Tonight I enjoyed the first movie I’ve watched in a little while since I have tried to dedicate myself a little more to reading and writing since the beginning of the year.

Ever since seeing the trailer for the Marvel film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”, I had anticipated taking the time to watch it, but it took me a while to get around to it, and tonight was a good night for it.

I enjoyed the storytelling and the parallel universe that played a role in the film (as with all Marvel films), and I also just enjoyed seeing what was done with computer generated effects, and, of course, how the action was choreographed.

A nice bonus came when my brother texted me a video clip of Dr. Steve Brulé, and I let him know I had just started the movie, and he jumped on the bus and started to watch it as well.

It’s a nice surrogate for shared time that is so rare any more.

The film touched on some relevant themes related to dealing with the past and forgiveness, as well as the question of how to cope when a loved one moves on.

When my brother and I “watch a film together”, it usually is time to also talk a little, on a looser and more familiar level. And as we grow older, we talk a little bit about things related to that. We’ve devolved into enjoy humorous moments related to less than pleasant issues related to the mortal bodies.

Of course, a few Marvel characters had to make an appearance in this film to tie it to the rest of that I.P. universe, and they do- and markedly so after the film credits. Man- where do you go with all of these heroes?

I slump quite a bit when I spend time thinking about the things I am missing or have missed out on in my life. But I am also trying to let God remind me of the good things I do have in my life.

Like having a brother to laugh about stupid and gross things with. That is a great gift to have, right there.