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The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

***/5

Westerns have always been burdened. Any western worth watching has to walk a fine line. It cannot be too dramatic or else the audience members who came to see gun-slinging action will feel deprived. On the other hand if there is nothing but action then story itself is put on the back burner, and the audience will feel as though the film lacks substance. The goal here is to know when to be dramatic and when to draw your weapon if you will. “Unforgiven” despite being heavily dramatized seemed to achieve that balance. And in fact the film “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” looks eerily similar to the aforementioned “Unforgiven” as it attempts to achieve that very balance. The film however stops short and relies heavily on the dramatic events that took place in the last year Jesse James’s walked this earth.
As the film opens up we are introduced to Jesse and his older brother Frank and their newly assembled crew of has-beens and lowlifes. They are recruited to perform a train robbery, possibly the last one for Jesse and his brother. Among these “men” are Charley Ford and his brother Robert Ford, portrayed by Sam Rockwell and Casey Affleck respectively. Charley is a sweet talking hillbilly who tries his best to avoid any sort of confrontation. His brother on the other hand is an overly confident loser with visions of grandeur who tries to make a name for himself as a member of Jesse’s gang. Frank James depicted in the film by Sam Shepard, automatically rejects Robert. It seems as though he can tell that Robert Ford should be avoided like the plague. Jesse on the other hand or Brad Pitt’s character seems attracted to Ford. The same way a celebrity would be attracted to their number one fan. Eventually Jesse and Robert Ford both come to the same conclusion: that a book should not be judged by its cover. Ford becomes disenchanted and realizes James is not the hero he thought he was. And James also comes to the conclusion that Ford is completely defective. It is Ford however who first takes action and only adds to the infamy of Jesse James by assuming the role of his “assassin”. Affleck is skillfully adapt at portraying a character that is a quite honestly a slime ball for the lack of a better term. Even his speech pattern is as repulsive to the ear as his appearance is to the eye. Pitt does an admirable job of portraying a legend that is at the end of his rope. He can trust no one and despite being a celebrity can hardly afford to let his true identity be known. The film is well thought out yet it lacks constancy. At times the story stalls and simply wallows, at other times thanks to the narration the story rolls right along. Overall the film does not disappoint. The acting is imposing and the dialogue has a truthful ring to it. The action nonetheless is much more mild mannered.

OSCAR WATCH

EASTERN PROMISES
****1/2 /5

Why do films about organized crime continue to intrigue the masses? Films describing gangsters and there way of life have been made over and over again so why would we think that one more film about the mob or gangsters is going to appeal to us? Well because every once in awhile a film like “Eastern Promises” reminds us just how enthralling the criminal world actually is. The tale of the film revolves around life in the Russian mob that operates out of England. Viggo Mortensen’s character Nikolai, is a “driver” and personal bodyguard, working for an influential Russian mafioso. The family is ruthless and yet they are very discreet, making sure every atrocity is neatly covered up. That is until a young prostitute dies during childbirth leaving behind a newborn daughter and her diary. A midwife depicted by Naomi Watts, bares witness to the birth of this child and the death of her mother, and seeks to find out who this prostitute was so that she could find a home for the child. Using the prostitute’s diary as a guide she finds out that her path leads her to Nikolai and his “family.” I refuse to divulge what happens next because that would be a great injustice to the person reading this review. What I am willing to say is that the film is refreshingly sharp and well developed. Director David Cronenberg does the audience a great favor and makes sure that he only filmed sequences that made sense, sequences that furthered the story. He never strays and remains true to the film’s basic premise rather than making just another gangster movie. Mortensen’s character is a stoic figure and throughout the film, Mortensen reminds us that even though Nikolai is involved with the underworld he never seems to relish his life of crime. If it weren’t for Daniel Day-Lewis and his performance in “There Will Be Blood” I would say that Mortensen should be awarded the Oscar for his vivid depiction. Lastly the film speaks about issues such as child prostitution and the rituals of the Russian mafia, issues that are overlooked in most films today. This makes watching the film that much more illuminating.

This 1 is for Heath!

1)I pray that Heath Rests In Peace
2)I pray that his family and love ones find some sort of peace during these dificult times
3)I pray that the media stops using his death as a get rich quick scheme
4)I like to thank Heath for all that he gave this world.
5)I like to point out that it was Heath's time to leave us, so let us remember him and thank God that he lived for as long as he did.

I did not know the man. And I was not very familiar with his work. But one thing I was aware of was his talent. So I will mourn for him. Having said that I present to you...

Monsters Ball
****/5

It’s truly a small world that we live in. Nowhere is this more evident than in the film “Monster’s Ball”. There are critics that would denounce this film’s story as being unrealistic. How could Hank Growtowski a racist corrections officer, supervise the execution of a black man, and then fall in love with that man’s widow? How could that same officer played by Billy Bob Thornton, hate his son so much that he would standby and watch as that son ended his life? Well to those critics I say only one thing: it might be unlikely, but it could very well happen. “Monster’s Ball” is a movie that truly pushes boundaries. It is a film that asks audiences to feel sympathy for characters that are a step above lowlifes. Yet when a cast gives performances that are so impassioned that we can feel empathy for the characters that they portray, and when writers and directors put their best foot forward as well they usually produce a film that has some sort of hold on us. “Monster’s Ball” is that film we just can’t seem to forget. We can’t forget Halle Berry’s character, the newly widowed Leticia Musgrove. Berry’s portrayal of an emotionally bankrupt woman who always seems to be teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown is disturbingly vivid yet graceful as well. Heath Ledger who plays Billy Bob Thornton’s son in the movie is not given much screen time, however he certainly leaves an indelible mark on the entire feature. As strange as it may seem “Monster’s Ball” leaves a similar type of imprint on all those who watch it. It is a small world after all.

THE TREASURE...

C THIS MOVIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE I WILL POINT OUT A MOVIE TO YOU THAT YOU SHOULD WATCH. FOR ALL THOSE WITH A NETFLIX OR BLOCKBUSTER ACCOUNT, CHECK IT OUT...

THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE
*****/5
When John Huston and his father Walter Huston, chose to collaborate on the film “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” there is no way they could have possibly envisioned the heights this film would ascend to. Although it was no box office smash when it was first released, this film has gone down in history as a truly honest and compelling film. The story of the film is very simple. Three men go to mine for gold and all goes according to plan. But once greed rears its ugly head, their dreams of wealth and a life of ease turn into nightmares. Although the script was cleverly written, the script is not what makes this a stupendous film. The cast of the film consisting of Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, and Tim Holt combined with the John Huston’s bold direction made the film what it is. Director John Huston was rightfully awarded an Oscar for his direction here. Not only did he illicit moving performances from his cast, he efficiently made gold mining appear to be the arduous and harrowing task it is, while capturing the beauty of the Mexican landscape. His father Walter Huston was also awarded an Oscar for his portrayal of a wily old man who always seems to roll with the punches. The one cast member who was erroneously looked over by the Academy was Bogart. Despite turning one of the finest performances of his career, as well as one of the finest in the history of cinema, he was not even nominated. As if that were not bad enough, “Hamlet” was chosen as the Best Picture over “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre”. Which as we all know now, as another monumental blunder on the part of the Academy. Unfortunately we can’t always recognize fools gold when we see it.

CHANGE O PACE

BELOW I ADD A VIDEO OF MY OTHER PAST TIME...ENJOY!