If you read last weeks blog you'll know that the weekend offering was a little thin with a couple of decently reviewed movies in the crop, but no stand out, have to see it movies. It is the beginning of September after all. The exact middle of the period between blockbuster popcorn movies and Oscar fare that will start to pop in October.
I'm here to tell you that there is at least one movie that opened this weekend that you should see. 3:10 to Yuma surprised me. It shouldn't have. You've got Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, two gifted actors, who know how to turn in a performance. Not to mention Peter Fonda as a grizzled bounty hunter. Why on earth was this movie being released in the dredges of September to be lost and forgotten? The reviews were positive. The story was there (it's a remake of a 1957 film of the same name). Why, I ask?
Before I answer that question, lets talk. When I thought about going to the theater this weekend I wasn't expecting much. After I saw the positive word of mouth coming back for a few of the openings I still wasn't buzzing, but I wasn't surprised to see Clive Owen getting good reviews for Shoot 'Em Up, or 3:10 to Yuma with that cast. The thing is, I wasn't in the mood to watch a cartoonish shooter/chase movie. But after Unforgiven brought a dark, gritty realism to westerns in 1992, I haven't had a problem getting off the couch to see something along those same lines. Open Range was the latest in the genre and it didn't disappoint in the least. That movie had one of the best gun fights I've seen in a long time. So in the end I was in the mood to see a western shooter/chase movie.
Let me set the record on this movie. It's more than a shooter, more than a chase. Oh, that's stuff is in this movie in spades, but what the trailers and t.v. spots want you to focus on is the fact that this might be a psychological thriller. I've promised myself that I would stay spoiler free on this site, but I've got to say, these two main characters sparring with one another might be right up there with Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lector. This movie is all emotion and tension, not just from the plot and situations.
If you've seen Christian Bale in anything, then you know that he commits to a role. Truly commits. Look at the transformation from his emaciated role in The Machinist to the ripped Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins. He allegedly lost 63 pounds to film one and then in eight months put it all back on and more in muscle for Batman. This man does nothing small, and his role as Dan Evans in this movie is the same big dive again, albeit emotionally for this go around. His hobled, Civil War Veteran persona is revealed almost immediately on the screen. As a father myself, I can feel some empathy for a man who only wants to do right by his wife and family, see pride in his children's eyes and do his best to survive the world. This movie sucked me into that battle within the first few minutes.
Enter Russell Crowe as Ben Wade. The type of man that westerns were written about and history tends to glorify. Despite the black hat that usually adorns the head of said man. In an indirect way this man could bring about all that Dan Evans needs to get back on track. And that as they say, is the rub. If I can fit in anymore cliched statements, believe me, I'll try.
Russell Crowe is cold. He doesn't play, he sends his minions to do a job and then he finishes the job. He's too cocky and that proves the downfall that spurs the story. You get the sense that even if he was surrounded by 20 lawmen, he'd still be in control of the situation. It's this feeling and the desperate struggle between the two main characters that makes this movie what it is. A true edge of your seat, who's going to win this battle of wits, movie. I wish I could say more but that would be giving too much away. This is a story you should not have spoiled.
Peter Fonda plays a bounty hunter hired to make sure the railroad's money is safely delivered. As the movie unfolds I found myself in the position of hating this character. But I think you're supposed to. He's thrown in to show the line of decency and righteousness is often very blurred. At least that was my take.
How good was Ben Foster who plays a supporting role as Charlie Prince? Well, I'll tell you this: he stole every scene he was in. Absolutely chewed it up. Most people will recognize him from his turn in Six Feet Under, or his slightly smaller role in X-Men 3. To me, this was his breakout role and I hope he garners leading roles from here on out. He takes this role and makes it was it is meant to be.
So why was this movie released in the middle of the dump zone? I've read an article since, which basically said that the producers wanted to get the movie out before the glut of oscar movies hit to build on and move it through the fall and winter. In general that is sound thinking. I'm worried that this may have been too early. Very few people are going to the theater currently. It's just that time of year. If nobody is going to the theater, how do you build word of mouth to support the movie for the next 4-5 months? Sure, a few of the right people in Hollywood might catch this movie, but everyone knows you need the media push for Oscar nominations. I hope that this movie doesn't get buried in the heap. I think it deserves a shot. If nothing else, Ben Foster deserves a nomination for supporting actor.
That's it for now. See this movie and if you find something about it you like, tell a friend. It deserves attention.
E
Watching - if you've been reading these posts you already know.
On deck - need to watch The Departed again.
I'm here to tell you that there is at least one movie that opened this weekend that you should see. 3:10 to Yuma surprised me. It shouldn't have. You've got Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, two gifted actors, who know how to turn in a performance. Not to mention Peter Fonda as a grizzled bounty hunter. Why on earth was this movie being released in the dredges of September to be lost and forgotten? The reviews were positive. The story was there (it's a remake of a 1957 film of the same name). Why, I ask?
Before I answer that question, lets talk. When I thought about going to the theater this weekend I wasn't expecting much. After I saw the positive word of mouth coming back for a few of the openings I still wasn't buzzing, but I wasn't surprised to see Clive Owen getting good reviews for Shoot 'Em Up, or 3:10 to Yuma with that cast. The thing is, I wasn't in the mood to watch a cartoonish shooter/chase movie. But after Unforgiven brought a dark, gritty realism to westerns in 1992, I haven't had a problem getting off the couch to see something along those same lines. Open Range was the latest in the genre and it didn't disappoint in the least. That movie had one of the best gun fights I've seen in a long time. So in the end I was in the mood to see a western shooter/chase movie.
Let me set the record on this movie. It's more than a shooter, more than a chase. Oh, that's stuff is in this movie in spades, but what the trailers and t.v. spots want you to focus on is the fact that this might be a psychological thriller. I've promised myself that I would stay spoiler free on this site, but I've got to say, these two main characters sparring with one another might be right up there with Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lector. This movie is all emotion and tension, not just from the plot and situations.
If you've seen Christian Bale in anything, then you know that he commits to a role. Truly commits. Look at the transformation from his emaciated role in The Machinist to the ripped Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins. He allegedly lost 63 pounds to film one and then in eight months put it all back on and more in muscle for Batman. This man does nothing small, and his role as Dan Evans in this movie is the same big dive again, albeit emotionally for this go around. His hobled, Civil War Veteran persona is revealed almost immediately on the screen. As a father myself, I can feel some empathy for a man who only wants to do right by his wife and family, see pride in his children's eyes and do his best to survive the world. This movie sucked me into that battle within the first few minutes.
Enter Russell Crowe as Ben Wade. The type of man that westerns were written about and history tends to glorify. Despite the black hat that usually adorns the head of said man. In an indirect way this man could bring about all that Dan Evans needs to get back on track. And that as they say, is the rub. If I can fit in anymore cliched statements, believe me, I'll try.
Russell Crowe is cold. He doesn't play, he sends his minions to do a job and then he finishes the job. He's too cocky and that proves the downfall that spurs the story. You get the sense that even if he was surrounded by 20 lawmen, he'd still be in control of the situation. It's this feeling and the desperate struggle between the two main characters that makes this movie what it is. A true edge of your seat, who's going to win this battle of wits, movie. I wish I could say more but that would be giving too much away. This is a story you should not have spoiled.
Peter Fonda plays a bounty hunter hired to make sure the railroad's money is safely delivered. As the movie unfolds I found myself in the position of hating this character. But I think you're supposed to. He's thrown in to show the line of decency and righteousness is often very blurred. At least that was my take.
How good was Ben Foster who plays a supporting role as Charlie Prince? Well, I'll tell you this: he stole every scene he was in. Absolutely chewed it up. Most people will recognize him from his turn in Six Feet Under, or his slightly smaller role in X-Men 3. To me, this was his breakout role and I hope he garners leading roles from here on out. He takes this role and makes it was it is meant to be.
So why was this movie released in the middle of the dump zone? I've read an article since, which basically said that the producers wanted to get the movie out before the glut of oscar movies hit to build on and move it through the fall and winter. In general that is sound thinking. I'm worried that this may have been too early. Very few people are going to the theater currently. It's just that time of year. If nobody is going to the theater, how do you build word of mouth to support the movie for the next 4-5 months? Sure, a few of the right people in Hollywood might catch this movie, but everyone knows you need the media push for Oscar nominations. I hope that this movie doesn't get buried in the heap. I think it deserves a shot. If nothing else, Ben Foster deserves a nomination for supporting actor.
That's it for now. See this movie and if you find something about it you like, tell a friend. It deserves attention.
E
Watching - if you've been reading these posts you already know.
On deck - need to watch The Departed again.
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