Saturday, August 24, 2024
Hell or High Water
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jeff Bridges Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton Chris Pine Toby Howard Ben Foster Tanner Howard Gil Birmingham Texas Ranger Alberto Parker Marin Ireland Debbie Howard Katy Mixon Jenny Ann Dale Dickey Elsie Kevin Rankin Billy Rayburn
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2016
Directed by David Mackenzie.
Labels: jeff-bridges, revisionist-western
Thursday, June 13, 2024
The Three Burials of Melquiadas Estrada
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tommy Lee Jones Pete Perkins Barry Pepper Ptmn. Mike Norton Julio Cedillo Melquiades Estrada Dwight Yoakam Sheriff Belmont January Jones Lou Ann Norton Melissa Leo Rachel Richard Andrew Jones Bob Vanessa Bauche Mariana Levon Helm Old Man with Radio Mel Rodriguez Captain Gómez Cecilia Suárez Rosa Ignacio Guadalupe Lucio
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Tommy Lee Jones.
Labels: melissa-leo, revisionist-western, tommy-lee-jones
Thursday, November 23, 2023
McCabe & Mrs. Miller
- Commentary: Under construction.
This is another of Great Movies, for which he wrote a second review in 1999 posted at the immediately previous link.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Warren Beatty John McCabe Julie Christie Constance Miller René Auberjonois Patrick Sheehan William Devane Clement Samuels John Schuck Smalley Corey Fischer Mr. Elliot Shelley Duvall Ida Coyle Bert Remsen Bart Coyle Keith Carradine Cowboy Michael Murphy Eugene Sears Antony Holland Ernest Hollander Hugh Millais Butler
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1971
Directed by Robert Altman.
Labels: Criterion7, revisionist-western, robert-altman, william-devane
Thursday, November 02, 2023
5-Western Film Collection
- Commentary: Under construction.
- Diablo
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Scott Eastwood Jackson Walton Goggins Ezra Camilla Belle Alexsandra José Zúñiga Guillermo Danny Glover Benjamin Carver Nesta Cooper Rebecca Carver Adam Beach Nakoma Samuel Marty Ishani
→ danny-glover
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 2015
Directed by Lawrence Roeck. - Forsaken
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kiefer Sutherland John Henry Clayton Donald Sutherland Rev. Samuel Clayton Brian Cox James McCurdy Michael Wincott Gentleman Dave Turner Aaron Poole Frank Tillman Demi Moore Mary Alice Watson Greg Ellis Tom Watson Siobhan Williams Emily Chadwick
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 2015
Directed by Jon Cassar. - Brimstone
Commentary: Under construction.
Yet another conflicted, entertaining review of this movie.
And, yet another fascinated-while-being-repelled review.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Guy Pearce The Reverend Dakota Fanning Liz Emilia Jones Joanna Carice van Houten Anna Kit Harington Samuel Paul Anderson Frank William Houston Eli Charlotte Croft Abigail
→ dakota-fanning
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 2016
Directed by Martin Koolhoven. - Disturbing the Peace
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Guy Pearce Jim Dillon Devon Sawa Diablo Kelly Greyson Catie Reynolds Michael Sirow Matt Jacob Grodnik Jarhead Dan Southworth Steve Michael Bellisario Pyro Barbie Blank Amanda
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 2020
Directed by York Shackleton. - Wild Horses
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert Duvall Scott Briggs James Franco Ben Briggs Joaquin Jackson Ranger Jackson Josh Hartnett KC Briggs Adriana Barraza Mrs. Davis Jim Parrack Deputy Rogers Luciana Duvall TX Rngr Samantha Payne Angie Cepeda Maria Gonzales
→ robert-duvall
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 2015
Directed by Robert Duvall.
Wikipedia doesn't have a write-up of this film series. I've included the Wikipedia links for the individual movies in their write-ups, above. Otherwise, Amazon buyers were fairly vocal about this set of mostly B (or lower) grade revisionist westerns. Here is a link to the first of Amazon's comment pages on this collection. You'll notice that the opinions are wildly divergent. As far as I can tell, no one has reviewed the entire collection of a piece. Although I've watched none of them, yet, I'm looking forward to it. This is a collection of your every day, second feature revisionist Western movie -- not Brokeback Mountain (which isn't in my collection, but I wish it was), not Unforgiven, not No Country for Old Men. I'm very curious about the middling films of this genre. I have to admit, I went back and forth about adding these "mid-rangers" to my collection, but two things seduced me: a price that couldn't be beat and, you know, if you don't know what's middling and bad, and why, how do you figure out what's good? And, I'm curious. I mean, if I run across a Hallmark Rom-Dram-Com (which doesn't happen very often, since I have only a bare-bones cable hook-up) I'll watch it. Why not check out mid-range revisionist Westerns?
Release Date: Various
Directed by Various.
Labels: dakota-fanning, danny-glover, donald-sutherland, guy-pearce, jodie-foster, revisionist-western, robert-duvall
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Hang 'Em High - Clint Eastwood Collection
- Commentary: Under construction.
This is the only movie in this collection that isn't directed by Sergio Leone, nor was it filmed in Italy. And, no, I haven't watched it yet, haven't even received it, so I'll be back. More later. I'm very curious to learn what a "revisionist western" is.
The Clint Eastw50d Collection Volume 4.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Clint Eastwood Marshal Jed Cooper Inger Stevens Rachel Warren Ed Begley Cpt Wilson Pat Hingle Judge Adam Fenton Ben Johnson Marshal Dave Bliss Charles McGraw Sheriff Ray Calhoun Ruth White Madame "Peaches" Sophie Bruce Dern Miller Alan Hale Jr. Matt Stone Arlene Golonka Jennifer James Westerfield Prisoner Dennis Hopper The Prophet L. Q. Jones Loomis Michael O'Sullivan Francis Elroy Duffy Joseph Sirola Reno James MacArthur The Preacher
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1968
Directed by Ted Post.
Labels: clint-eastwood, pat-hingle, revisionist-western
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Clint Eastwood Collection
- Commentary: Under construction.
I am truly surprised that I don't already own this movie. At the time I purchased this collection, I assumed I did and just shrugged off the fact that I'd now own two copies. But, I see it hasn't been there, until now. I've seen this movie a few times, perhaps more than a few through the years, because, initially, it was one of Mom's favorites, and, once I'd watched it with her, it became one of mine, as well. Plus, as she pointed out every time the movie commenced, "That music is haunting! I can't get it out of my head!"
So, yes, this one I've watched, with and without Mom, and I'm pleased to now have a chance to add a copy of it to my collection.
More later.
The Clint Eastw50d Collection Volume 4.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Clint Eastwood "Blondie" Man With No Name Eli Wallach "The Rat" Tuco Benedicto Pacífico Juan María Ramírez"The Rat" Lee Van Cleef Angel Eyes The Bad Al Mulock Elam Aldo Giuffrè Union Cpt Clinton Aldo Sambrell Angel Eyes Gang Benito Stefanelli Angel Eyes Gang Antonio Casale Jackson/Bill Carson Livio Lorenzon Baker Enzo Petito Gun Shop Owner John Bartha Sheriff José Terrón Thomas "Shorty" Larson Lorenzo Robledo Clem Luigi Pistilli Father Pablo Ramírez Mario Brega Cpl Wallace Rada Rassimov Maria
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1966
Directed by Sergio Leone.
Labels: clint-eastwood, eli-wallach, revisionist-western, spaghetti-western
For a Few Dollars More - Clint Eastwood Collection
- Commentary: Under construction.
This is yet another in the Eastwood quadrilogy I spoke of in the immediately previous post. No, I haven't seen it, I haven't even received it, yet, but I'll report back once I have.
This might be a good time to (re-)mention (I've spoken of this in another Clint Eastwood movie post, somewhere on this site) that I have been inspired to watch Clint Eastwood movies, et al, let alone his westerns (I wonder if most, if not all, of his movies could, one way or another, be classed as "westerns"; perhaps I'll set out to answer this question, perhaps not) by my maternal Aunt Jean's inordinate love of Clint Eastwood westerns, as well as his movies, in general.
The Clint Eastw50d Collection Volume 4.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Clint Eastwood "Manco" Man With No Name Lee Van Cleef Col Douglas Mortimer Gian Maria Volonté El Indio Mario Brega Niño Mara Krupp Motel Manager's Wife Luigi Pistilli Groggy Aldo Sambrell Cuchillo Klaus Kinski Wild Benito Stefanelli Hughie Panos Papadopoulos Sancho Perez Robert Camardiel Tucumcari Station Clerk Josef Egger Old Prophet Antoñito Ruiz Fernando Tomas Blanco Tucumcari Sheriff Lorenzo Robledo Tomaso, Indio's traitor Sergio Leone Whistling Bounty Hunter
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1965
Directed by Sergio Leone.
Labels: clint-eastwood, revisionist-western, spaghetti-western
A Fistful of Dollars - Clint Eastwood Collection
- Commentary: Under construction.
This is one of a four-pack of Clint Eastwood mid-20th century movies. Three of them are Sergio Leone productions. This is one of those.
More later, after I've watched it.
The Clint Eastw50d Collection Volume 4.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Clint Eastwood "Joe" Man With No Name Marianne Koch Marisol Gian Maria Volonté Ramón Rojo W. Lukschy Sheriff John Baxter Sieghardt Rupp Esteban Rojo Joe Edger Piripero Antonio Prieto Don Miguel Rojo Pepe Calvo Silvanito Margherita Lozano Consuelo Baxter Daniel Martín Julio Benny Reeves Rubio Richard Stuyvesant Chico
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1964
Directed by Sergio Leone.
Labels: clint-eastwood, revisionist-western, spaghetti-western
Monday, November 28, 2022
One-Eyed Jacks
- Commentary: Under construction.
Yes, I found a decent copy of this film for which I didn't have to pay. The thing is, I have a very low tolerance for westerns. They have to really grab me and refuse to let go, and the "western" part of the story needs to be much less compelling than the character part of the story. Not counting this one, I have only eleven western movies and two western series. There is so much critical infighting about this film that I didn't was to pay for it unless I had already discovered how I felt about it, and found myself feeling positive. I haven't watched it, yet, but I will soon.
Should be interesting because the review I've attached to the title of this post suggests that this movie set certain standards for westerns that every western made after this one followed. Not being an out-and-out western fan, I may learn nothing from viewing this movie, but I hope I'll at least enjoy it. If not, well, no financial harm done.
One thing of which I've taken more than casual notice, this movie is stuffed with the amazing best of character actors who plied their trade at the time this movie was being made. I don't know if Brando was responsible for attempting to put all of Hollywood's a-list character actors in this film because he was chiefly an actor, himself, but I am grateful that he did. I might end up liking this movie for no other reason than that!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Marlon Brando Rio Pina Pellicer Louisa Longworth Karl Malden Dad Longworth Ben Johnson Bob Emory Katy Jurado Maria Longworth Slim Pickens Lon Dendrick Larry Duran Chico Modesto Sam Gilman Harvey Johnson Rodolfo Acosta Mexican Rurale Captain Timothy Carey Howard Tetley Elisha Cook Jr. Carvey Philip Ahn Uncle
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1961
Directed by Marlon Brando.
Labels: goflexB, marlon-brando, revisionist-western
Friday, July 15, 2022
Unforgiven
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: My mother used to be a Clint Eastwood fan with her sister, once they began living close to each other in their latter years. They saw all of Eastwood's stuff, the old and the new. I never figured out if my mother was truly an Eastwood fan or her sister's fan and thus willing to do anything that would bring them closer.
At any rate, although I've seen very few Eastwood movies, I saw this one, I can't remember where or why, when it first came out, and was surprisingly impressed. So, when, one evening, some years ago, my mother suggested that we "rent a Clint Eastwood movie", this is the one I picked. Good choice. Along with Morgan Freeman being in it, she loved the idea that a gunslinger could get old and have trouble reestablishing his former skills in a stab at morality. Since I bought the movie about a year ago, we've seen it a couple of times. Every time she sees it, she either says, "Your Dad would have liked this," or, "You know, I'll bet Jean would like this one, we should have her over sometime to see it. Wouldn't that be fun!"
Once again, I got lucky and found a screenplay online for this movie.
Gerardo Vallero, a site companion critic, also weighs in on this movie, putting it in a modified historical context of Eastwood's work.
Last but not least, an online journalist, a woman named Pam who only reviews westerns, has written a review of this movie that will make you smile and, if you've shied away from this movie, will make you want to see it. See it!
Update 7/15/2022: This post was originally published on November 11, 2006, but but wouldn't pull as a "clint-eastwood" movie. By changing the publishing date, I hope to have fixed the problem.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Clint Eastwood William Munny Gene Hackman Sheriff Bill Daggett Morgan Freeman Ned Logan Richard Harris English Bob Jaimz Woolvett The Schofield Kid Saul Rubinek W. W. Beauchamp Frances Fisher Strawberry Alice Anna Thomson Delilah Fitzgerald
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
If you want to read the Wikipedia info about this movie, though, here is the link.
Release Date: 1992
Directed by Clint Eastwood.
Labels: action3, adventure3, clint-eastwood, drama8, morgan-freeman, popcorn-and-soda3, revenge1, revisionist-western, richard-harris, violence3
Thursday, June 09, 2022
No Country for Old Men
- Commentary: This movie definitely captured the imagination of film critics. On RogerEbert.com alone, articles of commentary bleed into a second page.
I've seen the movie more than once. For me, it's both disturbing and revelatory. It comes to my mind a fair amount. Which is why I decided to add it to my collection. More, later, when I watch it, yet again, without having to check it out of the library this time, or scour the few channels to which I have access to see if anyone's playing it.
Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tommy Lee Jones Ed Tom Bell Javier Bardem Anton Chigurh Josh Brolin Llewelyn Moss Woody Harrelson Carson Wells Kelly Macdonald Carla Jean Moss Garret Dillahunt Wendell Tess Harper Loretta Bell Barry Corbin Ellis
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen.
Labels: josh-brolin, neo-noirC, revisionist-western, thriller3, tommy-lee-jones, woody-harrelson
There Will Be Blood
- Commentary: This movie is the ultimate meditation on personal, capitalistic greed. It leaves nothing out. It expertly delineates, on both a personal and a corporate level, how increasingly debilitating capitalism becomes in the lives of people who practice it ... and the devastating effect the condition has on those who are in contact with the person who is in singleminded pursuit of satisfying greed. Daniel Day-Lewis' performance is breathtaking. He is flanked by the best of actors, even in the small roles. One of the aspects of this movie that I find most arresting is that the main character, who Daniel Day-Lewis plays, is never good. Many movies about capitalism, whether they are about the effects on one person or on society, attempt to meander through some sort of explanation of how capitalism has turned a good person, or a good group, bad. No such explanation, here. To me, this is a revelation: if you are born into capitalism and accept it, as an infant, you are rotten from the start. You can't ever know good, be good, because the system that nurtured your humanity is bad. Whew! This is an important statement. Potentially depressing, but important.
RogerEbert.com featured many articles about this movie. Here is the search page I pulled on the movie title over there. Have at it.
Update 6/9/2022: This post was originally published on 8/14/16 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Daniel Day-Lewis Daniel Plainview Paul Dano Paul & Eli Sunday Kevin J. O'Connor Henry Ciarán Hinds Fletcher Hamilton Dillon Freasier H. W. Plainview Russell Harvard Adult H. W. Plainview Sydney McCallister Young Mary Sunday Colleen Foy Adult Mary Sunday David Willis Abel Sunday Hans Howes Bandy Paul F. Tompkins Prescott Jim Downey Al Rose
Here is Wikipedia's write-up on this film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Labels: drama2, historical1, period1, revisionist-western
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
High Noon
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This is one of those movies neither Mom nor I had seen but it was one of my father's/her husband's favorites. So, one day I found a classic video rental store in Prescott (What a find!) and we spent the weekend watching 'old' movies, including our first viewing of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and this movie, with which we were both taken. I didn't realize it was such a dark story. As well, I found myself enjoying Gary Cooper, who's performance in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town was a little too over the top for me. Plus, one of the disturbing things about Capra movies is that the same actors keep showing up, playing essentially the same roles...Beulah Bondi, for instance; and the guy who plays drunken Diz, Thomas Mitchell, also plays addled Uncle Billy. It's eerie...like, you're not watching a movie, you're spying on another dimension. Not true for this movie. Thank the movie gods.
Although I already have a post title review tagged above for this movie, out of curiosity, I wondered why I hadn't used Roger Ebert's review for it. Turns out, he didn't do a full review of the movie, although he mini-reviewed it on his PBS show and mentioned it in other pieces a few times. In answer to a question on his site about the whys and why-nots of his list of "Great Movies", Roger had this to say about the movie: "I recently screened "High Noon" (No. 33) as a candidate for my Great Movies series, and rejected it as, frankly, just not a very good film. I chose Howard Hawks' great Red River instead."
Many reviewers disagree with Roger, such as the one whose review I linked to the title of this post. For fans of High Noon, the immediately previous link is to a four star review of the film.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post re-published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gary Cooper Will Kane Thomas Mitchell Mayor Jonas Henderson Lloyd Bridges Dep. Marshal Harvey Pell Katy Jurado Helen Ramirez Grace Kelly Amy Fowler Kane Otto Kruger Judge Percy Mettrick Lon Chaney Martin Howell Harry Morgan Sam Fuller Ian MacDonald Frank Miller Sheb Wooley Ben Miller Lee Van Cleef Jack Colby Robert J. Wilke Jim Pierce
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1952
Directed by Fred Zinnemann.
Labels: dad-favorite, dramaC, film-noir3, melodramaC, revisionist-western, thomas-mitchell
Monday, May 24, 2021
The Outlaw Josey Wales
- Commentary: Yes, this movie is the only movie listed in the category "jean-favorite". That's because it's the only movie that I know my Aunt Jean was in love with. I am remembering that she may have enjoyed Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but I'm not sure of that ... I think this may have been mentioned to me by one of her immediate family, but I never heard her talk about that movie, nor do I even know if she saw it.
Of course, I have a suspicion that she probably watched and loved as many Clint Eastwood movies as she could find (this was back in the days when it was rare for people to have movies of any type in their home, reel-to-reel monstrosities that they were, let alone the equipment through which to show a movie, let alone a library of hundreds). But, again, I don't know. I do know about this Clint Eastwood movie, because she was so excited about it that she dragged my mother and me to a showing of its 1976 release at the original theater at Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, AZ.
I ended up liking the movie, much to my surprise. At that time, I tended to avoid westerns, for no other reason than I'd not been exposed to them (or much TV, or many movies, at all) during my childhood and teen years and had the idea that they were simply repeats of the western TV shows my father would watch in the evening when I was a kid and always doing something other than watching TV. I remember Gunsmoke being one of those westerns, although I'm sure I never saw an episode, except bits in passing through the living room and out the door.
I'm not sure, but I think my mother liked being in her sister's presence more than anything else. Throughout their lives, until they were senior citizens, they spent so little time together in even the same state, let alone the same continent, it would be accurate to say that they never really got to know one another until they both retired. When they were finally living in the same city, they discovered that they enjoyed each other's company so much they actively sought each other out as often as possible.
This movie was acquired as a Double Feature with Pale Rider.
This movie is filed alphabetically on my shelves as "Clint Eastwood".
So, you know, Clint, thanks for providing opportunities for my mother and her sister!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Clint Eastwood Josey Wales Chief Dan George Lone Watie Sondra Locke Laura Lee Bill McKinney Terrill John Vernon Fletcher Paula Trueman Grandma Sarah Sam Bottoms Jamie Geraldine Keams Little Moonlight Woodrow Parfrey Carpetbagger Joyce Jameson Rose Sheb Wooley Travis Cobb Royal Dano Ten Spot Matt Clark Kelly John Verros Chato Will Sampson Ten Bears William O'Connell Sim Carstairs
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1976
Directed by Clint Eastwood.
Labels: clint-eastwood, jean-favorite, revenge1, revisionist-western, violence1
Pale Rider
- Commentary: I just finished watching this movie for the first time and I feel a little breathless. Some of that, I think, is due to me finally getting around to really appreciating westerns. The rest is due to me finally getting around to appreciating Clint Eastwood.
My Aunt Jean was both a western fan and a Clint Eastwood fan. I even went to the theater with her and my mother when The Outlaw Josie Wales debuted. At that time, it was a "courtesy" visit. I hadn't yet discovered the wonders of westerns, so I watched the movie with blocks in front of my eyes and brain, I am ashamed to admit.
That is no longer true. I have a fair number of westerns in my catalogue to the left, about as many as I have of any type of movie, and I don't think there's a dud in the bunch.
I love the mystery in this movie surrounding The Preacher, from his first appearance to his final disappearance. The story is very involving, with no loose ends. Even The Preacher's departure isn't treated as a loose end. It's as though, although you know you won't be privy to any more of The Preacher's exploits, you know he's headed off to another one, and that's enough.
I love the way Eastwood uses silent showing, through the eyes of other roles, to reveal just enough, even as he heightens the mystery. He also has an acute talent for picking actors, using them well, and respecting not just the story, but the roles the actors play and the actors' strengths, as well.
It's funny, because I considered obtaining the four-pack of Eastwood movies, of which this is one, kind of like an assignment, as though I had an obligation to familiarize myself with this guy's work, considering how much I'm into movies. Well, this movie was a pleasure, Mr. Eastwood, and I'm expecting the next four to be equally pleasing.
The movie came as a Double Feature with the movie The Outlaw Josie Wales.
This movie is filed alphabetically on my shelves as "Clint Eastwood".
Thank you, Mr. Eastwood. I'm really looking forward to the next three movies in this four-pack.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Clint Eastwood The Preacher Michael Moriarty Hull Barret Carrie Snodgress Sarah Wheeler Richard Dysart Coy LaHood Chris Penn Josh LaHood Sydney Penny Megan Wheeler John Russell Marshal Stockburn Richard Kiel Club Doug McGrath Spider Conway Chuck Lafont Eddie Conway Billy Drago Deputy Mather Jeffrey Weissman Teddy Conway Charles Hallahan McGill Marvin J. McIntyre Jagou Fran Ryan Ma Blankenship Richard Hamilton Pa Blankenship
In case you're interested, here is the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 1985
Directed by Clint Eastwood.
Labels: clint-eastwood, popcorn-and-soda1, revisionist-western, violence1
Monday, February 05, 2018
Will Penny
- Commentary: This movie is a very recent purchase. I've been unaware of it for decades because I don't typically watch or like westerns. I own very few. About a month ago, though, I was idly looking up some information on Charlton Heston, wondering if he ever acted in anything in which he didn't indulge in "spectacle acting", you know, like The Ten Commandments or Ben Hur (admittedly, less so the latter movie), movies I own primarily because of my mother's love for them, although I have to admit, they have fostered in me an appreciation for spectacle acting. Anyway, this movie came up. I checked it out, watched it and decided I had to own it as an example of why Charlton Heston had a reputation for being a good actor. It made me realize that the art of spectacle acting has probably been lost, that's probably a shame, but, in the meantime, Charlton Heston made a western that I really like, this one! Joan Hackett is in it, too, and I love her work.
And, an added bonus: Donald Pleasence, whose work I always love, in anything.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charlton Heston Will Penny Joan Hackett Catherine Allen John Gries Horace Greeley Allen Donald Pleasence Preacher Quint Lee Majors Blue Bruce Dern Rafe Quint Ben Johnson Alex Slim Pickens Ike Walterstein Clifton James Catron Anthony Zerbe Dutchy Roy Jensen Boetius Sullivan G. D. Spradlin Anse Howard
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1968
Directed by Tom Gries.
Labels: charlton-heston, drama4, historical2, joan-hackett, period2, revisionist-western, romance1
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Jeremiah Johnson
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: This was the other movie I ordered for Mom's birthday. Truth is, I could only vaguely remember whether she had a marked interest in it. As it turns out, she did. When I cued it, she remembered, almost immediately, having seen it.
"Oh," I said, "I hope it isn't one of those movies you only wanted to see once."
"Oh, no," she replied, "I think I remember liking this movie."
She loved it, maybe even more than How the West Was Won. We saw the movies back to back and she even mentioned, regarding the portrayals of Native Americans, "Yes, now this seems more realistic."
Since I'd never watched the entire movie, I settled down and was surprised, pleased and inspired. "Well, Mom, that's what I'd like to do, figure out how to be completely self-sufficient, in landscape similar to that."
She looked at me approvingly. "I know what you mean," she said. "So would I. Even with all the problems and difficulties."
I know we'll be watching this one again...probably every time I have multiple Abandoning Fantasies.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert Redford Jeremiah Johnson Will Geer Bear Claw Chris Lapp Stefan Gierasch Del Gue Delle Bolton Swan Josh Albee Caleb Joaquín Martínez Paints His Shirt Red Allyn Ann McLerie Crazy Woman Paul Benedict Reverend Lindquist Jack Colvin Lt. Mulvey Matt Clark Qualen Richard Angarola Chief Two-Tongues Lebeaux Charles Tyner Robidoux
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1972
Directed by Sydney Pollack.
Labels: adventure3, biography1, period4, revenge1, revisionist-western, robert-redford
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Dances with Wolves
- Who's watched: M [lots more than] G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: This is one of my mother's haunting movies. Her reaction to this movie is similar to my reaction to Little Buddha: During some parts, she experiences trance-like states; during others, she becomes fully engaged in the finest detail of the culture of the Native American community portrayed in the movie; throughout, she follows the story meticulously and often attempts to engage other viewers in conversation about the movie, which means that she remembers enough of it from viewing to viewing not to feel as though she has to pay close attention every minute.
Sometime in late 2007 "they" finally came out with the widescreen version, which I quickly snatched up. This version also cuts in close to an hour of extended footage. I was surprised how much of the original cut the extended footage explained. Both my mother and I were, and are, very pleased with the additions.
P.S. Despite what this picture of the cover says, my copy actually says "Collector's Edition" at the top. Since it's also a 2-disc-er I imagine that this extended cut and the special features are the same as on the "Special Edition", but I can't swear to that.
Update 5/9/22: My mother is long, long gone, but, as I was rereading this post and remembering the pleasure she took in this movie, it occurred to me that, no matter how much dissension it created among critics, the Native American community and the community of "woke" non-Native Americans, my mother likely has a virtual copy of this movie, where ever she is now, and watches it every chance she gets. I still watch it, too. I derive great pleasure from remembering my mother watching this movie and thinking of her watching it, now. Perhaps, at times, we're watching it simultaneously.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Costner Lt. John J. Dunbar/Dances with Wolves Mary McDonnell Stands with a Fist/Christine Gunther Graham Greene Kicking Bird Rodney A. Grant Wind in His Hair Floyd Red Crow Westerman Chief Ten Bears Tantoo Cardinal Black Shawl Jimmy Herman Stone Calf Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse Smiles a Lot Michael Spears Otter Wes Studi Toughest Pawnee Maury Chaykin Major Fambrough Robert Pastorelli Timmons
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Kevin Costner.
Labels: action3, adventure4, dramaB, haunting2, mom-favorite2, period5, revisionist-western, spectacle2, tantoo-cardinal, war2, wes-studi
