I just finished watching the Unforgiven movie again, and that movie is kickass. And it makes me wonder "what the hell happened to the western"? Dude, it's the American west 1800s, a period full of rich tales and compelling characters. How did the American Western just die?
Even more confusing, watching Unforgiven reminded me a lot of the first Lord of the Rings movie. Seriously. No joke. The vast wide shots of the american west, the episode nature of the character's journey through a long epic quest, and a bunch of totally badass not-gay-at-all men living together alone in the wild and sharing their deepest secrets with each other.
So really, what the hell is up with that? Can someone tell me WHY the Western is dead? Can someone tell me why we'd rather see a "western plot" set in a fantastical setting full of orcs and goblins?
And most importantly, will we ever see a Return of the Western?
I don't think enough americans care about westerns to make a comeback.mgsthefury
I'd have to disagree. Western movies were the 'in' thing back in the 50s, and now they're not the 'in' thing. I'm sure they'll get popular again in a few decades. Entertainment genres tend to fluctuate like that.
[QUOTE="mgsthefury"]I don't think enough americans care about westerns to make a comeback.Luncbox1
I'd have to disagree. Western movies were the 'in' thing back in the 50s, and now they're not the 'in' thing. I'm sure they'll get popular again in a few decades. Entertainment genres tend to fluctuate like that.
Yeah, but seriously, what would it take to get a resurrection of Western Movies?
I mean, the Fantasy Epic Moivies were largely dead until LOTR came along and a whole crapload of people tried to milk it. LOTR was successful, and all of a sudden we see a resurgence of fantasy/sci-fi epics and huge war movies with swords.
But what happened after Unforgiven? Unforgiven was hailed as a genuine masterpiece, but did we see a huge flood of Westerns foillowing aftrer it? Hell no.
I think that maybe people really DON'T want to see westerns, even if they are fantastic works of art. And it boggles my mind as to why.
Because people aren't going to get interested in westerns again for no reason. The only way that people will get interested in westerns again is if there's a trendsetter. A movie that takes the western and shows the public at large that westerns are just as great as any other genre. Unforgiven should have been that movie. But it still didn't happen. What the hell would it take to actually get people interested in westerns again?
[QUOTE="Luncbox1"][QUOTE="mgsthefury"]I don't think enough americans care about westerns to make a comeback.MrGeezer
I'd have to disagree. Western movies were the 'in' thing back in the 50s, and now they're not the 'in' thing. I'm sure they'll get popular again in a few decades. Entertainment genres tend to fluctuate like that.
Yeah, but seriously, what would it take to get a resurrection of Western Movies?
I mean, the Fantasy Epic Moivies were largely dead until LOTR came along and a whole crapload of people tried to milk it. LOTR was successful, and all of a sudden we see a resurgence of fantasy/sci-fi epics and huge war movies with swords.
But what happened after Unforgiven? Unforgiven was hailed as a genuine masterpiece, but did we see a huge flood of Westerns foillowing aftrer it? Hell no.
I think that maybe people really DON'T want to see westerns, even if they are fantastic works of art. And it boggles my mind as to why.
Because people aren't going to get interested in westerns again for no reason. The only way that people will get interested in westerns again is if there's a trendsetter. A movie that takes the western and shows the public at large that westerns are just as great as any other genre. Unforgiven should have been that movie. But it still didn't happen. What the hell would it take to actually get people interested in westerns again? I just don't think the market is catering to them. Movie producers are obsessed right now with super-hero movie translations like Spiderman, and movies where people get chopped into bits. Eventually the market will change once again. Just like how rap has been popular for the last few years, but now it seems like rock is becoming more popular again. Things fluctuate. Mark my words, the Western will rise once again. Might not be this decade, maybe not even next. Might take 50 years. But they will rise... sayeth the lord. 8)
There's the new Coen brothers Western, True Grit. It looks fantastic and it's slated for a Christmas release (well, a few days before). I agree, though. The last great western I can think of is The Assassination of Jesse James.
There's the new Coen brothers Western, True Grit. It looks fantastic and it's slated for a Christmas release (well, a few days before). I agree, though. The last great western I can think of is The Assassination of Jesse James.
sammyjenkis898
Yeah, and Tarantino is talking about wanting to make a Western.
There's the new Coen brothers Western, True Grit. It looks fantastic and it's slated for a Christmas release (well, a few days before). I agree, though. The last great western I can think of is The Assassination of Jesse James.
Jipset
Yeah, and Tarantino is talking about wanting to make a Western. I can see him really doing a good job. Actually, I think it would be Red Dead Redemption because it seems as if Rockstar are desperate to be perceived as the Quentin Tarantino of video games. Anyways, yeah Unforgiven kicks ass but there have still been some good westerns as of late. 3:10 To Yuma was incredible, I'd put it up there as one of the greats of westerns.
Seraphim Fall looks somewhat promising.-Iconoclast-
I liked that movie. Some may see it as too pretentious. There have been plenty of good westerns, but not as before. Appalosa and 3:10 To Yuma comes to mind.
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