The Western has been on life support for decades. One of the most popular and bankable genres in the silent film era, it experienced a decline in the 1930s, only to come back and dominate once again in 1939 with films such as the John Wayne-starring "Stagecoach" and James Stewart-led "Destry Rides Again." It would remain popular for several decades after that, producing more stars of the genre, including Clint Eastwood, before fizzling out once again by the 1970s. Since then we've seen Westerns pop up sporadically here and there, with some, including 1992's "Unforgiven," and 2010's "True Grit," enjoying significant success. Even in the last decade, we've seen some outstanding modern takes on the Western. But on the whole, the genre just isn't what it once was.
In the early 2000s, when Warner Bros. greenlit "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," they were hoping...
In the early 2000s, when Warner Bros. greenlit "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," they were hoping...
- 2/16/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Looking back on this still-young century makes clear that 2007 was a major time for cinematic happenings — and, on the basis of this retrospective, one we’re not quite through with ten years on. One’s mind might quickly flash to a few big titles that will be represented, but it is the plurality of both festival and theatrical premieres that truly surprises: late works from old masters, debuts from filmmakers who’ve since become some of our most-respected artists, and mid-career turning points that didn’t necessarily announce themselves as such at the time. Join us as an assembled team, many of whom were coming of age that year, takes on their favorites.
“I can’t figure it out. Do want to be like me or do you want to be me?”
From the opening frames of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Andrew Dominik stokes...
“I can’t figure it out. Do want to be like me or do you want to be me?”
From the opening frames of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Andrew Dominik stokes...
- 9/21/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight the titles that have recently hit the interwebs. Every week, one will be able to see the cream of the crop (or perhaps some simply interesting picks) of streaming titles (new and old) across platforms such as Netflix, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and more (note: U.S. only). Check out our rundown for this week’s selections below.
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (Michael Bay)
For better or worse, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is the purest distillation of Michael Bay’s cinematic voice. Bay’s favorite themes recur here from his brand of cheerleading GI Joe patriotism to righteous bloodlust to endlessly off-color non-sequiturs. And years of carpet bombing criticism targeted at his continued lack of political correctness and subtlety have...
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (Michael Bay)
For better or worse, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is the purest distillation of Michael Bay’s cinematic voice. Bay’s favorite themes recur here from his brand of cheerleading GI Joe patriotism to righteous bloodlust to endlessly off-color non-sequiturs. And years of carpet bombing criticism targeted at his continued lack of political correctness and subtlety have...
- 5/27/2016
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Despite the output of hundreds of features per year, Hollywood’s wide-release slate can often feel like a barren wasteland of retreaded material. While much of our year-end coverage will be focusing on the overlooked gems, today we’re highlighting the few big titles that surprised us over these past twelve months.
Note that the below ten features are strictly films that received a wide release on their opening weekend and not ones that eventually expanded with a roll-out. Some, for various reasons, arrived with virtually little-to-no anticipation around these parts, while others wildly exceeded our basic expectations, all managing to be among our favorites of the year. Check out our selections below and let us know what surprised you most in 2015.
The Age of Adaline (Lee Toland Krieger)
While my praise may not extend the lengths Jaden Smith is willing to go, The Age of Adaline is a refreshingly...
Note that the below ten features are strictly films that received a wide release on their opening weekend and not ones that eventually expanded with a roll-out. Some, for various reasons, arrived with virtually little-to-no anticipation around these parts, while others wildly exceeded our basic expectations, all managing to be among our favorites of the year. Check out our selections below and let us know what surprised you most in 2015.
The Age of Adaline (Lee Toland Krieger)
While my praise may not extend the lengths Jaden Smith is willing to go, The Age of Adaline is a refreshingly...
- 12/17/2015
- by TFS Staff
- The Film Stage
The idea of robbing banks and trains should conjure up images of brazen cowboys and the spaghetti western music of Ennio Morricone, but instead, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford depicts a stark world left in the wake of these famed outlaws, full of melancholy and restlessness. Jesse James has a very distinctive look and feel thanks to the cinematography, the acting from the film’s two leads and the costumes — all of which give Jesse James an almost mournful tone. There’s one other element that solidifies that dirge-evoking spirit. The film may have come out six years ago, but with a revival screening poised to take place this weekend, it felt time to revisit Nick Cave and Warren Ellis‘ score, a work which embraces the mystery and magic that is the story of Jesse James as it is told through the unreliable perspective of its narrator Bob Ford (Casey Affleck). For...
- 12/5/2013
- by Allison Loring
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
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