Raymond & Ray

-

We always watch Ethan Hawke movies because he’s a good actor, and he always appears to pick good scripts.

So, of course we went with Raymond & Ray - brothers who must attend their Dad’s wake and funeral.

Without spoiling anything, his father’s dying wish is that his sons dig his grave.

“Oh, that’s a good idea,” I said. “Maybe I’ll do that too. Could you imagine how long it would take Jake, Matt & Sam to dig mine?”

“Oh, you’d never make it underground,” Kathy said. “You’d rot. They’d be saying, ‘Hold up, I’m playing Madden.’”

And the script was intelligent as we suspected and there was a moment between the brothers that made me laugh for a good ten minutes.

Wasn’t a classically funny scene:

Was just one brother trying to say something polished to a pretty girl and struggling.

The other brother (Hawke) just bursts out in laughter,

And it truly struck me funny because of the relationship I’ve always had with my brothers who would take great pleasure in me trying to impress a girl.

And that’s why Hawke’s movies are so engaging…

…real life stories and emotional connection.

My favorite kind of movies…

…don’t need a romantic comedy or a wild action film…

…just a good story and good characters.

Anywhoha…

…I don’t think I’m going to leave a provision in the will that makes my boys dig my grave.

Would take them a month…

…at least…

…and then they’d give up.

And as brothers they’d laugh and laugh and laugh.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more