We actually watched the 2005 remake of
Bad News Bears, not the original 1976 version (which is technically "The
Bad News Bears"), but I'm including it here anyway. The hopeless peewee team in one is coached by
Billy Bob Thornton's version of Morris Buttermaker. Drunk and uninterested, but short on funds, the former minor leaguer takes on the kids in the hope of making some cash. He just may sort himself out along the way. Plot-wise, this is a tried-and-true "save yourself while saving the kids" story line, but I always find Thornton's crotchety old "get off my lawn" persona endearing for some reason.
S grew out his hair, a process which took place mostly during the pandemic, though it began before that. When it got to be somewhere slightly shorter than ear-length, he looked an awful lot like mid-1980s
Tom Selleck. Looking at pictures of him around that time led us to
Quigley Down Under (1990). His character is hired by a rancher to travel from the US down to Australia to kill Aborigines. He decides instead to abandon his task, rescues a captive, warns the natives, and secures their help in return. It probably wouldn't be made quite the same way today, but it's still a treat. It was chock full of folksy sayings, my favorite of which was describing someone as "half a bubble off plumb." I think S's favorite, true to his nature, was, "I don't know where we're goin', but there ain't no sense bein' late."
I had already seen the remake (2010) of True Grit, so we decided to watch the original (1969) when we were out in Colorado. Prior to beginning it, I was concerned that the humor and wittiness was an addition which came from the folks in the new version. Turns out, it was original to the story, and the original was every bit as quick and humorous as the new one. It makes me want to read the book to get the full experience!
The African Queen (1951) certainly was a throwback to the movies of a different era. There were -- predictably -- several scenes and characterizations that would never have been made today. But nevertheless it was a fun ride down the river with the uptight Katherine and the drinks-like-a-sailor Humphrey.
We watched
Jaws (1975) when we were visiting some of S's family. I had seen it before, but forgot what a classic it really is. It's a good story, with a great soundtrack. And a big shark. And a too-small boat. Cue the scary music.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) is one of S's favorites, though this one we watched when we were visiting some of
my family. There are so very many quotable lines in this movie, and it does seem to have become a cultural touchstone of it's era.
George Clooney at his finest, with a strong supporting cast behind him. And an absolutely fabulous soundtrack to boot!
Dial M for Murder (1954) is another true oldie, and it was so fun!
Ray Milland plays a former athlete who tries to have his wife (played by
Grace Kelly) killed when he finds out she's having an affair. And what fun would the movie be if things went as planned?
No comments:
Post a Comment