2024 Movie Diary, Part 3

7. NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955)

A genuinely great and genuinely weird film. There’s absolutely nothing like it. Robert Mitchum’s unforgettable performance is justly lauded (see above), but I also loved Lillian Gish’s avenging angel to his roaring lion of a devil.
Verdict: It’s a damn shame Charles Laughton never directed another film.

8. BECKET (1964)

When Peter O’ Toole goes full Peter O’ Toole, no one stands a chance. Not even Richard Burton, who is very good and nuanced and interesting. But he’s no Peter O’ Toole. No one was, is, or likely ever will be again.
Verdict: Good stuff, although it does lose some steam when Burton gets religion.

9. GALAXY INVADER (1985)

Alien makes the mistake of landing in redneck country. Trashy, low-budget shenanigans ensue. That’s really all there is to say here.
Verdict: The Rifftrax version above is hilarious. If you’re going to spend time watching an alien-redneck movie, this is the way to do it.

Nom Nom Nom

An Orange County classic!

That’s a lot of good eatin’ right there…

This instantly became one of my favorite stained-glass windows ever…

Me, looking at all that smoked fish…

Another stained glass beauty…

With a front door like this, you know it’s gonna be good…

Excellent advice for living added, for free!

Crab Cooker for the win!

2024 Movie Diary, Part 2

4. THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938)

If I was forced to move to Mars and could only take 5 movies with me, this would be one of them. And this marvelous swordfight is one of the reasons why. This movie is an absolute joy and a treat for the eyes unlike any other. Truly, it is one of the perfect things in life. If you somehow have not seen it, please correct this error as soon as possible.
Verdict: Inductee, Laurie’s Cinematic Hall of Fame

5. THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

Lavish adaptation of the Shakespearean battle of the sexes is somewhat bloated but is worth seeing for Burton’s freewheeling performance. That’s all I’ve got to say about it, really. It wasn’t great, it wasn’t terrible.
Verdict: Elizabeth Taylor is not my favorite actress and there’s a hell of a lot of her in this movie.

6. A MAN CALLED OVE

Just a low-key, lovely movie with a marvelous performance by Rolf Lassgard in the title role. That’s really all I’ve got to say about it. You’ve seen this movie 100 times, although probably not in Swedish.
Verdict: It’s very familiar, so it always comes down to who is playing the Old Guy Who Is a Hidden Softy. And this movie has that nailed, so it works.

Pickin’ and grinnin’…

This was for a church service project. About 1,200 lbs. of fruit was donated to various food banks. And it was fun too. Except for all of the dog poop. You’d think that if you’re having a bunch of volunteers pick your fruit for you, you’d bother picking up the dog poop.