Now that the much-needed rain has subsided and the yard work is done for yet another week, there is no better time than now to reward yourself by viewing some fabulous television.
Before getting to that, I prepared myself by watching two of the best golf movies made, “The Legend of Baggar Vance,” directed by Robert Redford and “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” starring Shia LaBeouf.
The first is a fictional match between a Savannah, Ga., amateur golf standout, and golfing greats Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen.
The latter is based on the true story of Francis Quimet’s stirring victory, as an amateur, in the 1913 U. S Open beating noted professionals, Harry Vardon and Ted Ray from England.
Now, on to the “cablewaves.” I peeked in on “The Cosby Show 25 Year Marathon” this past week. It began Sept. 20, 1984, and what joy it has been to watch over these many years. Its messages certainly do stand the test of time.
Beginning Sunday, Sept. 27 is the newest Ken Burns special, this time featuring America’s national parks. There is certainly something of interest for everyone in each of Mr. Burn’s works, and if you are a photographer, you will surely marvel at Burn’s use of still photos that almost come to life, juxtaposed against a backdrop of jaw-dropping film footage.
We visited two national monuments some years ago, Mt. Rushmore and Devil’s Tower.
What comes to mind about the Rushmore site was walking through the entrance gates and suddenly looking up and there were those faces against a brilliantly blue sky. If they could have only talked.
And who can forget the moment when actor Richard Dreyfuss realizes that Devil’s Tower is real after all. The lengthy drive to its base was almost like being an extra in his “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” film.
In the July 2009 issue of National Geographic an article seems to fit this particular weekend as the great State Fair of Oklahoma winds down for yet another year. Its author is Garrison Keillor and he regales us with “The Ten Chief Joys of the State Fair.”
Just to wet your whistle: “The state fair is a ritual carnival marking the end of summer and gardens and apple orchards and the start of school and higher algebra and the imposition of strict rules and what we in the north call the Long Dark Time. Like gardening, the fair doesn’t change that much.”
Then, his take on fair attendance: “To mingle, merge, mill, jostle gently, and flock together with throngs, swarms, mobs and multitudes of persons slight or hefty, punky or preppy, young or ancient, wandering through the hubbub and amplified razzmatazz and raw neon and clouds of wiener steam in search of some elusive thing, nobody is sure exactly what.”
Could not have said it any better myself. And speaking of celebrations, Broadway dancer Tommy Tune is celebrating his 50th year in show business, too!
Fall is now official, in our town.
Arts & History
Swinging away, it’s September!
- Arts & History
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‘Anonymous’ decent fiction, though pretentious
The art of the lie is one thing humanity has never let fall into disuse and it has many uses from trying to hide something to creating a good old fashioned conspiracy theory when we don’t want to accept the facts.
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Maysville history comes to life one act at a time
Ever since the dawn of classroom based learning, teachers and administrators have struggled to find ways to engage their pupils in each semester’s curriculum.
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‘The Iron Lady’ an emotional ride through adversity
As someone who has easily dedicated a lifetime’s worth of television hours nerding out to stuff like the History Channel, it is no wonder why I always eventually cave to biographical movies on some of the most famous/infamous people to make something of their humanity.
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‘J. Edgar’ a win for DiCaprio, flat elsewhere
History can often favor the victorious and ignore a lot of wrongs, but sometimes the most vile cannot completely wash away the grime.
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Team recycles for fashion
Art in some ways can always involve taking an otherwise cast aside object and giving it new use, but for three Pauls Valley business owners, it’s also a chance encourage environmental responsibility in others.
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‘Hugo’ a beautiful exposition of art in film
Though I tend to feel slightly squeamish when it comes to movies which go overboard in the artsy department, there is a way to incorporate a refined feeling without boring the heck out of everyone.
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‘The Conspirator’ perfect commentary on blind justice
In this episode of Oklahoma Ezra and the Temple of Film we dig up yet another movie lost to the box office ages, one with a fascinating premise, but lousy attendance.
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Missoula prepares for audition rush Feb. 20
Every community has traditions which carry with them a guaranteed level of excitement and one synonymous with Pauls Valley for the past 15 years has been Missoula Children’s Theater.
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‘Moneyball’ cash in the bank for best actor
Maybe it’s because math was always a special kind of hell for me throughout the education process, but any sort of award attached to a movie where it is the major dynamic seems like a cruel joke.
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‘The Grey’ follows typical blah early year trend
As a relatively balanced movie fan, I tend to be open to the possibility of any time of the year having the chance to win over audiences, though there remains reasons why most of the awesome of the box office begins around summer.
- More Arts & History Headlines
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Secret Service Boss: 'I Apologize'
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
