rohanaka
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Posts posted by rohanaka
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THANKS, little missy, for that "PJWSA" ha. That is the first day that starts my Christmas vacation from work, so now I will be wrapping presents, baking cookies.. and drinking egg nog with the DUKE, ha.
Woo hoo, what a selection! (even if they DID leave off my all time favorite movie, ha.. sigh.. guess I will have to break out my VHS tape soon, just to get my fix, ha)
But wow.. they have some good choices otherwise.. 3 Godfathers!! (woo hoo.. I love that movie... and this time I will try to get a decent taping of it.. the last time I taped it I was taping "over" a tape.. and it did not turn out so well) and also.. True Grit.. AND Big Jake.. yeehaw.. I will try to get a copy of those two this time around as well.
The only one on the list I have never seen before is the last one (Man from Monterey) I am wondering if it is in that 25 films collection DVD I have of his early (and not so well know) stepping stone films.. I will have to look.
Thanks for the heads up.
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Oh my golly......... SO much to read.. and NO time to do it.
Dadgum!!! I have been so busy these past few days I have only been able to just glance through the posts here so will have to come back another time to enjoy them.
For now I just wanted to pop in and say THANKS, dear Pirate Dude, for stirring up the dust around all things "Fordian" for us again... I will look forward to having more time to reading your posts...
OH.. and Jackie... I only caught a glimpse of yours... but did my eyes decieve me.. or did you say that you recently watched not ONLY Stagecoach.. (sigh..) but TQM all in the same day.. talk about a film fest!!!
I was only able to catch a few moments of SC when it was on last night.. but now am wishing I had time to pull out my DVD and watch And OH my golly.. how LONG has it been since I got to have a TQM fix?????????? ha.. (color me.. green with envy)
I will look forward to reading your posts, folks, as soon as time allows..
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YIKES.. get out of my head, Grey Guy. ha. (I ALMOST listed WOTRW as one of his more sinister characters... but I think he still was a bit darker overall in the other two films I mentioned.)
PS: I bet you are just loving this whole "gray/grey" confessional I am having here about my favorite movie star, aren't you? Blech!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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You are right Chris (in that he did not really play the "villian") but I guess what I was meaning by saying that he was not always the "good guy" in the traditional sense of the word (despite the perception) is that he could do "dark" and even somewhat "sinister" so very convincingly... and at least a few of his characters were not always "above reproach" in the way they handled their problems. The Searchers and Red River to me were his darkest roles. (MAYBE.. but I have never seen The Conqueror.. I just cannot bring myself to watch that one for some reason)
At any rate.. going back go what I was saying about the kidling and her "perception" that he should always be the good guy.. she is very "protective" of his "good guy" status (most likely because she knows he is a favorite and she won't let herself "cheer" for anyone in a film that is not a good guy. She is still young enough to be very "black and white about what her movie characters SHOULD be. (And ha, I have NO idea where she gets it from) and she is not quite willing to give them any wiggle room in that whole "repentant bad guy" angle... yet. But she IS getting there.
BOY did it make her unhappy when we first started watching Angel and the Badman.. and I had to tell her that HE was the BAD man... (but she eventually got over it.. because you are right... he DID end up good after all. ha.) And then OH she was mad another time when I told her that the Duke was an outlaw when we were watching 3 Godfathers. "Mom.. turn the channel.. he should NOT be acting that way" HA. But she got over it.. eventually.. once the baby showed up.. (because after all, WHO could resist that adorable little Robert William Pedro.. ha)
PS. WBS.. good for your friend.. he is doing a service to his country and to those he trains to train them well.
Edited by: rohanaka on Nov 29, 2010 1:33 AM
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Helloooooo Ms Favell!!!
never really thought of this before, but realizing when Fort Apache was made, do you think that some of Ford's audience members might have really identified with Yorke strongly - having dealt with a Thursday themselves
You may be right, but you know.. if you think about it.. I bet MOST of us (no matter what era we grew up in) could find a Thursday of our own if we stop and think about it.. there are a lot of them out there. But not so many "Yorkes" nowdays... alas.. ha.
Also, picking up the pieces of their lives and work, and having to plow through the day to day, perhaps boring WORK of living in peacetime, isn't that what Yorke is going to do? In that brave new world, after having been in combat, it must have seemed really strange. A hero who simply does his work without glory would have been a welcome hero for that time
That is an excellent point. And one that I imagine is pretty timely too, considering the world we live in now and the men and women who come home and have to go back to their "normal" lives after living in such an UN-normal way... serving and fighting along with their comrades in day to day life and death situations. I truly admire them for their sacrifice in that way as much as any.
And PS: Thank you so much for pointing out the Morlock blog.. I am such a dimwit about remembering to look on there so often.. and boy..that one was well worth the read, so I am glad to have caught it.
I think the author made some excellent points (and I truly enjoyed reading it all.. no "angry" to report whatsoever, ha)
And I appreciated how the author also sadly pointed out some things that are all too true about our modern day points of view about what makes a "good" good guy.. that he is not necessarily "good"... (more the sort of "anti-hero" like many of the Eastwood films, for example) I like how he ended his post with how refreshing it might be to NOT have that be the way of things so often now days.
And not to sound in any way critical of what was written, but if I could have maybe changed one thing it would have been to maybe point out that honestly.. I think many of John Wayne's characters are not so "black and white" as the author seemed to hint at.. (and Grey Guy.. that takes a lot for me to say that as you well know, ha) But instead I think that is the PERCEPTION of many of the roles he played for sure.
And PS:.. ha. as for the "perception" of the Duke in his films....The kidling is a perfect example.. she thinks he is "the good guy" in EVERY movie we watch.. and it actually makes her mad when I tell her otherwise, ( NObody better badmouth the Duke to HER, ha,.. In her eyes.. he can do no wrong.. but then again.. she is seven.) But a lot of people still think that way.. despite their age.. and sometimes it is not so easy as who is good and bad.. UGH. I hate to admit it, but for purposes of this conersation,it is often more complicated than that.
(BLECH.. I am really sounding FAR more gray/grey than I like to admit.. DO NOT tell the Grey Dude, HA)
I imagine much of the reason for why most folks have that "black and white" perception of his image goes back to that whole "legend" idea of what his movies and characters were like more than anything else. Many of his characters had a far greater level of moral ambiguity than most folks realize, but the author was right in that even if he seemed to struggle with right or wrong, he was EXPECTED to come to the "right" choice by the end of the movie (a la... The Searchers, for example) He had some TRULY "meaty" roles that way.. so I guess I would add that I agree with the author that even in their "wrong-ness" many of his characters were motivated by a sense of right.. or at would at least COME to their senses about what was right.. eventually... again.. The Searchers is a great example.
Anyway.. I enjoyed the read. It was a great post and had a lot of really good points. And I also enjoyed many of the comments by the various people at the end of the blog as well.. including Suzi's that you pointed out. Thanks again for bringing it all to my attention
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before I get on MY soapbox
OH my sister Peacemaker.. you take one end of the block and I will take the other.. folks won't know what hit 'em. HA. (and then we will both likely get arrested for causing a public disturbance or something.. but oh, what a way to go.. HA)
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Ro is right!
HA... for once.. FINALLY.. HA!
(please Miss G.. no shouting from the rooftops.. ha. I don't want to raise anyone's expectations for me the NEXT time. ha)
sexy". I don't even like that word
HA.. And NOW you know why I tend to avoid conversations like this like the PLAGUE, ha. (notice I did not even spell it this time.. ha. I just copied and pasted what YOU wrote, HA)
(Jackie.. if you are a "prude" I would be the ULTRA prude, ha) Truthfully.. (whoever said this...) It IS a very personal "thing". And nearly impossible to define..
But notice how MUCH time is spent by so many in our culture trying to define it FOR us.. mostly by the entertainment industry.. but also by the fashion industry as well.. not to mention books, magazines.. EVERY where we go, practically SOMEBODY is trying to tell us what "sexy" is (ugh, I said it) and how to BE it.
No wonder each generation gets more and more "open" about talking about IT.. but more and more CLUELESS about how to truly define it (in a postive way, way at least)
Ok.. I will stop.. you do NOT want me to get on my soap box about THIS subject for sure.
As the mother of a young female child.. who is less than 5 or 6 years away from "teen" hood.. oh me.. I could go ON and ON (and ON) for days about it all... but for your sakes I will refrain. ha. (Golly.. aren't you all glad???????????????)
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Wayne is so splendid, I think it's the quietest role he ever played, but to me it is the most meaningful. Arguably, he is the best man in the outfit, and is the least well known. He did not die as a hero, and he backs into the shadows in order that others will be remembered. Agh! I will tear up if I keep writing!
I love what you have written here, little darlin'. And I have to say that I really enjoy seeing my favorite actor so well described. The truth is he truly DID have a way about him that allowed for moments like this on the screen.. especially earlier on in his career before he became SO huge.
I know I have said this before but I think he is among one of the more 'underrated" actors who hit the big time. So often he gets confused with his "image" of the BIG cowboy with the LOUD mouth and the TOUGH GUY attitude. And yes.. he was all that.. but also so very much more... if one stops and studies his films and the many (very diverse.. though some might not realize it) sorts of characters he played.
Though admittedly he is more well known for his westerns, he had a LOT more in him as an actor than just "a cowboy" sort of character. And I think I would still say that even if he ONLY made westerns (which he did not). I think some folks like to "pooh-pooh" him and make him seem of less importance simply because he was so well known for his "cowboy" image and so "iconic" for lack of a better word.
And you know.. I guess that is their right. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.. and certainly I would never presume to say that ALL the world should love his films as much as I do. But to me that is awfully narrow-minded . And I don't say that lightly. .because I have always maintained that in terms of "likes and dislikes" movies (and movie characters) are NOTHING if not subjective.
But to me it is sad to see the "stereotype" become the "type" for John Wayne because I think if one really STUDIES some of his more famous roles (and many of his not so famous) and does it objectively (if that is even possible) it would show a much different Duke than most folks realize. But instead his talent has been lost in the "legend" his more famous roles created. (almost like he is a living lesson on the whole "print the legend" sort of thing).
And I imagine that somewhere right now someone is reading this and rolling their eyes before looking down their nose and saying.. "Oh blah blah blah.. just another "John Wayne fan" (as if that were some sort of comment on my intelligence.. or lack thereof) But in truth.. it is a sign of ignorance on THEIR part as far as I am concerned because that just shows me they really don't know much about his ability as an actor. Like him or don't like him.. but don't negate his talent. (ok..ha. that sounds a bit bossy.. sorry.. WHO do I think I am anyway, ha)
Now I have to confess.. I am probably his worst excuse for a "fan" in that I know next to nothing about his personal life.. and not much about him as a real PERSON... but truly, I don't need to in order to appreciate him as an actor. I just like his films and the way he portrays his characters.
Do I think EVERYTHING he made is first rate. No. (In fact there are some of his later films especially.. late 60's early 70's) I have not even seen because I am truly not very interested in some of them. But then.. do I think EVERYTHING he did had to be perfect just because I am his fan???
No again. He was just a guy.. who made movies.. and SOME of them were OUTSTANDING. (at least to my uneducated and ignorant film-watching brain) so I will enjoy what I do about him without apology and leave the rest,
OH good gravy.. what a blabber mouth I am. Just listen to me rant.. ha. (and this time.. I really AM ranting, HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
But I mean that in a good way, of course. :-) I will step down off my Duke Appreciation Soap Box now. ha. Sorry to go all "whacko" on you.. ha. (oh yeah.. like that was something "new" for me, HA) PS: Ollie:
The interesting scene, for me, is Ward Bond dictating orders in his own house and Thursday clearly understanding he was overstepping A Man's Boundary. For once - he consider Man instead of Officer Rank.
I love that scene. A man's home IS his castle.. where the rank is Father/Son and so on... and there is no longer room for a Colonel to come in and outrank anybody.
I also like when Thursday is talking to Bond before everyone else comes in the room about how Wardie's son got into West Point.. and how he understood that Presidential Appointments were reserved for Medal of Honor recipients.. and Bond's character says something like "That's my understanding too, sir" What a great moment. Thursday gets "put in his place" without O'Rourke Sr having to so much as raise his voice... and all done and said with the proper amount of respect.
PS Miss G: No, no, not at all and I'm one who is really leery of films with overt political messages myself, if for different reasons. I just am so focused on what is happening to this family, the Joads, who seem to represent all families and what can happen to them when outside forces put extreme pressure on them.
They can't even identify the "enemy" that is shooting them down, because he is more invisible than those eery Arabs in The Lost Patrol. In fact, he has no identity, he is just the reality of modern life
Well said, little missy. It is easy to fight when you KNOW who to fight.. but when you are in the hands of "circumstances beyond your control" it may not always be so simple who the real adversary is and what the best ways to overcome it all should be.
And I am glad that these things are not TOTALLY spelled out in this film (though in many ways, I imagine it is to be "understood" I guess) But again, RE: the political messages.... to me they were not overt (at least for the most part) so I am glad it's possible for me to look at the film more from the view point of the Joad's.. and all they were enduring and how they responded to all of it, rather than focus on the politics of what caused it all and what the right solution for each of them may or may not be.
And I am also glad I was not TOO off on my memory for the ending speech.. though you are right.. I think she was speaking more in general about the "people" than just about the Joads.
Times like that can make or break a family And I imagine that she did feel a LOT of the weight of how her own family would never be the same again.. so in that sense I think you were right in how much more optimistic her tone sounded at the end considering all they had been through.
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Hiya Mr. Movieman....
I usually avoid conversations like this like the PLAGUE, ha. But I just want to add "two cents" of my own, if I may.
First of all.. there is a difference (I am sure has already been noted SOMEWHERE in this chat) between what is "sexy" and what is "attractive" but to be honest.. I am way MORE about the "attractive" than anything else. But for me.. (and for purposese of this discussion) they both are MORE centered on personalities and character traits than physical appearance..
(but having said that.. oh me.. some folks ARE more physically attractive than others, aren't they.. so yes.. I am sure that DOES play into it all somehow)
As for "physical" traits.. I am like the Goddess, I guess. I don't want them to be TOO "purty" ha. (I tend to not prefer men who are "prettier" than me.. HA. So I like the "rugged" sorts as well. Gary Cooper.. very handsome.. but not "purty" for example.) And despite how MUCH I love my Duke.. I have to say.. I only find him "attractive" in a HANDFUL of films.. such as Hondo.. They Were Expendable.. TQM for sure.. but again.. it is not so much his appearance as the type of character he is playing.
I find a "strong" male character in a movie to be attractive IF they are strong in ways that matter most.. reliable.. honest.. faithful to the woman they are attracted to.. and also if they exhibit strength of character in the face of both a) temptation.. or
persecution. That makes them even MORE attractive to me.... no "wishy washy" guys, if you please.And then having said all that.. I guess there is a WHOLE other sort of movie character that is appealing to me as well... (becuase I DO like to laugh.. and I love someone who can make me smile) so.. WAY over at the other end of the spectrum.. I also like that " playful pup" quality in a leading man sometimes too. And again not too "purty" but just fun loving... something like a young Robert Montgomery... or a young Jimmy Stewart (like in You Can't Take It With You.. or Destry Rides Again) Oh.. and ha.. I never thought of this before.. but for whatever reason I am thinking of it now..ha. Gasp.. dare I admit it.. a young Fred MacMurray can be very appealing too (a la Alice Adams) ha. (Oh golly.. where did THAT come from??)
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Excuse the interruption.. but just wanted to say
RE: Mr Grey.. and The Rains Came:
I've yet to see that one! I know it's a big favorite of Laffite's. I think Myrna can be sexy, but it's usually not her
I am USUALLY lousy at "pegging" you and what you will like.. but I THINK this film would be very much to your liking... (and for once, ha.. I am being totally sincere.. no "smart mouth" intended.. HA.. I know.. hard to believe, aint it??)
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Hellloooooooo Little Missy!!
And it's great having "fresh meat" like Laffite and CineMaven enter the western world...it stirs up the dust on the trail and gets things kicking around here
I agree!!! It is always fun to see things from a fresh pair of eyes all over again.
That was beautifully said. In one interview I recently watched with Ford, he was asked about heroism. He said it was the obscure, ordinary looking little guy no one notices that was the real hero most of the time. In other words, the ones who don't get the glory.
Wow.. ha. I just realized how FEW roles could ever be described as John Wayne playing a "little guy" ha. But he DOES willingly take a back seat to Thursday in this story.. and he come off standing out in front as a character because of it.
PS: Mr Movieman: Despite his knowing what he knows he will not let Thursday go down for the fool he is. There are bigger things at stake
Exactly... the "myth" was far too important to preserve for EVERYONE's sake.. no matter what the truth really was. He knows what he has to do.. and he does it.
Moving over to TGOW:
Wow...a silent ending. That certainly is appropriate to a man who believe in pictures more than words. I agree it would probably make me feel incredibly heavy and despondent that way.
Wowsa, Miss G and Jackie.. you have me thinking on this film all over again. It has been SOME time since I saw it last.
I need to go back and revisit the ending to remember everything she says there at the end.. but gee.. just the thought of ending without her final "moment".. it could change EVERYTHING about how to view their future.. and also how to view all that had happened to them (as far as the effects all their struggles had on who they were (or at least she was) as people.
As for "heavy and despondent".. well, practically the entire story plays out that way.. it is a VERY depressing story in many ways, so it COULD have been an effective way to end it all as well. Again.. leaving her words of determination to "go on" in spite of (or even because of) it all out of the at end of the movie could have given off a MUCH different "vibe" for sure.
And PS: ha.. it HAS been so long since I saw the film I many not even be remembering what sorts of "feelings" her final speech even brought out in me.. so I might have it all wrong anyway..ha. (would not be the first time, HA. I am an old woman and sometimes I tend to forget, ha)
Honestly.. I can't say which way I'd have rather had it. Mostly I have to say this film (at least in my mind) centered more on her character than I realized at first. So to have it end with her and how all she had experienced affected her attitude about the future is not such a bad way to go.. and again.. ha... that is providing IF I am remembering it all correctly. (did I mention it has been a long time since I saw it and also... I am an OLD woman and tend to be forgettful of some things)
I seem to remember a certain ramble about that film
Me too. ha. And if I remember THAT correctly, it did not go nearly as far as it COULD have.. but I am very VERY glad about that. ha.
Believe it or not, I think I can understand your feelings because I feel the same about some of his other films. I may not like the subject matter in general, but he'll find a way of making me focus on the human beings and their stories, and not the milieu or the things I don't necessarily agree with
Well said! And I hestite to say too much "negative" stuff about the film now as I do not want to come off sounding like I hated the movie or something. Far from it. But I was just at odds with SOME of the things in the story, if I recall.. and they sort of caught my attention.
But GEE, it IS a very powerful story... and if viewed strictly from a "character study" sort of way.. to me it is a GREAT film. So even if there were some "themes" floating around in there that I had a bit of a struggle chewing on, the film itself.. and the characters.. especially MA (and Tom too) were VERY well played and quite thought provoking.
And as for the themes that I had a hard time reconciling... well... I do not know anything about Steinbeck to speak of and as I recall (at least in the film) they were not "hit you over the head" strong and obvious.. but more just a 'sense" I had about some of the ideals that were being put forth.. so I freely admit I might have just been too "senstive" about some of them. (gee.. I am sounding rather "cryptic" tonight, aint, I? ha)
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Wowsa!!! I go out for a while and LOOK what I get to come back to.. what a fun read, everybody!!!
And Miss G.. you are right on the money.. Isn't it amazing how these same films seem to come up for our conversations again and again. A less thoughtful person MIGHT think that we are all just stuck in a RUT, ha. (OH me.. perish THAT thought as well) but in truth I think you hit on how it is a testament to how MUCH can be "mined" so to speak from these treasures.
And PS: Laffite.. I am really looking forward to hearing how you found all these stories and characters.. and what your thoughts are about them.
PS: Ollie.. I have never seen Thursday as a "villain" so much as an "adversary". And I know.. that is sort of like I am trying to talk out of both sides of my mouth, maybe. But truly.. I think he REALLY thought he was doing right.. and was just REALLY wrong about how right he was. I don't think he ever set out to cause mayhem and destruction for anyone (but the indians) and I think he just failed to see how his own arrogance and unwillingness to consider anyone's opinions but his own could be so harmful to all the other men in his command.
(He really DID think he was "something" afterall... doggone it.. that party SHOULD have been for him)
I think my love to "hate" him attitude stems from my TOTAL lack of patience for anyone with that level of arrogance as their primary character trait. I don't MIND seeing him taken down a peg or two (or twenty) but GEE, I hate the way he gets his final "come-uppance" and how many men pay the price right along with him. VERY tragic. So.. that would be where my "hate" for him stems from more than anything.
And, Miss G.. re: your comment:
It's a stunning example of his ability to be very internal with his acting...because he's not given a heck of a lot to do except act frustrated with Thursday. This is very similar to me to his "Sean Thornton" character in The Quiet Man. Rarely is he in this position in any film outside of those with Ford.
THAT is a perfect way to describe Wayne's performance in this film. And you are right.. he is very "internal" with his acting... he shows his strength.. his "reigned in" strength, by the way, (in BOTH films) in the way he outwardly handles the inward frustration caused by another persons' arrogance. You just know in his mind he is thinking, "I COULD do something TO you for what you are doing or saying right now, but I WON'T". You gotta admire a man with that much self-control.
And in FA it makes you respect HIM (the lower ranking officer) all the more to see him show such superior character especially when compared to someone so "grand" and proud of his higher ranking like Thursday. (OH gee.. if ONLY the Duke could have had a few "Marques of Queensbury" moments with THURSDAY.... ha. Now that would be the stuff that Peacemaker DREAMS are made of, to be sure, ha.
IF only..
OH, and PS: RE: The Grapes of Wrath
On the big screen.. sigh.. talk about the stuff that dreams are made of. Although not my fave Fordie by a LONG shot (but let's not go down THAT road again, ha) Still.. an excellent film, and I bet it was a grand sight to see.
PS some MORE.. ha. I JUST saw your post as I was getting ready to post this.. DANGER.. oh me.. I never saw that before, either..
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probably the most egotistical character this side of my laptop
What.. did you loan Frank Grimes your laptop??????????????????????
And I should write less
Perish the THOUGHT, little darlin'!!!
And PS: thanks for the praise.. but alas. I have way too much evidence to the contrary (in the form of oh so many typos, dangling participles, and a HOST of other poorly structured sentences) against me, ha.
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I too love Roha's comment about "basking in the authenticity of the characters
Whoops, Ollie.. as much as I like to "bask" (especially in the glow of adoration from others, HA) that well worded and totally praise worthy quote belongs to Miss G. (I only WISH I could write half so well) :-)
PS: .FORT APACHE is my least favorite film to watch because Fonda's character is so despicable, such a worthless waste of this planet's oxygen supply. And he knows it, too.
Oh golly, Ollie.. ha. You hate it and I love it all for the same reason!! ha. Fonda's Thursday would DEFINITLEY be at or near the top of my list (if I HAD a list, that is) of Movie Characters that I LOVE to HATE the most. ha. (There ya go, Grey Guy.. another list topic for you.. run with it, buddy) :-)
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Howdy there, Mr. Pirate Guy...
I see you are already in good hands here with some VERY fine Fordie recommendations. (I too would echo Miss G for Stage Coach and The Searchers.. two of my all time favorites) But I like the recommendations for TMWSLV and MDC too. Realy.. you can't go wrong w/ any of the four of them.
I also like the three cavalry films (not really a "trilogy" exactly but often referred to that way) Ft Apache, Rio Grande, and She Wore A Yellow Ribbon.And truly.. for the whole "Fordian western" experience.. all three of them are excellent choices, so I would heartily recommend them all, but if I had to pick a fave among the three of them.. OH it would be hard.. but I would go w/ Ft Apache. (simply because Fonda's role in that one just STANDS out so much. OH my golly what a piece of work that Thursday is, ha)
And PS: I like what Miss G said about him "passing the baton" to Wayne in that one, too.. (but then I am a huge Duke fan, myself)
Another more recent favorite of mine (within the last couple of years) is Three Bad Men. WHAT a story. We had a HUGE old ramble on that one in Miss G's Movie Rambles (Sr.) thread a long while ago.
(And PS: Ollie's non-western recommends sound good too.. The Informer is a TERRIFIC film and in fact, The Long Voyage Home is one that I have yet to see myself as well.. it has been on my wanna see list a while)
So gee.. it looks like you are in pretty good shape for a mighty fine Foridan film fest,sir... ha. What time should we all show up???????? HA!!!! (I'll bring the popcorn!!)
Oh.. and PS: in the "non-Fordie" category.. definitley... the ones Miss G and Movieman have mentioned already such as Shane and Red River are TRULY great westerns.. and there are some really good Anthony Mann's out there too (that I am only starting to appreciate myself) And getting back to the Duke.. OH me.. don't even get me started on The Big Trail.. or Hondo.. or... ha.. Ok.. I will stop..
Sigh.. So many westerns.. so little time.. ha.
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Hiya Mr Movieman..
We caught Hatari a while back for the first time (at least the first time for the kidling.. and I don't recall if it was one I had seen before that or not.. so at least it SEEMED like watching for the first time for ME too, ha) Even the QT joined in.
LOTS of family fun in that movie, for sure. And hey.. the kidling loves it all the more because it has the DUKE in it.. ha. (can I raise 'em or what??) HA.
We've enjoyed watching it a couple of times more over the last several months too.. we sort of save it for a "fall back" movie because it is nice to have something to pull outonce in a while that the kidling can watch that does not involve doofy animals, race cars, super heros, princesses (or some other variety of animated THINGS) singing and dancing around all over creation, ha.
LOVE the baby elephants, by the way.
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Ha.. Jackie.. he DOES have a sort of Ralph look going on. ha. Too CUTE!!
Happy Birthday to your kidling!!!!!!!
Here is a little something just for her from her Auntie Ro: Enjoy!
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Ha.. Miss Maven you sound like quite the little starlet!!!
Too cute. I bet you were a show stopper! (Lousy chicken pox! What a tough break for the PTA!!) And ps.. I have always had a secret love for Horton Hatches The Egg..
The first time I read it I was LONG grown up and married and I SWEAR I remember thinking at the time (though likely it was just my imagination) that he must have written it on behalf of all stepmothers everywhere (or at least the ones in similar shoes as mine). It was just that sort of "season" in my life at the time I guess.
Anyway.. that was YEARS and years (at least 14 or 15 years) ago. Or as I like to say, "It's all a memory now".
But meanwhile I am still waiting (and waiting) for one particular baby bird to hatch out as an elephant.. sigh...
(But THAT is a whole other story.... )
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Thanks for the youtube for Four Feathers, little darlin'. I will try and check it out sometime soon. (and PS.. yes.. those were turtles on that cake.. just for you!!)
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The Doctor is a huge hit at our house. (I always enjoyed him as a kid and w/ my younger stepson too. Then he out grew him, and so was glad to finally have an "excuse" to enjoy those books some more with her)
PS: Ms Cutter.. I love those vows.. TOO clever (and very sweet)
I love the Grinch story (repentence is one of my most fave themes and that one is a GREAT story for it)
But for just sheer reading pleasure, I have to go w/ Green Eggs and Ham as my all time fave. When the kidling was a baby I did not own a copy of the book, but would just quote from it for fun to entertain her (and the continued it after we bought the book as well). I used to make up stuff to go w/ it.. just because it made her laugh. My fave (and her's too for that matter" was Clint Eastwood reads Doctor Seuss.. ha.. " Do you like Green Eggs and Ham? Well DO YA, punk?"
You have not lived until you hear an 18 month old giggle when you read/say that with "inflection" ha.
A close second fave for me (and probably most fave for the kidling) is One Fish Two Fish...
"Some are sad, and some are glad.. and some are very, very bad. Why are they sad, and glad, and bad? I do not know, go ask your Dad." Which is always followed by the kidling shouting out (even now though she is almost getting too old for it.ha).. "Oh D-AAA-D!" (whether he is home or not) It's "tradition" ha.
PS: Miss G..
STILL hoping for a finish on Giant soon.. sigh. But I just keep resisting.. (I know.. I am hopeless..ugh) Guess this is one of those where I need some extra motivation.ha.
Gee.. After all the Seuss talk, I can almost hear you now.. ha.
"You do not like Rock, Liz, and Dean, so you say.. Try them, try them and you may. (ha) Try them and you may, I say" HA!
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Hiya Ollie.. I looked up Cowboys and Aliens online because I could NOT believe anyone could even conceive of such a notion.. ha.
Sadly.. I was mistaken.
OH my golly.. I watched the trailer for it.. I can't say for sure (because other than the trailer, I have NO knowledge of the movie) but it looks like they are going for a "War of the Worlds-ish, Independence Day-ish" kind of high action sort of feel with a western twist.
Oh brother.. They SHOULD have gone more "campy" with it instead of coming on "serious".Because I dont think (at least from what I saw in the trailer) that it is SUPPOSED to be funny.. and yet.. I still laughed. HA!
Maybe they could have done a sort of "ET: The Bonanza Years" kinda thing.. ha. (Where Hoss and Little Joe find a friendly and loveable little space alien creature and teach him to ride and rope out on the range before he has to return back to his home planet) ha. Now THAT would at least have been more "believable.
OH.. better still.. I just had a thought... You were onto something by mentioning The Fresh Prince.. ha. What they SHOULD have done was get Will Smith to play the lead.. ha. Then they could have a sort of "Wild Wild West Meets Men in Black" thing going on. He could play a cowboy who is working for the Secret Service as an Extra-Terrestrial Law Man. James West with laser guns (one hidden in his belt buckle and the other in his boot heel, of course) HA.
Oh, those Hollywood guys.. what WERE they THINKING?????????
(did I mention OH brother?????????)
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It's a musical! That makes it fluffy!
You and your definitions. ha. (Mr. "Interesting + Fascinating = Boring" )
Where DID you buy your dictionary... and what kind is it, anyway??? "Webster's New American Standard: The Wrong Headed Version?"
And you call yourself a GLORIA fan.. I bet MAD HAT would watch it.. if only to get to hear Gloria sing "The I Caint Say No" song.
Oh brother.......................
Oh. I just had a thought.. it is getting close to "A Christmas Story" season.. maybe I should "triple dog dare ya" Ha
Edited by: rohanaka on Nov 19, 2010 2:06 AM
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Well.. there ya go.. ha. Now you HAVE to see it.. And if it makes you feel any better.. aside from a little "ballet" dream sequence (which I have to say for me lasts a bit too long) right in the middle of of the story.. it is DEFINITELY not "Fluffy"
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9esNl4VmME&feature=related
(not the same as the Macrea/Steiger version.. but you get the idea....)
I was only able to catch a few moments of SC when it was on last night.. but now am wishing I had time to pull out my DVD and watch 
persecution. That makes them even MORE attractive to me.... no "wishy washy" guys, if you please.
Western Movie Rambles
in Westerns
Posted
Hello there, Laffite,
I am liking how you are truly examining Thursday from all sides. He is a very well written (and completely examination-worthy) sort of character. "Overwhelming Arrogance" as a major (if not the SOLE) character trait in a human being is truly (to me) one of the most EASY to criticize in someone. (which is why I usually describe him as someone that I LOVE to hate) Truthfully,(much to my own regret) I have so little patience with people of this nature, that it sometimes tends to bring out the "arrogant" side of me when I speak to them. (but I am working on that, ha)
But honestly.. to try and be as fair as possible, there has to be MORE to someone like Thursday than just their own sense of "self-importance". Even the MOST "self-loved and admired" person has SOMETHING else motivating them.. at least sometimes. Though truly.. it CAN be hard to find, sometimes. Because admittedly.. by definition, one who is as "self-important" as Thursday was will have his own opinions, glory, and worth as the primary reason for almost EVERYTHING they do.
But I think Thursday's own little "world" also spun on the axis of "military correctness" and following "the letter" of the law. (granted.. he did it with a sense of pride.. as in: "See what a Great Leader am I" ) But in some ways, he was not "totally" wrong. It IS important to implement and expect the men under your command to follow the right procedures (because a good military commander IS all about taking leadership and making command decisions.. no one wants to follow a "wishy washy, "I can't make up my mind" kinda guy)
Yet as important as that can be (in making sure that a soldier is trained, ready, and able to serve) a truly GOOD leader would also allow for the need to make each decision FIT the surroundings, circumstance, and situation. And this more than anything was Thursday's greatest error in command.
The men who were at Ft Apache knew their "enemy" (or adversary.. ha. whatever word may fit better) far better than he did, and they understood how the Indians THOUGHT and what sort of fight they were up against. But this flew in the face of Thursday's "cookie cutter" approach to leadership.. HIS way was the THE military way.. and there was NO re-writing that handbook. So of course, he refused to listen to those who COULD have enabled him to be a TRULY great leader.
And sadly.. at the end.. I think he saw (with eyes wide open) the error of that sort of thinking, and as some may have suggested already.. he returned to face the final battle not only for his "own" glory.. but also out of respect for the fact that he had led these poor men to their fate.. and now he was going to see things through to their ultimate end (no matter how in error he was) because as their leader, THAT was the right, and honorable, and "military" thing to do. At that point, it was not like he could call a "time out" and regroup and start over. They were all going down.. and he was still the leader, right or wrong, no matter WHAT the situation had become.
I don't honestly know if he saw himself (at that point) as someone who would go down "in glory" for dying in battle or not. It would fit with his character to still have that has his primary motivation. But I think it may have gone deeper than that. Because I do think he saw his return to battle as maybe a genuine moment of personal integrity, if you will (which is somewhat different than "pride") And he chose to do what was he thought was honorable even in the face of his obvious failure. And it most likely COULD even have been a matter of "pride" for him to do this, but I agree with Jackie that he also was thinking of his men (maybe for the first time) and he saw (and respected) their honor in the face of his failure as well.
I may be wrong.. I likely should go back and watch it all again.. (and WHO knows if that is how I even THOUGHT of this the LAST time.. ha.. sometimes (like you) I will see a film ONE way.. and then reexamine it again in a whole new way later on) but that is how I am remembering it now.. (and I freely admit that all this chat may have even colored some of my thoughts.. but hey.. once again.. that is the benefit of someone like you coming along and striking up a whole new chat on an old favorite like this one)
Laffite says: the eponymous creator (did I finally use that word right?) of this time-honored, venerable old thread of the Old West. You are busy with life, understandable, but do drop by once in awhile. We need to hear from our leader
YOU are too kind, sir. And I must confess... (and without apology) I COMPLETELY copied Miss GODDESS and her wonderful "Movie Rambles" idea when starting this thread. (I think I even mentioned that in my opening post, lo those many, many posts ago). So it is to HER we owe the whole idea, I am sure. And I truly am glad to see that this thread has been such a great place to spark some good conversation about so many truly fine films. (hey.. on occassion we even discus NON-Ford..and non-John Wayne films just for fun!! HA)
And PS.. I HAVE been busy lately and I do miss hanging out here.. so I look forward to it when I can.. but BOY, do you have ME pegged all wrong, ha. I am no leader.. more like just a "wannabe" around such esteemed company as the folks who hang out here.. but BOY, oh boy, do I enjoy the "coattail ride") :-)