New Westerns

Thi Them · 08-20-2008, 07:40 PM

Two new westerns will be opening within the next month that look really great based on the trailers, and the directors aren't so bad.

Takashi Miike has his take on the spaghetti western with Sukiyaki Western Django: Sukiyaki Western Django | Video | MTV

Ed Harris returns to directing with Appaloosa: APPALOOSA-Viewing Options

"Kimchi western": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imgdpz_0m-8

~T

Jason Roer · 08-20-2008, 08:26 PM

WOW! Can't wait for Miike's film. Looks great. He really is one of the most interesting filmmakers working today. Has anybody seen Gozu? Super cool flick by Miike. One of my favorites of his though Audition, Ichi the Killer, and Visitor Q are up there as well.

Right on about Harris too. Pollack was fantastic. Appaloosa looks incredible and what a cast. I've really been getting into westerns lately and these two films have me very excited. Throw in Burn After Reading and Septemeber is looking like a tremendous month at the cinema.

Cheers,

Jason

JonZ · 08-21-2008, 08:41 AM

I just found out about Appaloosa the other day. Thanks for the trailer.

Holadem · 08-21-2008, 10:49 AM

Tho I've only the mistiest memories of it at this point, Django was a staple of my childhood.

--
H

Richard--W · 08-21-2008, 08:23 PM

I have no interest in the "spaghetti western." The term is a contradiction in and of itself.

Appaloosa is an American western filmed in New Mexico and Texas where the west happened, and its story reflects the American experience to a large degree. It is directed by Ed Harris, an immense talent. I wouldn't mind seeing Ed Harris do a new western every year.

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Jason Seaver · 08-21-2008, 09:36 PM

It's not a "spaghetti western", but a sukiyaki western.

I saw it at Fantasia this year, and it is pretty darn insane, but a blast if you like Miike. The man probably could have made a "normal" western - the skills are on display - but Takashi Miike is a mad genius, and you can't complain about the madness.

Ed Moroughan · 08-21-2008, 11:23 PM

The trailer for Appaloosa was really good. Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen? Coolness!

Russell G · 08-22-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard--W

I have no interest in the "spaghetti western." The term is a contradiction in and of itself.

Care to explain how one of the most popular and recognized genres in film is a contradiction?

Brian D H · 08-22-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell G

Care to explain how one of the most popular and recognized genres in film is a contradiction?

I love spaghetti westerns but I assume that the "contradiction" is from the fact that "spaghetti" (ie: Italy) is pretty darn far to the east of the historic American West.

But, if you recognize that the western GENRE (as opposed to the history) has more to do with the subject matter of the film than the film location you wouldn't see any contradiction. The characters, plots, subject matter, themes, etc. of the genre really only give a nod to the actual history anyway. The western genre is a thing in and of itself and should never be confused with the history.

There are many "Westerns" that are not filmed (or even set) in the American West, and many films set there that are not "Westerns".

townsend · 08-22-2008, 03:03 PM

I too just learned of Appaloosa this week when I found a trailer on Apple's movie trailer site.

I'm a big fan of Westerns . . . the genre, almost completely dead, seems to have experienced a slight resurgence as of late (Seraphim Falls, 3:10 To Yuma; The Proposition [Australian western]).

I think it was Ebert (or was it Siskel?) who said that the American Western is the only unique contribution of America to the movies. Does that sound correct?

Jason Roer · 08-22-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by townsend

I think it was Ebert (or was it Siskel?) who said that the American Western is the only unique contribution of America to the movies. Does that sound correct?

David Lynch. John Waters.

Cheers,

Jason