How you situate Sergio Leone’s epic, acerbic A Fistful of Dynamite within the filmmaker’s larger body of work just might depend on which title it bears when you watch it. The original Italian title, Giù la testa, is probably best rendered by the thematically appropriate Keep Your Head Down, but Leone insisted the film go out under the looser translation Duck, You Sucker! It’s a line that recurs several times throughout the film, one that Leone insisted was authentic American slang of the era, though clearly it isn’t any such thing.
The replacement title A Fistful of Dynamite attempts to link it with Leone’s earlier A Fistful of Dollars, but this one gets far darker and more serious than the more “innocent” tales of adventure that form the Dollars trilogy. Probably the most appropriate title was the one applied to it by the French: Once Upon a Time…...
The replacement title A Fistful of Dynamite attempts to link it with Leone’s earlier A Fistful of Dollars, but this one gets far darker and more serious than the more “innocent” tales of adventure that form the Dollars trilogy. Probably the most appropriate title was the one applied to it by the French: Once Upon a Time…...
- 3/18/2024
- by Budd Wilkins
- Slant Magazine
Clint Eastwood and Quentin Tarantino's mutual respect stems from shared influences like Sergio Leone. Eastwood endorsed Pulp Fiction, calling the response to the film "amazing." Tarantino intended Kill Bill to echo Eastwood's Dollars Trilogy.
Despite the fact that Clint Eastwood is more than 30 years older than Quentin Tarantino, the two seem like contemporaries. This connection began in 1992, when the release of Eastwood’s Oscar-winning Western film Unforgiven heralded a career renaissance for the filmmaker, while Tarantino made his feature directorial debut with the crime film Reservoir Dogs, which revealed the director to be a distinctive and exciting new voice in cinema.
More than 30 years later, the filmmakers are both poised to ride off into the proverbial sunset with their respective career-ending feature directorial outings. Eastwood has announced that his final film as director will be the upcoming courtroom thriller Juror No. 2, while Tarantino has said that his final film...
Despite the fact that Clint Eastwood is more than 30 years older than Quentin Tarantino, the two seem like contemporaries. This connection began in 1992, when the release of Eastwood’s Oscar-winning Western film Unforgiven heralded a career renaissance for the filmmaker, while Tarantino made his feature directorial debut with the crime film Reservoir Dogs, which revealed the director to be a distinctive and exciting new voice in cinema.
More than 30 years later, the filmmakers are both poised to ride off into the proverbial sunset with their respective career-ending feature directorial outings. Eastwood has announced that his final film as director will be the upcoming courtroom thriller Juror No. 2, while Tarantino has said that his final film...
- 3/18/2024
- by David Grove
- MovieWeb
Wayfarer took the metal world by storm with their sweeping black metal epic album American Gothic in 2023. The album provides a unique look at the history of the United States, and drummer Isaac Faulk has previously discussed numerous different elements that influenced the album’s creation. Faulk’s long-running relationship with anime manifests itself in countless ways in Wayfarer’s music, as well as the music of his numerous other projects like Stormkeep and Blood Incantation. From anime OSTs to subject matter to artistic presentation, the medium is deeply influential in his creative process. I chatted with Faulk to learn a bit more about how Trigun and Flcl were pivotal in making one of the year’s best albums. American Gothic has been such a smash success and ended up on so many “Album of the Year” lists! What was that recording process like? Isaac : The last record was more in this big,...
- 3/16/2024
- by Alex Lebl
- Crunchyroll
Cinematic language can be universal. Visual images and styles can be reused and interpreted for different audiences quite easily with film fans quick to pick up on the influences. Take for example the Western. John Ford influenced Akira Kurosawa; Kurosawa influenced Sergio Leone who in turn inspired a number of Italian filmmakers in creating the whole Spaghetti Western genre. This visual language then proceeded to be imported across the globe. “Yakuza Wolf” is one such beneficiary of this transnational use of cinematic language. A blending of Yakuza action with a western flourish it's now available through “Eureka Entertainment” on Blu-ray. With its lead Sonny Chiba being rediscovered we have an opportunity to look back at a role that set him on course for bigger stardom.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Gosuke Himuro (Sonny Chiba) is out for revenge. His father is dead and his sister Kyoko (Yayoi Watanabe) kidnapped.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Gosuke Himuro (Sonny Chiba) is out for revenge. His father is dead and his sister Kyoko (Yayoi Watanabe) kidnapped.
- 3/15/2024
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
While Sergio Leone's "Man With No Name" trilogy climaxed in the mid-1960s with The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, another Spaghetti Western director was experiencing his own international success story. 1966's Django made such a huge splash for director Sergio Corbucci that nearly 40 other Spaghetti Westerns set to release in the following years were renamed to include the name "Django" and ride on the coattails of Corbucci's success. Of course, it also went on to inspire 2012's Django Unchained written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, and the 2023 series from Sky/Canal+. In 1987, Corbucci would eventually direct the only official sequel, Django Strikes Again, but his true follow-up came only two years after Django when he made Il Grande Silenzio — also known as The Great Silence.
- 3/14/2024
- by Aled Owen
- Collider.com
Italian cinema offers a diverse array of genres, from giallo to spaghetti westerns, with masterpieces that have influenced filmmakers across the globe. Rocco And His Brothers, Blood And Black Lace, and The Battle Of Algiers showcase the depth and impact of Italian films on world cinema. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly exemplifies the operatic grandeur and satirical nature of Sergio Leone's spaghetti western classics.
From La Dolce Vita to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, there are a ton of must-see movies from the storied history of Italian cinema. From Federico Fellini to Michelangelo Antonioni, some of the greatest filmmakers who ever lived have come from Italy. Italian cinema has delivered lavish Telefoni Bianchi comedies and complex and expressionistic Calligrafismo dramas. The end of World War II saw the rise of the Italian neorealism movement, which went on to influence filmmakers from around the globe, including Martin Scorsese,...
From La Dolce Vita to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, there are a ton of must-see movies from the storied history of Italian cinema. From Federico Fellini to Michelangelo Antonioni, some of the greatest filmmakers who ever lived have come from Italy. Italian cinema has delivered lavish Telefoni Bianchi comedies and complex and expressionistic Calligrafismo dramas. The end of World War II saw the rise of the Italian neorealism movement, which went on to influence filmmakers from around the globe, including Martin Scorsese,...
- 3/14/2024
- by Ben Sherlock
- ScreenRant.com
Takashi Miike’s bizarre take on the Western, Sukiyaki Western Django, is merely one of five complete movies the prolific Japanese bad boy directed in 2007 (!!!), though you wouldn’t know it by the look of it: Miike’s film is an accomplished, hyper-stylized blend of half-a-dozen cinematic genres, with the most important ingredient in its formula being the Spaghetti Western flicks of Sergio Leone and Sergio Corbucci. A Fistful of Dollars and Django (obviously), its most apparent sources of influence, leave their traces throughout this Japanese flick.
- 3/13/2024
- by Adam Grinwald
- Collider.com
A Fistful of Dollars marked Clint Eastwood's big break into Hollywood, solidifying his connection to Spaghetti Western films and launching a successful career. Despite Paint Your Wagon not being a major hit, Eastwood's role showcased his versatility as an actor and earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Clint Eastwood's portrayal of Detective Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry became iconic, leading to numerous sequels and commercial success.
Established actor and director Clint Eastwood is remembered for his highly decorated career, starring in some of the best Western movies of all time. Since the beginning of Eastwood's career in 1955, he's starred in over 60 film titles as an actor and has directed over 40, which is an impressive feat across an almost seven-decade span. Along the way, certain movies helped cement his legacy and define his on-screen persona.
Of course, with such a brilliant and diverse list of films under his belt,...
Established actor and director Clint Eastwood is remembered for his highly decorated career, starring in some of the best Western movies of all time. Since the beginning of Eastwood's career in 1955, he's starred in over 60 film titles as an actor and has directed over 40, which is an impressive feat across an almost seven-decade span. Along the way, certain movies helped cement his legacy and define his on-screen persona.
Of course, with such a brilliant and diverse list of films under his belt,...
- 3/10/2024
- by Rebecca Sargeant
- ScreenRant.com
Eastwood's Pale Rider marked his return to traditional Western films, blending biblical elements with supernatural themes. The film was a major success, grossing approximately $41.4 million domestically and praised for its unique take on forgiveness and redemption. Pale Rider showcases Eastwood's mysterious screen persona, dominating the film through the subtle portrayal of a vengeful avenging spirit.
Clint Eastwood first gained stardom with the role of Rowdy Yates, a former Confederate States Army corporal and veteran of the American Civil War, on the Western television series Rawhide, which aired on CBS between 1959 and 1965, over eight seasons. Eastwood’s contract for Rawhide restricted Eastwood, who stayed with the show throughout its run, from appearing in feature films that were produced in the United States. However, Eastwood’s contract did permit Eastwood to accept film roles in Europe, where he gained film stardom as the Man with no Name in Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy film series,...
Clint Eastwood first gained stardom with the role of Rowdy Yates, a former Confederate States Army corporal and veteran of the American Civil War, on the Western television series Rawhide, which aired on CBS between 1959 and 1965, over eight seasons. Eastwood’s contract for Rawhide restricted Eastwood, who stayed with the show throughout its run, from appearing in feature films that were produced in the United States. However, Eastwood’s contract did permit Eastwood to accept film roles in Europe, where he gained film stardom as the Man with no Name in Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy film series,...
- 3/8/2024
- by David Grove
- MovieWeb
Quick Links The Mandalorian Should Be a Neo-Western Adventure The Bad Batch Continues The Saga Of The Clones What The Mandalorian Can Learn From The Bad Batch
In 2019, The Mandalorian became the best-received piece of Disney Star Wars media as it followed the adventures of the titular bounty hunter. Through animation, Disney also continued the Clone Wars era with The Bad Batch, which tells of the missions of Clone Force 99 after the dissolution of the Republic. While the 2019 series may be better known, there are some things it could learn from the animated clone show.
The Mandalorian tells the story of a bounty hunter, Din Djarin, who is charged with the protection of the infant Jedi survivor, Grogu. After defeating a small outpost of Imperial Remnants, he embarks on an epic, multi-world odyssey in search of the few remaining Jedi. Along the way, he meets a range of characters who help or hinder his mission.
In 2019, The Mandalorian became the best-received piece of Disney Star Wars media as it followed the adventures of the titular bounty hunter. Through animation, Disney also continued the Clone Wars era with The Bad Batch, which tells of the missions of Clone Force 99 after the dissolution of the Republic. While the 2019 series may be better known, there are some things it could learn from the animated clone show.
The Mandalorian tells the story of a bounty hunter, Din Djarin, who is charged with the protection of the infant Jedi survivor, Grogu. After defeating a small outpost of Imperial Remnants, he embarks on an epic, multi-world odyssey in search of the few remaining Jedi. Along the way, he meets a range of characters who help or hinder his mission.
- 3/7/2024
- by Ashley Land
- Comic Book Resources
Looking through the lens of pop culture, it can sometimes seem that the Spaghetti Western genre begins and ends with Sergio Leone. The same lens can also reduce the samurai genre down to the work of Akira Kurosawa. Not that being so completely defined by two masters of cinema is such a bad thing, but those sorts of associations can crowd out a lot of quality work and narrow down the “acceptable” parameters of a given genre. It can also obscure overlap, and Westerns of all stripes have a surprisingly symbiotic relationship with samurai pictures. John Ford inspired Kurosawa, Kurosawa inspired Leone (among others), and shifting tastes in the 1970s produced a number of hybrid stories combining Western elements with Asian martial arts if not samurai specifically. There was Kung Fu with David Carradine on the small screen. There was the rather notorious Billy Jack and its even more dubious sequel.
- 3/5/2024
- by William Fischer
- Collider.com
Sergio Leone’s classic western Once Upon A Time In The West is heading to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray: more here.
Ah, now here’s some excellent catalogue physical media news. The flat-out classic Once Upon A Time In The West is, for my money, the finest of Sergio Leone’s westerns. Given that he also directed the spaghetti western trilogy, starring Clint Eastwood, that’s no small statement. But heck, Once Upon A Time In The West is bloody stunning.
For some time, it’s been known that Paramount Pictures was working on a 4K release of the film too, and now comes the confirmation that it’s heading out way. Once Upon A Time In The West will be making its 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray physical media debut on 13th May 2024.
The film is now available to order on 4K disc: you can find more information, and pick yourself up a copy,...
Ah, now here’s some excellent catalogue physical media news. The flat-out classic Once Upon A Time In The West is, for my money, the finest of Sergio Leone’s westerns. Given that he also directed the spaghetti western trilogy, starring Clint Eastwood, that’s no small statement. But heck, Once Upon A Time In The West is bloody stunning.
For some time, it’s been known that Paramount Pictures was working on a 4K release of the film too, and now comes the confirmation that it’s heading out way. Once Upon A Time In The West will be making its 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray physical media debut on 13th May 2024.
The film is now available to order on 4K disc: you can find more information, and pick yourself up a copy,...
- 3/4/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
Kevin Costner's Horizon: An American Saga movies could revive the Western genre, much like his success with Dances with Wolves in the '90s. The R-rated, big-budget Horizon series represents a major financial risk that could pay off well for Costner. If the Horizon movies perform successfully, they may signal a resurgence of Western films in Hollywood, offering an alternative to superhero and blockbuster fatigue.
Kevin Costner's Horizon: An American Saga could lead to the same kind of Western revival he accidentally kickstarted in 1990. Westerns were once one of the most popular genres in Hollywood, but audiences became thoroughly jaded with them by the time the '60s came around. That's not to say they died off completely, but outside the work of Clint Eastwood or John Wayne, they became less of a safe bet.
Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Westerns like Once Upon a Time in the West gave them a much-needed boost,...
Kevin Costner's Horizon: An American Saga could lead to the same kind of Western revival he accidentally kickstarted in 1990. Westerns were once one of the most popular genres in Hollywood, but audiences became thoroughly jaded with them by the time the '60s came around. That's not to say they died off completely, but outside the work of Clint Eastwood or John Wayne, they became less of a safe bet.
Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Westerns like Once Upon a Time in the West gave them a much-needed boost,...
- 3/3/2024
- by Padraig Cotter
- ScreenRant.com
Outlaw Posse is a western anchored by Van Peebles' charismatic lead performance. The film features a starry supporting cast that adds depth and complements the eccentric characters. Despite attempts at political commentary, the movie fumbles important messages due to multiple subplots.
Mario Van Peebles' revisionist western, Posse, ended with a caption lamenting Hollywood's erasure of 8,000 black cowboys and their stories. Thirty years later, Outlaw Posse attempts to shine a light on the Old West's diverse history, with mixed results. Outlaw Posse isn't a sequel to the 1993 western and the director is no longer directly reacting to Hollywood's whitewashed vision of America's past. Instead, Van Peebles reacts to the binary times of the present, presenting a western that celebrates diversity, and the role it must play in building the prosperous nation first promised by those early Wild West pioneers.
6/10
Outlaw Posse is a western-action film directed by Mario Van Peebles and...
Mario Van Peebles' revisionist western, Posse, ended with a caption lamenting Hollywood's erasure of 8,000 black cowboys and their stories. Thirty years later, Outlaw Posse attempts to shine a light on the Old West's diverse history, with mixed results. Outlaw Posse isn't a sequel to the 1993 western and the director is no longer directly reacting to Hollywood's whitewashed vision of America's past. Instead, Van Peebles reacts to the binary times of the present, presenting a western that celebrates diversity, and the role it must play in building the prosperous nation first promised by those early Wild West pioneers.
6/10
Outlaw Posse is a western-action film directed by Mario Van Peebles and...
- 3/2/2024
- by Mark Donaldson
- ScreenRant.com
What happens when you apply the Dogme 95 aesthetic to the Western? A movie that’s ruthlessly committed to capturing, exploring, and finessing that style from top to bottom. Self-referential moments within genre films have become tiresomely commonplace, but director and co-writer Kristian Levring doesn't allow for a moment of parody in The Salvation, a pensive revenge tale set in the 1870s American West. The genre-defining John Ford and Sergio Leone drip from every frame and every classic but revisionist sensibility. Grounded by one of Mads Mikkelsen's finest performances, The Salvation sets its brutal plot against gold-tinted panoramics and ensures that Mikkelsen’s face is etched in enough blood and grit to make you flinch. Although this entry into the Western canon doesn’t technically explore anything new, Levring brings an outsider’s perspective to the genre’s motifs, making it an unmissable watch for any fan.
- 3/1/2024
- by Kelcie Mattson
- Collider.com
What happens when you apply the Dogme 95 aesthetic to the Western? A movie that’s ruthlessly committed to capturing, exploring, and finessing that style from top to bottom. Self-referential moments within genre films have become tiresomely commonplace, but director and co-writer Kristian Levring doesn't allow for a moment of parody in The Salvation, a pensive revenge tale set in the 1870s American West. The genre-defining John Ford and Sergio Leone drip from every frame and every classic but revisionist sensibility. Grounded by one of Mads Mikkelsen's finest performances, The Salvation sets its brutal plot against gold-tinted panoramics and ensures that Mikkelsen’s face is etched in enough blood and grit to make you flinch. Although this entry into the Western canon doesn’t technically explore anything new, Levring brings an outsider’s perspective to the genre’s motifs, making it an unmissable watch for any fan.
- 3/1/2024
- by Kelcie Mattson
- Collider.com
If Sergio Leone had ever signed on to make one of those ‘70s Blaxploitation oaters that once provided steady employment for Fred Williamson, it likely would have looked and sounded much like “Outlaw Posse,” a wildly uneven but cumulatively entertaining shoot-‘em-up that finds Mario Van Peebles doing triple duty as director, screenwriter and star. Quadruple duty, actually, if you count his credit as an executive producer.
“Outlaw Posse” has nothing to do with Van Peebles’ previous entry in this genre, 1993’s wild and woolly “Posse,” which suggests the multitasking filmmaker is tipping his Stetson to the multitude of ‘60s Spaghetti Westerns that, ahem, borrowed titles and eponymous characters from better known yet totally unrelated horse operas. But, then again, maybe not. Indeed, the film will probably be enjoyed most by folks not given to undue consideration of such trifling matters as lineage, logic and arrant anachronisms.
It’s 1908, and...
“Outlaw Posse” has nothing to do with Van Peebles’ previous entry in this genre, 1993’s wild and woolly “Posse,” which suggests the multitasking filmmaker is tipping his Stetson to the multitude of ‘60s Spaghetti Westerns that, ahem, borrowed titles and eponymous characters from better known yet totally unrelated horse operas. But, then again, maybe not. Indeed, the film will probably be enjoyed most by folks not given to undue consideration of such trifling matters as lineage, logic and arrant anachronisms.
It’s 1908, and...
- 2/29/2024
- by Joe Leydon
- Variety Film + TV
Brzrkr: A Faceful of Bullets takes immortal warrior B. to the Wild West, facing off against a greedy land baron in a new chapter. Jason Aaron and Francesco Manna team up to create a brutal Western adventure, expanding the universe of B.'s long life of violence. Brzrkr: A Faceful of Bullets is coming June 2024 from Boom! Studios.
Keanu Reeves' immortal warrior B. is heading for the Old West, as Brzrkr: A Faceful of Bullets heads to comic store shelves. The brainchild of Reeves - famous for movies including John Wick and The Matrix - the movie star's likeness is used for the adventures of an 80,000 year-old killer who has existed across history. Including, it turns out, the Wild West.
In a press release, Boom! Studios has announced that Brzrkr: A Faceful of Bullets will see Jason Aaron and Francesco Manna turn B. into a full-fledged cowboy antihero. Variant cover art from R.M. Guera,...
Keanu Reeves' immortal warrior B. is heading for the Old West, as Brzrkr: A Faceful of Bullets heads to comic store shelves. The brainchild of Reeves - famous for movies including John Wick and The Matrix - the movie star's likeness is used for the adventures of an 80,000 year-old killer who has existed across history. Including, it turns out, the Wild West.
In a press release, Boom! Studios has announced that Brzrkr: A Faceful of Bullets will see Jason Aaron and Francesco Manna turn B. into a full-fledged cowboy antihero. Variant cover art from R.M. Guera,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Robert Wood
- ScreenRant.com
The Man with No Name's clever use of dead bodies as decoys showcased his intelligence in A Fistful of Dollars. The bridge explosion scene in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly was a powerful display of The Man with No Name's danger. The iconic quote "every gun makes its own tune" highlighted The Man with No Name's individualism in the Wild West.
Clint Eastwood as The Man with no Name in Sergio Leone’s Dollar Trilogy had some of the greatest moments ever committed to the big screen. An absolute icon of the Western genre, this nameless outlaw had countless legendary moments throughout A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. With uncaring charisma and an eternally cool aesthetic, Eastwood’s iconic portrayal in this Spaghetti Western series became one of the most recognizable characters in all of cinema.
From...
Clint Eastwood as The Man with no Name in Sergio Leone’s Dollar Trilogy had some of the greatest moments ever committed to the big screen. An absolute icon of the Western genre, this nameless outlaw had countless legendary moments throughout A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. With uncaring charisma and an eternally cool aesthetic, Eastwood’s iconic portrayal in this Spaghetti Western series became one of the most recognizable characters in all of cinema.
From...
- 2/23/2024
- by Stephen Holland
- ScreenRant.com
Sergio Leone's 1968 Hollywood epic Once Upon a Time in the West is widely praised as one of the greatest films in the Western genre (if not the greatest). The Italian director's fourth outing in the genre, following his Clint Eastwood-starring Dollars trilogy, Once Upon a Time in the West is both a love letter and a critique of the Western. It has the staples of tense shootouts, fast-paced action, and sublime imagery of the vast American desert, but at the same time, it manages to deconstruct the iconography through unexpected twists, heightened violence, and a subversive casting decision that manages to reflect a shift in cinema and society all in a single role. Yes, we're talking about Henry Fonda as Frank.
- 2/22/2024
- by Andrew McGowan
- Collider.com
The Coen Brothers are some of the most incredible filmmakers currently working. Throughout their prolific career, they've been nominated for thirteen Academy Awards and won four of them. They're known primarily for their ability to write cross-genre films and even won the Palm d'Or for their film Barton Fink back in 1991.
However, their remarkable writing skills are what set them apart from the rest of the industry. They have such a unique voice, often marked by repetition of the same lines for comedic effect and powerfully distinct characters. This leads their movies to be some of the most quotable in the recent past.
"Would That It Were So Simple" Movie - Hail, Caesar!
Hail, Caesar! is one of the Coens' most misunderstood films. It's widely regarded as one of their worst movies. Though it was received well by critics, audiences often found that it didn't resonate with them if they...
However, their remarkable writing skills are what set them apart from the rest of the industry. They have such a unique voice, often marked by repetition of the same lines for comedic effect and powerfully distinct characters. This leads their movies to be some of the most quotable in the recent past.
"Would That It Were So Simple" Movie - Hail, Caesar!
Hail, Caesar! is one of the Coens' most misunderstood films. It's widely regarded as one of their worst movies. Though it was received well by critics, audiences often found that it didn't resonate with them if they...
- 2/22/2024
- by Anna Cate Jones
- Comic Book Resources
Although collecting physical media doesn’t have the convenience appeal of streaming films, there is now sort of a stigma with purchasing movies through online platforms. Although its possible to compile a collection of movies through an online library, consumers will ultimately be at the whim of the service should it choose to keep the title available on their server. The seemingly iron-clad way to have a movie ready-to-watch is if you can have it at your fingertips. Additionally, there are a number of titles that don’t happen to find their way to have streaming access and physical media distributors like Shout and Vinegar Syndrome have dedicated their business to some overlooked titles.
There are also classic, prestige movie titles that studios are proud to remaster for a new, modern way of viewing. You can now catch a new upcoming release of Once Upon a Time in the West...
There are also classic, prestige movie titles that studios are proud to remaster for a new, modern way of viewing. You can now catch a new upcoming release of Once Upon a Time in the West...
- 2/21/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
After decades of diminished popularity, the Western genre appears to have undergone a renaissance of sorts in recent years. High-profile Westerns such as True Grit, Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight, and The Revenant have each managed to draw in large box office numbers while also earning critical acclaim. Taylor Sheridan has single-handedly played a significant role in this Western resurgence with films such as Hell or High Water and Wind River and television shows such as Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923.
When discussing the greatest works of the Western genre, films bound to come up in conversation typically include The Searchers, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and Unforgiven. However, there exists a multitude of Western genre classics that most people have never even heard of. As a result of poor box office performance, failure to win any major awards, and having a minimal amount of ratings on movie websites such as Letterboxd,...
When discussing the greatest works of the Western genre, films bound to come up in conversation typically include The Searchers, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and Unforgiven. However, there exists a multitude of Western genre classics that most people have never even heard of. As a result of poor box office performance, failure to win any major awards, and having a minimal amount of ratings on movie websites such as Letterboxd,...
- 2/20/2024
- by Vincent LoVerde
- Comic Book Resources
Porn icon Rocco Siffredi claims that after making roughly 1,400 hardcore films — with titles like “The Ass Collector” and “Rocco’s Perfect Slaves” — over the past four decades, he has finally found “the peace of his senses.”
“I could crack a bad joke and say I can’t get it up anymore,” says Siffredi, 59, speaking on a video call from the Budapest office of his Rocco Siffredi Production company, which houses the Siffredi Hard Academy, touted as the world’s first “university of porn.”
“But that’s not the case. Quite the contrary,” the hardworking “Italian Stallion” hastens to add. I’ve asked Siffredi about being — or having notoriously been — a sex addict. And the many times he’s announced his retirement as a porn performer, only to make another comeback.
“I have to tell you that it was a mix of problems connected with my personal life and the dependency that this job,...
“I could crack a bad joke and say I can’t get it up anymore,” says Siffredi, 59, speaking on a video call from the Budapest office of his Rocco Siffredi Production company, which houses the Siffredi Hard Academy, touted as the world’s first “university of porn.”
“But that’s not the case. Quite the contrary,” the hardworking “Italian Stallion” hastens to add. I’ve asked Siffredi about being — or having notoriously been — a sex addict. And the many times he’s announced his retirement as a porn performer, only to make another comeback.
“I have to tell you that it was a mix of problems connected with my personal life and the dependency that this job,...
- 2/20/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
When it comes to the world of Westerns, there's a few directors people think of right away — Clint Eastwood, Sergio Leone, and John Ford are three that are bound to leap into one's mind. Among modern folks, Kevin Costner and James Mangold may pop on your radar. In reality, though, the most prolific director of Westerns isn’t any of these men or even a filmmaker that’s on the mind of the nerdiest film geek. Lambert Hillyer, a prolific American director from the first half of the 20th century, holds the record for most Westerns directed, with the Guinness World Records claiming that Hillyer directed 148 Westerns in his lifetime (out of 156 motion pictures total).
- 2/18/2024
- by Lisa Laman
- Collider.com
Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (2017), directed by Mouly Surya and based on a story by Garin Nugroho, is an Indonesian "Satay Western." It is notable for its cinematic stylistic adaptations of Sergio Leone and Akira Kurosawa, especially regarding setting, themes, character development, and cinematography. Much like a Sergio Leone film, Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts combines traditional Spaghetti Western amorality and brutality with the cinematic sensibilities of Akira Kurosawa. What takes place is a hero's journey through rural Indonesia to defend her place in the world from violent and amoral men, told through a series of axial cuts with decadent color pallets. What makes this film unique, however, is that the story is told from the female perspective instead of the male-dominated west of Leone, a refreshing spin on the genre. This anti-Western film uses the Spaghetti Western genre conventions to tell a brutal and compelling story...
- 2/18/2024
- by Jordan Todoruk
- Collider.com
Historically, the relationship between Hollywood and European comic books has been fraught with mutual distrust and cultural dissonance. Not to disparage Steven Spielberg — one of our national treasures — but his 2011 adaptation of The Adventures of Tintin was a bit of a disaster. And when La Femme Nikita director Luc Besson fulfilled a childhood fantasy in 2017 by bankrolling Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets out of his own pocket, the most expensive independent movie ever made landed with the thud of a global box office bomb.
But there’s hope on the horizon. European comic books — specifically, the Franco-Belgian school spearheaded by the Tintin character and his creator Hergé — are both a multimillion Euro industry and a sumptuous art form with dozens of successful franchises waiting to be developed. N
ow that the offerings of Marvel and DC are beginning to feel a tad fatigued, to say the least,...
But there’s hope on the horizon. European comic books — specifically, the Franco-Belgian school spearheaded by the Tintin character and his creator Hergé — are both a multimillion Euro industry and a sumptuous art form with dozens of successful franchises waiting to be developed. N
ow that the offerings of Marvel and DC are beginning to feel a tad fatigued, to say the least,...
- 2/17/2024
- by Ernesto Lechner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 1980s was a seminal period in the development of what we now define as the action movie. This was the decade that cemented the statuses of both Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger as the muscle-bound box office behemoths eating the competition for breakfast. Having emerged off the back of critically acclaimed efforts like Rocky and The Terminator, the years that followed saw the pair hone their greased-up on-screen personas to fine effect.
It wasn’t all about the muscles though. The 1980s also ushered in the era of the everyman action star with Bruce Willis in Die Hard and Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop opting for brains over brawn and reaping the benefits in multiplexes far and wide as a result. While Hollywood basked in the glory of a new generation of leading men, in the Far East, Jackie Chan was taking action movie physicality to a whole...
It wasn’t all about the muscles though. The 1980s also ushered in the era of the everyman action star with Bruce Willis in Die Hard and Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop opting for brains over brawn and reaping the benefits in multiplexes far and wide as a result. While Hollywood basked in the glory of a new generation of leading men, in the Far East, Jackie Chan was taking action movie physicality to a whole...
- 2/17/2024
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Susie outsmarts her husband again as Larry and Jeff attempt to buy her two gifts and return one if the first gift is adequate. Susie catches Larry and Jeff returning the second gift on the house's security camera, leading to a classic confrontation scene. Susie's theme song from earlier seasons, a spaghetti western track, plays during the confrontation, hinting at more classic Susie showdowns to come in season 12.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Curb Your Enthusiasm season 12, episode 2.
One of the most hilarious Susie moments from Curb Your Enthusiasm season 12 brings back a classic music cue from the show’s earlier seasons. In Curb Your Enthusiasm season 12, episode 2, “The Lawn Jockey,” Susie and Jeff move down to Atlanta to stay with Larry while he waits to stand trial. Jeff doesn’t want to spend too much money on Susie’s birthday, so he hatches a scheme with Larry to buy her two gifts,...
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Curb Your Enthusiasm season 12, episode 2.
One of the most hilarious Susie moments from Curb Your Enthusiasm season 12 brings back a classic music cue from the show’s earlier seasons. In Curb Your Enthusiasm season 12, episode 2, “The Lawn Jockey,” Susie and Jeff move down to Atlanta to stay with Larry while he waits to stand trial. Jeff doesn’t want to spend too much money on Susie’s birthday, so he hatches a scheme with Larry to buy her two gifts,...
- 2/13/2024
- by Ben Sherlock
- ScreenRant.com
“Funeral Parade of Roses” has to be one of the most successful avant-garde and experimental cinema masterpieces the world has ever seen. And no, I am not even exaggerating. This irreverent psychosexual reinterpretation of the myth of Oedipus Rex by director Toshio Matsumoto – dense with visual exploration, meta-cinematography, and rebellion – is one of the cornerstones of the Japanese New Wave of the 1960s. Through a temporally deconstructed narrative as chaotic as it is ingenious, Matsumoto encapsulates and crystallizes the generational drama of Japanese youth.
Set in Tokyo at the peak of its socio-political turmoil, the work follows the ups and downs of Eddie, a young transgender woman grappling with her identity. The protagonist works at Genet, a gay bar in Tokyo managed by the gangster Gonda, whom she is in love with. Leda (Osamu Ogasawara) is the “Madame” and drag queen's leader, as well as being Gonda's (Yoshio Tsuchiya) partner.
Set in Tokyo at the peak of its socio-political turmoil, the work follows the ups and downs of Eddie, a young transgender woman grappling with her identity. The protagonist works at Genet, a gay bar in Tokyo managed by the gangster Gonda, whom she is in love with. Leda (Osamu Ogasawara) is the “Madame” and drag queen's leader, as well as being Gonda's (Yoshio Tsuchiya) partner.
- 2/13/2024
- by Siria Falleroni
- AsianMoviePulse
Western films have produced some of the most quotable movie characters in history, with lines and phrases that have become part of the cultural vernacular. Films like Tombstone, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and Django Unchained have standout dialogue that showcases the talents of their iconic actors. The Western genre consistently reflects American culture and has had a lasting impact on pop culture through its memorable lines and characters.
The history of cinema is filled with memorable quotes, and many Western films feature unforgettable dialogue from some of the most prominent stars. The genre had its golden age in the 1950s and 1960s, with the work of directors like John Ford and Howard Hawks establishing an American mythology for the Wild West. Later, filmmakers like Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood pushed the Western forward with subgenres like the Spaghetti Western and Revisionist Western. More than any other genre,...
The history of cinema is filled with memorable quotes, and many Western films feature unforgettable dialogue from some of the most prominent stars. The genre had its golden age in the 1950s and 1960s, with the work of directors like John Ford and Howard Hawks establishing an American mythology for the Wild West. Later, filmmakers like Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood pushed the Western forward with subgenres like the Spaghetti Western and Revisionist Western. More than any other genre,...
- 2/11/2024
- by Charles Papadopoulos
- ScreenRant.com
Throughout the history of classic Hollywood, Henry Fonda was applicable across many genres. He thrived as a sheriff or cowboy in Westerns under the direction of either John Ford or Sergio Leone. He was the idyllic everyday individual in dramas, who expressed nobility during the Dust Bowl in The Grapes of Wrath or inside a jury deliberation room in 12 Angry Men. Most of all, Fonda carried an esteemed presence that made him perfect for playing historical icons or courageous men in stories about social issues. One might suspect that Fonda would have been too polished to effectively situate himself within the confines of an absurdist screwball comedy from a master of the genre like Preston Sturges, but one of his most charming roles, as a naive heir in The Lady Eve, shows him playing against type while also confirming his endearing screen presence.
- 2/10/2024
- by Thomas Butt
- Collider.com
Clint Eastwood's Pale Rider saved Westerns in the 1980s after Heaven's Gate's massive failure. Pale Rider was the highest grossing Western of the decade and encouraged studios to produce more Westerns. Eastwood hadn't made a Western since 1976, but returned to the genre with Pale Rider and expressed that he had missed it.
A Clint Eastwood Western proved the genre was alive and kicking, five years after a devastating box-office bomb appeared to kill them. Westerns were once one of the most popular genres in American cinema, but moving into the '60s and '70s, they started to feel old hat and outdated to audiences. Clint Eastwood was one of the last movie stars to make his name with them, thanks to the success of Sergio Leone's groundbreaking Dollars trilogy.
Other notable Clint Eastwood Westerns from this era include High Plains Drifter, but even he began to...
A Clint Eastwood Western proved the genre was alive and kicking, five years after a devastating box-office bomb appeared to kill them. Westerns were once one of the most popular genres in American cinema, but moving into the '60s and '70s, they started to feel old hat and outdated to audiences. Clint Eastwood was one of the last movie stars to make his name with them, thanks to the success of Sergio Leone's groundbreaking Dollars trilogy.
Other notable Clint Eastwood Westerns from this era include High Plains Drifter, but even he began to...
- 2/9/2024
- by Padraig Cotter
- ScreenRant.com
Actor Denzel Washington and director Spike Lee announced they are joining forces once more, the first time in 18 years, for a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller “High and Low.” The duo have collaborated four times previously, on “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Malcolm X,” “He Got Game,” and, most recently, “Inside Man.”
“High and Low” was originally based on the novel “King’s Ransom” by the prolific American author Ed McBain. McBain was a nom de plume for Evan Hunter, who also wrote “The Blackboard Jungle” (adapted to a popular film with a significant early turn by Sidney Poitier) and was a co-screenwriter of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds.”
The original “High and Low” starred Toshiro Mifune as an executive who faces a moral crisis during a pivotal moment of his career—just as he had intended to move a vast amount of his personal wealth for business reasons, his son...
“High and Low” was originally based on the novel “King’s Ransom” by the prolific American author Ed McBain. McBain was a nom de plume for Evan Hunter, who also wrote “The Blackboard Jungle” (adapted to a popular film with a significant early turn by Sidney Poitier) and was a co-screenwriter of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds.”
The original “High and Low” starred Toshiro Mifune as an executive who faces a moral crisis during a pivotal moment of his career—just as he had intended to move a vast amount of his personal wealth for business reasons, his son...
- 2/9/2024
- by Jordan Hoffman
- Gold Derby
This past January, legendary producer/director Norman Jewison passed away at the age of 97. Jewison first rose to prominence at the end of Hollywood's Golden Era, directing mostly comedies throughout the mid-1960s. However, as American cinema shifted toward the New Hollywood movement, Jewison's films began tackling themes related to controversial social and political issues.
Jewison continued directing well into his 70s, making critically acclaimed works up until the turn of the century. Throughout his career, Jewison earned seven competitive Academy Award nominations and won the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1999. Some of Jewison's most beloved works, such as In the Heat of the Night, Moonstruck, and Fiddler on the Roof, are among cinema's all-time greatest films.
Jesus Christ Superstar Causes Controversy Among Religious Groups (1973)
Jesus Christ Superstar GMusicalHistorical
A film version of the musical stage play, presenting the last few weeks of Christ's life told in an anachronistic manner.
Jewison continued directing well into his 70s, making critically acclaimed works up until the turn of the century. Throughout his career, Jewison earned seven competitive Academy Award nominations and won the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1999. Some of Jewison's most beloved works, such as In the Heat of the Night, Moonstruck, and Fiddler on the Roof, are among cinema's all-time greatest films.
Jesus Christ Superstar Causes Controversy Among Religious Groups (1973)
Jesus Christ Superstar GMusicalHistorical
A film version of the musical stage play, presenting the last few weeks of Christ's life told in an anachronistic manner.
- 2/8/2024
- by Vincent LoVerde
- Comic Book Resources
“A director can’t understand the final result from a description. You cannot describe music; it needs to be listened to.” So says Ennio Morricone in one of many talking-head sections that comprise Giuseppe Tornatore’s documentary. But Ennio, as it’s aptly titled, can feel part-documentary, part-video essay, and, yes, part-talking head compilation. It’s 156 minutes, but even the first four hint at its simplicity. A barrage of musicians, producers, and filmmakers spout what the film quickly compresses into glorified soundbites. Morricone was a towering artist. Audiences already knew this. But Tornatore doesn’t fully unpack the composer’s impact; he does more to describe it.
So what else is there to listen to? Per Morricone himself, he wanted to be a doctor, but his father insisted he learn the trumpet. He took classes at the Saint Cecilia Conservatory at age 12 and studied under Goffredo Petrassi, later marrying Maria Travia.
So what else is there to listen to? Per Morricone himself, he wanted to be a doctor, but his father insisted he learn the trumpet. He took classes at the Saint Cecilia Conservatory at age 12 and studied under Goffredo Petrassi, later marrying Maria Travia.
- 2/7/2024
- by Matt Cipolla
- The Film Stage
The Western genre has evolved over time, with different subgenres exploring more violent and self-reflective themes. Genre-blending has become common in Western movies, with directors like Tarantino and the Coen Brothers putting modern spins on classic ideas. Western movies have successfully utilized genre mixing to offer fresh interpretations and subvert expectations, adding new elements to old ideas.
Western movies have seen many iterations over the years, including many films that have mixed it with other genres. The Western genre is essential to American pop culture and film history, with its golden age of heroic cowboys, gunslingers, and lawmen from the 1940s through the 1960s. However, the style of Westerns significantly evolved, reflecting cultural changes. The Spaghetti Westerns of Sergio Leone in the '60s popularized the subgenre, exploring more violent, anti-hero-like characters. In the '70s, the revisionist Western subgenre began examining the history of the Wild West from a more grounded,...
Western movies have seen many iterations over the years, including many films that have mixed it with other genres. The Western genre is essential to American pop culture and film history, with its golden age of heroic cowboys, gunslingers, and lawmen from the 1940s through the 1960s. However, the style of Westerns significantly evolved, reflecting cultural changes. The Spaghetti Westerns of Sergio Leone in the '60s popularized the subgenre, exploring more violent, anti-hero-like characters. In the '70s, the revisionist Western subgenre began examining the history of the Wild West from a more grounded,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Charles Papadopoulos
- ScreenRant.com
"Raging Bull" knocked audiences flat on their backs when it premiered over four decades ago. The boxing biography, which is still considered among director Martin Scorsese's best films, unfolds as a rags-to-riches-to-rags story about a brutal middleweight fighter whose personal life never quite matches up to his success in the ring. Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Cathy Moriarty headlined the film's wildly talented ensemble, while late "Cheers" star Tommy Como played a local mobster and actress Theresa Saldana, who passed away in 2016, played protagonist Jake's second wife Lenora.
While time has taken some of these talented actors away from us, and the real Jake Lamotta died in 2017, each member of the "Raging Bull" core trio is still acting today. To present a "where are they now" about an actor as famous and prolific as De Niro would be silly, but if you're looking for another great De Niro...
While time has taken some of these talented actors away from us, and the real Jake Lamotta died in 2017, each member of the "Raging Bull" core trio is still acting today. To present a "where are they now" about an actor as famous and prolific as De Niro would be silly, but if you're looking for another great De Niro...
- 2/3/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
In the realm of Giallo films, Dario Argento is a celebrated figure. He’s one of the most influential directors of the Italian film industry, but his films have enchanted audiences worldwide and made a lot of cinephiles fall in love with the Italian Giallo films, such as Suspiria (1977), Deep Red (1975), Inferno (1980), and many more. Directed by Simone Scafidi, the Shudder documentary Dario Argento: Panico sheds light on this legendary filmmaker’s life and his extraordinary filmmaking style. Some of those closest to him like his sister, daughter, and ex-wife, as well as some globally acclaimed directors who had always looked up to his work, appeared in this film to share how Dario became an inspiration for the next generation.
The film opened with Dario Argento being interviewed and filmed in a hotel room, where he was supposed to write the screenplay for his next film. Initially a little bit hesitant to talk,...
The film opened with Dario Argento being interviewed and filmed in a hotel room, where he was supposed to write the screenplay for his next film. Initially a little bit hesitant to talk,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Poulami Nanda
- Film Fugitives
The original screenplay for "High Plains Drifter" made it clear Clint Eastwood's character is avenging his brother's murder. Eastwood added supernatural elements, making his character The Stranger feel like the avenging spirit of a murdered Marshal. Eastwood leaves it up to viewers to decide if The Stranger is a ghost or not, but there are plenty of clues suggesting he is.
This Clint Eastwood Western character is borderline supernatural in his shooting skills, but is he actually a ghost? Eastwood is one of the last major stars who made their name appearing in Westerns. After spending years on the TV series Rawhide, Sergio Leone cast the young Eastwood in A Fistful of Dollars, a low-budget Italian Western. The movie itself proved groundbreaking and is credited with creating the "Spaghetti Western" subgenre. The star returned for two more Leone films, with Eastwood's first American Western lead being Hang 'Em High in 1968.
During the '70s,...
This Clint Eastwood Western character is borderline supernatural in his shooting skills, but is he actually a ghost? Eastwood is one of the last major stars who made their name appearing in Westerns. After spending years on the TV series Rawhide, Sergio Leone cast the young Eastwood in A Fistful of Dollars, a low-budget Italian Western. The movie itself proved groundbreaking and is credited with creating the "Spaghetti Western" subgenre. The star returned for two more Leone films, with Eastwood's first American Western lead being Hang 'Em High in 1968.
During the '70s,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Padraig Cotter
- ScreenRant.com
The Dollars Trilogy, or the Man with No Name trilogy, consists of three Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Westerns that are loosely connected and can be enjoyed in any order. Sergio Leone's masterful direction in the trilogy popularized the Spaghetti Western film movement and inspired numerous other Westerns. Despite some inconsistencies and different character names, the trilogy remains highly regarded in the Western genre, with "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" being considered the best of the three films.
The Dollars Trilogy chronology can be a bit confusing, but the loose connection between the three movies adds to the enjoyment of watching them. Starting with 1964's A Fistful of Dollars, Sergio Leone helped to popularize the Spaghetti Western film movement that revitalized the genre. A Fistful of Dollars also launched the movie career of then-tv star Clint Eastwood. Following A Fistful of Dollars, Leone directed the loose sequel, 1965's For a Few Dollars More.
The Dollars Trilogy chronology can be a bit confusing, but the loose connection between the three movies adds to the enjoyment of watching them. Starting with 1964's A Fistful of Dollars, Sergio Leone helped to popularize the Spaghetti Western film movement that revitalized the genre. A Fistful of Dollars also launched the movie career of then-tv star Clint Eastwood. Following A Fistful of Dollars, Leone directed the loose sequel, 1965's For a Few Dollars More.
- 2/2/2024
- by Colin McCormick, Luke Parker
- ScreenRant.com
The great Martin Scorsese returned to the Eternal City, accompanied by the star of the moment, Lily Gladstone, as the guests of honor of a gala dinner at the Hotel Hassler by the Spanish steps Wednesday night. The event, honoring Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and hosted by co-chief of Leone Film Group, Raffaella Leone, daughter of great Italian film director Sergio Leone, and Paolo Del Brocco, head of Rai Cinema, the Italian distributor of Killers. Hot off the film’s 10 Oscar nominations, including a record-setting 10th best director nod for Scorsese and the historic best actress nod for Gladstone as the first Native American nominated in the category, the event was a must-attend for the Italian film scene.
The Hollywood Reporter Roma was the only media outlet admitted to the event, and we were a fly on the wall for the parade of A-list industry guests, which...
The Hollywood Reporter Roma was the only media outlet admitted to the event, and we were a fly on the wall for the parade of A-list industry guests, which...
- 2/1/2024
- by Manuela Santacatterina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Four years after tackling the life of Italian horror maestro in Fulci for Fake, writer-director Simone Scafidi returns to the technicolor world of Italian giallo filmmakers with a retrospective look at arguably the greatest of them all: Dario Argento. Dario Argento: Panico gives genre fans an extensive, if not somewhat shallow, portrait of the master filmmaker from his early career as a film critic and screenwriter to his decades-long success as genre royalty.
The film begins with Argento on his way to a hotel — a mainstay of his screenwriting process — where he sets out to write his newest screenplay. The car ride to the hotel is playfully tense as Scafidi intercuts similar moments from Argento’s films accompanied by an anxiety-inducing score, ultimately showing the ominous German dance school from Suspiria before revealing Argento’s temporary abode. Calm and serene, the beautiful wellness retreat nestled in the lush Roman countryside...
The film begins with Argento on his way to a hotel — a mainstay of his screenwriting process — where he sets out to write his newest screenplay. The car ride to the hotel is playfully tense as Scafidi intercuts similar moments from Argento’s films accompanied by an anxiety-inducing score, ultimately showing the ominous German dance school from Suspiria before revealing Argento’s temporary abode. Calm and serene, the beautiful wellness retreat nestled in the lush Roman countryside...
- 2/1/2024
- by Zoe Dumas
- MovieWeb
Classic Western films have provided audiences with exciting and shocking plot twists that can elevate a good movie into a great one. Some of the best Western plot twists come from films like "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence," "The Great Silence," and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." These plot twists subvert genre clichés, challenge audience expectations, and add complexity to characters and narratives. They leave viewers completely shocked and make a lasting impact.
The Western genre has always been one full of exciting twists and turns that left viewers completely dumbfounded and shocked. With tales of bounty-hunting bandits, gold-digging gunslingers, and outrageously trigger-happy outlaws, the lawless nature of the Wild West has provided ample opportunity for narrative twists, character turns, and shocking surprises. From cowboy heroes to vicious villains, a clever Western plot twist can turn a good movie into a truly great one and remain in...
The Western genre has always been one full of exciting twists and turns that left viewers completely dumbfounded and shocked. With tales of bounty-hunting bandits, gold-digging gunslingers, and outrageously trigger-happy outlaws, the lawless nature of the Wild West has provided ample opportunity for narrative twists, character turns, and shocking surprises. From cowboy heroes to vicious villains, a clever Western plot twist can turn a good movie into a truly great one and remain in...
- 1/31/2024
- by Stephen Holland
- ScreenRant.com
Clint Eastwood's Western career was a significant part of his overall filmography, with him starring in 15 Western movies. Eastwood's Western movies were often darker and more cynical than traditional Hollywood Westerns, portraying antiheroes and lacking the gloss and heroism. "Unforgiven" was planned by Eastwood as his farewell to Westerns and ended up being a critically acclaimed and award-winning film, solidifying his legacy in the genre.
Though he appeared in a wide variety of movies across his long career, looking at all of Clint Eastwood's Westerns in order showcases his impact on the genre and how the genre helped shape his journey in the movie business. Actors like Roy Rogers and John Wayne are also synonymous with Westerns, Eastwood's career was an interesting look at how the Western genre was revitalized with new approaches and eventually fell out of favor with Eastwood himself playing a role in bidding farewell...
Though he appeared in a wide variety of movies across his long career, looking at all of Clint Eastwood's Westerns in order showcases his impact on the genre and how the genre helped shape his journey in the movie business. Actors like Roy Rogers and John Wayne are also synonymous with Westerns, Eastwood's career was an interesting look at how the Western genre was revitalized with new approaches and eventually fell out of favor with Eastwood himself playing a role in bidding farewell...
- 1/31/2024
- by Colin McCormick, Padraig Cotter
- ScreenRant.com
There might be some debate on whether Once Upon a Time in the West is Sergio Leone's finest Western, but there is no doubt that it is in this feature that Charles Bronson delivers the performance of a lifetime. Bronson delivers the perfect balance between subtlety and machismo with his role as Harmonica, an enigmatic cowboy out for vengeance. There is an inexplicable nuance to his performance, heightened only by the mastery of Leone's direction, and the notes so perfectly composed by Ennio Morricone. While the part was originally intended to be portrayed by Clint Eastwood, casting Bronson was the best move Leone could have made, and the gravitas of his enduring portrayal exemplified the filmmaker's choice.
- 1/31/2024
- by Ron Evangelista
- Collider.com
Phenomenal performances by iconic actors have elevated some of the best Western movies ever made, showcasing their talent and versatility in captivating roles. Henry Fonda, Val Kilmer, Eli Wallach, Hailee Steinfeld, Javier Bardem, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, James Stewart, Clint Eastwood, Leonardo DiCaprio, Casey Affleck, and Samuel L. Jackson have delivered unforgettable performances in Western films. These performances have added depth and complexity to the genre, exploring themes of morality, justice, and the human condition, and leaving a lasting impact on Western cinema.
Some of the greatest actors ever have given phenomenal performances in Western movies. Western films explore vital human themes, such as justice and morality, that have resonated with audiences for generations. The genre has continued to develop since its golden age in the '50s and '60s and is crucially reflective of American culture. Westerns have allowed for some of cinema's most exciting heroes and villains,...
Some of the greatest actors ever have given phenomenal performances in Western movies. Western films explore vital human themes, such as justice and morality, that have resonated with audiences for generations. The genre has continued to develop since its golden age in the '50s and '60s and is crucially reflective of American culture. Westerns have allowed for some of cinema's most exciting heroes and villains,...
- 1/29/2024
- by Charles Papadopoulos
- ScreenRant.com
Natasha Lyonne has shared a creepy story about James Woods hitting on her during the filming of Scary Movie 2 as part of a darkly comedic riff on the history of sexual assault in Hollywood that left even Conan O’Brien uncomfortable.
The actor told the story during her recent appearance on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast after revisiting her earlier experience with Marlon Brando holding her boob as part of the script for Scary Movie 2 before he dropped out due to illness.
Woods replaced Brando as Father McFeely in the scene, a spoof of The Exorcist in which Lyonne plays Megan Voorhees, a parody of Linda Blair’s possessed character from the original movie. Speaking on the podcast, Lyonne remembered Woods “hitting on me as a teenager in full monster makeup,” adding, “It’s a crazy move, dude.” Watch the segment below.
Lyonne went on to...
The actor told the story during her recent appearance on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast after revisiting her earlier experience with Marlon Brando holding her boob as part of the script for Scary Movie 2 before he dropped out due to illness.
Woods replaced Brando as Father McFeely in the scene, a spoof of The Exorcist in which Lyonne plays Megan Voorhees, a parody of Linda Blair’s possessed character from the original movie. Speaking on the podcast, Lyonne remembered Woods “hitting on me as a teenager in full monster makeup,” adding, “It’s a crazy move, dude.” Watch the segment below.
Lyonne went on to...
- 1/25/2024
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Film News
All apologies to John Wayne, but Clint Eastwood is easily the most recognizable and influential person involved in the development of Western films. Many would cite his starring role as “The Man With No Name” in Sergio Leone’s A Fistful of Dollars, For A Few Dollars More, and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly as the performance that single-handedly made Spaghetti Westerns cool on an international scale. However, Eastwood managed to direct some of the greatest Westerns as well once he transitioned to a behind-the-scenes role, and created such classics as The Outlaw Josey Wales, Pale Rider, High Plains Drifter, and the Best Picture winner, Unforgiven. It would be easy to look at Eastwood’s achievements and simply see it as a catalog of the modern Western’s development, but his filmography includes much more than gunslinger flicks. In fact, Eastwood also directed Mystic River, one of the...
- 1/22/2024
- by Liam Gaughan
- Collider.com
Even those with little familiarity (or interest) in the Western genre have some basic knowledge of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. The iconic Western epic from Sergio Leone doesn’t just stand as one of the greatest Westerns ever, but one of the best movies of all-time. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly effectively launched Clint Eastwood as an international star, established the “Spaghetti Western” subgenre as a permanent fixation within world cinema, and breezed through its nearly three-hour running time. It’s a great encapsulation of everything that a Western can do right. However, the endless acclaim for The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly means that there isn’t as much attention paid to the film’s two predecessors in Leone’s “The Man With No Name Trilogy.” Both A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More are Spaghetti Western classics in their own right,...
- 1/21/2024
- by Liam Gaughan
- Collider.com
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