Ronaldo J Woodson

Academy Award for best actor and original screenplay, lead me to this one. Well deserved for the late Robert Duvall, an alcoholic country musician and his redemption through his faith. And for a story I've kept reading about in screenwriting books, it was so rich in what it revealed in each scene and so tight for 92 minutes. Great musical numbers. Heartwarming, leaving me with a smile.

Haven't done a double feature at the theater since I was a teen. Usually hard to time it, but Harkins has had Kubrick playing, and they're lined it up perfectly. Game 1 of the doubleheader. The 3 hour behemoth that I have seen twice before, first in theaters. I appreciate the outdoor natural lighting and nighttime candle light cinematography. Looks great, bit what's lighting without that perfect production design perfectly set for the late 18th century. The costume changes and hairstyles made it feel like decades passing by on this epic journey. The journey of 'Barry Lyndon' is of fortune and misfortune but always ending up in his favor. His actions motivates by reaching the top of the financial and status ladder. Lying and cheating his way, gambling his life yet always escaping. Until he truly loved someone, and lost that person. And again at the end he is given the opportunity to rid of the last person in his way, yet gives them a chance... spitting in the eye of the god that gave him his luck. And then being forgotten forever. Always have enjoyed just staring this beautiful film for hours. Until the next viewing.

Game 2 of the doubleheader. Seen twice before. One of my first during that summer of 2013 and a few years after that. First time in a theater, and its impact is better watched with others. The opening 2 scenes don't invite the audience into the world, we're drafted into hell as well. The drill sergeant sets the stage for their new mindset, and then it's the most disgusting minded, open-thought hating, horny men killing machines; yet with love for their comrades and brothers. We're all laughing when we should be silent, we feel for one another, and oh, how quickly they go. With the Vietnam War over half a century ago, millions of people will never have to experience this, but in a theater.