Joe

still thinking about ‘THE SEARCHERS’ (1956)
I think john wayne’s character is deeply interesting and john ford’s landscape cinematography is basically second to none. a movie with tough themes that takes you along for the ride and is 100% worth a watch. I love a western and this is one of the best!

another beauty, written by Tao Qian (~365-427CE)

what a gorgeous poem - written, apparently, in 206BCE

3 course burns supper tonight, been about as scottish as it’s possible to be. if scotland gets independence my passport is secured, no question

TWENTY TWENTY FIVE

MERRY CHRISTMAS

a man in a suit and tie looks at the camera ALT: a man in a suit and tie looks at the camera

watched ‘ROPE’ (1948) last night.
like a closed door mystery play put on camera, the irreplaceable Jimmy Stewart does fine work as ever.
lots of interesting long takes and handheld camera work from Hitchcock and a compelling plot make for 80 great minutes. fantastic movie.

great movie, yeah. can see that angle ngl, the way exley and white team up is very satisfying

god, what a deeply depressing ending that movie has

shaking my head throughout the entirety of ‘Chinatown’ so people know I dislike roman polanski

bit of a Los Angeles double feature in the last couple of days. first ever watches of L.A. Confidential (1997) and Chinatown (1974)

I’m happy with a smaller circle, but just a bit more vibrancy and activity would really make this place pop

when isn’t he doing stupid stuff? he spends like 18 hours a day on his phone

nothing worse than talking to a void! I just need to try and remember to be a bit more consistent over here as well - be the change you want to see and all that

juggling two social media apps is a nightmare, and bluesky is really cool, but there doesn’t seem to be the interaction quite yet. I’m in that weird limbo where I still post on twitter and I forget to post here every few days 😅

that bright, jangly 12 string rickenbacker is an unbelievable instrument. it’s half the reason ‘a hard day’s night’ and ‘rubber soul’ are albums I really enjoy. the influence going from the beatles to the byrds and back again

I think the last 3 weeks or so might see the byrds nick 2nd place in my spotify wrapped - I’ve not been able to get enough of their sound of late

genuine 1970s and in fabulous nick 😮‍💨

look at this rick dalton once upon a time in hollywood ass jacket I picked up - wow, I’m stunned!

or to listen to ‘sweetheart of the rodeo’, of course 🤠

the hummus looks legit 😮‍💨

edinburgh’s buses all got shut down for the afternoon so the city is in chaos. good time to put your pyjamas on the radiator and watch something comforting 😌

it took 3 nights of trying but my rewatch of ‘GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL’ (1957) is now complete. as good as I remember it being. kirk douglas’ portrayal of doc holliday is probably my favourite thing about it. he’s excellent!

whatever happened to gary cooper? the strong, silent type. now there was an american!

‘HIGH NOON’ (1952) was fantastic. a simply marvellous western that on the surface is a heroic tale of a lone marshal and yet is as deep as you can imagine it - so many undertones and possible themes. always good to end with a shootout as well 👍

the westerns will continue this evening, I plan to watch ‘HIGH NOON’ (1952)
and finish off my rewatch of ‘GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL’ (1957)

I think I’ve now seen 4 of john sturges’ big hit movies and all of them are classics, incredible career

just finished ‘BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK’ (1955). what a picture.

shades of blue today