Glad I just noticed this thread after a bit of a Dissensus hiatus on my part (new job) while looking for Deadwood reviews (I'll get it).
Padraig said:
Henry S: and movies like The Wild Bunch and The Unforgiven are great precisely because they critique the western narrative...
Eastwood's Unforgiven ostensibly critiques it only to viscerally, sadistically reinforce it in its violently revenge-deadlocked denouement.
I think this is true. I recently watched Mystic River and I have to say it's probably one of the most pretentious films I've ever seen. The music is a bit corny and often inappropriate - and lo Music composed and conducted by Eastwood (I think he wanted the royalties) - and the ending was really dubious... very much a cheap "revenge-deadlocked denouement".
And not dubious in the way another "relocated" western which I also recently weatched is, namely Straw Dogs, which was dubious/pulpy but also funny and more importantly perhaps thought provoking.
As I've said before, I'm a Leone nut: he has the craft down pat, as well as Morricone and some great dialogue and ideas. I never knew about that Leningrad movie: what a great loss; I hope Speilberg
never considers "completing" it...
"A Fistful of Dynamite" is my fave along with "The Good the Bad and the Ugly".
Does anyone else think "Blazing Saddles" is a take off of "Once Upon a Time in the West"?
And if we're talking about humorous westerns how can you go past "The Three Amigos"? Classic genius movie imo.
Yeah I prefer the 7 Samurai over the Magnificent 7.
A friend of mine recommended "A Man Called Horse". What does the Dissensus Brains Trust think of that? Any good?