Post by imfuncity on Nov 4, 2008 4:48:42 GMT -5
Been trying to get this said for several weeks to share with all and specifically thank Supersporter40 for recommending it (way back in the old forum), the movie "Open Range". My wife got it for me for Father's Day I think. Then, life got in the the way and we didn't get around to watching it until about 6 weeks ago.
I'm not a "bare butt" Costner fan but this is one good movie (IMHO his best, I didn't even know he was in it until we started the movie or I might still not have watched it). I have now moved the movie up into my top five "horse operas". I believe it's available in the $10 bin at Wally World and it's well worth it. Surprising, for this new Hollywood, it is a nitty gritty, for real, old time, good guy - bad guy Western.
I liked it so well, when we got to So CA a few weeks ago, visiting some of our anti-gun family including our daughter in from Wash. DC, I bought a copy for the family down there. We all watched it, they really like it too - including the anti-gunners and those who don't watch westerns!
Then, there is an amazing post script to this whole thing. Our daughter brought a book from DC for me. She lives and works on the Hill, 7 blocks from the Capital, hobnobbing and advising those we hear about on TV (if I watched TV), regarding stem cell un-research, anti-abortion, etc.
While in a Congressman's office awhile back, she saw a book laying on the congressman's desk that she knew I'd like - just from the pictures, and told him she needed that book! He said, "OK, sure, take it. Ah, what is it?" (Normal response since they get so much unsolicited stuff.) She says, "The pictures in the book are of the 'West"', Louis L'amour type West - that my Dad would like because they are the kind of pictures that he tries to take, of the kind of West that he likes, and represents the kind of guy he tries to be."
(It get's better.) Not only are the pictures terrific but the book itself is great and appropriately "cowboy short" short, like a cowboy would say, "why use ten words to say 'ain't the kind of thing that I'm likely to do', when "No!" will do. The book is "Cowboy Ethics" subtitled What Wall Street Can Learn from the Code of the West and the author, James P. Owen, had given a copy to every Representative and Senator in Washington!!
Now, if you are still with me, here is the REALLY good part and Owen's epiphany: The first paragraph of the first chapter starts with, "Have you ever had a movie change your life? Do you believe that it can even happen? Well, it happened to me (Owen). Last year (2003), I saw the movie "Open Range" and somehow, it struck a deep cord in me and got me started down a whole new path in my career." (He had been working in the financial industry for the last 35 years.)
The book is pretty pricey at $25, at least for me (guess it's normal for now), so I'm sure the author wouldn't mine my giving it a plug and short quotes from it. So, if you guys are interested in the ethics (or lack of) in Washington and Wall Street as compared to THE WEST, let me know and I'll post his 10 "Code of the West" on pg 24.
So, thanks Noel, you started an entire serendipity regarding a great movie, great book, and getting my daughter and I closer together. What a friend!! You're welcomed at my camp fire anytime!
(My apologies if it looks like I'm just throwing big words in, those are two of my favorite words, as they say so much in one word - plus the The Serendipity Bible Bible by IVP is one of the best group study Bibles I've ever found.
Also, I wasn't sure exactly where to post this regarding movies and such, feel free to move it if there is a better place.)
I'm not a "bare butt" Costner fan but this is one good movie (IMHO his best, I didn't even know he was in it until we started the movie or I might still not have watched it). I have now moved the movie up into my top five "horse operas". I believe it's available in the $10 bin at Wally World and it's well worth it. Surprising, for this new Hollywood, it is a nitty gritty, for real, old time, good guy - bad guy Western.
I liked it so well, when we got to So CA a few weeks ago, visiting some of our anti-gun family including our daughter in from Wash. DC, I bought a copy for the family down there. We all watched it, they really like it too - including the anti-gunners and those who don't watch westerns!
Then, there is an amazing post script to this whole thing. Our daughter brought a book from DC for me. She lives and works on the Hill, 7 blocks from the Capital, hobnobbing and advising those we hear about on TV (if I watched TV), regarding stem cell un-research, anti-abortion, etc.
While in a Congressman's office awhile back, she saw a book laying on the congressman's desk that she knew I'd like - just from the pictures, and told him she needed that book! He said, "OK, sure, take it. Ah, what is it?" (Normal response since they get so much unsolicited stuff.) She says, "The pictures in the book are of the 'West"', Louis L'amour type West - that my Dad would like because they are the kind of pictures that he tries to take, of the kind of West that he likes, and represents the kind of guy he tries to be."
(It get's better.) Not only are the pictures terrific but the book itself is great and appropriately "cowboy short" short, like a cowboy would say, "why use ten words to say 'ain't the kind of thing that I'm likely to do', when "No!" will do. The book is "Cowboy Ethics" subtitled What Wall Street Can Learn from the Code of the West and the author, James P. Owen, had given a copy to every Representative and Senator in Washington!!
Now, if you are still with me, here is the REALLY good part and Owen's epiphany: The first paragraph of the first chapter starts with, "Have you ever had a movie change your life? Do you believe that it can even happen? Well, it happened to me (Owen). Last year (2003), I saw the movie "Open Range" and somehow, it struck a deep cord in me and got me started down a whole new path in my career." (He had been working in the financial industry for the last 35 years.)
The book is pretty pricey at $25, at least for me (guess it's normal for now), so I'm sure the author wouldn't mine my giving it a plug and short quotes from it. So, if you guys are interested in the ethics (or lack of) in Washington and Wall Street as compared to THE WEST, let me know and I'll post his 10 "Code of the West" on pg 24.
So, thanks Noel, you started an entire serendipity regarding a great movie, great book, and getting my daughter and I closer together. What a friend!! You're welcomed at my camp fire anytime!
(My apologies if it looks like I'm just throwing big words in, those are two of my favorite words, as they say so much in one word - plus the The Serendipity Bible Bible by IVP is one of the best group study Bibles I've ever found.
Also, I wasn't sure exactly where to post this regarding movies and such, feel free to move it if there is a better place.)