Across the street from where I used to live were two malls with seven cinemas. On any given evening or whenever possible I come out of the condo building to watch a movie.
The condo’s white-gloved evening shift doorman always knew what played each night. Being friends with security guards and box office personnel in the mall, he got to sneak in to watch any movie of his choice each night after his shift. So the next evening he always made great movie suggestions, but he also gave out spoiler comments. It started when he learned what my job was. I tried to share the Gospel with him on the day I moved into the condo! That was when he described himself to me as a lay pastor of a small Pentecostal church who loved finding good sermon illustrations in movies!
Earlier in the year he suggested, “Sir, ‘Transformers 2′ is a nice movie! Optimus Prime dies but don’t worry, he resurrects later because of the matrix of leadership!” One November evening he suggested, “Sir, ’2012′ is out already! It’s a very nice movie. It’s like Noah’s Ark, only ten times better!” One day he said, “Sir, ‘Avatar’ is the best! The main guy became a Navi’i in the end!” I was like, “Mang Henry, why do you have to do that?” He asked, “Do what, sir?” “Make suggestions then spoil them!” I said. “Sorry, sir. It’s a hard habit to break!” he replied. Mark, my student in Bible College who used to sleep over at the condo a lot flipped when he heard Mang Henry say that! We both had a habit of watching movies. He had the horrible habit of spoiling movies for other people and for some strange reason, I had an even more horrible habit of always taking his suggestions!
Moving to Canada, I no longer watch a lot of movies as I used to. The last one I saw was ‘Captain America (July), and even dozed off inside the most awesome Lloydminster May Cinema. It does seem like a very long time since I followed ‘Mang Henry’s’ suggestion. The last movie he suggested to me was ‘The Clash of the Titans’ which he spoiled for me complete with awesome fighting action and called the “Kraken” “Cracker’” instead!
I miss a lot of people from home, but I didn’t think I’d miss the spoiler!
Blessings on you, Mang Henry, wherever you are!
My old home on Eastwood City Drive!
