Curt’s top books and movies for 2024

Larry McMurtry might be my favorite author of all time. He wrote “Last Picture Show,” “Lonesome Dove” and a slew of other books, movie scripts and essays. So, when a new biography of him came out, “Larry McMurtry: A Life” by Tracy Daugherty, I had to read it, and I highly recommend. BTW: McMurtry was an avid letter writer, and these letters are still around. Thus the material for McMurtry's biography was readily available. In this day-and-age when letter writing is passe, and people are using email or social media to communicate with friends and lovers — material that is here today and gone tomorrow — how will biographies be written in the future? It's a concern I have. Will AI be able to access this cyberspace material? Hmm.

McMurtry's biography got me hankering to read “Horseman, Pass By” for which the movie “Hud” starring Paul Newman, was made, which got me hankering to see the movie “Hud” again. It's been 50+ years since I saw it. “Hud” is available on Amazon Prime. It amazes me that a sub-character in the book, “Horseman, Pass By” is the main character of the movie, “Hud.” But Paul Newman couldn't be a minor character.

With “Hud” out of my system, Ginnie and I were able to settle into our winter mode of reading, watching movies and eating popcorn. There are some great movies out.

“Maestro,” directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, is the story of conductor Leonard Bernstein. You can find it on Netflix. Ginnie and I were a little bored with “Maestro,” or more accurately, Bradley Cooper. Cooper trying to imitate Bernstein's voice by talking through his nose, was awkward. So, on to the next movie.

“The Color Purple” is out in theaters. It's a remake of the original, “The Color Purple” starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, only this time it's a musical. Outstanding! I may have to see “The Color Purple” again. As Ginnie says, “Bring a box of tissue.”

“Boys in the Boat” directed by George Clooney is well worth seeing. It had slipped my mind that I read the book years ago, so it was like discovering something I once knew, but forgot. (This is a common problem for seniors; our brains shrink, and memory diminishes with age.) “Boys in the Boat” is a must see feel-good movie, loosely based on the true story of the University of Washington rowing crew, in the Depression Era 1930s, who quite literally show the country and world what can be accomplished when everyone pulls together.

“Ferrari” is the surprise GREAT movie of the year. I was expecting something like “Ford v Ferrari.” Not! Starring Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz and Shailene Woodley, “Ferrari” is about the people involved with the 1,000 mile brutal auto race across Italy, called Mille Miglia. In 1957, bankruptcy looms over company founder and philanderer Enzo Ferrari. He decides to risk it all on the iconic test of man, machine, and emotion. Fasten your seat belt, auto racing in Italy is like bullfighting in Spain: blood is shed in the streets. I'd rate “Ferrari” up there with “The Color Purple” as the best movies of the season. Which reminds me, I believe “The Color Purple” will be Best Picture of the year. But we have more of '24.

Ginnie and I watched five movies in five days — three in the theater and two by streaming. Extravagant? Sure. But tis the season, and when you have the empty nest, you can do what you wanna do. (Ginnie enjoyed eating popcorn for supper.)

The current book I'm reading is “Teddy and Booker T., How Two American Icons Blazed a Path for Racial Equality” by Brian Kilmeade. Teddy, of course, is Teddy Roosevelt and Booker T. is Booker T. Washington. I've read plenty of history about Teddy Roosevelt, but not that much of Booker T. Washington. It's very educational.

2024 is shaping up to be a year of books, movies and politics. We can control what we read and watch, but politics? Aaargh!

Have a good story? Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526, email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com, or visit his website at www.empty-nest-words-photos-and-frames.com