Posts for category ‘Movies’

Have you seen any of the 3D movies that have been coming out lately? Because of the nature of the technology we are finding them to be a lot more expensive than regular movies. If you are like us you tend to forego the more expensive ones. But sometimes one appears that is worth the extra money.

Recently I, and several other people, received a message in our Facebook accounts about a new movie called “How To Train Your Dragon“.  I had seen previews and ads for it and it seemed like a decent animated movie but nothing that I would lose sleep over if I missed it.

The message, however, contradicted what I had been thinking. It was from a man that I trust wholeheartedly. He had taken his young son to the 3D version and he raved about it! He said it is an excellent father and son movie. He and his son had a blast!

So of course I planned to take Max. It took some time. With vacation week and other commitments it just wasn’t happening. I had hoped to get some rain during Max’s days off. We would then be able to do it but no such luck.

Anyway we finally went yesterday. It was around dinnertime so by then I was pretty hungry and I knew that Max would have to eat too. Generally when we go to the movies he wants popcorn with lots of that fake butter and blue drinks. My wife and I have found that after eating either of these things he acts out worse than usual so we don’t allow him to get them anymore.

Of course these were the first things he asked for. I said “no”. But unlike other times he didn’t fuss. I got him a hotdog and nachos with cheese. When we went to get our seats, as usual he grabbed the top two spots in the IMAX 3D theater. I wasn’t too thrilled because I not only had people in front of me but also an iron railing.

But all of this was forgotten when the lights went out and the movie started. Max and I put on our 3D glasses and got lost in it. Initially the action bothered me because it tends to rev him up. A lot of action brings out many of the symptoms of his Bipolar, Asperger’s, and ADHD. But as the movie continued I noticed he was completely engrossed and eventually so was I.

There were several things going on at once. There was all of the action which makes it a great guy film to share with your son. There was also the interaction between the macho Viking dad and his decidedly non-Viking son. It showed what could be good and bad in relationships and how to learn from mistakes.

Being wrapped up in the surround sound and the 3 dimensional action allowed us to share a lot of what was going on. Several times I reached over and squeezed Max’s arm to emphasize certain things that happened like when Dad expressed his love for his boy.

When the movie was over we shared a closeness that we don’t usually have. And yes the action did hype him up enough by the time we got home so that we didn’t think he was going to go to sleep on time but it all worked out in the end.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the movie. There is so much that I can learn from it. I look at my son and I see a lot of that boy. Both are different. Both have dads that have trouble appreciating that difference. Both want to be loved and accepted by their fathers. And often they don’t get what they need. And the dad would like them to be “normal”.

Max has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, and Asperger’s Syndrome. He cannot be forced into being a “regular” kid. But at the same time he needs the love and acceptance that any kid needs whether they are “normal” or not.

I’ve been calling him “Hiccup”, the name of the boy in the film. He likes it; hugs me every time I do it. He calls me “Hiccup” too. Hmm, I wonder if this means something.

Dads, experience this 3D movie with your sons. Moms, either push Dad to do it or do it yourself; there is a strong girl’s role in this too.

Let’s appreciate the differences our children have and let’s enjoy a movie that supports those differences.