopes in this film.
But, in this case, the film wasn't that actually surprised me and I think I know why.

In the first 3 films we have seen the choice between Team Edward and Team Jacob and in this film there wasn't that conflict. The choice was made and there wasn't any of the teen drama or any of the whining that the 3 films seemed to have in an abundance.

If you have read the books then you know this story and I could not believe it when the film was over that I had actually liked it. It had a good story, good plot and one heck of a cliffhanger. Now wait 2 minutes into the credits and you see the little extra scene that will blend very nicely into the next one.

Now there are some moments of this film in which, the male audience groaned out loud and we couldn't believe what was being shown at my theater was 75% female and 25% male. After the film was over the majority of the females that I heard talking about the film wanted to see it again, while the majority of the males that I heard speak wanted never to see this film again.

The female audience will love this film and want to see it more than one. The male audience will want to pass on this film at all cost. If you're a fan of the books then beware,they left a lot out of this and I have no idea if it will be included in a future special edition of this film.

Grade: B

Happy Feet 2

Now if you remember the my first review of the first film http://socius.or.kr/2006/11/25/movie-review-happy-feet/ you might remember that I really liked the first one and I so wanted to like this one, but after the film was over, the film was missing something...A heart.

In the first film we saw a great love story between Mumbles' parents Memphis and Norma Jean and after I watched this film, that when I realized why i didn't like this one as much, the mail love story wasn't there and no explanation was given why they weren't in this one.

Now if you are looking for comedy in this one then please watch all of the scenes with Will (Brad Pitt) and Bill (Matt Damon). They voice 2 krill's in the film that venture outside of their swarm. The majority of the audience laughed when these two were featured in the film.

I also liked the songs that were used in this film and so did the majority of the audience Is aw the film with. The children really liked the film in the 3D but it wasn't really worth the extra cost of the film.

I should have really liked this film, The story was about the climate change and how it is hurting the penguins. The film had some great songs and some great comedy but it was missing the heart and that is why the film failed for me.

The film was released with a Looney Tunes short called 'I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat.' The majority of the audience seemed to like this short than they did the film that followed it.

If you have little ones, they will love this film. For the rest, you might want to pass on this one.

Grade: C-

The Muppets (2011)

Now if you are a fan of "The Flight of the Conchords" a lot of the original songs in this film have that "vibe" and it is because Bret McKenzie was the film's music supervisor. I liked the original songs because they just were different and not like a normal films' music. The Chris Cooper Rap was the hit of the film.

As a child I was a huge fan of the tv's "The Muppet Show" and I was hoping to see some of the same magic in this film. The film is great in parts but all together it just wasn't that bad of a film but it wasn't that great of a film. It just left me flat and I was definitely in the minority at the showing I went to.

The little kids seemed to love the music and the majority of the parents seemed to like the film. I heard a few comment that they loved them back then and now, they could share this with there children.

The film plot was simple and in the end were are shown 2 love stories and maybe a part 2 is in the future. The children seemed to love the Ms. Piggy and Kermit plot line the best.

After the film was over, all of the little children had smiles on their faces and the parents were happy that the kids enjoyed it. The film was preceded by a short "Toy Story" cartoon and it was a great short cartoon.

Overall the film will be a huge hit with the children but may leave the adults a little flat

Grade: B-

Movie Reviews: Immortals Jack and Jill

Have you ever had one of those feelings that when you walk into a movie theater that you are going to see a crap film but you can't take your eyes off of it? Welcome to these 2 films that I watched back to back.

I kept seeing the previews of this film called Immortals and it just looked so bad and I couldn't believe that people were saying that this was going to be a great film. I never believed the hype and after the film was over I could not believe that the 3D in this film was that bad and that the 3D in Harold and Kumar was so much better. They sold this as a 300 type of film and after it was over, I couldn't believe that this was a huge miss of a film.

This film fails for the basic reasons, bad acting, bad plot and such an open ended finale of the film that I just left the film with total disgust for everyone involved in this turkey of a film.

Please pass on this film at all cost

Grade: F-

Jack and Jill

Now I have no idea if this film will be a total flop or a huge hit in South Korea due to the main actor wearing female clothing. As we have seen on Korean TV and Movies, the more popular comedians dress in ladies clothing and the Korean audience seem to love it.

The idea of this film is simple enough, Adam Sandler plays both the role of twins Jack and Jill. The main plot is Jack has to try and hire Al Pacino for a Dunkin Doughnuts commercial or his company could go bankrupt. Now Al hates Jack but falls in love with Jill and then they film begins.

What really surprised me about the audience of this film was that every child who was under the age of 13 was laughing at this film and that the majority of the audience that was over 13 left this film with a look that they had wasted their money with this film. When the final payoff of this film was over the kids were laughing and the adults really couldn't believe what they had just seen.

I usually like Adam Sandler's film because they make me laugh. In this film, I didn't laugh much and really felt that this film was ill acted and not written very well for a comedy.

If you have kids then take them to see this film. If you don't, wait until it comes on Catch On or Catch On +, this way you won't have wasted your money on this sub-par comedy.

Grade:D+

Movie Reviews: Puss in Boots, Tower Heist & Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas.

Well I really didn't know what to think about this single film of the "Shrek" series about Puss in Boots. The previews kinda left me with a flat taste in my mouth and after watching this film, the flat taste did not leave me.

To me, they tried to set this film up as a stand alone prequel to the Shrek series and that's where the film lost me. Whatever magic Shrek, Donkey and Puss had in the original films never came across in this film. We are shown Puss's childhood but with all of the new characters, it just never really felt right. We are shown his story but never given a real reason why we should care about him.

The film is great for kids with seeing the film for one time only, after that, I really can not see any reason a child would want to see it again for a 2nd time and as for this parent, I really never want to see this film, purchase or rent it ever again. It just left a very bad taste in my mouth. Please pass on this film at all cost and see it in 2d if you're dragged to it by your children.

Puss in Boots Grade: D-

Tower Heist

Now on this one, the previews had made me laugh and I was wondering will this be a bad version of the "Ocean 11" series or would it come across as its own stand alone film. After watching this film, I really wouldn't mind seeing a part 2 to this story.

This film shouldn't work with the partnership of Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller but these 2 actually convinced me and the audience that I saw the film with that they could actually pull off this revenge film.

the plot is simple here, Ben Stiller plays an apartment manager who has invested his employees 401k money with A respected man firm but soon finds out that all of the $ has disappeared via a Ponzi scam. He soon recruits a cast to see if they can get the $ back to the wronged employees.

The film then turns into a very smart cat and mouse film in which you think you know whats going on but the twist were well played and very believable. The audience I saw the film with was really into it and when the film was over, the majority left with smiles on there faces.

This film could have failed and some people will think its a bad copy of the heist films of the past but I liked it because the film never insulted my intelligence and made me cheer for the bad guys.

Please see the film when you get the chance.

Tower Heist Grade: B+

Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas

Now I have no idea if this film will ever be shown in South Korea due to the use of marijuana and other various drug usage all over this film, but if they do then this is a film that you should watch without the kids.

One of the things that I liked about this film was the use of classic Christmas songs into this drug world fantasy and as for me and the audience, this really produced some heavy laughter. Now mix in the 3D twist and you really begin to see some strange and very different looks at life in to 2010's.

Now hopefully, you will have some thick skin when you see this film because it takes pot shorts at a lot of different people and believes. When you see some of it, the audience instead of complaining was laughing at it even louder.

As a critic, there are certain films that I like and this series has been one. I really can not explain why but these 2 main actors have great chemistry together and when the drugs get mixed in, it just works for me.

If you're a fan of this series then you will love this film. If you haven't seen the first 2 films yet, then some of these jokes in the film you will miss out on. I should have really hated this film due to the blatant use of illegal drugs but by the end of this film, I wanted to see it again and I definitely want to see a part 4 to this story.

Just please be ready to laugh and to be offended by this film and you should have a nice viewing of it and please see it in the 3D format. The jokes work so much better because of it. I am leaving this film spoiler free because you really have to see this film without it to enjoy the simple nods to the past films and the laughs that you're about to see in this film.

Please see it, if it ever play in Korea.

Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas Grade: A-

Well another update from my battle against cancer.

I have started to take a chemo pill called Xeloda. The US doctor found me a foundation that will pay for this cancer meds. Its about 4,000 cost per 2 week treatment. So far no side effects and after my last chemo debacle, this is nice.

Well a few more things to add. I am on food stamps now for 200.00 per month and it looks like for now 400+ a month for disability and still waiting for the ssi to kick in. I also have a VA appointment set for 22nd of November, I will see what they can do for the fight against cancer. my next dr appointment is set for the 18th.

Now ssi have covered me for medicare, so that is a huge help. I have to wait on the card to arrive in the mail and then go and take care of all of the medical bills so far in the USA.

I have really enjoyed talking with my family and seeing a few old acquaintances.

I helped pass out some candy on Halloween night at my brothers house and I had a great time doing it. This year I didn't scare anyone.

so far all is ok and I am feeling ok. I am still not used to the colonoscopy bag but hopefully it will get better after time.

take care and I really miss working in South Korea.

Mike

Well i Have been back now in the USA for 1 week and it has been very weird.

I must first thank everyone involved in the last fundraiser @ the Yellow Taxi. I have no words to thank all of you all who helped, gave their time, various lessons and other things that helped me feel a lot of love.

There were A few tears and sad faces at this party and please everyone, I AIN'T DEAD YET!!!



on my facebook, you'll see photos of that night. I thought that the live band was awesome, they played g-n-r and Kashimar by Zeppelin and I loved it. I danced to "Turning Japanese and I just loved it.

It was sad to say goodbye to a lot of good people but please remember, I will see you again..either this side or the other.

Well the next day was Sunday and it was time to say goodbye to my church and that was sad. I actually sang for the first time for the church. I stated that US vets have used this song for funerals and a belief that God will forgive all sins that soldiers have done for king and country. I then sang Amazing Grace. They seemed to like it and after church I said goodbye and went back home to finish packing and breaking down my computer and gave away my TV.

It was sad because my i knew that my time in Korea was coming to an end. On Monday night I went to the Millieaum Cinema near Daejeon Station and saw the hot Korean film and made it my last film review for awhile.

Then it was Tuesday and my friend Thomas helped me get my bags to the Daejeon Train station and to Incheon Airport. I did allow myself one luxury. I cashed out my ktx point card and got a first class ticket to Seoul Station for 10,000 won. It was a great train ride. But I felt very sad that it was time to leave Daejeon and Woosong University.

We waited a few moments for my friend Bryan to arrive at Seoul Station and then we caught the express train from Seoul Station to Incheon Airport. I ink that I convinced Bryan and Thomas that this is a great way to travel to the airport. It cost 13,800 from Seoul to Incheon and took 45 minutes. We all really enjoyed the trip.

When we exited the train we soon found the Korail cart and they transported us and our bags to the airport at no extra cost. I was feeling so spoiled after first class, express and this. I then checked in for stand by and we then went to eat and McDonalds. About 1.5 hours later I received my ticket and said goodbye to Thomas and Bryan.

I then hit the duty free store and went to take the express subway to my gate for the airplane ride. While I was waiting I sent a text to a lot of people and I said.

"See you at the crossroads on this side or the other side." I received a few goodbye and good lucks. I boarded the plane at 1650 and got a great seat.

I watched Cars 2 and a film from Japan about a Star watching dog. It was a nice flight, a few minutes of sleep and then we hit sfo @ 1100 pdt and I had 2 hours to get through customs, recheck the bags and try and make it to the next flight. All went well I did rush it but I made it and we left about 1 hour late but we left and in 3 hours, I had arrived back in DFW and I knew that I was home.

over the next few days, I have done all of the pre paperwork for ssi, va, 2nd opinion and other things. Now I have to hurry up and wait and maybe appeal.

I am glad to be home but I wish it wasn't under these conditions. If I was cancer free, this was going to be my last year of teaching. Now I wish that I was teaching. I hate not being able to work. It been nice to see my family this week and hopefully soon start to see some friends of mine.

I am church shopping right now and when I have made my choice I will pass it on.

I am doing ok but wish that I didn't have the cancer but I will look at what the new doctor want to do and just do it.

More news soon............Mike

Movie Review: The Crucible 도가니 (Do-ga-ni)

What do you do if you have been told that a devil exist in your children's school and that he is a foreigner. Now you are shown a movie that the devil is one of your own and that the school’s principal and teachers, and even the police, prosecutors and churches in the community are actually trying to cover up the truth. Welcome to the film that has forced South Korea to look at itself and to see the real face of evil.



If you have been following the news here in Korea for the past few years you have seen the false claims against foreigners here and the stories that just seem to get crazier and crazier by the month. The only white face in this film and movie theater was me and the audience couldn't actually believe what they were seeing.

For those who haven't heard of this film yet the basic idea of this plot is that “The Crucible” follows a group of children with disabilities who suffer physical and sexual abuse at the hands of their teachers. The audience had a real problem with so-called Korean teachers actually being the abusers.

The film shows the abuse, the cover up, the trial and its aftermath.

Now if you have a child who is special needs, then you do not need to see this film, because you will become very angry. If you don't have any children then I do recommend that you watch this film. Where I saw the film, there were no English subtitles but for this one, they really were not needed.

The film itself really doesn't pull any punches. You will see the abuse shown on the screen and you will see the inaction, the cover up and when the police finally decide to act, you will feel their actually guilt for not acting sooner.

Overall its a film that needs to be seen and that maybe the Korea public will wake up and realize that anyone can be the devil not just a foreign faqce.

Grade: A

ITS SO HARD TO SAY GOODBYE TO YESTERDAY...



Well this will be my last article for Socius for awhile dear readers. For those who do not know, my cancer has returned very aggressively and my Korean doctor states that I have stage 4 cancer and that I might have 1 year left in this world. I will be leaving Korea between the 10th and 14 of October to go back to Dallas Texas and get a 2nd opinion and fight this bastard named cancer.



When I got the bad news, I was lucky I had some friends with me in the hospital room visiting me and after a few moments I said, "Ok pitty party is over!, I want to hear stories about Beer and Girls!!" I thought a lot about this Tim McGraw song and I have tried to do this. I have really taken the advice that my father gave me when he was facing his cancer battle. He told me, "Mike, I will either beat this cancer or I am going home to God."

I have told many of you this exact same thing and I believe it!

I am not angry or upset that the cancer has came back, I am actually quite ok with it. Sometimes bad things happen and we don't know why, we just have to deal with it and pray to God that in the end it will be all right.

Now I want to say goodbye to all of the wonderful people at Woosong University and Daehundae Church who have and are helping with many different fundraisers. I do not have the world to say thank you and I will really miss a lot of the teachers from there.

A few weeks ago a few of us went to the Hanwha Eagles baseball game. Me and Beth both caught a souvenir baseball thrown to the outfield crowd.



And it got me to thinking about my 5+ years of watching games there with friends and fellow teachers. We have had some of the most interesting conversations about many varied subjects from all over the world and the majority of them haven't been about baseball. I will really miss going to the Hanwha games and maybe, just maybe, one day the will win another KBO title.

To the Socius reader, thank you for putting up with my views of what the hell I think a good film should be and why you should or shouldn't see a film. I Have always called it liked I saw it and a few times you, the reader, really let me know that either I was a genius for agreeing with you or I was a redneck hillbilly for not agreeing with you point of view. I thank you for making me on of the few ex-pat film critics that stories got posted world wide. I will try later and continue the film reviews but it will depend on my health.



Over the last few decades, this song "Amazing Grace - Bagpipes" has been a staple of US military vets funerals. I have always loved this song because of the things I did for King and country when I served and that this song believe of eternal salvation can be achieved by anyone, if they believe in God. This gave me a lot of strength when times in the hospital weren't that great. If I do die soon, please play this at my funeral.



I was also thinking of this song a lot lately. I got a bad break again with this cancer and I have to fight it once again. But if this is my destiny set out by God, all I can do is follow his instructions and fight. But I also remember all of my friends who I have met along the path. " I COULD HAVE MISSED THE PAIN BUT I WOULD HAVE HAD TO MISS THE DANCE." is one of the lyrics in this song and I have thought a lot about that. I will miss you and I am hating the fact that I have to leave Korea but I am glad that I got to know alot of you and even better, call a lot of you my friends.

The Dance-Lyrics...

Looking back on the memory of
The dance we shared beneath the stars above
For a moment all the world was right
How could I have known you'd ever say goodbye
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance
Holding you I held everything
For a moment wasn't I the king
But if I'd only known how the king would fall
Hey who's to say you know I might have changed it all
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance
Yes my life is better left to chance
I could have missed the pain but I'd of had to miss the dance


To my former students, I will miss you. I have really enjoyed watching a few of you learn about life love and soon babies will be in your life.



I got to see a newborn baby when i was in the hospital and I immediately thought of this song. I am a teacher and I am trying to teach the next generation and that they will learn much more that I will ever know. Lord, if these are the times of war, let me face them, i am a fighter, please let my students know nothing of this and let them live the rest of there lives in peace.

please remember this my friends, from a song that I love...

but I know Jesus and I talk to God
and I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
and the greatest is Love, the greatest is love.

I don't know my future right now here on earth. I will try and beat this damned cancer or I go home to God. After I leave Korea, I hope to see you again, either on this side or the other. Goodbye to my 2 children, my son and my daughter. I love you both very much!!!



Goodbye, farewell and amen!

Please leave my films alone, thank you!!!

well this post is a very simple one....

if you can wire $ please do to this account.

account # 312-587-02-213-136
Swift code SHBKKRSEKPO

BANK NAME KOREA POST OFFICE

name flynn mike mcstay

this is how people can wire # to my acct from all over the world.

thanks Mike

all funds will go towards my fight vs cancer..if you're a new visitor to this blog please see earlier post in september, thanks to all.


mike

9/11 part 4

9/11 part 3

9/11 cartoons part 2

9/11 comics.part 1