John Wayne Movie Review: El Dorado

 Cole Thornton (John Wayne) is a gun slinger.  He is recruited by Bart Jason (Ed Asner) to help him run off the McDonald ranching family.  John Wayne decides to refuse as he would be going against the sheriff, and old friend, J.P. Harrah (Robert Mitchum.)  However even so he ends up killing the son of the ranchers, (as a reaction to being shot at) and the sister, Joey McDonald (Michele Carey) puts a bullet in him.  The bullet is against his spine and needs a better doctor for removal. 

John Wayne leaves, and hooks up with Minnesota (James Caan) who is good with a knife and not so good with a gun.  The hear that Jason has hired a different gun slinger, Nelse McLeod (Christopher George) and that Harrah has gone to drink over girl issues.  Minnesota and Thornton decide to go back and help.  They helpp rehabilitate Harrah, and take on the Jason men.  Thornton is bothered by the bullet which causes paralysis attacks.  Harrah is shot in the leg.  They are joined by the deputy, Bull (Arthur Hunnicutt.). Jason has kidnapped a McDonald and forcing the father to sign over his water rights.  And our heroes are set for the final confrontation.

Very fun movie.  Similar to Rio Bravo where the deputy is the drunk and Wayne is the sheriff,  In this the sheriff is the drunk and Wayne the deputy.  Maudie (Charlene Holt) provides the female love interest and does a good job.

Movie Review: ****^ Brian's Song

This is a good movie.  The relationship between Gale Sayers (Billy De Williams) and Brian Piccolo (James Caan) a black man and a white man who roomed together, when that was not kosher, is very poignant.  These two men played for the Chicago Bears, and competed for the same position, and then supported each other and became good friends, is what drama is about.  The actually started together for a time.  The relationship was tested with the illness of Piccolo.
Until this movie came out, I had no idea of the relationship, or even who Brian Piccolo was.  I had seen Gale Sayers in highlight films,  but did not know this story.  Cancer is no one's friend.  It takes too many of us.
This movie tore my heart out.  I highly recommend it. 

Movie Review: ****The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Michael Caine stars as Scrooge in this version of Muppet Christmas Carol in which most of the characters are Muppets, and even the vegetables sing.  This is a very enjoyable version.  Rizzo and Gonzo (as Charles Dickens) narrate, Piggy and Kermit are the Cratchits, and the grouchy old men are Marley and Marley.  There are several enjoyable songs, but the song on the theme of "God Bless Us Everyone" is my favorite:
Bless Us All

Life is full of sweet surprises, every day's a gift
The sun comes up and I can feel it lift my sprit
It fills me up with laughter, it fills me up with song
I look into the eyes of love and know that I belong
Bless us all, who gather here
The loving family I hold dear
No place on Earth, compares with home
And every path will bring me back from where I roam
Bless us all, that as we live
We always comfort and forgive
We have so much that we can share
With those in need we see around us everywhere
Let us always love each other
Lead us toward the light
Let us hear the voice of reason
Singing in the night
Let us run from anger
And catch when we fall
Teach us in our dreams and please, yes, please
Bless us one and all

Bless us all with playful years
With noisy games and joyous tears
We reach for you, and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all
We reach for you, and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all
I enjoyed this movie and it is one of my favorite.  Of course the best scene is the next morning, and they do a very good job with this.  James Caan is very good as Scrooge.

Christmas Movie Review: *** Elf

***Elf

I have always thought this was just a stupid setting to give Will Ferrell a platform to do stupid stuff.  I must admit, it has that element which kept me from really watching it.  I finally did this year, and the story is really cute.  Bob Newhart is his Elf father and James Caan his birth father.  My favorite character is the fellow elf at the store, Jovey played by Zooey Deschanel.  She adds a touch of beauty and class to the show.