Category: western

Anyone can make their future whatever they want it to be. “Back to the Future Part III” (1990)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Robert Zemeckis
© 1990 Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Three films later we’re finishing this wonderful series. At the very beginning I have to admit that the last part is my least favourite, but it’s still marvellous. I’m just allergic to westerns. And since in this film Marty goes back to 1885, we’re ending up in the world of horses, cowboys and ridiculous moustaches. In case you haven’t seen previous parts, spoilers are coming. So at the end of the second part Marty (Michael J. Fox) receives a letter from Doc (Christopher Lloyd), from which he finds out that the man is safe and sound, but far far far away in the past. The boy shouldn’t be travelling there, but who can stop our naughty McFly, am I right? Especially since he finds a tombstone which says that 1885 Doc was/will be (using correct grammar writing about this series is such a challenge…) murdered 6 days after writing the letter. So with the help of 1955 Doc, Marty goes back to 1885 to save the man. And as you might be guessing, we get another portion of hilarious jokes. One of my favourites is definitely the fact that Marty introduces himself as Clint Eastwood. I mean, genius. Don’t get me wrong, this part is fantastic – funny, exciting, well-written and well-acted, but comparing to the first two, I have to rate it a bit lower. However, what I appreciate about this part is that we got a totally new idea for the story. In the first part we moved back in time, but just a bit. Then in the second part we focused on the future. So what about the third part? They could have kept on travelling to similar years, but it wouldn’t have been that interesting anymore, even though the crew is incredibly creative. Travelling to a more distant future could have turned out quite tacky, because they would have to come up with even more modern and extraordinary objects, which doesn’t always work as we know from some sci-fi productions. Choosing 1885 and more of a western form was the best option, especially since Marty and Doc fit there perfectly with their crazy ideas and adventurous way of being. In fact, Zemeckis liked the idea of presenting the Old West already at the beginning of creating the series, but waited with it till the third part. Awesome decision, if you ask me. Besides, *SPOILERS COMING* I honestly appreciate how they finished the series. Marty learns his lesson to give up on stupid people and focus on himself, Doc finds love and his place in the world (or time), we get a lovely message at the end saying that future isn’t written yet – what else could we ask for? I mean, they could have created a time machine in the form of a flying locomotive… oh wait, they did. So yeah, check, check, check. I’ll say it once again – I’m incredibly thankful for this series because it’s a perfect example how to make quality adventure films. Michael and Christopher are such a magical duo that I’m always moved to see them together after years during some events or conferences. They still share those awesome vibes and we can tell they are true friends. Thank you Robert Zemeckis for taking us for such a long and phenomenal trip. It won’t be forgotten.

My rating: 8/10
S.

I was born game and I intend to go out that way. “True Grit” (1969)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Henry Hathaway
© 1969 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Do you know that in an alternative world this western was starring Elvis Presley and was directed by Roman Polański? I guess I’ve got your attention, so we can continue. Today’s recommendation is actually the first film adaptation of Charles Portis’ novel of the same name. The more modern adaptation you had a chance to learn about yesterday. However, I like watching all available versions so I can compare. In this case, I rate them the same as both are equally pleasant. I think I liked John Wayne as Rooster more, but then Hailee Steinfeld was way more interesting as Mattie. The story is the same and watching one of those films is enough. Still, if you’re like me and you enjoy comparing different adaptations, then go for both. If you’re curious about the plot, I’m inviting you to read my yesterday’s post. But what’s up with that question I put at the beginning. Well, it was like this: Mattie in the 1969 version is played by Kim Darby, but at first it was supposed to be Mia Farrow. However, she didn’t want to work with Henry Hathaway, the director, so she proposed changing him to Roman Polański. The producer refused, so Farrow resigned. And then when they were searching for the actor to play LaBoeuf, one of the characters, they thought of Elvis Presley, but he wanted way too much money and the role was given to Glen Campbell. But imagine if the producers agreed to both propositions. Polański directing a western with Presley. It sounds like the best joke of 1969.

My rating: 6/10
S.

I always go backwards when I’m backing up. “True Grit” (2010)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Joel & Ethan Coen
© 2010 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Today’s Children Day, so all the best to all children on this planet. May your day be full of joy and good films. On this special day I’ve decided to recommend a film about a very brave young lady, who deserves all the toys possible. Surprisingly, it’s not a comedy or animation, but a western – my least favourite genre. I guess one day it will stop being my least favourite one since I keep finding quite decent productions. Anyway, as I said we will be following a girl – her name is Mattie (Hailee Steinfeld) and she’s 14 years old living on a farm. One day, her father gets killed by a bandit named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Mattie is furious but it would be difficult for a young lady to go after such criminal, so she decides to hire Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), a very grumpy and merciless man, to help her get revenge. At first every adult is laughing, but soon they realise that little Mattie is not joking at all. She wishes to avenge her beloved father. And the reason why I like this film is actually because it’s very Coen’s style. The action is dynamic even if you wouldn’t expect it to be so. And the story is going quite smoothly, which makes it pleasant to follow. I still prefer to watch a documentary or drama, but such western isn’t the worst choice. I bet a lot of you may enjoy it. Unless you prefer older westerns, then stay tuned for tomorrow.

My rating: 6/10
S.

If God didn’t want ‘em sheared, he wouldn’t have made ‘em sheep. “The Magnificent Seven” (2016)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Antoine Fuqua
© 2016 Sony Pictures Releasing. All Rights Reserved.

Yesterday I told you I’m thankful that Americans decided to remake “Seven Samurai”, but today I’m telling you “They should know the limit”. Since I’m writing about this film, it’s clear that I liked it in the end, but will I watch it again? I don’t think so. Was it needed? I don’t think so. Still, since I’m discussing this beautiful process of remaking “Seven Samurai” for years, I cannot skip the newest remake. The film is again a copy-paste of the same story, so you can check out my two previous posts to learn about it. In this version, however, we can really feel political correctness. The director said that he wanted the actors to be diverse because cowboys also weren’t all white and American. But in my opinion, it wasn’t necessary and I guess this decision was made to please critics. I’m also for inclusion and destroying stereotypes, but sometimes we should just let films be the way they are. The production from 1960 was about seven white men and… what’s the problem? When we have a film about a group of women, nobody complains, but when it’s a group of men – oh no no no, cannot be. Maybe the fact that they casted actors of different background and race isn’t such a big deal, but the fact that they had to make a strong female character who recruits the seven men, that was way too forced in my opinion. Her character didn’t make any sense to me. Plus, I think that not all actors playing the magnificent seven were chosen well, for example, I definitely wouldn’t see Denzel Washington as one. I admire him, but he doesn’t seem to feel western much. In fact, he’s not a big fan of this genre and… didn’t even see the original film from 1960. He said it was because he wanted to keep an open-mind and not remake what had already been done, but in my opinion it would make a big difference for him and clarify what this film is actually about. The only person that was really shining in this production is Chris Pratt, who in my opinion feels western as a genre and created his character very carefully. Still, the film is obviously well-done, it’s entertaining and tells a universal story, so if you have a chance, why not giving it a try? But for me, the one from 1960 is the absolute winner and I don’t think that there’s anyone who would remake it better.

My rating: 6/10
S.

So far, so good. “The Magnificent Seven” (1960)

SashLeave a comment
directed by John Sturges
© 1960 United Artists. All Rights Reserved.

Yesterday I recommended you to see the classic by Akira Kurosawa, which was also the inspiration for today’s American remake. In 1960 they decided to use the idea of “Seven Samurai” and set it in their own “western reality”. So instead of a Japanese mountain village we get a Mexican village that is constantly being attacked by a gang led by Calvera (Eli Wallach). In order to protect themselves, the villagers approach a very talented gunfighter Chris Adams (Yul Brynner) and convince him to help them. And as it was in Kurosawa’s film, the leader recruits six other men and decides to fight with the bandits. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not a fan of remaking everything, especially by Americans, because despite their skills in cinema, they sometimes miss the point of the productions made in other countries. I believe some films should be left untouched, but in this case I say “bless you America!” Personally, I believe this remake is fantastic. The idea of seven brave men protecting poor villagers works very well in this western form. They chose magnificent actors for each of the roles, especially Yul Brynner – he has so much charisma and mystery in this film that I couldn’t stop watching. And if you follow my blog, you may remember that I’m not a big fan of westerns. But you know what? Thanks to this production I can say that I love westerns! If westerns were like that, please give me more! Actually, I can share a fun fact with you: I pay a lot of attention to details and this one thing that made me smile was the part where Chris is recruiting people to his team and each new member is signalised with a hand showing the right number of fingers. Perhaps you think it’s trivial, but this small element really made me enjoy the recruitment process more. Am I weird? Maybe. But you’ll get used to that. And music? Oh holy spirits, fairies and all the magical creatures! The music is fantastic. You can really feel adventurous vibes coming out of it and it completes the story very well. So to sum up my excitement in this post, I’m a big fan of the remake and I think it’s probably the best western I’ve seen in my life. Don’t you dare missing it!

My rating: 8/10
S.

You don’t belong here. “News of the World” (2020)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Paul Greengrass
© 2020 Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

If you’ve been reading my blog for some time you probably know this one thing about me – I’m not a big fan of westerns. However, a western-ish drama with Tom Hanks sounds like something I’d like. And I actually did. We move back to 1870 where we meet Capitan Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks). He used to serve in the Confederate Army, but now his occupation is travelling across the country and reading newspapers to people who often have very little knowledge about what’s happening outside their own town. They pay him ten cents, listen to the news and the Captain moves forward. One day, he finds Johanna (Helena Zengel), a white girl who apparently has been kidnapped by Native Americans. She has to be taken back to her family, but nobody wants to take this responsibility and the Bureau of Indian Affairs is about to stay closed for the next months. That is why the man agrees to take Johanna with him and eventually help her get back home. In the meantime, those two are trying to learn from each other, although it can be difficult since Johanna speaks Kiowa and the Captain speaks English. And as for a person who’s not a fan of westerns, I found this film very pleasant and interesting. I agree that Helena Zengel’s performance was very good and Tom Hanks… well, that’s Tom Hanks, he’s always marvellous, at least in my opinion. Besides, since I really like foreign languages, I found using Kiowa in this film quite enriching the whole experience. I recommend you to see it, even if like me you tend to feel sleepy during westerns.

My rating: 6/10
S.