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2023 Movie Diary, Part 15

43. JAMES CAMERON’S DEEPSEA CHALLENGE (2014)

Want to explore the deep sea without your submersible imploding? This is how you go about it.
Verdict: The bottom of the sea is an exceptionally boring place. Also, James Cameron has a whole lot of money. A whole lot.

44. WINGS (1927)

The first Best Picture Oscar winner holds up decently, thanks to spectacular (by any standard) flying sequences and stars Clara Bow’s and Buddy Rogers’ timeless adorableness. And yes, that famous “blink-and-you-miss-it” appearance by Gary Cooper is a real eye-catcher.
Verdict: Not bad. The action sequences are the real stars. There’s truly some unbelievable aerial photography that probably needs to be seen on a big screen to be fully appreciated.
See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG_ZVqLIAU0

45. TRUE GRIT

The Coen Brothers’ treatment of the John Wayne classic is better in every way. Wayne, of course, is irreplaceable, but Jeff Bridges is quite marvelous in his own right. The intentionally overwritten dialogue suits the movie wonderfully and almost stands on its own as a separate character. Great stuff.
Verdict: Highly recommended.

Someone’s feeling her oats…

She’s got a stomach full of chicken and kibble and she’s ready to rock.

Alfie’s such a goof.

Brown skimmer…

I’m always creeped out a little by dragonflies at first, and then, the more I look at them, amazed by how wonderfully strange and beautiful they are. I do appreciate the fact that this guy was kind enough to wave for the camera.

Sights from a walk…

On our way…

There’s several enormous plumerias on our route. I can never get them past the “dead looking stick” stage.

Somebody loves somebody.

Everything’s peachy so far.

Leaf print.

Weird, beautiful unsettled sky. This is usually a spring or fall thing.

A rare right-angle palm.

Looks complicated.

I’ve always liked this tile that someone stuck on their fence.

A particularly beautiful hibiscus.

Life…uh…finds a way.

Alfie always tries to rile up the neighborhood dogs.

At the local Mexican restaurant…

I’ve always loved the murals here.

At the mall, before the movie…

Killing time by admiring the landscaping.

Why do I always show up way too early to these things?

2023 Movie Diary, Part 14

40. TOP GUN: MAVERICK

The flying sequences are great, but it’s the surprising human quality that makes this one work. The actors are good, the writing pays enough attention to character and relationships to hook you, and it’s got a surprising amount of heart. A very pleasant surprise.
Verdict: Much better than the original Top Gun.

41. THE BLACK STALLION

The first half is exquisite — it’s some of the most beautiful, minimalist storytelling you’ll ever see. The second half is more pedestrian, but still looks beautiful and has a great performance by Mickey Rooney. Kelly Reno, who plays the boy, is excellent throughout, and his partner in most of his scenes — a stunning Arabian stallion named Cass Ole’ — is straight out of a fairy tale.
Verdict: Uneven, but heads and shoulders above what they’re making for kids today.

42. DOG DAY AFTERNOON

What a great movie this is. What more is there to say about this except how the hell did Art Carney beat out Al Pacino for the Oscar in 1975? I’ve seen “Harry and Tonto” and Carney was good, but…come on now.
Verdict: Just flat-out tremendous.