Memorial Day Parade 2017, Washington, D.C.

 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Washington, D.C. hosted the nation's largest Memorial Day Parade which featured hundreds of photos of our fallen troops carried by volunteers down Constitution Avenue. High school bands, most which seemed to come from Texas, played patriotic songs throughout the two-hour long march which found one band member from Sandy, Utah falling out, likely due to heat.

 We remember the faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/by Patricia Leslie

Faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/by Patricia Leslie

 San Angelo, Texas Central High School Band, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 The riderless horse in the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 The riderless horse in the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Some veterans rode in splendid style in the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Ballou High School Majestic Knights Marching Band, Washington, D.C. Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 TAPS, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Families of America's Fallen Heroes, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 TAPS, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Families of America's Fallen Heroes, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia 
Leslie

 Bellevue High School Band, The Wolverines, Bellevue, WA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Whiteface High School Antelopes Marching Band, Whiteface, Texas, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Marble Falls High School, Marble Falls, Texas, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 No More Wars, Invest in Peace, Everywhere, USA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Chimacun High School Cowboy Marching Band, Chimacun, WA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Fifes and Drums, York Town, VA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Ramsey High School Big Blue Marching Band, Ramsey, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Ramsey High School Big Blue Marching Band, Ramsey, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Ramsey High School Big Blue Marching Band, Ramsey, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  National Society Sons of the American Revolution, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Alta High School Marching Band, Sandy, Utah, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This poor lad may have been overcome by the heat, but nearby were band boosters from the Alta High School Marching Band in Sandy, Utah, to help him into a waiting van in the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Helping a Alta High School Marching Band member into a van and out of the heat in the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Junction City High School Blue Jay Marching Band, Junction City, KS, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Harrison High School Huskies, Harrison, NY, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  As usual, President Abraham Lincoln came without his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, for the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Honoring America's Fallen Heroes, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29,2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 It's a wonder that Mayor Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans didn't try to boost these fellows, Sons of Confederate Veterans from Alexandria, VA and Maryland, out of the parade, but maybe he did. As they marched by, the people applauded. Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Sons of Confederate Veterans, Alexandria, VA and Maryland, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 The Renowned Sound of the Rhythmic Ravens Marching Band, Cane Ridge High School, Antioch, TN Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Goreville Marching Blackcats, Buncombe, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

You think it's a big elephant?  Try a big potato from Idaho!  Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Time out for a slurpee, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Union High School Marching Bears, Big Stone Gap, VA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Union High School Marching Bears, Big Stone Gap, VA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

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  St. Joseph Ogden High School Marching Spartans, St. Joseph, IL,Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Altamont High School Marching Indians, Altamont, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  ROC Veterans Association in Washington, D.C., Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Spiro High School Marching Band, The Pride of Eastern Oklahoma, Spiro, OK, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 The Lions with Miss America 2017, Savvy Shields, standing on the left in the blue dress, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Orange High Panther Band, Hillsborough, NC, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Boy Scouts of America, National Capital Area Council, Troop 176, Quantico MCB, VA Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Argo Community High School Marching Argonauts, Summit, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Seated is the oldest known WWII Pearl Harbor veteran, Ray Chavez, age 105, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Honoring Our Fallen Sons and Daughters Since 1928, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  The Pride of the Dakotas, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Marble Falls Junior-Senior High School Mustangs, Marble Falls, Texas,  Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Dumont Huskies Marching Band, Dumont, NJ, "The Best Band in the Land!" Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Marching Keenan High School Raider "Rubber" Band, Columbia, SC, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

   Marching Keenan High School Raider "Rubber" Band, Columbia, SC, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Valley Stream North High Spartan Band, Franklin Square, NY, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Korean War Veterans, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Central High School Big Blue Band of Pride, Burlington, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Central High School Big Blue Band of Pride, Burlington, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie 

  Cobden High School Marching Band Appleknockers, Cobden, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Gardner Area Marching Panthers Band, Gardner, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Rolling Thunder (?), Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Sam Houston High School Marching Hurricanes, San Antonio, TX, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Jackson Liberty High School Lion Band, Jackson, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Jackson Liberty High School Lion Band, Jackson, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Jackson Liberty High School Lion Band, Jackson, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie 

  Desert Storm Troops, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Big Beaver Falls High School Tiger Band, Beaver Falls, PA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  L.G. Pinkston High School Pride of the West Side Mighty Vikings Band, Dallas, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Rockin' Redwings Band, Hoboken Public Schools, Hoboken, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Southern Boone County High School Marching Eagles, Ashland, MO, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  The Village School Viking Band, Houston, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 The Village School Marching Band, Houston, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Movie 'Lost City of Z,' lost in time

Tom Holland and Charlie Hunnan with new friends in Lost City of Z/Amazon Studios and Bleeker Street

Save your time and money and avoid this film which is way too long, s-l-o-o-w-w-w, and laborious.

Had it been squeezed in half by a python, it would have been far better.

As it is, there is too much yakety-yak from England and the Royal Geographical Society, but I read the book (which drew me to the film) which was far better, included lots more about the jungle exploration and lacked the silly script like patronizing women's issues which, I suppose, was inserted to make the movie more palatable to moviegoers.

Overall, the movie failed to capture the jungle's dangers and conditions which David Grann recounted in his book by the same title and lacked the edginess so necessary in a movie of terror, or near terror. (Okay, the movie has one snake, an artificial panther, and lots of spears.)

For a ratio, the movie was 50/50 homefront v. jungle, whereas the book's ratio was three-quarters jungle v. one quarter, homefront.

Now which would you find more thrilling, appealing, and exciting to watch?  Me, too.

It was one of those movies which almost found me asking:  "When is this going to take off?" Always, a bad sign.  But, I expected it to be languid, and my expectations were not exceeded.

Besides, the movie's ending in the jungle is fiction since the ending is unknown.

The biggest standout performance in the film comes from Sienna Miller as the wife of explorer Percy Fawcett.  Again, to patronize women, I suppose, she had a far bigger role in the movie than in the book, but so did most of the characters. (Thank you, writers, for omitting the obligatory sex scene!)   

Yawn.  I did.  With and without the sex.

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