busterclaude

Ok, the story is cliche and basically not-so-good. What got me through the entire film was Fiona and Bob Dylan. Fiona's music was incredible! And I always love watching Dylan sing/play (if not act). And while Fiona's acting was passable, she is very telegenic; she looks quite good on screen.

I never heard of Fiona, but apparently she made several albums, then disappeared from the music scene. Her full name is Fiona Flanagan. I'd love to find some more of her music.

Actually, even as poor as the film was, I'd like to find a copy of the soundtrack. About half the tracks are suppose to be hers.

Many climbers have made to the top of Mt. Everest; many with fantastic video or film. What makes this film truly extraordinary is:

* This was a 1953 expedition. No one had been close to the summit; much was unknown. They had to laboriously create the path and lay the ropes&ladders used by subsequent expedition. * They didn't have the advantages of modern tent materials, climbing clothing nor gear; yet they dragged a film camera up most of the way. * Hunt, the expedition leader gives the best explaination of the climbing path and camp positions that I've seen. * The perilousness of the South Col is very evident (the expedition was delayed an extra day due to a storm). This is interesting in retrospect of the 1996 disaster where 9 people died in a stome on the South Col. It also makes me appreciate the tenacity of Beck Weathers, the Dallas physician who survived the 1996 storm with severe frostbite. * The film covers the 175 mile hike required from Katmandu to the first base camp. Now climbers just taken in by helicoptor. * The film focuses on the entire expedition team, including the Sherpas, and not just on Hillary and Norgay. It is very truly a team accomplishment ... Hillary and Norgay made it because of the assigned order of the summit assault teams; not because they were any better climbers than the other. * Great shots of - Everest with the blanket of snow blowing off its south face - Dangerous terrain - The difficulty of hiking and working at high altitudes

When the story of Wanda Holloway's arrest for soliciting the murder of her daughter's rival cheerleader and the cheerleader's mother hit the news here in Texas, it was absolutely bizarre on one hand, but sooo Texas on the other. How does something like this happen, I mean, who ARE these people?

Michael Ritchie does an outstanding job of explaining this in his scathingly hilarious movie. These characters are so Texan! (But not representative of us all, mind you!). Holly Hunter, a born Texan, is brilliant as Wanda Hollow. I can't think of anyone else who could have played the character. There are excellent performances from everyone, actually.

Maybe it helps to live in Texas to fully appreciate the movie. But as you watch it, just remember that this is a true story about real people, and their characterizations are probably not overly exaggerated. Y'all enjoy!