Directed by James Mangold In 3:10 to Yuma a poor farmer must escort a Jesse James-like criminal across dangerous lands to the 3:10 train to Yuma prison. In doing so the farmer, Dan Evans (Christian Bale), redeems himself in his disappointed son's eyes while criminal Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) bonds with the man and grows apart … Continue reading 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
western
The Shooting (1966)
Directed by Monte Hellman Dread looms over everything in The Shooting. As the sparse story is doled out over 82 minutes the shots become wider, and the music begins to take over for the dialogue, making the character's trek feel like a slow burn, stripping away what makes them human. There isn't much life to begin … Continue reading The Shooting (1966)
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Directed by Andrew Dominik The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is an audacious title, right? It reads like a newspaper headline in all caps, and the two and a half hour film is broken up with narration from the point of view of an unknown journalist or biographer. The story accelerates … Continue reading The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
I Shot Jesse James (1949)
Directed by Sam Fuller I Shot Jesse James makes a melodrama out of Robert Ford's decision to kill famed outlaw Jesse James. Ford shoots James early in the film, hoping to reap the bounty placed on his head so that he can settle down with Cynthy, the woman he loves. After the murder, Ford watches … Continue reading I Shot Jesse James (1949)
Stagecoach (1939)
Directed by John Ford While it wasn't the first western, nor was it close, Stagecoach was the first modern western. Along with the introduction of what would become repeated tropes in the genre, the film was Ford's first foray into Monument Valley, the landscape he would eventually make famous, and it is what made a star … Continue reading Stagecoach (1939)
Straw Dogs (1971)
Directed by Sam Peckinpah When I finally got the DVD for Straw Dogs, it came with a large watermark that said, in all caps, "BANNED IN THE UK." This is a violent movie that is likely only this well-known over 40 years later because of that violence, as the marketing reflects. The film is about two … Continue reading Straw Dogs (1971)
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