Appaloosa

JD Mandrell

JD Mandrell

Joined
Apr 20, 2001
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Saw it tonight, about once every 10 years or so, someone makes a real honest to God WESTERN, and this one is it!

To me, it's the best western since Unforgiven or Lonesome Dove.

Great job from everyone in it, and the interaction between Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen, is just amazing.

Viggo Mortensen shows a true mastery of non-verbal communication, watch his facial expressions and body language throughout.

Jeremy Irons and Renee Zellwiger are great, as the short appearance of Lance Henricksen.

Music and cinematography are also impressive, the sets and costumes are well done.

If you like westerns, that have good action, but do not fall prey to the modern "action hero western" and let the story be carried by the characters, and not 200 round gunfights, this is a good!

I have not read the Robert B. Parker novel it's based on, but I sure will now.
 
I saw the trailer for the film, I can't wait to see it.

Just curious, how did you like "Open Range?"
 
The film's still showing here. Now I really gotta go watch since I knew that Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen were in it but LANCE HENRICKSEN as well!? (though short as you say). The bane of "metrosexuals" everywhere, these fellows are real meat-and-potatoes, "a guy's guy" kind so to speak in real life. All great artists as well aside from film (theater for Harris, Mortensen paints and is an outdoorsman and Lance does artistic handmade porcelain. Lance also had an "interesting" life when he was younger).
 
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I also liked this movie...anybody else notice something i never remember seeing on any other western/horse related movie??? Horse manure on the streets....:thumbup:.
 
Thanks for the review I am a old school John Wayne:D lover and was curious about this one now I can maybe justify The 20 :eek:spot to go see it.
 
Centaur said:
I saw the trailer for the film, I can't wait to see it.

Just curious, how did you like "Open Range?"
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I liked Open Range, have it on DVD. My main complaint with it, is the attempt at a romance story line between Costner and Benning.

Both are good actors, but there is zero onscreen chemistry between them so it just fall flat and waste a bunch of screen time.

Duvall as usual just dominates it, even to the point that I can forgive the 12 shot "burst" from a Colt SAA that Costner has in the big gunfight. :thumbdn:
 
6.0stroker said:
Thanks for the review I am a old school John Wayne:D lover and was curious about this one now I can maybe justify The 20 :eek:spot to go see it.
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This movie will take you back to those type westerns, more character driven story and less flash.

Not a single gun twirl in the whole thing, and the music was a definite hearkening back to some of Eastwoods early westerns.
 
Bear Claw Chris Lappe said:
Duvall as usual just dominates it, even to the point that I can forgive the 12 shot "burst" from a Colt SAA that Costner has in the big gunfight. :thumbdn:
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I have the DVD also, so now I'll have to review the fight scene. Chances are it's the same scene, shot at a different camera angle, then replayed a second later.

I noticed that technique used in the OK Corrall gunfight scene in "Tombstone." It looks like Doc fires 3 rounds from the double barreled shotgun. (where a man is firing his colt from behind a horse. Doc fires the shotgun in the air to spook the horse, then blasts the guy when the horse rears up.) The first shot is shown again a split second later, so it looks like there were 2 shots in the air, then one to kill the man.
 
I read the book a few months ago. A good read if not groundbreaking. I'm looking forward to checking out the film version.
 
Centaur said:
I noticed that technique used in the OK Corrall gunfight scene in "Tombstone." It looks like Doc fires 3 rounds from the double barreled shotgun. (where a man is firing his colt from behind a horse. Doc fires the shotgun in the air to spook the horse, then blasts the guy when the horse rears up.) The first shot is shown again a split second later, so it looks like there were 2 shots in the air, then one to kill the man.
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Never noticed that, gotta get my DVD out and watch it.

Any excuse to watch Tombstone! :D
 
Here in Canada a recently made western somewhat based on the Cypress Hills massacre called " The Englishman's Boy " was released . It isn't heavy on action but it has enough , it is movie about loss without much redemption which gives it a realistic tone. Quite a few Canadian movies don't have happy endings , just endings, like real life.
 
one thing I LOVED about this movie, as soon as they were done shooting, wait for it... they reload!

I really enjoyed this movie, music, dialog, actors, were all top notch, and the way it ends.... superb
 
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