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2024 Movie Diary #9

25. CAPOTE (2005)

This is a terrific film. There’s something bewitching in Philip Seymour Hoffman’s performance, which never descends into mimicry, as easy as that would have been. And then there’s nuanced presentation of the plot, which isn’t what it appears to be at first. Great stuff.
Verdict: Highly recommended.

26. BLACK NARCISSUS (1947)

A bunch of nuns are sent to an exotic locale to set up a school for the natives, with predictable results. However the story, slim as it is, is handled so well, with such good performers, artful visuals, and beautiful production values that you’ll walk away believing there’s more to it than there actually is.
Verdict: Definitely recommended

27. AWAY (2019)

A years-long labor of love of one man, Gints Zilbalodis, this is a moving, thoughtful, harrowing, amusing, meditative movie about…that’s kind of up to you. To me, it was about life’s journey, and the inevitability of death, and our spirit’s ability to rise above it. Your mileage may vary: you may find that for you, it’s about something completely different. It’s that kind of movie.
Verdict: Stays with you long after it ends. I need to see it a couple more times. This has Hall of Fame potential.

2024 Movie Diary #8

22. BEYOND MOMBASA (1956)

An incredibly B movie with an incredibly A cast. Cornel Wilde is a devil-may-care adventurer, Donna Reed an uptight (or is she?) churchman’s daughter, and Christopher Lee is a mysterious (and incredibly good looking) French guide. Much cheesy excitement and stock footage of animals ensues. Wilde, in particular, is having a blast .
Verdict: Stupid and fun, if you’re in the mood for that kind of thing, this is your flick.

23. THE SCARECROW OF ROMNEY MARSH (1963)

One of my great childhood favorites has aged like fine wine and stands as one of Disney’s finest live action efforts, with plenty of appeal for kids and adults alike. Location filming creates terrific atmosphere, and Patrick McGoohan’s brainy, elegant, swashbuckling performance as Dr. Syn, mild-mannered vicar by day, scary masked smuggler by night, is one of my all-time favorites.
Verdict: Inductee, Laurie’s Cinematic Hall of Fame
Watch here: Part I, Part 2, Part 3

24. ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (1969)

Very long, very slow and suffused with a surreal quality that makes it hard to tell if you are watching it while asleep or not. A strange recommendation, but a wholehearted one. It’s pretty great. Great looking, epic in scope, with a fantastic cast, with Henry Fonda commanding the entire movie playing spectacularly against type as a villain of chilling, inhuman cruelty.
Verdict: It’s easier to watch broken up into multiple viewings. Worth seeing for Fonda’s work alone. And I’m not even a fan of his.

At the local art supply emporium…

Good news is always welcome. Even if it literally comes from a dumpster.

It’s looking into my soul!

I need to brush up on my photography skills.

I never get tired of looking at marbled art paper. I am easily entertained.

He’s not shy. Just a little koi.

The Icee cup makes it.

…and my favorite, the kingfisher. It’s a good group of murals.

Shipley Nature Center…

Shipley is a park within a park, set aside to be more wild and natural. I haven’t explored it all, but I liked what I saw.

It’s less manicured, more densely packed with greenery than Huntington Beach’s Central Park.

It greener, shadier and feels like you might be somewhere else than Southern California.

“Hot lips” salvia. They are so cute.

There were several egrets nesting in the trees. I caught a chick on camera! See for yourself: Great egret chick.