Watched this old Jimmy Stewart western the other day. It appears that after the Hitchcock movie era Stewart went back and played in quite a few Westerns.
In this movie Stewart joined Walter Brennan as two men determined to take a herd of cattle to the town of Dawson in Northern Alaska to take advantages for the inflationary prices for beef.
They run into some bad characters on this trip and Stewart is actually on the run from a trumped up hanging charge.
Not a great movie, barely a good one. But for me Jimmy Stewart makes it worthwhile.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Temple Grandin
This HBO production about a woman named Temple Grandin who while autistic in a time when children who were autistic were often institutionalized is quite a story. The wife picked this one out though I admit I watched it.
Clare Danes starred in the movie and did a great job, making us forget she was Clare Danes. In the role she played an autistic woman who goes to high school, college and eventually is an expert in cows. Her ability to see things differently as she is perceptive to light and noise becomes an asset to her.
There are many interesting things in this movie not all will I give away here. First and sadly in my mind however is the fact that doctors told mothers that autism might be due to a mothers failure to bond with a child at the correct time.
A good movie
Clare Danes starred in the movie and did a great job, making us forget she was Clare Danes. In the role she played an autistic woman who goes to high school, college and eventually is an expert in cows. Her ability to see things differently as she is perceptive to light and noise becomes an asset to her.
There are many interesting things in this movie not all will I give away here. First and sadly in my mind however is the fact that doctors told mothers that autism might be due to a mothers failure to bond with a child at the correct time.
A good movie
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Raging Bull
Watched this movie tonight. I have heard references to it many times and decided that the time had come to watch it.
I liked the movie. It was good. Martin Scorsece is a great director and this movie, shot in black and white, tells the story of Jake Lamotta a middleweight fighter in the 40's and 50's.
Robert Deniro plays Lamotta and Joe Pesci his brother. Lamotta was a great fighter but a seriously flawed person with an, at least from the movie, an almost psychotic paranoia and lack of trust of anybody.
Watching the old classic movies however this movie as good as it was is more realistic perhaps, more language, more blood and guts but to me it becomes apparent that those new tools are crutches. Telling the same story with all character is much harder.
A very good movie. Well worth watching
I liked the movie. It was good. Martin Scorsece is a great director and this movie, shot in black and white, tells the story of Jake Lamotta a middleweight fighter in the 40's and 50's.
Robert Deniro plays Lamotta and Joe Pesci his brother. Lamotta was a great fighter but a seriously flawed person with an, at least from the movie, an almost psychotic paranoia and lack of trust of anybody.
Watching the old classic movies however this movie as good as it was is more realistic perhaps, more language, more blood and guts but to me it becomes apparent that those new tools are crutches. Telling the same story with all character is much harder.
A very good movie. Well worth watching
Guess Whose Coming to Dinner
This classic movie from 1967 seems in many ways dated. However one can appreciate easily how controversial the movie was then. When we think about the conversations that parents have today, perhaps their children are coming out to them, or they are bringing home a partner of a different race.
These questions still bring distress to most parents.
In the movie Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy, and Katherine Hepburn star. Tracy and Hepburn as the parents of a young woman who brings home a black gentleman who she is love with and plans to marry.
Her parents are staunch liberals so face a true test of what they have preached in terms of equality.
Of course in this movie Poitier plays a Dr who is a very accomplished individual. This is much different than what many parents might face today. Still the message was delivered and the movie is good.
Perhaps the best parts are the Priest who is a family friend and has a good sense of humor and ethics about the whole thing and Isabel Sanford as the black maid who disagrees with the whole idea of an interracial relationship.
A good movie, perhaps a little dated. Still worth watching and Tracy and Hepburn were wonderful.
These questions still bring distress to most parents.
In the movie Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy, and Katherine Hepburn star. Tracy and Hepburn as the parents of a young woman who brings home a black gentleman who she is love with and plans to marry.
Her parents are staunch liberals so face a true test of what they have preached in terms of equality.
Of course in this movie Poitier plays a Dr who is a very accomplished individual. This is much different than what many parents might face today. Still the message was delivered and the movie is good.
Perhaps the best parts are the Priest who is a family friend and has a good sense of humor and ethics about the whole thing and Isabel Sanford as the black maid who disagrees with the whole idea of an interracial relationship.
A good movie, perhaps a little dated. Still worth watching and Tracy and Hepburn were wonderful.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
WWII in HD - The Air War
This two hour addition to the collection released by the History Channel centers on the Air War in Europe and the exploits of the 8th Air Force. Told through the eyes and memories of 4 men, one of whom was a Stars and Stripes reporter at the time named Andy Rooney ( yes that one) this is a wonderful history.
The attrition rate of these men in these battle groups was astronomical. Eventually to make sure that the Luftwaffe was a minimal force and that the Allies controlled the skies by D Day the mission changed. Bombers became bait and the fighters that initially escorted the bombers so that they could deliver their loads and escaped now accepted their primary goal as being to destroy the German fighters. If American bombers went down this was an acceptable loss. Think about being a member of a bomber crew that has to accomplish 25 missions knowing you are not much more than bait.
The courage of these men is a marvel. I read a comment on an earlier program perhaps it was Band of Brothers. How did they do it. They told themselves they were dead the minute they set foot in battle. Their was no expectation of living only of being brave and having what Hemingway would call a spectacular death.
A wonderful show. Something all young people should watch and understand. I, for one, have serious doubts about how this country would react to an external threat in these modern times
The attrition rate of these men in these battle groups was astronomical. Eventually to make sure that the Luftwaffe was a minimal force and that the Allies controlled the skies by D Day the mission changed. Bombers became bait and the fighters that initially escorted the bombers so that they could deliver their loads and escaped now accepted their primary goal as being to destroy the German fighters. If American bombers went down this was an acceptable loss. Think about being a member of a bomber crew that has to accomplish 25 missions knowing you are not much more than bait.
The courage of these men is a marvel. I read a comment on an earlier program perhaps it was Band of Brothers. How did they do it. They told themselves they were dead the minute they set foot in battle. Their was no expectation of living only of being brave and having what Hemingway would call a spectacular death.
A wonderful show. Something all young people should watch and understand. I, for one, have serious doubts about how this country would react to an external threat in these modern times
Bob Dylan in America by Sean Wilentz
I was very interested in this book and my wife picked it up for me as a gift. She is ever so thoughtful like that. It is never hard to buy me a gift, just get me a book. Sean Wilentz is a very good author of historical biography and such and I have enjoyed his work.
With his love of Dylan and his music this should have been a match made in heaven. It was not.
Wilentz did what he advised he would do but in the book he took snapshots of various times in Dylan's career and some sections were frankly just about as interesting as those times in Dylan's career.
A whole chapter about Blind Willie McTell and Delia and the history behind the songs was most likely more than I or about anyone needed.
The book does have value. The tracing of Dylans roots back to Aaron Copland the the folk singers of the 1940's was very good and informative.
Perhaps the best sections were the chapter on the making of Blonde on Blonde as well as the section on the Rolling Thunder Revue period of 1975. There were sections early in the book where I could not put it down.
Maybe Wilentz made the perfect metaphor for Bob. After the first 15 years there is much less to be excited about. It should be noted that those first 15 years however were the greatest period of any songwriter in the rock and roll era.
With his love of Dylan and his music this should have been a match made in heaven. It was not.
Wilentz did what he advised he would do but in the book he took snapshots of various times in Dylan's career and some sections were frankly just about as interesting as those times in Dylan's career.
A whole chapter about Blind Willie McTell and Delia and the history behind the songs was most likely more than I or about anyone needed.
The book does have value. The tracing of Dylans roots back to Aaron Copland the the folk singers of the 1940's was very good and informative.
Perhaps the best sections were the chapter on the making of Blonde on Blonde as well as the section on the Rolling Thunder Revue period of 1975. There were sections early in the book where I could not put it down.
Maybe Wilentz made the perfect metaphor for Bob. After the first 15 years there is much less to be excited about. It should be noted that those first 15 years however were the greatest period of any songwriter in the rock and roll era.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
This was quite a book. Long and very thick reading. As biographies go it was a difficult one to muddle through. But the reward was there.
Of all the forefathers perhaps only George Washington had more of an impact on his country and many feel for his long standing efforts to establish the United States on solid financial footing Washington may have even stood beneath Hamilton.
Hamilton had flaws, he was impulsive, made mistakes in his marriage, and was defensive in the extreme.
We have all heard the story of the duel that ended his life. Much talk takes place in the book about affairs of honor and the culture which fostered duels. It is interesting and for us at this juncture in our society we do find it easy to understand.
Last year I read a biography of Aaron Burr and it too told a good tale. In both cases the authors are more sympathetic to their subjects than their opponents. This is to be expected. Still I think that Chernow does a good job playing straight with the facts. Nancy Isenburg writing of Burr was a little more one sided. Or of course it could be that I feel this way for having read the Hamilton book most recently.
Perhaps the best historical judgment on Hamilton are his battles with everyone with the exception of Washington. It would seem that he was difficult at best and could alienate people on both sides of the party system. Jefferson, Adams and Madison all considered him a scoundrel and Monroe felt no better.
A rewarding book. Very well done
A fulfilling read.
Of all the forefathers perhaps only George Washington had more of an impact on his country and many feel for his long standing efforts to establish the United States on solid financial footing Washington may have even stood beneath Hamilton.
Hamilton had flaws, he was impulsive, made mistakes in his marriage, and was defensive in the extreme.
We have all heard the story of the duel that ended his life. Much talk takes place in the book about affairs of honor and the culture which fostered duels. It is interesting and for us at this juncture in our society we do find it easy to understand.
Last year I read a biography of Aaron Burr and it too told a good tale. In both cases the authors are more sympathetic to their subjects than their opponents. This is to be expected. Still I think that Chernow does a good job playing straight with the facts. Nancy Isenburg writing of Burr was a little more one sided. Or of course it could be that I feel this way for having read the Hamilton book most recently.
Perhaps the best historical judgment on Hamilton are his battles with everyone with the exception of Washington. It would seem that he was difficult at best and could alienate people on both sides of the party system. Jefferson, Adams and Madison all considered him a scoundrel and Monroe felt no better.
A rewarding book. Very well done
A fulfilling read.
The John Lennon Collection by John Lennon
Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the death of John Lennon. I guess the correct term is the murder of John Lennon.
I was 15 when he died and has he had been silent in my formative rock and roll years he was at that time the Beatle I knew the least about. That would soon change of course. I remember that I was getting back with a girlfriend that I had been on and off with that winter. Starting Over was our song the second or third time around. Seems kind of silly now.
I remember the Today show that next morning being all about Lennon. I did not know his importance then but soon learned and each year in my life it becomes more and more apparent the legacy he left us.
I have had this collection for quite some time. This year John's solo catalog has been remastered and repackaged and it has added more spotlight to the man and his music.
In this 30th anniversary we see films, we see the Monday night football announcement, we remember and for those of us who barely remember we wish we did.
In the end however it is not about the bed in, the peace marches, bigger than Jesus Christ or anything else.
It is about the music. The wonderful music. The Beatles music transcends time. Young children love it, right away at the age of three or four or five. Teenagers love it. The Beatles sold more records in the first decade of the twentieth century than any other musical act. Think about that.
After the Beatles John made some wonderful music. This album is a collection of some of those. As I write this post I listen to the music. # 9 Dream, Instant Karma, Mind Games, Jealous Guy, Imagine, of course the Double Fantasy tracks and even in this holiday season Happy Xmas.
He was only a person. Only a man. A flawed man surely. As we all are. But if one is judged by the depth of feelings of those who miss him surely John was a person who if not changed the world he changed people. My son is a better person for knowing his music. I believe this.
Can you miss people you never met. I think you can.
We miss John. I miss John.
I tell my wife, my second wife who I met at age 42 that I feel cheated that I did not know her sooner. The music lovers feel the same about John. We feel cheated from what he might have given us had he not died.
Still perhaps it is a little greedy on our part. Could we really ask for anything more than he gave us.
I was 15 when he died and has he had been silent in my formative rock and roll years he was at that time the Beatle I knew the least about. That would soon change of course. I remember that I was getting back with a girlfriend that I had been on and off with that winter. Starting Over was our song the second or third time around. Seems kind of silly now.
I remember the Today show that next morning being all about Lennon. I did not know his importance then but soon learned and each year in my life it becomes more and more apparent the legacy he left us.
I have had this collection for quite some time. This year John's solo catalog has been remastered and repackaged and it has added more spotlight to the man and his music.
In this 30th anniversary we see films, we see the Monday night football announcement, we remember and for those of us who barely remember we wish we did.
In the end however it is not about the bed in, the peace marches, bigger than Jesus Christ or anything else.
It is about the music. The wonderful music. The Beatles music transcends time. Young children love it, right away at the age of three or four or five. Teenagers love it. The Beatles sold more records in the first decade of the twentieth century than any other musical act. Think about that.
After the Beatles John made some wonderful music. This album is a collection of some of those. As I write this post I listen to the music. # 9 Dream, Instant Karma, Mind Games, Jealous Guy, Imagine, of course the Double Fantasy tracks and even in this holiday season Happy Xmas.
He was only a person. Only a man. A flawed man surely. As we all are. But if one is judged by the depth of feelings of those who miss him surely John was a person who if not changed the world he changed people. My son is a better person for knowing his music. I believe this.
Can you miss people you never met. I think you can.
We miss John. I miss John.
I tell my wife, my second wife who I met at age 42 that I feel cheated that I did not know her sooner. The music lovers feel the same about John. We feel cheated from what he might have given us had he not died.
Still perhaps it is a little greedy on our part. Could we really ask for anything more than he gave us.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
This book is considered one of the greatest works of fiction of the twentieth century. Some lists have it first, virtually all have it in the top ten. My son was recently assigned this book for his class so I chose to read it myself.
I like to consider myself a lover of literature. I believe I am. This book was not a great book by my estimation. While it does perhaps show a picture of society in New York in the nineteen twenties it is a small picture and not a diverse one.
Everyone who has read the book knows about the symbolism of the green light, and we are told that it is a novel that talks about upward mobility and the dreams we aspire to.
I just think the novel is a short story about a group of unlikable characters. A couple lines are clear to remember, for me the greatest is " and we drove on through the night to our deaths"
After reading I did some research about theoretical meanings of the symbolism in the book.
I am sure it is a weakness in me. I am a pretty black and white guy. Hemingway appeals to me in ways Gatsby does not but perhaps i miss the symbolism in Hemingway as well and taking the story at face value is not the best course.
Either way for me this novel did not live up to expectations.
I like to consider myself a lover of literature. I believe I am. This book was not a great book by my estimation. While it does perhaps show a picture of society in New York in the nineteen twenties it is a small picture and not a diverse one.
Everyone who has read the book knows about the symbolism of the green light, and we are told that it is a novel that talks about upward mobility and the dreams we aspire to.
I just think the novel is a short story about a group of unlikable characters. A couple lines are clear to remember, for me the greatest is " and we drove on through the night to our deaths"
After reading I did some research about theoretical meanings of the symbolism in the book.
I am sure it is a weakness in me. I am a pretty black and white guy. Hemingway appeals to me in ways Gatsby does not but perhaps i miss the symbolism in Hemingway as well and taking the story at face value is not the best course.
Either way for me this novel did not live up to expectations.
Billy Elliott
My wife got this movie from Netflix. She said she had seen it long ago and enjoyed it. Certainly on the surface does not appear a movie that would be in my zone as it tells the tale of a boy in a Welsh mining town whose father and brother are on strike from a coal mine, his mother has died and he has a love of ...dance.
As one can imagine any boy loving ballet is a stretch, in a small town certainly.
In the beginning his Dad gives him money for boxing lessons which he ends up spending on ballet lessons. It is easy to imagine his Dads reaction to this when it is discovered by his Dad.
The other story in the movie is the story of the strke and the hatred in the small town between those who stick with the strike and those who do not. Being a union man myself the idea of scabbing is an extreme one.
On a Christmas night after breaking into the the local boxing ring to practice his dance, he had furtively been taking lessons from a teacher who feeling sorry for his situation gave him lessons for free, and is Dad discovers him. Caught he starts dancing and his Dad sees that he does have talent.
How his Dad does find the money to get him to an audition for the Ballet school in London and his audition process make up the rest of the movie.
An unusual subject but a good movie with very good character development
As one can imagine any boy loving ballet is a stretch, in a small town certainly.
In the beginning his Dad gives him money for boxing lessons which he ends up spending on ballet lessons. It is easy to imagine his Dads reaction to this when it is discovered by his Dad.
The other story in the movie is the story of the strke and the hatred in the small town between those who stick with the strike and those who do not. Being a union man myself the idea of scabbing is an extreme one.
On a Christmas night after breaking into the the local boxing ring to practice his dance, he had furtively been taking lessons from a teacher who feeling sorry for his situation gave him lessons for free, and is Dad discovers him. Caught he starts dancing and his Dad sees that he does have talent.
How his Dad does find the money to get him to an audition for the Ballet school in London and his audition process make up the rest of the movie.
An unusual subject but a good movie with very good character development
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Casablanca
On a cold Saturday morning with the kids still sleeping, the dogs quiet and the wife out at craft fairs I took the time to watch this movie that is perpetually rated as one of the best ever.
Humphrey Bogart and Ingemar Bergmann as a couple who meet for a second time in Casablanca.
The story is rather complex but suffice to say wartime intrigue, spies, Nazi, French vichy leaders and non Vichy leaders.
The famous lines from the movie are all there of course but perhaps the most stirring moment for me was when the band at Cafe American is instructed to play the Marseilles in conflict with the German gestapo singing the German anthem.
Visually not as stunning as favorites of mine to come later. But a wonderful movie. Truly as good as expected.
Humphrey Bogart and Ingemar Bergmann as a couple who meet for a second time in Casablanca.
The story is rather complex but suffice to say wartime intrigue, spies, Nazi, French vichy leaders and non Vichy leaders.
The famous lines from the movie are all there of course but perhaps the most stirring moment for me was when the band at Cafe American is instructed to play the Marseilles in conflict with the German gestapo singing the German anthem.
Visually not as stunning as favorites of mine to come later. But a wonderful movie. Truly as good as expected.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Date Night
Another movie of my wife's choice last night from Netflix. We watched a movie on a Thursday night, this be a daring event on a schoolnight after the kids were in bed. Well all the kids save my oldest who continued to blast the television from the living room.
Steve Carell is very funny and Tina Fey has become the sexy librarian it is ok to think is funny and cute. This movie started out funny and certain pieces were funny.
For example the scenes prior to the plot takeoff were cute and identifiable. The scenes when they are dining out and play a couples game of trying to come up with a " story" about the other couples in the restaurant was funny both times.
However the movie, a case of mistaken identity gone crazy becomes implausible in the extreme. I can suspend disbelief in an action movie but do not go to many for that reason, and I can suspend it in a comedy when a putz actor ends up with a supermodel but to suspend belief in an action comedy movie proved a bit much.
The movie was fine but the only part I would remember and talk to my brethren about would be Ray Liotta's scene as a mob boss. Predictable yes, but any nod to Good Fellas is good with me.
Steve Carell is very funny and Tina Fey has become the sexy librarian it is ok to think is funny and cute. This movie started out funny and certain pieces were funny.
For example the scenes prior to the plot takeoff were cute and identifiable. The scenes when they are dining out and play a couples game of trying to come up with a " story" about the other couples in the restaurant was funny both times.
However the movie, a case of mistaken identity gone crazy becomes implausible in the extreme. I can suspend disbelief in an action movie but do not go to many for that reason, and I can suspend it in a comedy when a putz actor ends up with a supermodel but to suspend belief in an action comedy movie proved a bit much.
The movie was fine but the only part I would remember and talk to my brethren about would be Ray Liotta's scene as a mob boss. Predictable yes, but any nod to Good Fellas is good with me.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tom Petty/ Refugee
Driving somewhere the other day this song came on the Classic Rock radio station i often frequent. The truth become self evident...this is a great song. It was a great song 30 years ago and still is.
Tom Petty who in later years described his song writing approach as " Lets get to the chorus" crafted a song here that has some of the most perfect licks you will ever hear in rock and roll.
Tom Petty with this song took many of fans, one could say, " they were tied up, taken away and held for ransom."
Great song.
Tom Petty who in later years described his song writing approach as " Lets get to the chorus" crafted a song here that has some of the most perfect licks you will ever hear in rock and roll.
Tom Petty with this song took many of fans, one could say, " they were tied up, taken away and held for ransom."
Great song.
The Old Man and the Sea
I watched the movie version of this movie yesterday on Turner Classic Movies yesterday. One of Hemingway's great books the book did not offer much for a movie to be made of on first look.
However it did become a good movie. Spencer Tracy played the old man and the movie is just as the book was. A simple tale of a man, a fisherman in Cuba, who has not been succeeding in the last months who finally on day like all the others hooks a big marlin. The fish pulls him out to sea way out into the current, far away from land. Truthfully too far away from the shore for such a small skiff.
The lure of the big fish is too great. On the third day the fish starts to surface and as the fish loses the capacity to keep below surface he starts to pull it in.
My son asked me if there was a metaphor in the story. There may be several. Of course one can compare the story with Moby Dick and the hunt for the great white whale. One can also remember the story of Icarus and remember the repeated speech of the fisherman " that he just went out too far. Much as Icarus went to close to the sun.
In the end after catching the fish he loses it too the sharks as he brings his catch in. The villagers in measuring the carcass still tell him about what a fish it was and there must be some acknowledgment of his skill.
The man says that are never defeated only destroyed and thus one can infer that as long as he is not destroyed he is not defeated.
One we should all remember in times of trouble.
However it did become a good movie. Spencer Tracy played the old man and the movie is just as the book was. A simple tale of a man, a fisherman in Cuba, who has not been succeeding in the last months who finally on day like all the others hooks a big marlin. The fish pulls him out to sea way out into the current, far away from land. Truthfully too far away from the shore for such a small skiff.
The lure of the big fish is too great. On the third day the fish starts to surface and as the fish loses the capacity to keep below surface he starts to pull it in.
My son asked me if there was a metaphor in the story. There may be several. Of course one can compare the story with Moby Dick and the hunt for the great white whale. One can also remember the story of Icarus and remember the repeated speech of the fisherman " that he just went out too far. Much as Icarus went to close to the sun.
In the end after catching the fish he loses it too the sharks as he brings his catch in. The villagers in measuring the carcass still tell him about what a fish it was and there must be some acknowledgment of his skill.
The man says that are never defeated only destroyed and thus one can infer that as long as he is not destroyed he is not defeated.
One we should all remember in times of trouble.
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