After the amiable, TICK...TICK...TICK, Quentin took to the stage and shyly began to explain why JUNIOR BONNER from 1972 was such a special film to him. He made it clear he was in no way being an "egotistical asshole" or comparing himself to Peckinpah, he just felt like he appreciated the film more after the mixed reception of JACKIE BROWN. He said that when Peckinpah finally made a film with no slo-mo bullet bursts, critics and audiences were puzzled, much like the muted response to the adult and thoughtful JACKIE BROWN (and the touching, bittersweet relationship between Pam Grier and Robert Forster is Tarantino working at an elevated level). You could see Quentin was being sincere, even modest, and his heartfelt introducton to JUNIOR BONNER was the best of the festival.

I settled in to enjoy Peckinpah's warm, subtle tribute to an aging rodeo star, expertly played by Steve McQueen, and an elegy for a vanishing cowboy in the modern age. Framed by Lucian Ballard's exquisite widescreen cinematography, JUNIOR BONNER is about a day in the life of the titular hero as he returns home to try and ride one more bronco to victory. His brother (Joe Doon Baker) is buying the future with mobile home sales while his Quixotic father (a vibrant Robert Preston) and his stoic mother (the great Ida Lupino) try to hold onto their past.

Filled with many terrific character moments and a sad understanding of where men like McQueen are headed, JUNIOR BONNER is Peckinpah's most gentle, generous film. I loved it. A cool title scene with good music too. Quentin said if anybody had a soundtrack, he'd make it worth their while.

After the screening, winding the BMW down the 35 as"Chilly Winds" blow from the speakers, I again reflect how lucky I am in to be in Texas at this time in my life. Tonight, I'm jes' a good ol' boy myself...Yee-haw!