Kingdom of Heaven

Went with Heng Li to Summit to catch Kingdom of Heaven at 9:15pm till almost midnight, a show I have no idea about what it was going to be, and thought it would be based on a mythical city. Usually, I read early reviews from TheStar, or watch the trailer, so as to get a gist of what the movie is going to be.

Turns out to be the best movie I’ve ever watched this year, rivalling Constantine. I dig historical movies laced with messages and cool battle scenes.

Watching the movie leaves me stunned, amazed, humbled by the proceedings of the world, its ancient historical wars forgotten, their significance lost. The movie was shot in a way that it’s simple, direct yet beautiful and remarkable that would surely leave an impact on you.

The movie revolves around Balian of Ibelin, a blacksmith who plays a large role in defending Jerusalem, portrayed as the Kingdom of Heaven against the onslaught of Saladin.

It’s interesting because it relays the two main religions, Islam and Christianity (and also Judaism), in a neutral way, and it shows how the people of different beliefs live in peace in Jerusalem until the new King with a pea-sized brain decided to wage war on Saladin and the Muslims.

Thumbs up to Orlando Bloom for his incredible acting. There was this quote by the Bishop in the movie about religions, God, and fanatics but I couldn’t quite place it at the moment – and it definitely rings true in our modern world filled with idiots who take religions too seriously that in the end, go against what they have learned and believed in – God.

I expected a movie filled with ridiculous pointless wars but I got more than what I bargained for. Wanted to blog about The Da Vinci Code yesterday but didn’t feel like it (I’m always interested to learn about new things), and in a way by reading it you understand a little of the historical aspect of the movie. The Templar Knights are supposedly closely related to the Priory of Sion, but Pope Clement (my devious self >_>) ordered them to be executed.

I truly believe not in the existence of God, or the whole rudimentary unnecessary pronounced words of religions, but in our lives, our existence, the universe. People who think they’re doing the right thing by waging wars, are they really right? What makes them think they are above others to do so? (hinting at the Iraq War and one very bushy-brained American President, and his dogs)

The downfall of humanity lies in the folly of our thinking, and our leaders.

Tiberias: I used to think I was fighting for God, but in the end I realised it was for wealth and land. I’m ashamed.

The beauty of the movie lies in itself. Go watch it. Even from an R rating in the US dropped to a ‘U’ rating in Malaysia (violent and sex scenes snipped furiously), you’re missing a lot not watching this.

Even till now, Jerusalem is a city who had been constantly under seiged by all sorts of hands.

I believe in a God not of religions, but my own. Myself. My very soul unmoved by kings and men of power.