Westerns are a true test of a director's skill because of the

Posted by tinear (A) on October 6, 2008 at 13:17:48

In Reply to: Enjoyable, as you say, not great..... posted by afilado on October 4, 2008 at 20:07:24:

simplicity.
Ed is a poor director, period. This stricly is by the numbers boring directing.
And Ed is NO leading actor, either. He certainly can't carry a film. He looks just like what he always has: an aging high school football star.
Viggo I also elevated to a high status after that gripping portrayal as the Russian hit man in "Eastern Promises." But.... in this film, he does nothing more memorable than polish his shotgun barrel, endlessly. No good lines, no memorable anything except for the stance in the final shootout.
Jeremy Irons, rather unbelievably, showed some great skill with a rifle in the beginning and then, in a critical scene, couldn't hit a standing target? But I'm being unfair in analyzing this film.
It's a good, entertaining popcorn film, no more.
The very limited "Open Range" was superior because of the rapport between its principals, even though I'm no fan of either one of them.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - "Apaloosa": Leathery cowboys and all women are whores ...... - mr grits 19:06:44 10/04/08 (13)

Entertaining, but not much... - mkuller 12:45:37 10/05/08 (2)

I pretty much agree... - tunenut 17:24:07 10/05/08 (1)

Meandering is Parker's writing style - read Spenser, they're bettter...(nt) - mkuller 17:36:54 10/05/08 (0)

The local paper gave it a similar review - Mike K 06:55:20 10/05/08 (2)

You have........ - afilado 09:21:46 10/05/08 (1)

Thanks for those kind words. I shall check out the recommend * - Mike K 10:29:57 10/06/08 (0)

Enjoyable, as you say, not great..... - afilado 20:07:24 10/04/08 (6)

Westerns are a true test of a director's skill because of the - tinear 13:17:48 10/06/08 (3)

Agree with most of this... - afilado 14:40:09 10/06/08 (2)

RE: Agree with most of this... - jamesgarvin 15:22:05 10/07/08 (1)

Thanks, James. I'll look into that. - afilado 15:39:06 10/07/08 (0)

RE: Enjoyable, as you say, not great.....indeed - townsend 11:07:58 10/05/08 (0)

Zellweiger did have somewhat of a "real Western look" ..... - mr grits 10:59:56 10/05/08 (0)

Follow Ups

Westerns are a true test of a director's skill because of the - tinear 13:17:48 10/06/08 (3)

Agree with most of this... - afilado 14:40:09 10/06/08 (2)

RE: Agree with most of this... - jamesgarvin 15:22:05 10/07/08 (1)

Thanks, James. I'll look into that. - afilado 15:39:06 10/07/08 (0)

Westerns are a true test of a director's skill because of the

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