SOUTH DAKOTA STRAIGHT TALK

This year’s Million Dollar Baby is the current movie in first run theatres, Walk The Line starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. The movie is about the triumphs and tragedies of the life of Music Legend Johnny Cash.

This flick ranks as one of this year’s best films. I clearly expect it to be nominated and probably receive several Motion Picture Academy Awards. Look for nominations for Best Actor for both Phoenix and Witherspoon, a Best Director for James Mangold and my sleeper pick a Best Supporting Actor nomination to Robert Patrick for his performance in the role of Johnny Cash’s father. Expect either Witherspoon or Phoenix or both to win an Oscar.

Consider that this year Jamie Fox won for his performance as Ray Charles in the biopic Ray. Phoenix blows him away.

Following are just observations (I am not a movie critic.) - The pairing of Witherspoon and Phoenix is one of the best romantic matches of all time. Their performances are spectacular either separately, together and especially together when singing duets - Romantic Magic! The artistic highlight of the film was the opening scene showing Cash’s preparation for his famed concert at Folsom Prison. The driving music and the scenes of the inmates gathering for the concert is riveting – as a viewer it is like being prepared for the moon shot. You are saying bring on this movie I am ready and I can’t wait any longer.

Also of particular interest to me was Cash’s beginnings in Arkansas and his place on the Memphis music scene and connections to Sun Records, The King, The Killer (who is coming to Sioux Falls in February), Roy Orbison, and Waylon. Of course June Carter was a member of the celebrated Carter Family.

Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison is one of the best selling Country and Western albums of all time. For an interesting description of the concert see Gene Beley’s article describing the events surrounding the concert.

This is a must see film – Don’t Miss It!