Films That Matter
River Rafting
Long before the wilderness of Alberta awed and amazed in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s 2015 frontiersman epic The Revenant, it was widely featured in an impressive Technicolor CinemaScope picture, Otto Preminger’s 1954 western River of No Return. Shot in the beauty of Banff and Jasper National Parks (though some of the river scenes are shot at Salmon River in Idaho – where the actual story takes place), the scrumptious background is matched by the glorious foreground. . . which held two Hollywood greats – the chiseled features of Robert Mitchum and a woman whose looks need no descriptors, Marilyn Monroe (a rather intriguing historical note finds the actress causing a pile-up on the main street of Jasper while walking down the street in her tight-fitting jeans that she wears throughout most of the movie).
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Star Pick with Felix Silla
Great Things Come in Small PackagesHigh NoonSeptember 6, 2016While at Trekonderoga on August 13th, 2016, the Ticonderoga, NY, comic con that is all things Star Trek (including the brilliant recreation of the original Starship Enterprise) , I was lucky enough to be able to interview several interesting actors – one of whom was Felix Silla, a man who has left an indelible yet oft hidden mark on the television and film industry over his five plus decades of work. Before I begin, I would like to thank the Trekonderoga staff for setting me up in such a wonderful (noise free) room for my interviews, with a beautiful background of the hilly, forested Adirondacks that frame the excellent three day event. The man behind the mask (or hair), was born in Italy in 1937, eventually making his way to the United States on November 24th, 1955, where the trained circus performer toured with the iconic Ringling Bros. circus (for seven years) and the Barnum & Bailey Show. Using his 3' 11" versatile frame to his advantage, he eventually made his way into show business in the early 1960s, taking on a plethora of intriguing roles. His big break came when he was cast as Cousin Itt on the original Addams Family television series in 1965.
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Shot Through the Heart
Slow WestJuly 22, 2016I have recently been hyping several modern westerns (including the 2005 Australian flick The Proposition and the 2015 horror crossover Bone Tomahawk) that have created unique visions that pay homage while adding something new to the historic genre. Another film that fits the mould is the 2015 motion picture Slow West. The meandering tale (written and directed by first timer John Maclean) follows the young, hopeful Jay Cavendish (Kodi Smit-McPhee – The Road) as he journeys westward,
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Asunder Down Under
The PropositionJune 19, 2016The 2005 Australian western The Proposition (which takes place in the nineteenth century) begins with the opening credits unspooling along with historic photos of that era being shown beside them, while a childlike voice sings a sadly eerie lilt and then. . . boom! – we are thrown into a frenetic firefight. This extremely unique opening captures the pace of the film; jarring clashes of violence followed by melancholic sadness and loneliness, or vice versa.
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Star Pick with John Rhys-Davies
When the Clock Strikes 12High NoonJune 7, 2016There may be no film that better encapsulates the idea of doing what is right or just rather than what is popular or easy than the classic 1952 western High Noon. I recently chatted with iconic character actor John Rhys-Davies, who has created wonderful personas in memorable films such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy (Gimli), Raiders of the Lost Ark/Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (playing Indiana Jones’ loyal pal Sallah), or portraying General Pushkin in the 1987 James Bond flick The Living Daylights, to name but a few.
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Bright Hope for the Western Genre
Bone TomahawkMay 27, 2016"This is why frontier life is so difficult. Not because of the Indians or the elements, but because of the idiots." Truer words may never have been spoken about the western genre; so many of these films seem to have their share of noble idiots who are unprepared yet undaunted by a seemingly impossible task. Though motion pictures featuring cowboys, sheriffs, bandits and the like have taken a downturn over the last several decades, there has been a small resurgence of quality independent westerns that have cropped up over the past year or so. One such movie (which is where the above quotation can be found) is the 2015 horror western Bone Tomahawk.
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The Kid is Hot Tonight
In Old ArizonaMarch 29, 2016Sometimes, a film is able to transcend the era it was made in, truly making it feel as relevant and modern as when it was first released. Yet, others simply have not aged as well. This can sometimes create a rather difficult viewing experience – and that is somewhat the case with the 1928 western In Old Arizona. This western is one of the most important and influential films of the time –
