Kung Fu Movies And Dad

I want to say I love Kung Fu movies, but I don’t watch them enough to say I’m that much of an avid fan. So, what attracts me to them from time to time? Maybe, the over-the-top fighting scenes and amazing Kung Fu movie covers (Netflix thumbnails). Whether it’s an epic flying kick, a bad-ass fighting pose, Bruce Lee flexing every single muscle fiber in his body, or that white bearded Kung fu master villain who kills everyone in the movie — I’m down to see it. Another reason, it reminds me of the good old times with my dad.

Oh, the good ol’ blockbuster slash bootleg-local-video rental store days, when I use to walk through the Martial Art aisle with the old man. Tons of life lessons were showered upon. The experience was always a father and son moment and I loved it. If I can share one lesson, it will be this — dad taught me to judge a VHS by its cover. He use to pick up a movie, look at the front and the back. Didn’t mind to even read the film’s synopsis, then curiously ask me, “What you think? Did we see this one?” Flying Asian man with deadly fighting pose and a stick? Shaolin monk taking on three bad dudes? Five guys wearing color clothings and scary masks? Hmm, 75% of the time, yes we have. But because the cover was on point, we’ll go back home with one of those, a Van Damme movie, and watch them back to back on a weekend.

I miss those days. As an adult, I relive them when I watch these type of movies on my own time. If I browse through any on Netflix, I consider the thought of what my dad would think or browse through the already-viewed-history thing to see what he’s been watching without me.

Boy, I miss that video aisle.

I want to say, growing up sucks. But really it’s the growing apart what drives me miserable.

I should call him. I’ll like to love Kung fu again with dad while I still can.