Into the Blu

Will Smith is one of the biggest entertainers on the planet. It is that sort of weight that only helps to bloat blockbuster films further than is comfortable. Wild Wild West is an overhaul of the original TV series of the same name and is about as bloated as they blockbusters come. Michael Bay, eat your heart out. Continue Reading

The good old days. I am sure that we have all at one time hankered back for what we think were the Good Old Days. You know, when life was simpler, the food better and the music too. Perhaps even films? The funny thing about the good old days is that we sometimes look back at them through a filter and they are not really as good as we thought them to be. I was giving this subject some thought before I popped the subject of this review, Dances With Wolves, into the Blu-ray player. Continue Reading

Most men love their Westerns. On the other hand, most women tend to get upset when they lose the bet and as a result are stuck watching a Western. That being said, I fall into the later group, so the thought of watching Jonah Hex was a little daunting. I have however in the past liked comic adaptations such as Superman, The Hulk and Iron Man and I am happy to report that this comic book turned movie was also very entertaining.

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There have been a plethora of films made over the years about Wyatt Earp and his brothers, Virgil and Morgan and their roles at the shootout at the OK Corral in Tombstone in the then Arizona Territory back on October 26, 1881. For the most part these films had the history wrong and never told the true story of what really happened leading up to the gunfight as well as the aftermath, detailing who the parties were as well as their motivations, along with providing a more well rounded, fleshed out and historically accurate (at least by Hollywood standards) account of some very complex personalities. That is what the film Tombstone sets out to do, all the while providing and interesting an entertaining experience for the audience. Do they succeed? Continue Reading

There is that unmistakable, rhythmic hum that has carried on through the years, associated with westerns.  It elicits this ominous sense like you’ve just been backed into a corner by the baddest dude in town.  Perhaps some tumbleweed brush rolls across the main dirt road that leads to the general store as the tune plays.  If I could somehow mimic that music here in text, you’d immediately know what I was referring to.  If you want to know where it originally came from, look no further than what is considered arguably the grittiest western of all time; The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Continue Reading

“I’ve got spurs that jingle jangle jingle.” All this time I thought this was just a cowboy western movie?  Yikes!  What did I just watch?  I am kidding of course.  Well I did the unthinkable, something I told myself I would never allow myself to do.  I watched Brokeback Mountain, for review purposes of course.  I took one for the team as I settled down over two nights to watch the film, while at the same time keeping an open mind.  Since the film’s release I never wanted anything to do with this movie.  Whether it was over my hatred of Ang Lee’s Hulk or not wanting to see Heath Ledger in this role, I avoided this film like the plague of 1340.  There’s no denying that while watching this movie I have seen unspeakable acts that I cannot get out of my mind, but it’s the story that makes Brokeback Mountain the Academy Award winner it is.  I think my co-worker said it best.  Despite the taboo and very controversial subject matter, cinematically Brokeback Mountain is an outstanding, but very tragic, story of forbidden love.  I don’t believe anyone could argue that statement after viewing this movie.  C’mon, you know you want to see this one.  Let’s put on that cowboy hat, rustle up some sheep and learn some more about this Academy Award winning film. Continue Reading

I have to be straight up honest here. I have never seen a true western movie. When I say true western, I am speaking about westerns that took place at the height of the western movie making era of the 50′s and 60′s. The Professionals would be my first movie and I have to say right away, after watching the film, my interest is definitely peaked.
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3:10 to Yuma makes its way onto Blu-ray disc, a remake of the 1957 film of the same name. Before I even knew what the film was about I was intrigued, as I have yet to watch a Christian Bale film I haven’t liked. Add the always entertaining Russell Crowe and this film has automatic potential. 3:10 to Yuma is directed by James Mangold (Walk The Line,Cop Land) which immediately gives it some credibility, but enough with the speculation, how does 3:10 to Yuma hold up? Continue Reading