BORROWED TIME: LENNON’S LAST DECADE (2025, doc)

May 1, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Documentarian Alan G Parker is not the British director Alan Parker who was twice Oscar nominated (MISSISSIPPI BURNING, 1988; MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, 1978), but he is the same Alan G Parker who has directed numerous music-based documentaries, including projects on The Sex Pistols, The Beatles, Status Quo (I’d like to track down that one), and KISS.  As the title makes clear, his latest work is a focused look at John Lennon’s final years in New York, leading up to his murder in 1980.

When we think of John Lennon, we tend to associate him with three things: The Beatles, Yoko Ono, and his being murdered in cold blood outside The Dakota, his NYC residence. Parker’s film focuses on the 1970s after John and Yoko moved to New York. Through interviews and archival clips, we get the sense that John was constantly attempting to discover who he was, post-Beatles era. Whether he was a husband, a father, an activist, or a recluse, one thing seems certain – music was vital to his existence. In fact, he was in the planning stages for a tour to support his “Double Fantasy” album in the days before he was gunned down. Some of those involved contribute here.

Lennon fans are the target here, and even though I just watched and reviewed Kevin Macdonald’s ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO just two weeks ago, the numerous interviews on display here are still interesting, providing personal insight into the man. These interviews are with folks like Tony Bramwell, Ray Connolly, and Phillip Norman, and include friends, musicians, journalists, and other industry sorts. Most of the recollections are personal in nature, though based in the professional world of music. There is a sense of awe as each explains their connection to the icon. What’s missing is any sampling of Lennon music.

We gain insight into the planned tour (and the next album), plus some details about May Pang and “the lost weekend”, his legal row with Paul (“How do you Sleep?”), and the drug use. There is also quite a bit regarding Lennon’s struggle to obtain his Green Card, and the challenges of being dad while bearing the weight of being a former Beatle. Parker includes the now infamous street interview of gum-chewing Paul McCartney who was still somewhat in shock immediately after his lifelong friend’s death. We also see Ringo and George appearing on a talk show sharing their thoughts. For many, this doc will prove to be a bit too long and filled with too many personal recollections, yet Lennon fans will always accept a bit more on the man who continues to fascinate so many years later.

Opening in UK cinemas on May 2, 2025

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PINK FLOYD: LIVE AT POMPEII (1972/2025)

April 24, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. No one familiar with Pink Floyd would expect a conventional concert film from the band. So how about a live concert from the ancient Roman amphitheater in Pompeii, the city destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.? And just for fun, we’ll have the band playing to an empty arena … no fans allowed. Now THAT is a Pink Floyd concert film.

Adrian Maben’s film was first released in 1972, and has had subsequent video releases since, so it’s likely most Pink Floyd fans have seen the film in one form or another. However, it’s time to watch again – only this time in a remastered 4K version that looks and sounds great. The beginning of the film shows all of the band’s equipment being set up (and yes, they had challenges with running enough electrical power to the area).

If you aren’t sure, this is the post-Syd Barrett lineup with Roger Waters on bass (and gong), David Gilmour on lead guitar, Richard Wright on keyboards, and Nick Mason on drums. In keeping with the times, we often see Gilmour and Wright going shirtless, scraggily hair on Waters, and sandals for the Italian sand. Also making his way around the band and equipment is Peter Watts (father of actress Naomi Watts), the band’s stage and sound manager.

It’s quite a visual to see the band and all the high dollar equipment set up in the middle of an empty majestic relic of the past. Songs played in the amphitheater include “Echoes” (split into two pieces), “A Saucerful of Secrets”, “One of These Days” (mostly Mason’s drumming), and then add-ons include “Careful with that Axe, Eugene”, “Mademoiselle Nobs” (with canine vocals), and “Us and Them”. We get some limited interviews, but the only real insights gained are: Mason likes pie without the crust, and the band readily admits to much arguing (no surprise there).

Pink Floyd was always willing to experiment with sounds and sights – here we get some early graphics and effects, including volcanic lava. This film offers a look into those early 1970’s years, and there are even some segments filmed inside the studio for the classic album, “The Dark Side of the Moon”. Certainly, the film helps make sense of the superb lyric, “The lunatic is in my head”.

In theaters and in IMAX beginning April 24, 2025

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NEIL YOUNG: COASTAL (2025, doc)

April 14, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Over his 60-year career, Neil Young has proven to be one of a kind. As an incredibly talented songwriter with an instantly recognizable singing voice, he’s also acclaimed for his guitar playing. Few musicians have cut a wider swath of diverse music than the Canadian-born Young. His success began in the 1960’s with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. A solo career with two amazing albums (“After the Gold Rush”, “Harvest”) took him to new heights in the 1970’s, followed by some hard-rocking tunes with Crazy Horse. Since then, he’s kept fans guessing as to what style each successive record would feature.

He has also dipped his toe into directing movies, and the most recent one I saw was MOUNTAINTOP (2019) directed by Young’s nom de plume, Bernard Shakey. The film was an interesting look at the uneasy process of Young and Crazy Horse collaborating on a new album. This time out, Young/Shakey is not directing. Instead, it’s Neil’s wife, actress Daryl Hannah. She spends most of her time behind the camera, though we do catch a few glimpses of the SPLASH (1994) star. She gets full credit for the crisp black-and-white look of the film.

It opens with Neil Young writing in the sand as the waves flow in and out. It’s a reminder that writing is his true gift, and this occurs just as he’s undertaking a short tour on the west coast. Each show will be held at an outdoor venue … including the stunning amphitheater, The Ford. Thanks in part to COVID, this is Young’s first tour in four years, and his son Ben joins him for one leg of the tour. As the miles go by, we eavesdrop as Neil and his Silver Eagle bus driver, Jerry Don Burden, chat about a few topics … including Howard Hughes.

The conversations aren’t particularly interesting (and neither man appears to be wearing a seatbelt), but we do gain some insight that Young’s activism remains in place as he hopes the crowd will understand the meaning behind his song, “Love Earth”. A later singalong reinforces this. Of course, Young’s blistering “Ohio” in 1971 solidified his voice on social topics.

Beyond all of that, this film, and most of Neil Young’s career, has been about the music. In these beautiful venues, Young digs deep into his catalog for some rarely (maybe never before) played live songs. His musicality is expressed through many guitars, a piano, a reed organ, and his ever-present harmonica. This solo act is something to behold, and it raises another question: has the renowned curmudgeon softened? This appears to be a kinder, gentler Neil Young. He even serves up playful banter with his audiences. Perhaps recovering from a brain aneurysm has caused this, or maybe it’s the steady presence of his wife. Either way, it’s a good look for the 79-year-old musical genius – the one who sips tea from a Willie Nelson porcelain mug.

In theaters for one night only on April 17, 2025

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ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO (2025, doc)

April 10, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. So why did John Lennon and Yoko Ono leave England to live in New York? This film provides the answer. Where did they choose to live? The film provides the answer. Why did John perform his only full post-Beatles concert in 1972? This film provides the answer. Why did they become so politically and socially active during those first 18 months in the States? This film provides the answer. And if you ever wondered how John felt about American television, well you guessed it … this film provides the answer.

Where did all of these answers come from? Well, Oscar winner Kevin Macdonald (ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER, 1999; THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, 2006; MARLEY, 2012) co-directs with Editor/co-director Sam Rice-Edwards and they focus on a very brief timeline, so that we might better understand John Lennon and Yoko Ono. You might think you know all you need to know about this famous couple, but the filmmakers, along with Producer Sean Ono Lennon, ensure that you see and hear clips you haven’t seen or heard before.

Much of this is centered around John’s only full post-Beatles concert in 1972, entitled “One to One”. Its purpose was to raise funds for kids through Willowbrook State School. And that’s not the only storyline about a kid – it turns out, one of the reasons John and Yoko moved to the states was her hope in reuniting with a long-lost daughter named Kyoto. It’s just one of the elements of the film that makes this much more of a personal story than simply a recap of celebrities. 

The film also works as a snapshot of the era. President Richard Nixon (one clip shows him sporting a maroon blazer), extremist Jerry Rubin, “The Mike Douglas Show”, Dick Cavett, Attica, Andy Warhol, and Billy Graham all have their moments. The attempted assassination of George Wallace is shown, as are numerous TV ads, TV series clips, and some news reports. The Vietnam War and Watergate are featured, yet somehow Allen Ginsburg reciting an ode to wiping one’s rear-end nearly steals the show.

We’ve all seen clips from Lennon’s One to One concert, and here they are remastered and sound terrific. “Instant Karma”, “Hound Dog”, “Cold Turkey”, “Imagine”, “Give Peace a Chance” are all shown, but it’s the scorching version of “Come Together” that really stands out. Of course, we are subjected to Yoko’s onstage banshee screeching … though thankfully near the end of the film, she gets a more heartfelt chance to actually sing.

During the film, the contrast with Nixon is obvious. John and Yoko are sincerely committed to peace, love, and justice, while Nixon’s politics for power stands opposed. The recreation of John and Yoko’s small apartment in the Village is quite something to behold – and remarkable when compared to the photographs and archival footage. When John describes his early obsession with TV as ‘a window into the world’ and a replacement for the fireplace of his youth, we gain even more insight into the man known mostly for his music and quips. In 1973, John and Yoko moved from the small apartment in the Village to the swanky Dakota building. His wish for the couple to be remembered as “two lovers” comes closer to reality with this film. Some of their home movies (with Sean) are played as the runtime ends.

In IMAX theaters on April 11, 2025

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THANK YOU VERY MUCH (2025, doc)

March 28, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. It’s been more than forty years since cancer took the life of 35-year-old Andy Kaufman, and we still don’t know how best to describe him: actor, comedian, illusionist, performance artist, prankster, or something more bizarre. It’s like no one knew ‘the real Andy’, and whether that was his intent or not, that’s the feeling we are left with after watching this bio from Alex Braverman.

Despite often stating that he was born on an island in the Caspian Sea, Andy was actually from Long Island, and Braverman describes what was truly a turning point in young Andy’s life. He was incredibly close to his grandfather … theirs was a special relationship. When he died, Andy’s parents decided to tell young Andy that the grandfather took a long trip. This feeling of rejection and abandonment changed the boy’s personality and perspective. It also formed the structure of his career – misdirection and trickery – a way to mess with reality.

Braverman includes input from many of Andy’s contemporaries, friends, and associates. We hear from Danny DeVito, Steve Martin, Robin Williams, Marilu Henner, Laurie Anderson, and Garry Shandling (first name often misspelled as Gary). We also hear from Andy’s dad, who confirms the mistake regarding the grandfather’s death, Andy’s longtime girlfriend, and his friend and writer, Bob Zmuda. We even hear from his college friend who claims to be the ‘real Latka’, the inspiration for Andy’s beloved character in “Taxi”.

A treasure trove of archival clips reminds us of some of Andy’s most memorable performances, as well as some we’ve not previously seen. His initial performance at The Improv is complemented by a memory from the club’s renowned owner, Bud Friedman. Andy’s stint on “The Dating Game” remains stunning, and we even get a clip of his 1975 screen test for SNL … where on the first episode he did his “Mighty Mouse” bit.

Transcendental Meditation and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi played a role in helping him get clean, and we learn how important his Carnegie Hall appearance was to him. Along the way, there were some baffling moments. His Elvis impersonation. The whole Tony Clifton phase. Reading “The Great Gatsby” on stage. Each of these had their detractors, but it was Andy’s wrestling – first with women – and then his confrontation with Jerry Lawler, that had folks wondering if he was slipping from reality.

Andy was often so far “out there”, that when he visited a healer in The Philippines, many wondered if his cancer was simply the next prank. Braverman’s film drives home Andy’s desire to make people laugh AND squirm (one or the other was not enough). He was truly a visionary and performance artist, and the documentary gives him his due.

Opens in theaters on March 28, 2025

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LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY (2025, doc)

March 15, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. The list of icons known by a single name is relatively short and includes such luminaries as Elvis, Prince, Cher, Bono, Beyonce, and Sting. Immediately recognizable with only her first name, Liza Minnelli also fits right in. Documentarian Bruce David Klein has delivered a tribute to her early years as the daughter of worshipped idol Judy Garland and famed film director Vicente Minnelli, and outlines her own path to stardom after tragedy to being recognized as one of the greatest performers of all time.

Liza is now 79 years old and wheelchair bound, and yet when the lights are on and the camera is rolling, her entertainer side takes over and she’s charming, and a bit naughty. The death of her mother in 1969 (at age 47) was a distinct turning point in Liza’s life. She says she was born and they took a picture – meaning she has spent her entire life in the spotlight … although she makes it clear she was not born in a red sequin dress.

We learn about those who have influenced her career, her life, and her style. Singled out are Kay Thompson as a mentor, Charles Aznavour who taught her performance, Fred Ebb and musical partner John Kander, Broadway legend Michael Feinstein, and famed choreographer Bob Fosse. We also learn of Liza’s four marriages and divorces to Peter Allen, Jack Haley Jr, Mark Gero, and David Gest. Though Liza offers no real comment on the marriages, those interviewed are particularly harsh when discussing the late Mr. Gest.

Liza’s brilliance has resulted in the rare EGOT, with her Emmy and Oscar being won in the same year (“Liza with a Z”, CABARET). Not surprisingly, her outstanding performance as Sally Bowles in CABARET (1972) draws a significant portion of the commentary here, and it’s stunning to hear Liza remark, “I don’t think I’m a real good singer, but I can act a song.” Her loyalty to friends is emphasized on multiple occasions – never more dramatically than when she saved the Broadway production of “Chicago” by substituting for Gwen Verdon.

Not much time is devoted to the dark period, although her friendship with Halston (clothes and parties at Studio 54) is mentioned. Liza’s half-sister Lorna Luft appears briefly, but not much personal insight is provided. Rehab for Liza is acknowledged, but let’s be clear, Bruce David Klein set out to make a loving tribute to a fascinating performer, and that’s exactly what this is.

Opens in theaters on March 14, 2025

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CORONER TO THE STARS (2025, doc)

February 28, 2025

Slamdance Film Festival 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Most Americans can’t name their county’s Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner. However, when one person held the position in Los Angeles County from 1967 through 1982, it’s understandable that he spent an inordinate amount of time in press conferences and TV interviews. Dr. Thomas Noguchi has been described as a “Renaissance Man” – a doctor, chef, and artist, as well as a pursuer of fame. Co-directors Ben Hethcoat and Keito Ideno present the story of Dr. Noguchi, “Coroner to the Stars”.

Should you question the label, know that, prior to his promotion, Dr. Noguchi personally handled the autopsy of Marilyn Monroe. Once he was leading the department, his high-profile cases included Robert Kennedy, Sharon Tate, Janis Joplin, William Holden, Natalie Wood, and John Belushi. Now that’s some star power. What really stands out here is Dr. Noguchi’s personality. Obviously a knowledgeable and talented doctor, he never shied away from the spotlight and pledged to “tell it like it is.” That may seem like a simple thing for a Medical Examiner, yet he was constantly reminded of the political pressures and battles. Instead of bowing to these pressures, he vowed “No more Dallas” … referring to the Feds taking over the autopsy of President Kennedy in 1963, opening the way for numerous conspiracy theories.

Fellow Japanese-American George Takei offers some insight through interviews, as do Noguchi’s attorney and a news reporter who covered Los Angeles during that era. The film includes quite a few nuggets, including Noguchi’s findings that there was a second shooter (friendly fire) in RFK’s assassination, and William Holden did not die from a heart attack. It’s interesting to note that Noguchi was the inspiration for the TV show, “Quincy, M.E.”, where Jack Klugman played a Medical Examiner. Many scenes were shot at Noguchi’s facility, where we also glimpse the massive crypt filled with a staggering number of corpses.

Dr. Noguchi’s career provides a wealth of topics, issues, and events, and the filmmakers do a nice job of presenting this in a manner that’s interesting and easy to follow. With courtroom hearings and politics involved, the reality seems very complex, yet we end with an understanding of the ups and downs of Dr. Noguchi’s career. He’s now 98 years old and his wife has passed, but this is a man who was the leader for Forensic Pathology, and whose work often helped make sense of challenging situations.


40 WATTS FROM NOWHERE (2025, doc)

February 28, 2025

Slamdance Film Festival 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Music lovers know very well how radio changed in the 1990’s. Consolidations, mergers, and mandated playlists became the norm. Traveling from city to city and town to town made this abundantly clear. Where once independent stations were keyed in to local culture, corporate radio commanded the airwaves. The exceptions were ‘pirate radio stations’ and Sue Carpenter not only founded one of the best (KBLT), she put together this documentary on how she did it.

By definition, pirate radio is breaking the rules set by the FCC … taking over an open frequency in a market while being unlicensed. Of course, this only works at low power levels, and the film does a nice job of explaining the technical aspects, stopping short of the dizzying specifications required to broadcast. It’s those FCC rules that forced Ms. Carpenter to use Paige Jarrett as her business name – no need to make it easy for someone to track you down. She provides a brief history of her move from San Francisco to the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles, including input from Stephen Dunifer of Free Radio Berkeley. We see archival clips of Mr. Dunifer, as well as a more recent interview.

Most famously, the history of pirate radio must include a tip of the cap to Radio Caroline, the UK pirate radio station that broadcast from ships (plural) as early as 1964. Richard Curtis (loosely) based his 2009 film, THE BOAT THAT ROCKED, on Radio Caroline. Still, it makes sense for Sue Carpenter to focus on her accomplishments with KBLT, as she broadcast from a closet in her small house. It’s fascinating to hear her recall the assistance she received in bringing on DJ’s for the station … musicians and music lovers who thrived on the independent nature and freedom to play the tunes and bands and artists they appreciated. Many of the original DJ’s appear for interviews here and there are enough home movies for us to get the feel for the times.

KBLT broadcast from 1995 through 1998, and not only was it a much needed outlet for the thriving underground and alt-rock music scene, it also carried with it a bit of civil disobedience for those involved. It’s described as going ‘viral in the 1990’s’ (prior to social media). A live, on air, in-studio acoustic performance by the Red Hot Chili Peppers was a highlight, and KBLT has been described as a real life version of PUMP UP THE VOLUME (1990). While those involved muse about what a great time it was, the impact on music remains undeniable.

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WILL & HARPER (2024)

January 11, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Realistically speaking, there should be more words for ‘friendship’, designating the multiple levels on which ‘being friends’ can occur. If Financial Advisors can have “A” (like Warren Buffett), B, C, and D (like me) clients, then wouldn’t it be reasonable for us to have levels of friendship for those we entrust with our kids and a house key versus those we meet periodically for happy hour, or those we acknowledge in the grocery store with a wave and a smile? OK, so while the viability of friendship by ranking is not likely, this latest from Josh Greenbaum (BARB AND STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR, 2021) introduces us to a friendship we can all strive for.

Andrew Steele was the head writer for “Saturday Night Live” from 1995 through 2008. Nominated many times for Emmys and WGA awards, he won an Emmy in 2002. During the time at SNL, Steele struck up a friendship with the great Will Ferrell, who was a memorable cast member from 1995 through 2002, before striking gold in movies. Almost thirty years into the friendship, Steele informed Ferrell that Andrew was now Harper (an interesting story behind the name choice), and her transition had begun in 2022. Now, keep in mind that Will Ferrell is a guy in his mid-50’s. Sure, he’s been around Hollywood for decades … but still, this information from a long-time friend would surprise most anyone.

Going back to levels of friendship, Ferrell suggests the two take one of Harper’s beloved cross-country road trips together. Watching the film, it plays like Ferrell prefaces this as a way for the two to reconnect, but on a deeper level, it translates into Ferrell making it easier for Harper to get more comfortable in public with her new self. Either way, this is a friendship to admire and the type of character we should each respect.

We have all seen many movies where buddies take a road trip together. However, these 16 days become much more personal and eye-opening than the average buddy flick. The two friends exchange personal details, and respectfully, Ferrell allows Harper to vocalize and process what this new identity means, how it feels, and how she is accepted by others (who are not long-time friends). There are many stops along the way, including parking lots, sporting events, and a dive bar in Oklahoma. Most of this provides some insight, although the over-staged bits (disguises) seem out of place.

Will Ferrell does in fact reward us with doses of humor. “Are you a worse driver now?” is an instant classic, and their friendship-based banter helps us feel like we are along for the ride. There are segments featuring Harper’s daughters and SNL celebrities, and Harper sometimes reminds us of her prolific comedic writing skills. Perhaps the most telling interactions are those with strangers – related both to Ferrell’s status and Harper’s gender. These days, there is a growing anti-trans sentiment that threatens to destroy the advances made over the past years. It seems to me that the message being delivered here is not one of celebration or special treatment, but rather acceptance and friendship … allowing adults to be who and what they want to be, as long as they aren’t harming others. That also seems like the definition of human decency. This one will likely have you analyzing your own reactions, and you’ll definitely want to stick around for Kristin Wiig’s remarkable song at the end.

available on Netflix

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SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY (2024, doc)

January 4, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Almost all little kids imagine themselves as Superman, a larger-than-life figure who accomplishes incredible things … while flying through the air! Filmmakers Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedgui collaborate again, this time to tell the story of the man who became Superman on screen for a new generation, and then, after a horrible accident, became a real-life inspiration and advocate for so many folks around the world. We also note that it’s impossible to tell the Christopher Reeve story without also gaining insight into his equally determined wife and caregiver, Dana Reeve.

You are still you, and I love you.” These are the words Dana spoke to Christopher after the 1995 riding accident when his horse refused to jump a fence, sending Reeve flying in such a way that the landing left him a quadriplegic near death. Rather than fading, her words gained strength over time, right up until his death in 2004. The film offers a profile of Reeve’s early days, first as a roommate of Robin Williams at Julliard, and later as an up-and-coming actor. There is discussion of his attempts to break away from the Superman cape, most noteworthy in films like SOMEWHERE IN TIME (1980) and DEATHTRAP (1982).

Personal insight is provided by Reeve’s own children, Gae Exton (his ex and mother of two of his kids), and friends and colleagues – Whoopi Goldberg, Jeff Daniels, and Glenn Close. Some of this is focused on his post-injury career when he pursued acting and directing (1998 TV Movie, REAR WINDOW), yet the most personal and insightful bits come courtesy of the home movies through the years, offering a window into the man, rather than the actor. It’s that man that shines through once he transitions into Christopher Reeve, activist for spinal injuries.

Reeve displayed little self-pity, instead determined to move forward with a new life where his celebrity status could bring attention (and money) to the cause. He gave speeches (the Democratic Convention) and made appearances (one at the Academy Awards ceremony less than a year after his accident). Always by his side was Dana. She was an incredible caregiver, yet so much more as she shared his determination in fundraising and medical research. A little off topic, but there’s a clip of her singing in 1987, displaying significant talent.

A devastatingly emotional sequence occurs as we see the family visiting Reeve’s death bed. He was 52 years old when he passed. Proving that the universe bears no sense of fairness, non-smoker Dana was diagnosed with lung cancer less than a year later, and died at age 44, a mere 17 months after Christopher’s death. It’s rare for a documentary to deliver such personal insight, and even rarer for one to pack such an emotional wallop. The stories of Christopher and Dana Reeve serve to remind us of what matters in life … that’s their legacy (more so than a cape).

*On a personal note, I sat by Christopher Reeve at the LA Coliseum during an NFL playoff game between the Cowboys and Rams in January 1979. He took pleasure in talking trash to the young man (me) wearing the Cowboys jersey … at least until the good guys took a commanding lead and he left early.

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