An American Civil War veteran embarks on a years-long journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches after the rest of his brother’s family is massacred in a raid on their Texas farm Thank the lord, this is the last Western that I have on this list. I hated it. Hate may be too strong of a word. Maybe not. Directed by John Ford and … Continue reading 12. The Searchers (1956)
A town Marshal, despite the disagreements of his newlywed bride and the townspeople around him, must face a gang of deadly killers alone at high noon when the gang leader, an outlaw he sent up years ago, arrives on the noon train. By now we should all know my stance on Westerns and how I feel about so many of them being on the AFI … Continue reading 27. High Noon (1952)
Upon the first viewing, it is easy to see why Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland has garnered accolades and award season buzz. The film checks nearly every box. And, although I enjoyed my viewing of the film, it did not have the profound effect on me that I have come to expect from these kinds of movies. But, that’s not to say that it isn’t a good film. … Continue reading Nomadland (2020): A Visually Beautiful Rehashing of a Very Familiar Narrative
A weary gunfighter attempts to settle down with a homestead family, but a smoldering settler/rancher conflict forces him to act. Somebody please tell me why there are nearly ten Westerns on AFI’s 10th Anniversary Top 100 list? That is completely unnecessary. Have two, maybe three, and make sure they are all different and celebrated for different things. Because if I have to watch one more … Continue reading 45. Shane (1953)
Retired Old West gunslinger William Munny reluctantly takes on one last job, with the help of his old partner and a young man. It seems very fitting that Clint Eastwood’s last Western would be a Revisionist Western. Having built a career acting in “good guy vs. bad guy” type films, it is refreshing to see that the final one has blurred lines between who is … Continue reading 68. Unforgiven (1992)
Wyoming, early 1900s. Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid are the leaders of a band of outlaws. After a train robbery goes wrong they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. Their solution – escape to Bolivia. As we all know, from the time I watched The Wild Bunch, I do not like westerns. I have a hard time staying … Continue reading 73. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
“An aging group of outlaws look for one last big score as the “traditional” American West is disappearing around them.” Okay. Look. I understand why this film is on this list, and I will go into those reasons in a moment. But, total fyi, I do not like Westerns. I don’t know why. I honestly have no clue. But, whenever I put a Western on … Continue reading 79. The Wild Bunch (1969)
