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Bernie
Apr 22, 2012 17:56:58 GMT -6
Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 22, 2012 17:56:58 GMT -6
This weekend in my movie class, we had a bonus screening of the new comedy, " Bernie", starring Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey. For the review, please click here.
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Bernie
Apr 22, 2012 18:28:45 GMT -6
Post by Tex on Apr 22, 2012 18:28:45 GMT -6
These two were quite an item at a small club we belonged to on Lake Cherokee. She was an old bitch and he looked like an ass kissing queen. His dad taught at Kilgore College for a while and seemed like a super serious type. I didn't see many tears shed over the old lady winding up next to the popcicles. I suppose we should see this.
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Bernie
Apr 22, 2012 18:41:45 GMT -6
Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 22, 2012 18:41:45 GMT -6
Given how big a story this was years ago in your neck of the woods, I had a feeling you might have some personal insights into this. The film definitely calls into question Bernie's sexual preferences but never really states one way or the other. It does not provide too much information about his family life, however. If you want to read a nice article about the film adaptation of this story, check out this piece that appeared in The NY Times a couple of weeks ago:
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Bernie
Apr 22, 2012 19:46:55 GMT -6
Post by Tex on Apr 22, 2012 19:46:55 GMT -6
Sounds like the niece wasn't exactly heartbroken over her aunt's demise. BTW, I know Scrappy Holmes, Tiede's attorney. He is from Longview and is a unique character and a good criminal defense lawyer. Matthew McConaughey is probably well cast, being from there and speaking the language.
This shit goes on around there more than you would believe. Many of the men up there work long hours in dangerous work, smoke, and drink to excess - dying young. The widows have scads of money and not much to do - perfect for a Tiede type to move in and start spending the money. I know of at least two more such cases going on now that are no different except the old ladies are still alive. If they both are happy with the relationship, WTF.
We will have to see the movie.
BTW, someone recommended me as an extra for the movie, on account of my accent being from that area but living in Austin, around which much of the movie was shot. I didn't have time but it might have been fun.
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Bernie
Apr 22, 2012 19:53:15 GMT -6
Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 22, 2012 19:53:15 GMT -6
Based on the final product, it certainly looks like they used quite a few locals in the movie.
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Bernie
Jun 16, 2012 21:13:13 GMT -6
Post by Tex on Jun 16, 2012 21:13:13 GMT -6
We saw Bernie tonight. I will have to say they did their homework and nailed it pretty well. Good flick.
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Bernie
Jun 16, 2012 21:38:16 GMT -6
Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 16, 2012 21:38:16 GMT -6
What did you think of the commentary by the locals? In my review, I stated that it was somewhat unclear if it was scripted or spontaneous. Any thoughts either way? Did you recognize anyone?
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Bernie
Jun 18, 2012 8:03:50 GMT -6
Post by Tex on Jun 18, 2012 8:03:50 GMT -6
What did you think of the commentary by the locals? In my review, I stated that it was somewhat unclear if it was scripted or spontaneous. Any thoughts either way? Did you recognize anyone? I didn't recognize anyone, but the only business I ever had in Carthage was going to the courthouse checking mineral titles, and that was not too often. I do know Scrappy Holmes, the defense attorney, well enough that I would stop and chat with him on the street (he is from Longview not Carthage). He was played by an actor in the movie. The interviews were either spontaneous or the writers really did their homework. Unlike "Dallas", which is unrecognizable to me except as a sequel to the equally unrecognizable original show, "Bernie" was the real deal. The writers knew their subject well. Thirty miles in East Texas often means a completely different culture. The oil and gas wealth around Carthage was developed by operators in Kilgore and Houston, so many of the landowner's became wealthy, but from receiving royalty checks rather than running the business. Carthage is best known as the home of Tex Ritter and Jim Reeves. San Augustine, where the trial was held, is hillbilly country in the low swamps on the Texas-Louisiana border. There would have to be a lot of money in it for me to even spend the night there. When I was working for Ernst and Young at age 21, I was sent up there for a few days to inventory a big plywood mill. It seemed like six months.
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Bernie
Jun 18, 2012 9:00:47 GMT -6
Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 18, 2012 9:00:47 GMT -6
Thanks, Tex -- it's always interesting to get the perspective from someone more familiar with the subject matter.
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Bernie
Jan 9, 2013 20:11:56 GMT -6
Post by Tex on Jan 9, 2013 20:11:56 GMT -6
Gay neighbor's cousin sent me this picture. Bernie grew up in Kilgore and this is some award that she (gay neighbor's cousin second from left) and Bernie (right next to her) won. I remember Bernie's dad as a serious old German who taught in the technical school at Kilgore College. Attachments:
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Bernie
Jan 9, 2013 20:40:12 GMT -6
Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jan 9, 2013 20:40:12 GMT -6
Wow, very cool! It's so funny how this guy was rewarded as a kid by getting his picture in the local paper for doing something positive, then have his life turn around so drastically by such an evil act. BTW, I hear McConaughey was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in this movie -- good choice.
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Bernie
Jan 9, 2013 21:20:37 GMT -6
Post by Tex on Jan 9, 2013 21:20:37 GMT -6
Keep in mind that the Kilgore News Herald isn't the New York Times and it didn't take much to get your picture in the paper. Bernie was a few years younger than me and I don't remember much about him. Leigh Ann (gay neighbor's cousin in the picture) was the same age and knew him better.
The people in Carthage (the little town about 30 miles down the road where Bernie was a funeral director) liked Bernie and didn't like the old bitch and really wanted him to get off the hook.
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