H is for Harlequin

harlequin

noun: a mute character in traditional pantomime, typically masked and dressed in a diamond-patterned costume.

The oldest versions of the word harlequin - the Middle Dutch hellekijn and the Old French hellequin - clearly refer to a hellish character, a kind of demon. The modern term is more a synonym for a clown.

When capitalized, Harlequin refers to a stock character of the Italian commedia dell’arte and subsequently the pantomime traditions of many nations. Harlequin’s outfit soon became a tight-fitting costume with bright triangles and diamond shapes and a black half-mask, with the character was the principal star of pantomimes known as harlequinades.

The most modern version of the character was created for a Batman: The Animated Series episode in 1992. A female harlequin character was introduced as a one-off sidekick to the Joker, however her unexpected popularity led to her prompt return and subsequent growth as a star in her own right. Today, Harley Quinn (Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel) is a global star of comics and film!

Saturday Catch-Up - 16th March 2019

"I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down..."
(lyrics from 'Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba)

(sigh)
I sprained my ankle on Tuesday. However, it didn't stop me. I got up again, and carried on. I've been through so much over the last few months, so I'm not going to let a little bruising and a little pain get in my way.

So I carry on.

A bit slower than usual, however I am still going.

Bruce Wayne: I wanted to save Gotham. I've failed.
Alfred: Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.
Bruce: You still haven't given up on me?
Alfred: Never.
(dialogue from 'Batman Begins' movie, 2005)

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Alone Again (Naturally)

It's amazing, the things that run through my mind sometimes...

As I have been reflecting on my last blog post about Knight Rider, I couldn't help but dwell for a bit on the concept of the lone adventurer, seeking to right wrongs in society. It's a popular theme in 20th and 21st Century popular culture, isn't it? The white-hat-toting Western sheriff; the detective who doggedly stays on the case; the time-traveller who appears just in time to sort out a problem; the fearless superhero. Those are my generation's role models.

As I eluded to in my last post, being alone and being lonely are two different things. As an introvert I have learnt the hard way about the importance of including some 'me time' into the equation, in order to escape from an increasingly noisy world - but that doesn't mean I want to be lonely. You can be alone without being lonely. However, you can be lonely in a crowded room!

Loneliness is, therefore, a state of mind, an emotive reaction to feelings of separation from other human beings. If you are lonely you feel isolated, cut off from your peers. Perhaps you lack like-minded friends; a supportive community; the love of a family; a soulmate...

It's a common theme. The title of this blog entry comes from a 1970's song by Gilbert O'Sullivan. An introspective ballad, it tells the sad story of a man left at the altar by his prospective bride. Left on his own...

Scripture talks about loneliness, of course. In the Old Testament one Hebrew word for loneliness is badad which means isolated, separated, withdrawn. This word is used in Genesis 2:18 which says: "it is not good for man to be alone."

Another Hebrew word for loneliness is yahid which means solitary or isolated. This word is used in Psalm 25:16 - "I am lonely and afflicted."

No one felt loneliness more keenly than King David. His own son rose up against him, the Israelites massed against him and he was forced to flee, leaving behind his house and the rest of his family. David cried out to God in his loneliness and despair; pleading for mercy and for God’s intervention (Psalm 25).

It is interesting to note that the word 'lonely' is never used in the New Testament to describe people. In the New Testament the Greek word for loneliness is eremos meaning abandoned or solitary. For example, Luke 4:42: "He departed and went to a lonely place". It refers to desolate places, like the wilderness where Jesus went off to be alone.

Thus, the Bible reveals that there is often a positive side to being alone. It's an opportunity to retreat, rest, and to talk with God. Jesus did this frequently, therefore I take this as a sign that we should do this, too...

Through our relationship with Christ, we have a special bond, a special fellowship. It's the sort of relationship that has reassured and encouraged those saints who have languished in prisons for their faith. He is a friend who "sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24), who lays down His life for His friends (John 15:13-15), and who has promised never to leave us or forsake us - He is with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

Anyone can face moments of loneliness - times when you long to be known and to be loved. But we are reminded that God knows us, loves us and that God hears our cries. God is always with us.

As for me, perhaps I am not Michael Knight, Bruce Wayne, or even the Lone Ranger. However much I feel inclined to be. However, there is one thing. I'm not out there on my own.

Exactly how dark is 'The Dark Knight'?

Those who know me well know my love for Sixties' and Seventies' popular culture - the TV we watched, the comics we used to read as we grew up. As we look back on those times we see the role models that we chose then in a different light. But does that now include the Dark Knight?

The character of Batman has been a personal favourite of mine for a while now. Although part of mainstream popular culture, he's a very dark, brooding hero. Both of his parents are murdered in front of him, and the way he comes to terms with it is to become a costumed vigilante. The whole look of the character is designed to project a particular image - but which one is the real man, Batman or Bruce Wayne? I've used this character as a study of obsession in a Salvation Army Youth Fellowship group which I used to lead in the Nineties.

However, you might remember the quotation which was used in the recent Batman movie, 'Batman Begins'. At a key point in the plot, he says “it’s not who I am that defines me but what I do." That's the opposite of the truth that Bible teaches, and it's one of the points that I've been blogging on lately.

As a Christian, I am aiming for something that used to be called Christlikeness. Throughout my life and my personal devotions I am striving to become a better person, which means becoming more like Jesus. Once I start getting that bit right, what I do should flow naturally out of it. It is not necessarily doing things and then out of your doing that defines who you are, your sense of identity and worth. It should flow from your being; who you are as a person, in relation to who Christ is in you.

John 15:16 (New International Version)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Y is for Yaaagh!

As we have discovered, science fiction has produced some meaningful work - but I'm a great believer in what I call 'the 90% rule'. That's the belief that nine times out of ten something is either just OK or in fact fails to make the grade - it's only one of of every ten that actually becomes a classic. Just look at any list of TV programmes - the hit parade - books. In fact, out of my 26 entries I've written for this bit of my blog you'll probably only thought that 2.6 were good, if my 90% rule applies. So, here's a list of some SF films and shows that were less that outstanding. 'Plan Nine From Outer Space' has already got a mention, but I don't apologise for ranting on again about this next film:

The Avengers (1998) - Radio Times film reviewer Alan Jones said of this turkey: "Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman couldn't be more miscast as John Steed and Emma Peel, here trying to stop villainous Sir August De Wynter (Sean Connery playing himself again) holding the world's weather to ransom and freezing London to an Arctic standstill. Ruthlessly edited before release and packed with arch one-liners, bad puns and vulgar double entendres, this is misguided and misbegotten to a simply staggering degree, while Jeremiah Chechik's mannered direction screeches the action to an unexciting halt at every flat turn. Terrible special effects and zero chemistry between Fiennes and Thurman make this notorious disaster a total waste of everyone's time and energy."

Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (1964) - a staggering tale about Martians who set out to Earth to kidnap Santa so he can make Martian children happy. However, Santa and two cute Earth kids turn the tables on the Martians. Yes, really...

Catwoman (2004) - generally reviled film version of the DC Comics character. Memorable because star Halle Berry personally accepted her Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress for this film!

Batman and Robin (1997) - highly criticised because of its ridiculous plot and awful performances (despite stars like George Clooney and Arnold Schwarzenegger). This film single-handedly brought Warner's billion-dollar Batman franchise to a halt for nearly a decade, until 2005 and the release of Batman Begins. Clooney even said that he would personally refund anyone who saw the film.

Mac and Me (1988) - a film about a boy in a wheelchair who befriends an alien. Clearly inspired by 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial', the film is little more than a vehicle to promote Coca-Cola and McDonald's. Ronald McDonald even gets a credit in the cast list of this turkey!

B is for Batman

Batman (or The Batman) was first created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939). One of DC Comics most famous heroes, it is testimony to the success of the character in transferring to the mainstream that few need to be told that Batman is secretly Bruce Wayne, wealthy playboy and philanthropist. However, although many will remember the spoof TV series (1966-68), few will be aware of the original premise. The murder of his parents as a child, and his subsequent transformation into a masked vigilante clearly shows that Bruce himself has 'issues'. 

Remember, unlike other heroes in this fictitious world, the Dark Knight does not possess any superpowers; he makes use of his intellect and detective skills to overcome - as well as a collection of neat gadgets. 

The 1986 comic book mini-series 'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns' by Frank Miller eventually led to Tim Burton's 1989 'Batman' film, and Christopher Nolan's films 'Batman Begins' and 'The Dark Knight' have continued with this.