Unexpectedly saw two films I really liked on several different levels while on my trip.
Million Dollar Arm was a delight and I recommend it to all ages.
Here, before reporting on the next movie, I need to interject a bit about a trip Joannie and Terri took to San Antonio while I got to have some quality time with Mother and my three canine nieces. Terri had given Joannie tickets to Journey concert for Christmas so they went primarily for that. Best bonus: when they checked into their hotel, the concierge asked if he could get any other tickets for them, so they went off that first night to see the Spurs shellack the Thunder. (Mother and I watched at home.)
Next morning, they set off for a historians’ morning, touring The Alamo, which neither had visited since childhood. My memory is that is was a very boring visit for a child, but these retired school teachers loved it and came home with a very surprisingly excellent film of the siege. Also, with this scarf for me, which is a replica of a flag remnant from the Alamo:
Love it!
And that night at the Journey concert, someone we know and love was caught singing her heart out. Love that too.
Turn the sound way up!
But back to the DVD they brought back, try to erase forever from your mind the ghastly John Wayne movie. This one from 2004 was such a surprise. An excellent film. Watching it was a meaningful thing to do after working at the cemetery on Memorial Day morning.
Of course, there is nothing much right about a story of people stealing territory, which is, when you think about it, what most wars are about. I am reminded of a bit of history from my birth state, and a highly-orchestrated land run where, once again, land was taken from indigenous people. Adventurers who couldn’t even abide by the orchestrated plans and dashed in ahead of time were called “sooners.” I can’t think why we Oklahoma natives would call ourselves by that soubriquet. Cheating is not something to be proud of. It might be nice to honor the Indians, but now it’s hard to find something that isn’t “inappropriate,” — Redskins, Savages just won’t do. But I digress.
I recommend the 2004 film The Alamo, with Billy Bob Thornton as David (not “Davy”) Crocket. It is highly authentic, while, at the same time, intricately weaves in powerful mythology That is, Myth with a capital M. Myth that captures a greater truth than simple facts. Something like the parting of the Red Sea. Please put it in your queue so we can discuss it later.
