Viewing

We are watching The Magnificent Seven for what may be the fortieth time in our marriage. In the movie, which features no women in speaking parts, a group of seven hombres – guns for hire – are hired by a Mexican town to defend the townspeople from extremely bad dudes. They decide to hire the M7 because the men in town realize that they “don’t know how to kill.”

In The Magnificent Seven are several 60’s era heartthrobs including Steve McQueen, the hero of Bullitt, which, if you are into cars and bad boys, is required viewing. Steve McQueen was a rough Paul Newman, who himself could be plenty rough. If you doubt me, go watch Cool Hand Luke.

Paul Newman was a work of art. I’m not overstating when I say, from my extremely informed vantage point, that Paul Newman was the most beautiful man in history. Unfortunately, he’s not in this movie.

But there will be a night for the eleven hundredth viewing of Cool Hand Luke. I put this here just as a reference for you all. Old movies have a lot to offer.

There are times when it irks me to watch a movie with all men, where the women are silently wiping dishes or weeping at a fresh grave. But, to be honest, it depends on who the men are.