Hock, you made a good point with that blog. I also enjoy a good western., the more realistic the better although I still enjoy the John Ford era epics. Clint Eastwood is my favourite contemporary cowboy although I agree, Selleck is very good. Never seen a bad performance from Tom.
If you want to see an awesome performance of a character, get "Romper Stomper" starring a young Russell Crowe. It is set in Melbourne and is about neo-nazi skinhead gangs fighting asian gangs and it is excellent. I actually thought Crowe could have been a skinhead gang leader they recruited for the movie, he truly was that authentic. When I was a young soldier in Melourne in the 1970's there were only two groups with short hair, us and skinheads and it was that which gave us a chance to be left alone if they were hunting. They truly were violent and unpredicatable and Crowe portrays this to a tee.
He got his break in Hollywood thanks to Sharon Stone and her western (forget the title) and is a very talented actor. I will look forward to 3:10 From Yuma. By the way, do you also like Louis L'amour? Cheers Redcap
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The blog mentioned...
30 August 2007: Where have All the AMERICAN Cowboys Gone?
I see that within weeks a new western movie will be gracing the international theater screens - The 3:10 from Yuma. I remember the original movie and it was a pretty good film, but from the looks of the previews, there will be a much broader plot with this new version than in the old Ford/Heflin film. This one stars Christian Bale and Russell Crowe. Top notch folks.
Now, if you know me, you know I like westerns, well certain, good westerns. Special, unique ones. They are scarce these days and have been for many a year. I think the financial killer for them is they are not big, “date night movies,” at the megaplexes. When finding financing to make these pictures, the money people want to finance the next Bourne or cartoon flick.
I know many rant and rave about the 1990s movie Tombstone. Fans even get religious about it! And, while I thought it was entertaining and watch-able, as far as westerns go, I preferred Wyatt Earp with Kevin Costner as a more realistic epic. All this leads me to the real subject here. Who do we have to star in westerns anymore. Kurt Russell (all 4’ 2” of him) played a decent Earp in Tombstone, sure, but what other leading man action roles has he done lately? Kevin Costner’s flame has flicked out too. But come on...was he ever a John Wayne? A Clint or a Randolph Scott? Who is left? Sam Elliot is too old. His buddy, Tom Selleck is a great cowboy, but he dodges the parts.
Instead, American has produced a bunch of uninspiring, skinny, half-hippy, pantywaists for its half-heros. Clooney? Naaah. Brad Pitt? Not really. (soon to in a Jessie James movie. He fits the part well). Keanu Reeves? Matt Damon? Good Bourne, bad anything else. Chuck Norris would actually kick all their asses at once, then feel bad and buy them ice creams. Chuck Heston would say a prayer for them. Charles Bronson would just take a piss on their legs.
Actually, Bruce Willis does do a good job in action movies and would make a decent “cowboy.” Has anyone seen Last Man Standing? A remake. From Samurai flick to Eastwood-Spagetti to his blazing .45 semi-autos version. This plot was a remake of a remake that was not more than a plot- less, shoot’ em-up of a late western/early gangster film set in the southwest. But Willis was good. Willis is pretty much, always good, isn't he? Tears of the Sun. Die Hard this or that edition.
But where are the WESTERN stars?
The last western, a darn good one was Seraphen Falls with Pierce Brosnon and Liam Neilson. Interesting, classic plot with odd moments and events that were different. Now, the next big western, this The 3:10 from Yuma comes along with Christian Bale and Russell Crowe. Notice anything? A trend? Brosnon a Brit...Neilson a Brit...Bales a Brit (Hell, he was even Batman and many other movie heroes. We couldn't find a freaken American to play Batman?)...Crow an Aussie. These guys are great actors. Cultavated heros for sure. But, ever wonder what in tarnation happened to leading American men? No wonder no one wants to make or see regular westerns.
The Picante sauce always seems to come from New York City.
Hock
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Topic: Where Have All The American Cowboys Gone? (Read 1188 times)