Ed Harris, Rene Zellwegger, Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons in "Appaloosa"
courtesy of Warner Home Entertainment
“Long Live the Western”

For a long time now westerns have been in a “few and far between” supply. Only Clint Eastwood and cable channel TNT have had any interest in keeping the genre going. But now there is a new western moviemaker on the scene and his name is Ed Harris.

Harris directs and stars in the new western “Appaloosa” (now on DVD). He also co-wrote the screenplay. He probably had some say in the casting too and he did fine work there by selecting Viggo Mortensen and Rene Zellwegger as his co-stars. Put it all together and you have the return of the western with a vengeance.

Virgil Cole (Harris) and Everett Hitch (Mortensen) are lawmen for hire. They arrive in the town of Appaloosa and agree to protect the town. Of course the town has to sign them all rights of management in order to get them to agree. But they are worth whatever it costs as the town has been held in the greedy grasp of corrupt killer Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons).

Cole’s serious life is brightened immensely when a widow, Allie French (Zellwegger), arrives in town. She immediately latches on to Cole and softens some of his sharper edges. Hitch just watches all this from afar.

The plot gets more dramatic when Bragg is arrested and tried for murder. Although convicted he swears he will not be imprisoned. There is a long train ride between Appaloosa and the prison where he is to be taken. There are also some surprises along the way.

Harris and Mortensen are perfectly cast as two best friends who see eye to eye in almost every way, except maybe about Allie. Both men talk slowly and mean every word they say. Zellwegger takes a little getting used to in her role as the woman in the middle but she pulls it off and makes points for her acting skills. She is totally believable in all of Allie’s wanton ways.

Irons makes a menacing bad guy. You believe his evilness from the very start. He is thin but wiry, elegantly spoken but deadly in his intent. Alan Rickman might have been better in the role but Irons is still very good.

As stated, Clint Eastwood is the master of bringing western stories to the screen and this movie has the look and feel of an Eastwood western. It is slow paced but every scene is necessary for the fulfilling of the story.

Ed Harris excelled in every hat he tried on with this film. He did it all and did it good. “Appaloosa” is a better than average movie. Go out and get this one and watch it with gusto.

For years we have had many, many comedies showing humor from the far left. Rarely if ever have we had a film that shows humor, political or otherwise, from the right side of the spectrum. But now comes the DVD “An American Carol” that skews the left with rabid enthusiasm. For many folks this has been a long time coming.

Taking most of the hits is Michael Moore. Satirically speaking this movie is all about him. Watching him get a dose of his own medicine is fun time for many. 

David Zucker, the man behind “Airplane” and “The Naked Gun,” is the man behind the humor in this movie, and he lays it on thick. If you have been waiting for the more politically conservative element of American politics to have its day, then “An American Carol” is right up your alley.

David Carradine, who has long had an association with the title “Kung Fu,” now stars in a DVD movie titled “Kung Fu Killer.” He and Daryl Hannah co-star in this story that takes place in the 20’s and concerns a man searching for revenge.

Filmed in China, this movie focuses on vengeance and how it can permeate one man’s soul and how he must act to redeem himself. Hannah plays a lounge singer and as such gets to sing a few songs in the film. Her voice is surprisingly good.

These two actors starred in “Kill Bill” and are reunited for this film. It is no “Kill Bill” but you might enjoy some of the aspects of the movie – especially the scenery.

Much more violent is the DVD movie “Ring of Death.” This film is about prison violence. A man goes undercover and into the prison system. While there he gets involved in a fight club that is really a fight to the death. Now that is pretty serious undercover work!

Johnny Messner, Stacy Keach, and Charlotte Ross star in this action packed film. It might be short on substance but it is filled to the brim with action.

Alan Cumming is a brilliant actor and director. He is known for taking off beat projects and the DVD movie “Ghost Writer” certainly fits that category.

In this film, which Cumming directed, an older man takes in a younger man to be his protégée. When an accidental death occurs the older man comes back to haunt the younger one. The plot is not that simplistic but it follows that outline.

The fun is in the side cast. In addition to Cumming there are performances by David Boreanaz, Carrie Fisher, Jane Lynch, Henry Thomas and Karen Black. Wow! That is a lot of bizarre talent for only one movie. Watch it and see what happens.
 

 

 

 

 

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

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