Appaloosa is probably my favorite western, ever. I know it is a recent movie, so that might make my judging a little unfair, but it is hard to compare old movies with rough cinematography to the picturesque movies of today. Appaloosa is a movie adapted from the book by Robert B. Parker, which is the first book in a series of four about the gun slinging duo Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch. The movie is directed by Ed Harris, who also plays a main character. I have to admit, I hesitated to see this one in theaters due to Renee Zellweger being cast in it, because I quite frankly can't stand her (besides, who in their right mind wouldn't make things work with Kenny Chesney). But I went ahead and gave the movie a shot and boy, am I glad I did. The actors portray their characters flawlessly and you will find yourself engulfed in this movie. I could watch this movie over and over again and always love it.
Lonesome Dove is another absolute favorite of mine. It was a movie made for television, so it is LONG, like 8 hours I think. But it is a fantastic story and I have watched it all the way through in one sitting, but it is broken up into different parts. The story is about Gus (Robert Duvall) and Woodrow (Tommy Lee Jones) who set out to Montana from Texas when Woodrow gets it stuck in his head that he wants to be the first man to graze cattle in Montana. Both Gus and Woodrow used to be Texas Rangers and their friendship is just as old as they probably are. Gus is favorable of a carefree lifestyle while Woodrow is a hard working, thick skinned type. Diane Lane and Anjelica Houston both have sizable rolls along with lots of other actors who you still see around in movies today. I could watch this movie once a month, had I the time, and I always find myself loving Gus more with each time I watch it.
Wyatt Earp and Tombstone are two movies with near identical story lines. They both follow the story of Wyatt Earp and his work as a gunman, as well as his friends and family members including the ever-famous, Doc Holiday. Wyatt Earp stars Kevin Costner as Wyatt Earp, while Tombstone stars Kurt Russell. Doc Holiday is played by Dennis Quaid in Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer in Tombstone. It is so hard for me to pick which version I like better, as both I think have great qualities and different takes on the story. Even picking a better Wyatt Earp or Doc Holiday seems near impossible. So I would recommend watching them both yourself and joining my predicament.
One thing that's for certain is Robert Duvall sure knows his way around a western. And Kevin Costner is following closely in his footsteps. Open Range is a wonderful movie that follows to cattlemen who find themselves the last of a dying breed, the open range breed. This movie is special to me because of the cause. I love that the two main characters in this movie are stubborn and are willing to stand up for what they believe in. And that is the right to open ranges. The story takes place when the US started becoming more privately owned and range lands were disappearing due to privatization. Those who allowed their cattle to graze freely were thought of as being dishonest and began being tormented by those who disagreed with their choice. A great western without a huge romance story to it (there is some romance, but it is small in comparison to most).
Urban Cowboy is most likely, not a western. But it is a good movie, and it is about a cowboy, so that's close enough for me. The story is about Bud (John Travolta) and Sissy (Debra Winger) who fall in love (I think?), get married, move into a trailer and then watch their marriage fall apart just as quickly. There's good music, some dancing, some cheating, some mechanical bull riding, and a whole lotta Gilley's. It's a fun movie that I love to watch.
Another couple of movies I love that aren't quite so western but have some country qualities to them: Bridges of Madison County for an amazing amazing amazing love story. And No Country For Old Men for a good action/drama. Both are amazing, both are worth watching, a lot.
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