I haven't done a heavy subject in a while. But some soft stuff first. I watched Final Fantasy VII Advent Children the other day. Endured might be a better word. The animation was fantastic... but what the hell was up with that story? Yes, movies like this are bound to be loaded with fan service for people who know the series, but you should have it make at least some sense to people who haven't played the game. There is a big fight towards the end of the movie, and all of a sudden every character from the game just turns up. I knew that one dude was Cid, because someone said his name. Some chick had a big shuriken type thing. I don't think anyone ever saying her name, so I've got no idea who she was. That movie was terrible.

Also go my Xbox 360 back after a red ring incident (it's second). The folks were kind enough to include a month of LIVE Gold which I wasn't expecting, though given the inconvenience caused I'm sure others would expect that at the minimum. The process was simple this time around. I don't know what I will do with the Gold membership, as I don't really have games I want to play online. The only games I might be tempted to play online is some co-op Gears 2, Halo 3, or Castle Crashers. If any of you are interested perhaps drop me a line. I haven't activated it yet, and I might scope out what I might play to get the most out of it. On with the heavy subject.

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I watched The Woodsman recently (spoilers may ensue). Kevin Bacon plays a paedophile who has been jailed for 12 years. He has just been released, and has found himself a new apartment, and a job. His sister won't talk to him and denies him access to his niece. His brother in law keeps contact but still remains wary, going so far as to return a hand made gift at his sisters request. Make no mistake, this movie does not condone paedophilia, but it does manage to humanise him, as opposed to the completely evil portrayal normally given to the subject. Of course this is mostly due to the fact that he is a recovering paedophile. He appears to want to be normal, yet he also struggles with his desires, particularly as he resides across from a school, a scant 20 feet more than the statutory requirement. What could have been acting suicide is a haunting performance because it strikes that middle line, not condoning the act that landed him in jail, but also not denying him humanity.

As you would imagine, he also faces external struggles. Someone at his place of work discovers his past by searching his name on the internet. The local police officer sees him as scum of the earth, and rides him every time he comes to visit, barging into his house and treating him like dirt, . Not being able to see his niece hurts him. His shrink seems to strike the line between helping him and trying to find out if he still has the impulse to act upon his urges.

So the question I raise is; Is there room for the recovering paedophile in our world? Most are shunned like evil creatures that can never be redeemed, even if they are only suspected. But can they? Before I'd seen this movie... I will admit it. I don't know what I would have done had I met someone on the street and learned they were a paedophile. Possibly I would have inflicted physical pain upon their person. Had I suspected someone of baiting children, there would be no doubt. But that doesn't mean it would have been the right action. Maybe all they needed was help. Has my opinion changed? Probably somewhat after seeing this movie. Of course, this only applies to those who actually want to be normal. I certainly don't support those that want to overturn laws to make it legal to have sex with pre-teens.

I'm not going to go on about the subject, because I wouldn't say I've really come to any conclusion, but I have found it interesting to think about. I thought it might be more interesting to invite discussion. What are your views on paedophiles? Does it matter if they have served time for their crimes? Is that punishment enough? What would you do if you saw someone you thought was scoping out your local school. Would you report them, or take matters into your own hands?