When Movies Speak to the Heart

This post reflects on my return to the cinema after a long hiatus since 2019. It explores my experience watching Red One and Moana 2, two films that impacted me both emotionally and philosophically. The post delves into the deeper messages conveyed in each film and highlights the irreplaceable cinema experience — one that provides immersion, connection and a momentary escape from the everyday.

Movies I Watched This Year

It’s been a long while since I last stepped into a movie theater, probably 2019 before COVID struck. It felt great to immerse myself in the big screen with popcorn in hand, allowing myself to forget the rest of the world for two hours. The magic of cinema is something you can’t replicate at home — it’s a unique experience that transports you into another world.

Red One (2024)

This Christmas-themed action comedy brings a jacked, ripped Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) into a wild adventure after he’s kidnapped by a witch (Kiernan Shipka). Callum (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), Santa’s head of security, part of the elite E.L.F. (Extremely Large and Formidable) team, teams up with expert tracker Jack (Chris Evans) to rescue him and save Christmas. 

The film features over-the-top action, humor and fantasy elements, including Krampus; Santa's brother (whose hand is bigger than Callum's head, leading to an epic slap fight), abominable snowmen and a polar bear E.L.F. named Garcia. While the action and humor make it an entertaining watch, the film also conveys a powerful message about personal choices. 

It’s a reminder that every day we have the opportunity to choose kindness, integrity and good over evil. “Every day, every decision, you have a choice to be good” — that is a powerful message that needs to be delivered and just like in the movie, we need it more than ever right now.

Moana 2

The long-awaited sequel to Moana brought back the cherished characters in a new chapter of adventure. One moment that truly resonated with me was when Moana is visited by the spirit of her late grandmother, Tala, who says, “I am always with you, just in a different form.” 

This deeply touched me, as I’ve always believed that those who’ve passed are with us in spirit, guiding us along the way. Just as Maui’s tattoo has a life of its own, so too do the memories and influences of those who came before us. The film serves as a beautiful reminder that their love and wisdom remain with us, even when they are no longer physically present.

Also, I loved Loto, Moana’s techie sidekick. She reminded me of my quirky friend Wina the Psycho — her energy, creativity and resourcefulness are just like Wina’s, making her an absolute standout character.

I hope to watch more movies on the big screen next year — there are some films that demand the cinema experience. The sound, the visuals and the collective energy of the audience — it’s something truly special that home viewing just can’t replace.

***All images used in this blog are sourced from IMDB unless otherwise stated. I do not claim ownership of these images, and full credit goes to their respective creators. If you are the owner of any image and wish for it to be credited differently or removed, please contact me directly.***