93 minute running time … a W.D. By movie (Preston Sturges) … Henry Fonda plays a goofy heir to a beer fortune and Barbara Stanwyck plays the con woman who ends up falling in love with him … it’s silly and funny and well-written … I guess it’s a “classic” and is on hundreds of “top” lists, so I’ll give in and give it a green-go myself.
Let us be crooked but never common.
Lord Huron covering Neil’s Harvest Moon … note that Doron Kavillio has taken a break from Israeli counter-terrorism duties and is sitting in on the drums:
110 minute running time … Documentary … North Korea hired a Russian director to film a movie the State had written and produced, and he smuggled out a lot of footage and made this documentary, which is fascinating and sort of terrifying. Pyongyang looks like the China I knew 30 years ago, though it’s a silent place (no one talks in public) … the personality cult is strong for sure. I wanted to visit NK when we lived in China, but my wife never let me because she was sure I’d end up in a concentration camp. If you’re interested in what a totalitarian state looks like up close, you should see it.
Painful plié
95 minute running time … documentary … interesting story about the death of Pat Tillman in Afghanistan and the Army’s attempts not only to cover up the truth (he was killed by friendly fire), but to spin it so that he was heroically fighting the Taliban (and awarded the silver star!) to promote the war. Sickening of course, but not unexpected. The most awful part of the movie is seeing Rumsfeld and other top brass smiling and slapping each other’s backs following the “oversight” committee hearing.
To use him as a political--a propaganda tool, basically. That is immoral.
The following P4 memo was sent April 29, 2004 by Maj. Gen. Stanley McChrystal to Gen. John Abizaid, then head of U.S. Central Command; Gen. Bryan Douglas Brown, then head of the U.S. Special Operations Command; and Lt. Gen. Philip R. Kensinger, then head of the Army Special Operations Command. The Associated Press obtained and published the memo in March 2004.
Sir,
In the aftermath of Corporal Patrick Tillman’s untimely yet heroic death in Afghanistan on 22 April 04, it is anticipated that a 15-6 investigation nearing completion will find that it is highly possible that Corporal Tillman was killed by friendly fire. This potential finding is exacerbated by the unconfirmed but suspected reports that POTUS and the secretary of the Army might include comments about Corporal Tillman’s heroism and his approved Silver Star medal in speeches currently being prepared, not knowing the specifics surrounding his death.
The potential that he might have been killed by friendly fire in no way detracts from his witnessed heroism or the recommended personal decoration for valor in the face of the enemy. Corporal Tillman was killed in a complicated battlespace geometry involving two separate Ranger vehicle serials traversing through severe terrain along a winding 500-600 foot defile in which friendly forces were fired upon by multiple enemy positions. Corporal Tillman disembarked from his vehicle, and in support of his fellow Rangers and demonstrating great concern for their welfare over care for his own safety entered the enemy kill-zone into which both enemy and friendly fire impacted.
I felt that it was essential that you received this information as soon as we detected it in order to preclude any unknowing statements by our country’s leaders which might cause public embarrassment if the circumstances of Corporal Tillman’s death become public.
Silver Star Citation [emphasis mine]:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Patrick D. Tillman, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 2d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, during action in Afghanistan on 22 April 2004, against an armed enemy while serving as a Rifle Team Leader in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Caught between the crossfire of an enemy near ambush, Corporal Tillman put himself in the line of devastating enemy fire as he maneuvered his fire team to a covered position from which they could effectively employ their weapons on known enemy positions. His audacious leadership and courageous example under fire inspired his men to fight at great risk to their own personal safety, resulting in the enemy's withdrawal, his platoon's safe passage from the ambush kill zone, and his mortal wound. Corporal Tillman's personal courage, tactical expertise, and professional competence directly contributed to his platoon's overall success and survival. In making the ultimate sacrifice for his team and platoon, Corporal Patrick D. Tillman reflected great credit upon himself, the Joint Task Force, and the United States Army.
120 minute running time so at least 20 minutes too long. A Twitter buddy reminded me that Lanthimos directed this one so I should see it, and I did enjoy it. All three leading actresses were good, though I thought Emma Stone’s performance was especially funny … she probably won an award for it. This is a green-go. Farr agrees.
The title of Rex’s review pretty much captures it: “The Favourite’ Is a Rancid Curiosity That Drops The British Costume Drama on its Head”
I like it when she puts her tongue inside me.
From episode 211 of Chat with Traders: One Bias, One Objective: Make Money with Stan Gluzman:
Amen.
San Fermin covering Carly Rae’s Run Away With Me …
116 minute running time so at least 20 to 30 minutes too long … my young trading buddy Joe recommended this one, but I wasn’t thrilled … the opening sequence of morbidly obese old women dancing naked (performance art, ya know) was so horrific that I had to block the screen with my hand until it had passed … story of Jake Gyllenhaal’s wife and daughter being abducted didn’t ring true because young Jake is quite fit and he would have fought like an animal before what happen happened.
Anyway, gaunt Michael Shannon really steals the show, he’s so good (Take Shelter was a Top Ten movie of mine from whatever year that was, and of course who can forget Agent Van Alden), and a youngster named Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays the lead psychopath and he’s also very good. But the movie was weirdly structured (two stories in one) and as I said, the main story didn’t ring true, so you can give this one a pass, not recommended.
Barry Hertz: “a ridiculous, high-camp mess that could easily be mistaken for substance, if it weren't so irredeemably silly … the entire endeavour reeks of self-congratulatory wit and a visual style so cold it could freeze the sun.”
I’ll give the great Rex Reed the final word in his perfect review: “… Ford never finds the proper way to blend the complex narratives into a coherent and cohesive structure … ‘Nocturnal Animals’ is dark as the night sky, twice as empty.”
They said the case wasn’t well prepared, was a sloppy job, slapdash, no evidence, evidence gathered improperly, won’t stand up in court.
Alice Phoebe Lou is an interesting youngster from South Africa … I dig this song:
94 minute running time … as I mentioned before about Lanthimos, the Greek Gen-X smartass, he makes the same movie over and over, and I think Dogtooth was his first. Like his other movies, it’s funny and bizarre and makes you think … 99.9% of the mainstream audience couldn’t last five minutes, and even the arthouse crowd may be driven away, but I enjoy it, I like to think that I get it, I certainly enjoy his sense of humor. I’ve liked all three that I’ve seen — Dogtooth, Alps, Lobster — but I think I enjoyed Alps best.
Let this be the punishment for your wrongdoings to my family
