Fire! Vernon Holiday

20 Aug

Forest Fires

You might say that Vernon BC has recently become a ‘Vacation Hotspot’.
It’s literally burning up out there.
560 forest fires currently burning in BC. And Vernon right in the middle of them.

Over the years we’ve have been very lucky with the weather and such on our Holidays.
But this was going to be different.

We knew about the fire situation before we left. There was already a lot of smoke in Calgary.
We thought we’d give it a chance anyway.

Heading through the mountains

Below:
Castle Mountain as it usually looks: (Photo from Net)

Below:
Castle Mountain as it looks through the smoke:

Imagine coming all the way from Europe or some other country to see the Rockies.
And you can’t see them!

Then it started to rain!!Pretty soon it was almost as dark as night. Everybody turned their headlights on.

On the other side of the Rockies (BC) we finally broke out.

Maybe things were going to be OK after all?

We’ll see …

 

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Tyrone Power Westerns continued …

11 Aug
The Prince of Foxes soundtrack by Alfred Newman

The Prince of Foxes (1949)

Nine years after The Mark of Zorro, Tyrone Power was still wielding a Sword.

But he hadn’t entirely chased the Fox.

Hard to believe the Fox reference isn’t intentional, but it isn’t.
Wikipedia says: “Prince of Foxes is a 1947 historical novel by (American) Samuel Shellabarger,”

Not Tryrone’s best work, but still worth a watch.

Welles doesn’t ‘chew the scenery’, he kind of steamrolls it.
Amazing.

Love this pic Wanda.

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Tyrone Power Westerns cont. Zorro Anomalies … and other stuff

10 Aug

When you’re 61 you can’t be sexy right?

Times have changed … 
Celebrity Ads 

Tyrone and Basil advertising. 

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Lucky / 2017

10 Aug

Lucky

Just noticed this movie. Came out in 2017. Is it a Western? Well … it’s got cactus and q cowboy hat.
And Harry Dean Stanton.

Harry made this just before he passed.

Good reviews.

“I really liked the Mariachi singing in Westerns.”
– Harry Dean Stanton

Harry Dean Stanton Westerns

A couple of Classics in there. 
Nice work Harry. 

Off to BC for a Week …

9 Aug

Vernon BC

Going to BC for a week.

A few months back Rose set us up for a Week’s Holiday in Vernon, British Columbia. 
Normally about a 6 1/2 hour drive from Calgary.

But nothing is ‘Normal’ these days. (You may have noticed).
In the past 2 months, forest fires have started raging in the ‘Interior’ (and all over the world)
We are allowed to go there though one Highway has been closed.
We figure we’ll get through. But not fast.
Not that we’re in a hurry.

This is the deal: our lodgings and everything were already paid for.
Non-fundable. We forfeit all that money if we don’t go.

We are going to go.

The Good News is …

I have a new camera.
Rose bought it for me.
Here it is.

Sony DSCHX80/B High Zoom Point & Shoot Camera

Cost: about 400 bucks
(Sorry Marilyn! I should have consulted you)
But it was a present so …

It’s much superior to my other Sony camera in at at least 3 big ways:

It has double the resolution – which was direly affecting my image quality.
It has a 30 times Zooooooom !!! Which will allow me to take pics I couldn’t before.
It has a View Finder which will allow me to take pics that aren’t crooked or blurry.
And better composed.

I won’t kid myself that I’m going to be a Pro Photographer.
But this will help a lot.

See you in a week.
With about a thousand pics.

YEE HAW!!!

 

 

 

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4 Days on the Rim / A Photo Essay / Wild Pacific Trail

9 Aug

Nautilaus bar


everdream / soul factory

Nautilaus barTofino, British Columbia
Pacific Rim

South of Tofino on Vancouver Island is a town called Ucluelet which means “people of the safe harbour” in the indigenous Nootka language.
It might have been safe for the Natives, but many a Whiteman and ships perished on that coast over the centuries.

Near Ucluelet is the Wild Pacific Trail – where Rose decided to go for a hike. 

Suggested: A windbreaker, a walking stick, some water, and snacks.

And a camera.

This rugged Pacific escarpment has another name and reputation.

Many a sailor and ship were lost on this wind lashed coast.

Rugged and ragged.

There’s several rest points along the way.

Even in overcast the ocean is still beautiful.

Time for another rest.

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UPCOMING!: Essential Swashbuckling – The Clinch!

6 Aug


Heroes / Shatter Effect

See Yul Brynner sing his hit: 
“O Clinch Me Not!”

See Yoda and Dooku in combat !

Witness other marvels and forgotten lore of the Screen !

COMING SOON!!

Rose’s Garden …

1 Aug

Rose’s Garden

Every year Rose toils tirelessly, endlessly in her garden.
Weeding, planting, digging, watering …
Often working after dark, she labours. A Labour of Love.
I am the beneficiary. 

Getting started

Spring Tulips. 

Then comes poppies !

Followed by … 

 

But I’m not the only beneficiary !

Thank You Rose !

Tyrone Power Westerns continued … Candle Slashing 102

31 Jul
Long as I can see the Light / Arbouretum

“At night a candle’s brighter than the sun.”
– Sting

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

Candle Slashing 102

My detective work to discover origins of Candle Slashing in Zorro
and other depictions of the stunt will likely fail.
There are simply far too many movies that may have reprised the stunt between 1920 and today.
I can’t look through them all.
But it’s fun – and interesting to me.
Maybe The Mark of Zorro (1940)? was indeed the first instance of the stunt?
I can’t say.

I didn’t detect any Candle Slashing in Douglas Fairbanks Sr’s, The Mark of Zorro (1920).
Though he does momentarily grab a candlestick in the fight scene with Noah Beery Sr. (below)
But no candle slashing occurs.
Over the years most of the re-enactments of the stunt have become spoofs.
But I still recognize them as paying tribute and homage to Zorro and his origins.
Below: 15 years after The Mark of Zorro (1940), Basil Rathbone reprises the famous stunt
in the wonderful The Court Jester (1955) Starring the amazing Danny Kaye!

Awesome stuff!
(You can watch the whole fight on YouTube)
Later (1974) I found this instance of Candle Slashing in the TV movie The Mark Of Zorro, Starring Frank Langella fighting villain Ricardo Montalban,
(Pardon my Spanish)

In (1975)Alain Delon Starred in Zorro and slashed several candles against Villain Stanley Baker.

Nicely done – anyway you slice it.

But …
… there’s more than one way to snuff a Candle!
If a sword is not at hand, simply grab your bullwhip.

Candle Lashing 101

Candle Lashing appears to have started with Douglas Fairbanks Sr. in Don Q Son of Zorro (1925)
I found this scene:
So says Don Q (Fairbanks):

*CRACK* he whips the candle flame out!

Fairbanks seemed to be talented in many ways.
Handling a bullwhip would have been one.

Fairbanks didn’t invent Zorro, but he sure put him in gear.

Duncan Regehr of Zorro TV Series (1990) tries his hand at Candle Whipping:

Candle Lashing/Whipping carried over to modern The Mask of Zorro (1998).
Anthony Hopkins handles the chores.

Upcoming:

Tyrone Power Westerns continued …
Zorro

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Tyrone Power Westerns continued … Candle Slashing 101

28 Jul
Hotel California / Beatbakers Remix

“Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.”
– Confucius

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

Candle Slashing 101

  Ingredients: 
One Sword
One Candle
One Hero
– Taunting Villain is optional

Instructions:
1. Light the Candle
(Unlit Candles may be used to prevent a fire)
2. Measure the Candle with your sword.
(Hero Tyrone Power demonstrates:)

Next: (Not recommended!) if you are a Ruthless Villain just slash away!
Ruthless Villain Basil Rathbone demonstrates:

Though demonstrating excellent form, note that the lit Candle just flies off!
To who knows where!!!??
This is irresponsible Candle Slashing.
Hero Tyrone Power demonstrates the proper technique:

Note the short backswing.

A simple swish …

… follow through …

… impeccable form!
Optional taunt from the foolish Villain …

… but the true Master is revealed!:

VOILA!

Next: Candle Slashing 102
We explore the origins of Candle Slashing …

Tyrone Power Westerns continued … The Mark of Zorro (1940) The Fight / Part 1 …

25 Jul
Una Noche Mas / Yasmin Levy

“Never regret anything you have done with a sincere affection;
nothing is lost that is born of the heart.”
– Basil Rathbone

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

ZORRO FOR CHRISTMAS 1940 – PLUS A COLOR CARTOON!

The Fight!

We finally come to the wonderful climatic sword fight scene between Zorro (Tyrone Power)
and Capt. Esteban Pasquale (Basil Rathbone).
After 78 years this is still regarded among the great sword fight/Swashbuckling scenes in filmdom.
It is.

Basil Rathbone

Rathbone is often said to be the greatest of all the swashbuckling fencers/swordsmen Actors in Film.
He displayed his skills in several movies: Captain Blood (1935); Romeo and Juliet (1936; The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938); and The Court Jester (1955)
And as is evident in the video below, he how proud he was of his prowess.

Rathbone studied stage fencing as part of his training at the famous Old Vic Theatre. The study of Fencing and Swordsmanship is part of a Shakespearean Actors training.

He was also tutored under Swordmaster and famed Fight Choreographer Fred Cavens.

 

Rathbone did his most of his own stunts and required no stand-in or double for his swordwork.

What is NOT well known, however, is that Tyrone Power was also very good.

Said Rathbone of Power’s swordsmanship skills:
“Power was the most agile man with a sword I’ve ever faced before a camera.
Tyrone could have fenced Errol Flynn into a cocked hat.”

Fred Caven’s son Albert Cavens did double-in for Power some shots. He was likely better for sure,
but I figure Tyrone coulda handled it himself.

 

It’s interesting that that Errol Flynn is so highly regarded as a fencer/sword fighter in Swashbuckling films because Rathbone
who dueled with in Captain Blood and The Adventures of Robin Hood says otherwise:

From CROSSED SWORDS – The Hollywood Swashbuckler
https://crossedswords2013.wordpress.com/page/3/

“I enjoyed swordsmanship more than anything because it was beautiful. I thought it was a wonderful exercise, a great sport. But I would not put it under the category of sport; I would put it under the category of the arts. I think it’s tremendously skillful and very beautiful… The only actor I actually fought with on the screen was Flynn, and that’s the only time I was really scared. I wasn’t scared because he was careless,
but because he didn’t know how to protect himself.”
“I could have killed Errol Flynn any time I wanted to.”

 

Upcoming:

Tyrone Power Westerns continued …
The Mark of Zorro (1940) The Fight / Part 2 …

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Tyrone Power Westerns continued … The Mark of Zorro (1940) Part 4

17 Jul
ZORRO / Evivva

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

On most any Saturday, in 1954, myself and my 3 older brothers, would each be given a Quarter (25 cents!) and off we’d go to the Saturday Matinee at the local Movie Theatre (in Mission, British Columbia). A Quarter would get us in plus buy a bag of popcorn and a pop! Amazing!

In those days kids could walk around freely, with no fear. We never locked our doors. Never had to. Churches were open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

That was a different time. Not so long ago.

I was 6 years old

Then we’d breathlessly watch our Heroes of the day!

 14 years earlier, in 1940 – Tyrone Power had Starred in The Mark of Zorro.
I don’t recall seeing this movie until TCM showed it recently.
I loved it.

Tyrone Power – The Mark of Zorro (1940)

Obviously there is a Colorized version of The Mark of Zorro (1940).
Haven’t seen that one yet.

Basil Rathbone – The Mark of Zorro 1940

Linda Darnell was ‘Sweet 17’ when she Starred in The Mark of Zorro.

On the Screen, Gale Sondergaard was billed 4th. 

Reviews

Ratings were pretty high – for both Critics and the Public.

Upcoming:

Basil Rathbone ! Prince of FIends !

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Calgary Stampede – Western Showcase 2018 / Paul Van Ginkel / Artist

17 Jul

       

https://paulvanginkel.com/

I had a very nice chat with Paul. I took a pic, but it came out lousy. The lighting, my camera and photo skills were not up the job.
So I’m taken the liberty of borrowing images from the net of some of Paul’s work that he exhibited there.
Thank You Paul. 

Paul, Van Ginkel, Aquatic Equine, 36″ x 80″, Oil at McLarry Fine Art
I really liked this painting.

(Below) Crossing the Line 40 x 60 • Oil
Paul has several superb paintings with a Stagecoach theme.

Reflection of Love 50 x 40 • Oil

To be a Warrior 50 X 37 (plus frame) oil & gold leaf on canvas

Calgary artist’s painting replicated on champion Gary Gorst’s chuckwagon

Great work Paul. I’ve gotta get down to your gallery in Calgary.
Thank You again!

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A NOSTALGIC SPOOF: THE LAST OF THE SILVER SCREEN COWBOYS – Garry & Marilyn Armstrong

16 Jul

Reposting from my Blog pals, Marilyn and Garry.
YEE HAW !

Serendipity - Seeking Intelligent Life on Earth

A Nostalgic Spoof of a Beloved Movie Genre

We watched “Rustler’s Rhapsody” again last night. I love this movie. It’s an affectionate spoof of the B-Westerns of the 1940s starring Tom Berenger, Patrick Wayne, G.W. Baily (currently with “Major Crimes” on which Berenger has a recurring guest role), Andy Griffith and Fernando Rey.

The women include Sela Ward, a solid dramatic actress perhaps best remembered as Dr. Richard Kimble’s slain wife in the movie version of “The Fugitive”. There’s also Marilu Henner who riffs on all the “Miss Kitty/Miss Lily” saloon ladies of our favorite TV westerns.

Andy Griffith and Fernando Rey both play power-mad cattle barons. Fernando usually plays an international drug czar and you probably remember him in “The French Connection”. He is slimy sinister personified. Rey and Griffith make a very odd couple. Check out the scene where they argue about who gets to do the countdown for killing the hero. They are hilarious…

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Calgary Stampede Champions 2018 – Texans Riding High !!!

15 Jul

 

2018 Stampede Tie-Down Roping
Champion Tuf Cooper
Weatherford, Texas

     

2018 Saddle Bronc
Champion Ryder Wright
Milford, Utah

2018 Stampede Bareback
Champion Richie Champion
Dublin, Texas

2018 Stampede Steer Wrestling
Champion Matt Reeves
Cross Plains, Texas

2018 STAMPEDE BARREL RACING
CHAMPION HAILEY KINSEL
Cotulla, Texas

2018 Stampede Bull Riding
Champion Marco Gloria
Brazil/Edmonton, Alberta

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Calgary Stampede – Western Showcase 2018 / Part 2

14 Jul

       

Élise Genest

http://www.elise-genest.com

elisegenest.com@live.ca

“Elise Genest is a Canadian painter and photographer from the Québec City area whose work is entirely devoted to horses …”

Image result for Elise Genest

What can you say about this Art?? It’s magnificent. 

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Calgary Stampede – Western Showcase 2018 / Part 1

14 Jul

       

Rose and I go to the Calgary Stampede every year just to look at the Western Art – which is spectacular. This year it is particularly superb. So much so that I thought I’d try to profile a few Artists and taste of their work. I can’t show everything of course, but I think you’ll be impressed by what you see.

In no particular order:

I also apologize to the Artists if my rendering here diminishes their work in any way.

Shannon Ford 

http://www.ShannonFord.ca

Shannon Ford, Bachelor of Fine Art (ACAD) / Brief Biography – 2014 / Artist Info:

“A natural born artist and an animal lover since childhood, Shannon Ford was born in Regina Saskatchewan, totally enchanted by the natural world.  She was raised on a farm west of Calgary where she grew up loving Art and knowing horses, cattle and wildlife.

Shannon paints in both her Studios in Alberta, and in BC where she and her sweetheart Denis breed Mangalarga Marchador horses …

Shannon creates in a wide range of topic matter and media, but I confess I love her Western paintings the best.
Marvelous work Shannon!

Into a Canter on a Young Horse available through Gainsborough Galleries, Calgary, Alberta

Mystiques Shariff of the Fairview Arabian Stud, 84 X 72, Acrylic on Canvas with Diamond Dust,
Pipestone, Rainbow Moonstone Cabochons, Mother of Pearl, Available at The Lloyd Gallery

Collected Painting: Gorgeous Grizzly
60 X 40 D. A/C with Azurite, Tanzanite, Sapphires, Peridot, Pipestone

No automatic alt text available.

Darcy Presiloski / Calgary Western Artist

dpresiloski@shaw.ca
www.dpresiloski.com

“Darcy was born in Alberta, Canada and spent her early childhood on a farm west of Granum in southern Alberta.

With Darcy’s farm background it is not surprising that her primary focus is western art. She finds inspiration at brandings, cattle drives, rodeos and sometimes in a field at the side of the highway. She sees the animals, everyday activities and gear of the working cowboy as unique and feels there is a story in every painting …”

Related image

ENOUGH ROPE
Oil on Linen

WOOLY BULLY
Oil on Linen

PAINT
Oil on Linen

Image result for darcy presiloski artist

Wonderful work Darcy. I particularly like your rendering of the saddle and gear!

Andrew Kiss / Award Winning Nature Artist

http://www.kissfineart.com

Famed for his magnificent landscapes, Andrew also renders spectacular images of flowers.

MORRAINE SUNSET
40 X 60
Oil on canvas

HOLLYHOCK II
Original Oil on Canvas

SHADED STREAM
Giclee on Canvas

Just Beautiful

A few more on the way … 

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Tyrone Power Westerns continued … The Mark of Zorro (1940) Part 3 / Zorro Anomalies?

11 Jul
Fernando / Abba

The Mark of Zorro (1940)
Zorro Anomalies?

If I said to you that Zorro never used a gun, but only a Sword (rapier) and his Bullwhip,
would you challenge that?

Probably not.

And if I also said that Zorro only uses his famous black Eye Mask for his disguise,
would you disagree?

Likely not.

BUT …
… in The Mark of Zorro (1940) we see transgressions to both of these modern images of Zorro persona!

Observe:

Zorro pulls a pistol!

Zorro wearing a bandana!

Later Zorro uses a pistol again.

But at least he’s wearing the eye mask.

It seems that Zorro’s image has continuously changed and evolved over the years
– from creator (Johnston McCulley) original vision.

Zorro (Douglas Fairbanks Sr.) apparent master of disguise – silent movie (1920)

Guns? Bandanas? Masks? Bullwhips?

The Mark of Zorro (1920) – Douglas Fairbanks Sr.

“What’s all this nonsense about Zorro using a gun?”

Zorro (Fairbanks) using a gun.

Zorro’s Fighting Legion (1939) Movie Serial Starring Reed Hadley
(below)

Zorro using 2 guns.

Zorro using a machine gun !!!

The Mask of Zorro (1998) Starring Antonio Banderas
(below)

“You call that a gun?”

Zorro’s Dilemma

I also noticed that in the Mark of Zorro (1940) Zorro doesn’t use a bullwhip?

While Reed Hadley in Zorro’s Fighting Legionserial (1939) surely does.

OK … I’m finding I don’t know much about Zorro!!!
But I’m learning quickly.
It’s all good.

Next:

Tyrone Power Westerns continued …
The Mark of Zorro (1940) Part 4

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Tyrone Power Westerns continued … The Mark of Zorro (1940) Part 2 The Posters

9 Jul
The Mask of Zorro Soundtrack

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

The Posters

Since it seems The Mark of Zorro (1940) didn’t have any Trailers/Previews (??)
I searched the net like Sherlock – scouring fansites and archives. Finding none.
It looks like they exclusively used Posters instead? *shrug*
And I found over 30 different posters for the Movie!

Yet some were in such bad shape that they escaped any expertise I might possess to recover them. 

I spent 3 days trying to restore all these old posters to their original pristine wonderfulness.
Color was the main issue. Over the years the Posters fade and the former vibrancy of the colors is lost.
Would you make a Zorro poster in dirty, washed-out, dull Reds, for instance?
Nor I! The former Zing and Zest of Zorro had been lost in time …
and befell to me for restore the lost Lustre and Vitality of The Fox!

En Garde !!!


Next:

Tyrone Power Westerns continued …
The Mark of Zorro (1940) Part 3

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Tyrone Power Westerns continued … The Mark of Zorro (1940) Part 1

5 Jul
Theme from the Mark of Zorro (1940) by Alfred Newman

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

 Ride With Zorro . . . The Dashing Don Of California’s Most Adventurous Era !
The Jagged Mark of His Sword Struck Terror to Every Heart – But One!

Tyrone Power made 6 Westerns:

And 5 Swashbucklers:

Zorro is unique – categorized as both a Western Hero and a Swashbuckler.
I can think of no other Hero with this distinction.

During the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s Swashbucklers sparred with Westerns for popularity.
In Zorro they found a perfect partnership.

I was unable to locate any Trailer/Preview for The Mark of Zorro (1940).
There must be one somewhere? Maybe not.
I substituted this vignette with the Chordettes singing
the Theme for Disney’s TV version of Zorro.
Not bad.
But I’ll keep looking.

Next:

Tyrone Power Westerns continued …
The Mark of Zorro (1940) Part 2

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Zorro Reborn … Trailer

5 Jul

OK … I just found this. I didn’t make it. I’m not promoting it. It doesn’t even look Western.
BUT … it’s supposed to be some new incarnation of Zorro? You be the judge. 

???
I’m not really against something NEW, but I’m not overconfident about this one.
It had better be really well done.

Zorro Rides Again !!!

3 Jul


Zorro Theme / James Horner

The Tangled Trail – A Tale of Western Blogging

2 Jul


livin’ in the West / the bellamy brothers

OK … where did this yarn begin? I think it was when I started to (fearfully) tackle John Wayne.
A daunting project.

Somehow I covered nearly 40 of the Duke’s early films before I got bushwacked.

Somewhere around Rio Bravo, Dean Martin took me for a drink.

In the saloon I met Director Henry Hathaway.

We rode out – looking for the sunset – eventually ran into Tyrone Power.

I haven’t yet discovered any box canyons so I’ll just carry on as able.
Someday I’ll meander my way back to John and complete things.
If I live that long.

Coming up … Tyrone Power as ZORRO !!!
featuring Basil Rathbone !!!

 

 

Canada Day …

2 Jul

O Canada

Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg

There is so much WRONG in this country that I’m almost shuddering to celebrate Canada Day.
Mainly with our corrupt, evil, incompetent, and criminal Socialist governments. 

But it’s still unquestionably one of the best places on this planet to live. 

Eh?

Have a good one. 

 

the kid …

29 Jun


Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid / Bob Dylan

Always liked this Larson cartoon.

Always liked Emilio’s crazy kid.

 

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4 Days on the Rim / A Photo Essay / Part 7

27 Jun

Nautilaus bar


breathe and life / audiomachine

Nautilaus barTofino, British Columbia
Pacific Rim

Paul McCartney and a chunk of my youth ..

25 Jun

Somebody sent me this video and I found it so joyful I just had to re-post it here.
I hope you’ll enjoy it.

I gotta tell ya … brings a big tear to me eye.

Yankee Valley fun

24 Jun


The Rebel / Johnny Cash

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A Fair Hanging: Part 4 …… Damsel / 2018

23 Jun


Damsel Soundtrack / The End / by Octopus Project

It’s hard to have a Fair Hanging when you weren’t at the trial.

Damsel is on the loose -released June 22. But not showing around here!? Seems to have limited distribution. And as of yet I haven’t been able to get hold of it.
My gut feeling is that this will be and entertaining if not traditional Western.

Most reviews say Damsel is fun – and good. Though IMDB’s Review is lukewarm at 5.6 out of ten.

Rotten Tomatoes and viewers love it.

 But, like I’ve said, if you’re going to go by Movie Reviews to decide what you’re going to watch, you’re likely going to see a lot of crap – and miss some good stuff.
Buyer Beware.
Use your gut.

Oregon coast. Nice.

 

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Image

Alberta sunset …

22 Jun


flowers of the sea / era

 

Blog World

21 Jun

Howdy Folks …

I finally got hold of a great Tech person at WordPress (who identified himself as Charlie C. Thanks Charlie!). Charlie reinstalled my old WordPress Theme called Bueno – then made some adjustments that enlarge the images. Things are still not perfect because Bueno is an outdated Theme, I don’t believe it’s even offered by WordPress anymore.

At some point I may need to change/update things. But next time I’ll be a lot wiser about it and simply check out at other WordPress Blogs first and see what they are using – until I until I find one that fits my requirements. I might have to pay for that, but that’s OK as long as it works.

In meantime I’m leave things as they are and we’ll get something posted up here.

Onward …


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Image

The Horror ! … The Horror !

19 Jun

West Press

OK .. I’ve been trying to fix up my Blog for several days. Sorry about all the Posts you’ve likely been receiving. But things aren’t fixed yet. It’s a big mess actually. A work in progress.

All I wanted to do was enlarge the images on the Blog. That’s all.

I thought that would be better if they were a bit bigger. “Enlarged”.

How hard could that be?

But since I’m almost Technically Illiterate … I kept putting it off.

Eventually …

First I sent a letter to WordPress. “How do I enlarge my images on My Favorite Westerns?”

Response: ‘Please send us more information and an image of your page. Use Snipping Tool to get the image.”

What?! Really!!?? They have my Blog Name and Address. I am their customer. All they have to do is go to the page and LOOK!!!???

(Maybe they don’t know how?)

I decided not to bother with them anymore.

A friend suggested I simply try out different blog Themes until is discover one that works – displays larger images. Good idea says I. Sounded simple enough.

So … I tried a couple … and a couple more … and a few more. And more. Lots. Several. Some of the Themes seem to be corrupted? Or is it just me? The text was all screwed up. Some of my Pages disappeared! The Titles and Text were often wrong. Some overlapped my Banner and Images! … etc. All this went on for a long time. Hours.

Finally found one Theme that seemed to work. ?? But there’s some stuff that isn’t right. The Tags and Categories are in the wrong place. I went to use my usual Page/Post Editor to see if I could fix things. I discovered it was now replaced with the NEW Editor … which I don’t find to be as good – or friendly – as the old one.

ON I trudge.

My blog is still messed up and it will likely take me a few days to figure out how to get things right. Be patient with me. At this point I don’t know if the current Theme will work out.

But the Images are certainly Enlarged now …

 

4 Days on the Rim / A Photo Essay / Part 6

17 Jun

Nautilaus bar

 everdream

Nautilaus barTofino, British Columbia
Pacific Rim

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A Fair Hanging: Part 3 …… Gone are the Days / 2018

11 Jun


further on up the road / memphis mae & johnny bluth

Save the last bullet for yourself

Never believe Reviews.
I’ve seen some very bad Movies with high ratings. So have you.
While some damn good Movies get pissed on. Ditto.
Likewise, never judge a Movie by Production values.
Many ‘Big Budget’ Movies are horrific.
While ‘Small Budget’ Movies can be Masterpieces.
Consider the Lilies of the Field …
amen.

IMDB rates Gone are the Days as 4.8/10.
But I figured I’d give it a ‘Fair Hanging’ and make my own judgement.
Verdict: This is one of the best movies I’ve seen this year.
Not just as a Western, but it’s just a really good movie.
I’m giving it an easy 8.
You make your own judgement.

Lesson: Don’t always buy Reviews.

Acting: Lance Henriksen and Tom Berenger are both excellent. Billy Lush and Meg Steedle give outstanding support. Danny Trejo also does a nice job in his small role.

78-year-old Lance Henriksen is perfectly cast as the bygone badman. Lance has a good body of work under his hat and you’ll likely recognize him from Alien 2, Aliens 3, The Right Stuff, Powder, Damien: Omen II, Jagged Edge, Prince of the City, Dog Day Afternoon, … along with several Westerns: Dead Man, The Quick and the Dead (Boo!), Appaloosa (Yay!) and Millenium (TV). He’s a good Actor.

Berenger? I hadn’t seen him a while and I wondered how he’d be? He’s great. He’s done good work in the past (Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Platoon (1986); more recently Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his performance miniseries Hatfields & McCoys (2012) and he’s equally good here.

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So we definitely give credit to Director Mark Landre Gould for his first film. May he make many more.

Gone are the Days is not a conventional Western and it will not be everybody’s cup of whisky. (What is?) BUT I do hope you can appreciate good movie making when you see it.

IMDB says that “The story, and characters
are based loosely on Dante’s Inferno.”
This is good to know. It’s a effective component in the movie.

Fees for the Ferryman

 

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Stanley Cup Champs … more than worthy

8 Jun


They are the Champions!

That’s one HELL of a Watermelon!!!

Image result for stanley cup capitals pic

Washington Capitals players celebrate with the Stanley Cup. John Locher / AP Photo

They had paid their dues.

Anybody who thinks the watermelon you steal is tastier than the one you grow – and EARN yourself  – is a damn fool. A sad fool.

It took 44 years of Washington Capitals heartbreak, agony, choking, falling, fruitless failure to make this Stanley Cup the tastiest we’ve seen in a looong time.

And it wasn’t done with talent or skill. That’s a mere part of the what’s needed. It was done with undisputed HEART, intensity, focus and desire. The Caps simply decided they would outwork, out check, out hustle, out skate their opponents. It was grinding, brutal, blood sweat and tears hockey – through 4 Series – on every shift – that won the day.
Some sport spectacles are so spectacular – so special – that they truly do bring you out of your seat. And you’re glad – and envious – for what you have witnessed.  THIS was one of those.

About 30 teams start out every year – their goal is to win this prize The Stanley Cup – often said to be the hardest achievement in Pro Sport.
Only one will prevail. And it will never be handed over easily.
This was one for the ages.

Congratulations to the Washington Capitals. 
and especially that Russian guy, Alexander Ovechkin.

4 Days on the Rim / A Photo Essay / Part 5

6 Jun


remember not to forget / audiomachine

Tofino, British Columbia
Pacific Rim

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Woman Walks Ahead … A Preview

5 Jun


Fire Prayer / Denean

I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle.
– Sitting Bull

Woman Walks Ahead / 2018

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Woman Walks Ahead is a 2017 American biographical drama film directed by Susanna White. The film is the story of Caroline Weldon (played by Jessica Chastain), a portrait painter from New York who travels to Dakota to paint a portrait of Sitting Bull (Michael Greyeyes). It also stars Chaske Spencer and Sam Rockwell.

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2017. It is scheduled to be released through DirecTV Cinema on May 31, 2018, before being released in a limited release on June 29, 2018, by A24