Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Part 1

Continuation of the series that began here.

Brotherhood

By the mid-70's, I needed a steady job to support my endeavor of higher education (and perhaps affording to have money in my pocket for dating purposes, too). Ah...youth. A college education was something my mother pushed for, and I (the surviving oldest) got that obligación. I was at L.A. City College at the time--junior college--see what mediocre high school grades get you. Now, my younger brother (by 1 year and 8 months) on the other hand sought work foremost (and had done so since he finished high school).

The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.

Next up: The Owner (Part 2)

Brevity's Pull

In Praise of the American Short Story

While I don't always agree with A.O. Scott, movie critic of the N.Y. Times, he always gets me to really reflect upon the subjects he writes up. And in this piece, he's drawn me in to a subject that I haven't given enough due. It's a marvelous piece of writing and praise of the short story. Outside of high school/college, I've haven't always made it a routine of reading them. And if it wasn't for authors like Poe, Stephen King, and Clive Barker, in later life, it would be an even shorter road for me. Thinking about it, I should also give credit to bloggers Jen and Corey for their unwavering reading devotion to the short form. And, to those like Naomi, Gay of Words in Place, and Nordette (aka Vérité Parlant) who practice the laconic art so beautifully. And yes, I'm attempting to get some credit for knowing of talented folks like these ;-).

Another Ritchie for the Collection

Finally, Guy Ritchie has directed another good one worthy of holding on to. I finally took in Rocknrolla from my NetFlix cue. It is wonderful British crime entertainment, full of the usual underworld plot-twisting, vivid characters, and slow-motion/quick cut editing that are the trademarks of the newly ex-Mr. Madonna. While his films aren't in the league of hard classics like 1971's Get Carter, the director of Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch is still the one I want to hear from for my London gangster fix. Likely, both his return to form and divorce from the Material Girl are valued equally here (likely correlated, too), and across the pond. Now, I can't wait for his next release later in the year: the Ritchie-directed Sherlock Holmes (with Robert Downey, Jr.).

They Sank It Themselves

10 Cars That Sank Detroit

This was a thoughtful U.S. News & World Report article that clearly answers why Detroit automakers are where they are now. And, the basis for this is decades old. But, I wonder why they didn't bother to mention my dad's Chevy Vega? I have such a fond memory of it breaking down in the desert while we attempted to cross from L.A. to Las Vegas--in AUGUST!!!

                            

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Intro

As some of you know, I have a thing for movies --"criminy, you watch enough of them!", says my wife. I reason it was because I was influenced by the act of taking them in at a young age. One of my earliest memories was going to the drive-in with my mom and dad when I was a toddler. Later, my mother's sisters and brother would take me during my childhood (I guess any kid sitting, no matter if it was in a dark theater with strangers all about, was a good thing). Even later, during that more innocent era, we (friends and I, junior high-aged) would strike out on our own to movie halls situated 2-3 miles away to take in a flick. Usually, by walking or by bus. Do you think I'd let my 9- and 13-year old do that now? Hell, no!!!

The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.

Next up: Brotherhood (Part 1)