The Long Riders (1980)
Movie about the exploits of the Younger Gang (the James Brothers rode with them).
Four sets of real life brothers are the main actors.
A very young looking Dennis Quaid in a minor role as Ed Miller, portrayed in the movie as a cowardly murderer. The actor seems to fit into the role perfectly.
Randy Quaid in a larger role as Clel Miller. He gets his just desserts in Northfield.
Stacy Keach as Frank James, James Keach as Jesse. (James as James? Isn't that a bit much?)
The Carradine brothers as the Youngers.
The Guest brothers are the Fords.
Graphically violent with some minor nudity.
The Pinkertons are portrayed as murderous incompetent bunglers. They tossed a bomb into the house of Jesse's mother, killing his little brother, who had nothing to do with the James/Younger crime spree. The movie does not explain how the bomb also blew off his mother's arm.
The Great Northfield Minnesota raid is covered in excruciating detail. Cole Younger was shot 11 times, every one of them graphically portrayed.
The movie ends shortly after that dirty little coward (Bob Ford) laid poor Jesse in his grave.
The fate of Bob Ford is not included in the movie, a major omission.
They also omit the part where Charley Ford lies his way out of trouble by claiming that he never knew that Bob intended to murder Jesse.
Belle Starr is a minor but interesting role. Her husband Sam gets a cameo in a knife fight with Cole Younger.
I really liked the music by Ry Cooder.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Gunfighters (1/3)
Gunfighters (Disc 1 of 3)
This DVD features Wild Bill Hickok, The James Gang, John Wesley Hardin, and Bat Masterson.
Wild Bill accidentally killed his deputy as he ran up behind him during a gunfight. Poor eyesight due to veneral disease was to blame (according to the video).
Every time I hear about the Younger Gang (heh, the James Brothers rode with them), I wonder how I ever could have lived in that Missouri/Kansas environment before, during, and after the Civil War. I would not have lived there long, no doubt of that.
John Wesley Hardin once killed a man for snoring.
Bat Masterson's most famous gunfight lasted for 10 minutes with dozens of shots fired and none of them hitting anyone. Worse than the OK Corral which is pretty unbelieveable.
Informative and entertaining.
Definitely makes me want to watch the other 2 DVDs in the series.
This DVD features Wild Bill Hickok, The James Gang, John Wesley Hardin, and Bat Masterson.
Wild Bill accidentally killed his deputy as he ran up behind him during a gunfight. Poor eyesight due to veneral disease was to blame (according to the video).
Every time I hear about the Younger Gang (heh, the James Brothers rode with them), I wonder how I ever could have lived in that Missouri/Kansas environment before, during, and after the Civil War. I would not have lived there long, no doubt of that.
John Wesley Hardin once killed a man for snoring.
Bat Masterson's most famous gunfight lasted for 10 minutes with dozens of shots fired and none of them hitting anyone. Worse than the OK Corral which is pretty unbelieveable.
Informative and entertaining.
Definitely makes me want to watch the other 2 DVDs in the series.
Monday, January 30, 2006
An Apache and a Zulu
Forty Lashes Less One by Elmore Leonard (1972)
Another outstanding novel by Elmore Leonard. An Apache and a Zulu escape from Yuma prison. The two hate each other from the start but become friends through shared adversity. An example of how long distance running builds character.
Refreshing because the white guys get outsmarted. The new warden is a religious moron with good intentions. The head of the guards is a moron devoid of good intentions. The white cons (who actually run the prison) escape, but because they disrespected the Apache and the Zulu, the white cons all come to a bad end. Excellent.
Rumor is that Quentin Tarantino wrote a screenplay based on the novel, and he called it Forty Lashes. Was supposed to be a Miramax movie. Some rumors say that it was filmed but never released. Weird.
Another outstanding novel by Elmore Leonard. An Apache and a Zulu escape from Yuma prison. The two hate each other from the start but become friends through shared adversity. An example of how long distance running builds character.
Refreshing because the white guys get outsmarted. The new warden is a religious moron with good intentions. The head of the guards is a moron devoid of good intentions. The white cons (who actually run the prison) escape, but because they disrespected the Apache and the Zulu, the white cons all come to a bad end. Excellent.
Rumor is that Quentin Tarantino wrote a screenplay based on the novel, and he called it Forty Lashes. Was supposed to be a Miramax movie. Some rumors say that it was filmed but never released. Weird.
The Wisdom of Ann Coulter
"One by one, the Democratic Party keeps having to abandon all the insane positions that have made it the funny, silly party that we've come to know and love."
(from Abortion Stops A Bleeding Heart by Ann Coulter, January 25, 2006)
(from Abortion Stops A Bleeding Heart by Ann Coulter, January 25, 2006)
They Should Have Named Him "Al"
"There's one way to guarantee that the judges who are appointed to the Supreme Court are judges that reflect our values. And that's to win elections."
-Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)
-Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)
What a Bitter Disappointment
Last Friday, it was front page news that John Kerry was leaving his 5-star Swiss resort and returning to the U.S. so that he could organize a filibuster versus Supreme Court nominee Alito on Monday (today).
Just like The Great White Buffalo, "He is coming to save our asses!" [with sincerest apologies to Ted Nugent]
Now, today, the big day has arrived, and there is no significant news coverage of the filibuster, or the lack thereof.
What a bitter disappointment.
Just like The Great White Buffalo, "He is coming to save our asses!" [with sincerest apologies to Ted Nugent]
Now, today, the big day has arrived, and there is no significant news coverage of the filibuster, or the lack thereof.
What a bitter disappointment.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Apache Voices
Apache Voices: Their stories of survival as told to Eve Ball (2000) by Sherry Robinson
This book contains many interesting stories of various Apache tribes: Warm Springs, Chiricahuas, Nednhis, Mescaleros, and Lipans.
An interesting chapter on Streeter, the white Apache. There is very little information available on the life of Streeter, and this book has more than anyone else.
Some lesser known stories about Geronimo. I especially liked the one where his fellow Apaches threatened to shoot him for cowardice.
The ability of the Apaches to live off a desolate landscape was impressive. If allowed to live free, they could have lived in balance with nature in perpetuity.
This book contains many interesting stories of various Apache tribes: Warm Springs, Chiricahuas, Nednhis, Mescaleros, and Lipans.
An interesting chapter on Streeter, the white Apache. There is very little information available on the life of Streeter, and this book has more than anyone else.
Some lesser known stories about Geronimo. I especially liked the one where his fellow Apaches threatened to shoot him for cowardice.
The ability of the Apaches to live off a desolate landscape was impressive. If allowed to live free, they could have lived in balance with nature in perpetuity.
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