Westerns > Blu-ray Westerns

You'll never meet a pair like Butch and the Kid

Advantages: Great cinematography, Challenges the normal expectations of typical western
Disadvantages: None

...lots of attractive scenery. However, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid still remains one of the most heart-felt and successful films of all time. In 1970, the film won 4 Oscars for "Best Cinematography", "Best Music, Original Score for a Motion Picture", "Best Music, Original Song" and "Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced". It later won 17 and was nominated for another 11 awards. Butch Cassidy ...
...to raise a posse. Furthermore, Butch and Sundance, the villains in the film, are presented as heroes and the audience immediately begins to like them. They become our heroes as the film goes on. The film starts as Butch Cassidy (Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Redford), the leaders of the famous Hole in the Wall Gang, meet each other after a long time and decide to rob the Union Pacific Flyer (a train transporting money) instead of banks like they ...

ExtraordinaryGirl 23.06.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (DVD)

A John Wayne classic.

Advantages: It is a classic. Perfect Sunday afternoon film.
Disadvantages: Hard to believe that this was made nearly 50 years agao.

...one of my favourites is Rio Bravo. If I had to produce a top ten if films this would easily be in the top four without a doubt. ---The Plot--- Made in 1959, Rio Bravo tells the story of John T Chance. A small-town sheriff of a small town in southwest Texas must keep custody of a murderer whose brother, a powerful rancher, is trying to help him escape. After a friend is killed trying to muster support for him, the Sheriff and his deputies made up ...
...For many, Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo is the clearest exposition of his philosophy of professionalism. His tough lawman solves his own problem without going out looking for help. So he welcomes volunteers and in fact depends on them. What is more, he overcomes by displaying intelligence in the way the issue is resolved. The survivors in Hawks' philosophy are the ones who conduct themselves with the greatest degree of coolness and discipline. It is not ...

Timbo3107 04.03.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Rio Bravo (DVD)

A very slow assassination of Jesse James by Robert Ford

Advantages: Great cast performances and a good film in general
Disadvantages: Very slow pace and would be hard and boring to watch a second time

The assassination of Jesse James is based on the true events and retells the story of the famous outlaws' final few months leading up to death, and his relationship with his killer Robert Ford. The film is set at a slow pace, for example the speed at which all the characters talk is rather slow and you almost feel as though you know what will come next, particularly with the assassination scene. The performance of all members of the cast was especially ...
...Pitt performed well. The film also did a great deal for the career of Casey Affleck, who was much appraised for his role in the film. In the film Robert Ford has great admiration for Jesse James and is often teased for this. This leads him from wanting to be close to Jesse to eventually killing him to become a celebrity in his own right and for the bounty money offered. Brad Pitt plays the role of Jesse James as an increasingly tired and paranoid ...

LukeG91 21.09.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (Blu-ray)

Revisiting Yuma

Advantages: Committed performances and capable direction with some decent action.
Disadvantages: We've seen it all before and Crowe isn't at his best.

Dan Evans is an honest man working as a farmer in the Old West, whose lifetime of abiding by the rules has left him precious little to show for it. When notorious outlaw Ben Wade is captured nearby, Dan volunteers to join the posse taking Wade to the next town and the train to the prison at Yuma. But even in chains Wade is a serious threat. Under his charming exterior lies a cold-hearted predator able to identify and exploit even the slightest weakness. ...
...with the intention of wiping out the posse and springing Wade. "Walk the Line" director James Mangold makes a decent fist of this solid yet entirely unnecessary remake of the western. All the elements are in place; the top drawer cast, the authentic looking locations, some decent action and a handful of gunfights. But ultimately there's some spark missing that prevents this from being a truly memorable oater. Perhaps it is Mangold's unassuming directorial ...

afy9mab 26.06.2008 · Read full review
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Review of 3:10 To Yuma (Blu-ray)

A Slow Burning Western

Advantages: Script, direction, cinematography, Danny Huston
Disadvantages: Ray Winstone and John Hurt, well.... Hurt.

The Proposition is a star cast led Western set in Australia in 1880's. It's about a gang of 3 lawless brothers on the run for rape and murder. Two get caught and handed over to Capt. Stanley (Ray Winstone). Brother Charlie (Guy Pearce) is practical and brother Mikey is a childish simpleton. Stanley wants to capture the third brother Arthur (Danny Huston) as he is the most dangerous and wanted of the 3 so offers a deal to Charlie. If he finds and ...
...Charlie sets out to do the deed unsure whether he can see it through. This is an incredibly bloody film which on the whole works well but is let down by some performances. It is superbly directed by John Hillcoat who together with writer Nick Cave have created a vision of true menace and lawlessness. The cinematography is superb too and with many beautiful panoramic scenescapes of the Australian outback. In terms of performances, Danny Huston is ...

Nixu1980 19.10.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Proposition (DVD)