blargh, continued

[imwalde]

Day four of my sore throat. My parents were supposed to come today, but I cancelled because blah. I got out of bed at 5pm, and doubt I will change out of mt pjs this weekend.

I've been watching my season 1 DVDs of Lois and Clark. Man, am I flashing back to an earlier time and place. I associate this show very strongly with Sunday nights and Murder She Wrote and grilled cheese and soup (my mom never cooked on Sundays -- heat and stir only). This show is cheese and charm in about equal measure. Hal Sparks (LOVE HIM) just showed up in an episode as a skateboarder who almost pushes Lois into the street. Hehehe.

I saw Red River, finally. Thanks, Turner Classic Movies! It's an old Western with John Wayne and Montgomery Clift. Mmmmmm, Monty! So hot in this movie. I had heard about this movie in The Celluloid Closet and in many reviews for Brokeback Mountain. OMG, they are right. Gay subtext out the wazoo. There's the line to the effect of, "I fancy that pretty little of gun of yours." Hehehe. Also, "There are only two things more beautiful than a gun: a Swiss watch or a woman from anywhere. Ever had a good... Swiss watch?" Ha! It was really good.

I also saw The Searchers, which I am told is the greatest Western ever made. Seriously? Because I thought it was pretty meh. I mean, I didn't dislike it, I just didn't understand its reputation. The initial attack is awesome and almost unbearably suspenseful, and there are excellent scenes throughout the movie, and beautiful shots. Aaaaand then there's the rest of the movie which isn't as good as good bits. I really liked Jeffery Hunter in it. I feel, as ever, confused by John Wayne. I seriously cannot make up my mind on whether I think he can act. But, anyway, can anyone tell me why The Searchers is so highly regarded? sonatator?

Comments

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if the The Searchers is the greatest western ever made but it does deal with racism and the cost thereof at a time when films did not.

[franzeska]

It's famous as a stellar example of "the indian hater" and because it was a bit more conscious about genre conventions than other westerns of its time. I wasn't overly impressed either. High Noon is more interesting, and more recent westerns are more fun.

[imwalde.livejournal.com]

Ok, see, I thought my complete ignorance of Westerns by and large was coming into play. I really have no frame of reference for knowing what it did differently. Thanks!

[imwalde.livejournal.com]

I can see that. Thanks, hon. Heh, High Noon, I totally thought he was going to die. I was really surprised when the credits rolled.

[franzeska]

I know. I was totally surprised by High Noon, which is pretty surprising when you consider that it's a classic western and doesn't really do anything all that genre bending. I suspect it's mostly famous because of the realtime aspect of the ending, but I like it because it's a good movie.