Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Welcome to the Wild Wild West!

In regards to westerns, I enjoyed the films in general, the themes were pretty basic and classic, the cinematic elements were interesting, the characters fun, but I have to say that the dialogue and plot line gets pretty tiresome after awhile. I do spose watchin' a western once in awhile'de be okay, but three in jus'a few weeks, well, that there's a lil' much.

The thing I really liked the most about these films is the emphasis on the power of the land. The extreme long shots in both of the movies is classic, but I had never thought of the reason for all of them in westerns. But I realize now that the director is trying to point out how the land dwarfs the people, and how man is trying to command this vast, powerful nature, which is much harder than it seems. Man did not know how to handle this challenge, so chaos ensues. I really liked how obvious this message was, especially in "Unforgiven".

Now just a few comments on the characters of "Stagecoach". I have to say that I really loved the character development in this film, these guys were hilarious! My favorite characters were Doc Boone and Bucky. Doc Boone because he just does what he wants and nobody says anything because he's a doctor, or even if they do say something, he basically gives them a big "screw you", especially to the 'upper class' characters. And I love Bucky because he tries to be that 'does what he wants' character, but his fear gets in the way, I find him very real and easy to relate to. Now I just want to take this opportunity to say that Hatfield and Mallory were obvioulsly in a relationship! This is why Hatfield came on the stagecoach in the first place-to protect his pregnant woman! Mallory was apparently very lonely and missed her husband who was in the military, so she gave into temptation, I mean, who can turn down that Hatfield with his jalepeno-looking face and everything? Not Mallory, that's for sure! seriously though, it actually makes sense as you watch the movie and think about them specifically.

In conclusion, gittyup lil doggies!!

6 comments:

Ariane Ackerberg said...

hahha i love you! And i also loved Doc Boone and Bucky. They were by far my favorite. Solid post claire!

Rima H said...

Alright well let me just say that your comment on Hatfield and Mrs. Mallory is soo TRUE!!! and that i fully support that conclusion and how the open land really does "dwarf" the people compared to it and i had never thought it that way and i thought the word choice was pretty great! :]]

Sojourner For A Time said...

I agree! Three westerns was a little much! I also like those two characters-Doc Boone and Bucky-also because they are so funny.

Sojourner For A Time said...

I agree! Three westerns was a little much! I also like those two characters-Doc Boone and Bucky-also because they are so funny.

Jessica C said...

I really liked how you interpreted Hatfield and Mallory! I'm pretty sure it's right too. The part about Hatfield's apperance is really funny. haha. Also I totally agree on how western movies especially Unforgiven really made an effort to show the wide landscape. Great job on the post!!

Taylor W. said...

First of all i agree on how Unforgiven focused on landscape and i liked how you put your own opinion on your favorite characters in Stagecoach. You put Hatfeild and Mallory together and it is probably true! good job.