Go West, Young Jen

Aug 23, 2007 15:43

WESTERNS ( Read more... )

moooooovies!, deadwood, westerns

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dfordoom August 24 2007, 08:51:38 UTC
Mostly I dislike westerns, but there are a few I love, such as Little Big Man (possibly Dustin Hoffman's finest moment) and Clint Eastwood's incredibly dark and cynical High Plains Drifter. Although it could be argued that the westerns I like are really anti-westerns, because justice definitely does not prevail. But then I don't think justice ever did prevail in the real West. The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean is also worth a look if you can find it (and if you can put up with Paul Newman).

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mitejen August 24 2007, 12:49:17 UTC
Oh that's entirely why I like them, they don't represent reality for me in any way shape or form. They're one of the closest things to a mythology that America has, since our culture is a big mashup of other countries.' Instead of Arthurian Legend or Alexander Popovich we have Jesse James, Wild Bill, and the movies that came from their stories.

I also mostly like the anti-westerns, but I'll watch just about anything.

I did enjoy Little Big Man, I haven't seen it in years though. Did you ever see Unforgiven?

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dfordoom August 24 2007, 17:37:42 UTC
No, haven't seen Unforgiven.

Another "anti-western" that I enjoyed was Robert Altman's McCabe and Mrs Miller.

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mitejen August 24 2007, 17:39:30 UTC
Ooo, I love Robert Altman. I'll definitely give that one a look-see.

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dfordoom August 24 2007, 17:43:13 UTC
It has Julie Christie in one of her best roles. And Warren Beatty (an actor I'm not fond of) is actually surprisingly effective. And it looks gorgeous.

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mitejen August 24 2007, 17:46:36 UTC
Altman can get a good performance out of anyone. Well, almost anyone.

I don't love him now or anything, but I thought Ryan Phillipe was great as the slimy actor in Gosford Park, one of my favorite films of all time. Which proves to me that Altman could work miracles.

Except for that fucking idiot lindsey lohan.

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