mini-summer

[gwynnega]

While the rest of the country is having a snowpocalypse, we in LA are having a mini-summer. The Garage Kitty is pleased, and I can't say I'm not. Today I braved the mall, which was not fun (especially driving in and out of the parking lot), but my holiday shopping is now pretty much done. Hooray.

Last night I watched a documentary on the late John Cazale, who appeared in only five films, but what five films: the first two Godfather movies, The Conversation, Dog Day Afternoon (possibly my favorite movie ever), and The Deer Hunter (which my dad co-wrote). My dad would've loved this documentary. I hadn't realized Cazale and Meryl Streep were a couple, and I couldn't remember whether Cazale had come to the Academy Awards the year The Deer Hunter won awards--but no, he died of lung cancer before the movie was released. I remember seeing young Meryl Streep in the ladies' room at the Oscars, but I had no idea of everything she'd just been through. Anyway, the documentary is wonderful.

Comments

[denny-dc.livejournal.com]

I've watched that documentary so often its silly. I LOVE John Cazale, and he and Meryl's story just amazed me. They were married, not just a couple. And OMG I didn't know your dad co-wrote The Deer Hunter - one of the most brilliant films ever. I was born and raised in a town in Ohio similar to the town depicted in that film and the people - although not as ethnically close knit as in the film - but still a close knit small town without color lines - was amazing for the 1960s - but not unusual in Ohio. Wow. You took me back - those movies were so much a part of my teens I can't tell you - especially since my boyfriend (high school) was in Viet Nam - just crazy memories...Anyway, great documentary, great actor, great films, and yes, I'm jealous of your weather:)!

[gwynnega]

My dad and his writing partner wrote the original script of Deer Hunter--then Michael Cimino and HIS writing partner totally changed it. Cimino didn't want the other writers to get credit, but the Writers Guild intervened, so all four writers got credit, thankfully.

Wow, that's interesting to know about your home town and your high school boyfriend! I have such love for the great American movies of the 1970s--arguably the last great period of American moviemaking.

[usedtobeljs]

[hugs and stuff]

[gwynnega]

Have a good week, Lori!

::hugs::

[http://users.livejournal.com/tesserae_/]

Everybody on fb is commenting on he weather. It's been much warmer than the rest of Europe here, but that translates to 40s and 50, not 85... Let's plan a lunch for early January, shall we? I'd llove to see you when I get back! (And I'm sorry I miised herself_nyc whe she was here; I didn't pick up that msg till well after she'd left town!)

[gwynnega]

It was a bit surreal doing Xmas shopping in the summer weather today. It's supposed to drop back to the 60s in a few days.

Yes, let's have lunch in early January. It'll be great to see you!

[skogkatt.livejournal.com]

Huh, interesting about your Dad and the story behind The Deer Hunter script. Also, you were at the Oscars? How glamorous.

[gwynnega]

Going to the Oscars was glamorous in retrospect--at the time it was mostly nervewracking! The Deer Hunter was up for a lot of awards, and every time they said, "And the winner is...", it was a very nervewracking moment.