Day #21,729

Walk km 7721-7727: to Big Lots on Decatur

an Oldsmobile
approx km 7723 El Camino ave

Movie #1704: Burn After Reading (2008, Coen brothers)

See, even the characters in the movie thought the film was pretty funny

I thought this was supposed to be a stinker. I just bought a copy because it's the Coen brothers. It's got a 7.2/10 on IMDB so people seem to like it.
Frances McDormand and Brad Pitt come across a CD with what looks like highly classified CIA information on it. They are not too bright so blackmail is their first thought. That sets the ball rolling with everybody acting dumber and dumber as the plot thickens. It's a hoot. Not as good as "The Big Lebowski" because it doesn't have a likable central character but pretty darn funny nevertheless.

Movie #1705: Shaft (1971, Gordon Parks)

Not much to speak of. Remembered more because it started the blacksploitation genre than because of the quality of the picture. Standard TV type production values and Richard Roundtree doesn't really have the ability to project that "mean mother" persona required for this role.

Day #21,728

Walk km 7717-7721: running errands

Movie #1701: That Uncertain Feeling (1941, Ernst Lubitsch)

Fairly amusing screwball comedy. The "slapping" scene is especially silly.

Movie #1702: The Ugly American (1963, George Englund)

This one was interesting. It's a Vietnam War movie made before the real war started. As I watch, I wonder: which side will Hollywood be on? The wrong side of course. But wait: this isn't a John Wayne movie, it's a Marlon Brando movie. Anyway, Hollywood gets it all wrong. It turns out that the voice of reason is the puppet leader that the U.S. has propped up! Didn't see that coming. Loved the ending. Kept my interest throughout.
One problem with this one though will be its short shelf life. Because no background is supplied, as soon as people forget the Vietnam war, this movie will no longer be relevant.

Movie #1703: Blazing Stewardesses (1975, Al Adamson)

There are two things wrong with watching a movie made by people who have absolutely no talent. First, it's a crappy movie. Second, you feel sorry for the people who made it. In this one it's even worse. First, this thing is 95 minutes long. Huh? Why waste all that extra film stock. You only need to film 60 minutes to get your movie played. What did Al think he was making here: Gone With The Wind? Second, there were some old people in this who used to be somebodies. The worst example: the Ritz Brothers. These guys used to be bargain basement Marx Brothers in the 30s. In this, they are excruciatingly unfunny. It would make anyone cringe to have to look at them. I hope they died of old age before they saw themselves in this one.

Day #21,727

Walk km 7703-7710: to the Rio and back
Walk km 7710-7717: to the Rio and back (again)

the Rio
approx km 7706 from rio parking lot

Farewell Poker Tour tournament #19: Stud hi/lo ($1500, Rio)
OK, that's it. It was a fun seven years but I'm saying goodbye to poker. I went out in 2 1/2 hours. 2 1/2 hours!!!! That's almost impossible. And (as far as I know) I didn't make any mistakes. Those cards were definitely trying to tell me something and I heard it loud and clear.
So, the second half of this vacation will be a more normal vacation. Unfortunately I don't gamble and the entertainment here is crappy. What's left? Buffets!

Day #21,726

Walk km 7693-7703: to Golden Nugget and return

Movie #1700: Here come the Waves (1944, Mark Sandrich)

Propaganda picture from Paramount trying to get women to enlist in the Waves. All very lightweight with Bing Crosby and Betty Hutton singing a few tunes. Plot is of the idiotic "misunderstanding" variety. The songs are nothing special although seeing Bing Crosby in "black face" when he sings one of them is a little creepy. A waste of Betty Hutton's talents.

Farewell Poker Tour tournament #18: Stud hi/lo ($240, Golden Nugget)
Hohum. Another tournament, another loss. Maybe I should switch my Vegas vacation away from poker and more towards more traditional Vegas recreation options.

Day #21,525

Walk km 7682-7693: to Golden Nugget and back

Movie #1699: The Night Of The Following Day (1968, Hubert Cornfield)

I was beginning to think that all the DVDs I bought here were stinkers. This one was a nice change. Excellent caper flick with Marlon Brando and a bunch of losers trying to kidnap a rich teen for ransom. Things start unraveling right from the start. Excellently executed.

Farewell Poker Tour #17: Stud hi ($240, Golden Nugget)
This is working out well. I'll never want to play poker again after this. I was out in just 6 hours. Embarrassing.