I have always wanted to die watching a movie but NOT LIKE THIS!

Some could call me a film snob. And rightfully so (see most of the posts above, love all forms of the cinematic arts, mostly the history…and what we can learn from it and do with it….dot dot dot) I got a confidential confession…I saw The Dark Knight 13 times in the theater. Everywhere from The Plush Berry Woods as close as you are to get real IMAX to the independence 2-dollar house with trash bags on the seats and trash in the concession stand display cases…not kidding. Yesterday my daughter took me to see The Dark Knight Rises with tickets she bought me for father’s day. And I and I believe she, have been looking forward to every day since. She with her hard earned money wanted to take me to the movies as a gift of love to see THE DKS, a sweet independent film about a masked baker that makes cupcakes for kitty-cats and then Bane breaks his back. We sat the Saturday July 21 at 215pm in a plush like IMaX theater with scowls on our face and eyes fixed on every exit. Every time the person in the seats next to us flinched or checked their phone during the 4000mins of previews beforehand we both thought “Is this it?” I have always wanted to die in the theater, more of an old age and passing at a sparsely seated retro house watching Rifif or YoJimbo. Not in a mob of families looking for some escapism and closure to a series we hold near and dear only to have our lives taken at our most vulnerable time. NOTE TO THEATER OWNERS do not put 20mins of preview before a nearly three hour film.

The Passing of Heath will forever be the mark on the Dark Knight

When they mention Dark Knight Rises, Colorado will on our minds and our guard will up everytime we go near a multiplex. This is not fair to the cast, crew, caterers, janitors and even the fat cat CEOs. Everyone in my theater 15min into the film, as Bane is being introduced and a plane is being torn apart. Everyone was scanning the exits and our neighbors like security cameras. My daughter was shaken by the conclusion and the outcome,  mostly thinking of Colorado and only by a bit of the film. I agree, but fathers must be stone statues at times. Much like the Dark Knight or Gordon Joseph Levitt’s character says; put on the false smile... During the long film, my daughter would look at my face; I don’t think she knew I could see her. I would take my eyes off the exits; fix them on the screen and grin ear to ear, just like I did when she presented me with the tickets. Just as we both imagined since she bought and gave them to me. Everyday up until July 20th. Theater going will never be the same. NOTE TO THEATERS: Instead of ramping up to airport style security to snatch every twizzle carrying child. Maybe make the theater a more community based experience. While this incident no doubt will drive me and others back to our DVD/Streaming dens. Theaters need to welcome the community in for some good movies, AC from the heat, and discussion after the film…make an area where we can share the experience in a positive manner rather than holding hands and crying the back of a ambulance. Nothing beats a good conversation with strangers and friends after a movie. Good bad or otherwise peaceful conversation between open and cool minds can only bring about understanding. Maybe I should set up my own confidential compliment super-secret samurai theater and invite everyone to talk and laugh with each other after words?.... And the 8 people or the one reading my blog 8 times will come. I don’t mind. Lets break cinema and pass it around, let’s all feast on the spirit of cinema. The cinema house needs to be the community not the center for disaster and harsh feelings.

I do not anticipate seeing the DKS 13 times. I bank on three; I have to go with my teenage son and then my wife. They both live me and have for 13 years, we have togo separate because we have a baby and I do not bring babies to the theater. Unless it is a theater designated day to do so. NOTE TO PARENTS DO NOT BRING YOUR BABY TO THE THEATER UNLESS IT IS A THEATER DESIGNATED DAY TO DO SO!

Peace be in your hearts higher than the highest mountain.

John Wayne was a pussy....

That right I said it. While most of the world was celebrating freedom fighters by giving them all flash backs with their fireworks....never understood that tradition. I heard a roll go off in front of my house and wanted to grab my rifle, jump in the hole and aim in the direction. Took me a min to figure out that is was just a holiday, not a hell of a day...like many many many the soldiers have.....
Johny Wayne, I hope most of you burnt your movies and tshirts yesterday because there is a icon or a underrated underdog you should of been worshiping the whole time.
Robert Ryan
Take your favorite Wayne movies and put them up against these...then throw out your JW and buy you some RR flicks!


Day Of The The Outlaw (1959)
Best Western ever...and that's not a hotel recommendation. Where else can you root for the bad guy and not fell guilty. Even Burl "Snowman" Ives plays a baddy. Also "Ginger" Tina Louise plays a upstanding town lady that isnt flashy or Hollywood like. Two nice nice TV types playing against the stereotypes.

Men In War (1957)

Great war film and one of the two best Korean war films ever made, next to Fuller's Steel Helmet. When all hope is lost and the soldiers are all burnt out you have groups of renegades geared for survival. Featuring Aldo Ray, the real one, not the one made up at the QT studios. Features a great cast and one of the best performances in a movie by Robert Keith. Doing so much with so little.

The Setup (1949)

Robert Wise and Robert Ryan only need 70mins to tell this epic tale in real time about a fixed fight. Where everyone is in on it, except the boxer who is suppose to take a dive. Very refreshing is the role played by James Edwards (also fantastic in Fuller's Steel Helmet!) back in a day when black people played only servants, thugs and jazz musicians.

He plays a boxer not only just a boxer but one that is equal if not superior to the others around him. For those of you who are fans of African Americans in cinema should take note, James Edwards paved the way and made a better day for all black actors that came after him. D Washington, I am looking at you, time to get your tribute shoes on and pay some homage ol' Mr Edwards.

Speaking of race and the great direction of Robert Wise.

Check out, Odds Against Tomorrow (1959).

Also starring the great Harry Belafonte. A boiler to the brim. Race relations 

Controversial, something Wayne would of never done.

Not only was Ryan tougher and a better actor, (that is to say JW acted at all or acted like anyone other than himself) Robert Ryan could share the screen with others where as Wayne had so much power he made sure that he had all the great lines and scenes, notice how great Wayne's movies should of been instead of the mediocre tripe that they are.

Wayne was a great big cry baby pain in the ass 

Robert Ryan would gave him something ton cry about, if he wasn't so busy making quality movies.

Stay cool in these hot days and do yourself a favor and get a little Rand R with the double R, Robert Ryan, the man who should be an American icon.

Whose your girl with the curl?
Earl
whose your boy?
Earl Roy.

The Price of Supermen, Saki and Seppuku

I have held many men’s dead bodies. In the military and also in my youth, my best friend Steve Brunson committed suicide in the parking lot of the apartments where my pop and I lived. You never would of known it. Upbeat feller, last words were "I'll see you at school!" and my dumb skipping every other day ass said "If I make it"...always the Joker........ His dad, Ox, former black Ops Vietnam. Never seen a hardcore mofo cry like that hope I never will. That and those who loose kids. Helpless feeling of being mad at no one but none the less mad as hell...want to bite a hole in the earth and spit it into gods face....harsh harsh words...we all have been to the brink...suicide is an alternative......go to escape. The debate and reinstate my mind...sit in thought and meditate through the cinema.... Me..like I have said before...escape through the cinema. The summer brings out the Samurai to me. Sorry ninjas and comic books but...

First up.

Harakiri(1962)
Seppuku (original title).

About a hungry Samurai coming to a feudal lord's home  in peace time...ol’ top knots did make much money in peace time. He comes to the house of Ily and asks to end his miserable life after 8 or 9 years of suffering. But first they have a story. Ohhhh and he has his story to tell as well. Whose is the honorable death? Is suicide, the price and the way it is death with in a harsh republic, is that, honorable? What is the price of, Suicide?

Also featuring and actor that make Daniel Day Lewis seem like Sylvester Stallone in a boom boom film…the chameleon of thespians, Tatsuya Nakadai. Who as of this posting is still alive!!! One of the best actors ever.                                           

Another in that same cannon

Sword of the Beast(1965)
Kedamono no ken (original title)

Suicide missions and their results.Who is the beast? It may be you.
Check them out. Top knot head choppers with a lot of thought and brains to boot.

Coming soon: Why Robert Ryan kicks John Waynes ass!
Dont believe me stay tuned
Summer Saftey do good tip of the week.
Cold Drinks
Share one with someone who needs one
Also if your friend is on fire....poor your cold drink over his firework poppin pee pee!
Peace To your hearts.
Earl Roy