OPEN RANGE

[dh1989]

No place to run. No reason to hide.

"Open Range"

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005JM9R.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0316356/CN-306-18.jpg

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0316356/CN-268-07A.jpg

Plot: "Academy-Award® winning director Kevin Costner helms this traditional Western tale of a way of life that is quickly disappearing. Boss Spearman (ROBERT DUVALL), Charley Waite (KEVIN COSTNER), Mose Harrison (ABRAHAM BENRUBI) and "Button" (DIEGO LUNA) freegraze their cattle across the vast prairies of the West, sharing a friendship forged by a steadfast code of honor and living a life unencumbered by civilization. When their wayward herd forces them near the small town of Harmonville, the cowboys encounter a corrupt Sheriff (JAMES RUSSO) and kingpin rancher (MICHAEL GAMBON) who govern the territory through fear, tyranny and violence. Boss and Charley find themselves inextricably drawn towards the inevitable showdown as they are forced to defend the freedom and values of a lifestyle that is all too quickly vanishing. Amidst this turmoil, life suddenly takes an unexpected turn for loner Charley when he meets the beautiful and warm-spirited Sue Barlow (ANNETTE BENING), a woman who embraces both his heart and his soul. As these courageous men prepare for the decisive battle that looms, they are also forced to confront and conquer their own internal demons."

Directed By: Kevin Costner (Dances With Wolves).

Written By: Craig Storper (TV's "The Truth About Alex").

Produced By: Kevin Costner (Thirteen Days), Jake Eberts (Chicken Run), and David Valdes (Unforgiven).

Genres: Western, Action, Drama, and Romance.

MPAA Rating: "R," for violence.

Feature Running Time: 135 minutes.

Starring: Robert Duvall (John Q), Kevin Costner (JFK), Annette Bening (American Beauty), Michael Gambon (Gosford Park), Michael Jeter (The Green Mile), Diego Luna (Y Tu Mama Tambien), James Russo (Donnie Brasco), Abraham Benrubi (The Man Who Wasn't There), and Kim Coates (Pearl Harbor).

THOUGHTS: I am dying to see this film. The westerns of the 21st century, which you could most likely count on two hands or less, have ranged from mediocre to horrible, but I'd wager this will the be the first fresh, entertaining, and well-made one of the new century, and I wouldn't be suprised if it, someday, is mentioned in the same breath as Unforgiven, True Grit, Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, and, one of the greatest films ever made, IMO, Dances With Wolves. I'll be there opening night, hopefully, and fully expect a modern classic.

P.S. I am also excited to see a film with Michael Gambon. Ever since he was cast as Albus Dumbledore in the forthcoming Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by Alfonso Cuaron, I've been trying to see more and more of the films listed on his filmography.

A Buena Vista Pictures Release.

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0316356/CN-358-02.jpg

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0316356/CN-149-33AR.jpg

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0316356/CN-129-28.jpg

Click here (http://us.imdb.com/Trailers?0316356) for the trailer!

[DevilMonkey]

The posters are very cool but the movie doesn't interest me. It doesn't look lie my type of movie.

[Nate6]

YES! It's been a long time since I've been so excited about seeing a film (although I really, really wanted to see Seabiscuit and still do). I can't wait to see a really good return to the western genre, with a great cast, great reviews, great trailer, and kickass poster. It just looks really amazing. My theater screwed me over once (they have yet to get the afore-mentioned Seabiscuit) and if they do it to me again, someone dies...:D

[Subotai]

I'm there. Love that Alberta wilderness...

[jolanar]

Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall are both excellent western actors. In my opinion Costner is the king of modern westerns. I will probably check this out in the theatre.

[Freeway]

I'll see this in theatres because it looks to be getting good reviews and has a good trailer.

dh, as always you have done an excellent job on this thread. Well done.

[dh1989]

Originally posted by Freeway
dh, as always you have done an excellent job on this thread. Well done.

Thanks, 'Freeway!' :)

[dellamorte dellamore]

This doesn't look bad , and i'm always up for a western , plus i like the cast . Costner is in desperate need of a hit , and this one looks like it could surpise some people and be mildly succesful , at least .

[dh1989]

Here are the neat teaser posters for Open Range.....

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mo/openrange_costner.jpg
http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mo/openrange_bening.jpg
http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mo/openrange_duvall.jpg

[Horror whore]

BOR-ING

I'm skipping this one. It looks truly awful.

[PorcheRacer]

I'll wait for video...if it goes the same path as most other Costner flicks, I should see it in a week or two ;)

[RogueSpear]

I think it looks real good, though I doubt I'll get a chance to check it out in theatres. I'll definately be renting it when it comes out on DVD though.

[The Other]

It's about time Annette Bening did another movie. The only other movie she's done since 1999s American Beauty was 2000s What Planet Are You From?

[Fisting Ackbar]

I have reservations about Costner, but DANCES WITH WOLVES was excellent, so I'll see this at some point.

[dellamorte dellamore]

I agree , the name Kevin Costner does not inspire confidence anymore , and the cast will primarily appeal to an older crowd , no pretty boys to be found here . I'll personally wait to watch it on DVD , but not because of this reason .



Who knows , they only spent 20 mil on this film , so maybe there is enough of an audience for it to make a profit , but honestly , i can't say for sure . If anything , i can see it acting as counterprogramming to Freddy vs Jason , one i do want to watch in the theater .

[Subotai]

I'm not too crazy about the posters. They seem more appropriate for a spaghetti western.

[Strider]

The premise of "Open Range" is far from intriguing, and besides, I'm not a big fan of westerns in the first place. I probably won't see this film in the theaters, but I'll give it a look once it hits the video stores... which should be very soon, since this is a Kevin Costner flick after all. :D

Strider

[Psychocandy]

I love westerns and this looks like a good 'un. Costner has a good track record with this genre. I'll be seeing this in the cinema.

[Nate6]

Originally posted by The Other
2000s What Planet Are You From?

Silly Other. That wasn't a movie! ;)

[gyro_44]

I'm actually looking forward to checking this out, hopefully this weekend... the advance word is pretty damn good. Apparently Ebert and Roeper gave it the ol' two thumbs up on their show last night. Anyone see it?

I love those posters! Very cool. Costner's "Dances with Wolves" is a gorgeous and moving film, and it will be nice to see him return to western here.

[chasingbanky]

I may check it out but i don't think i will....When it comes on dvd i'll prolly rent it or somethin, so hopefully RObert Duvall doesn't fail on this one.

[blankpage]

Can't wait to check this one out. Sure, Costner has had a few stinkers, but this one looks like a reeeaaalll winner.

P.S.- Nate, I hope your theatre gets this bitch. :)

[Edie0027]

I am definately going to see this movie...I generally enjoy what I think looks like a frontieresgue type of movie...that and I like Bennning and Costner

[optimus1]

I think it looks ok , but this will be a rental for me...IMHO the movie will need to have a good villain or it will suck hard. That it only cost 20 mil to make means it will probably be a money maker though which is good for Costner as he needs a boost.

[Mark]

According to Larry King Open Range is the best western since Unforgiven. He also said the film has plenty of action and that the film's climax is an action sequence to runs for over 45 minutes!

[Subotai]

Yeah, Ebert and Roeper gave it raves - especially for Duvall, no surprise, as well as the gunfight. The best western since Unforgiven isn't exactly high praise (against what? Texas Rangers? American Outlaws?), but damn I hope this'll give the genre the same kick the horror genre got a few years back.

[Nate6]

Originally posted by blankpage
P.S.- Nate, I hope your theatre gets this bitch. :)

Well, those hopes are dashed, my theater doesn't have this one on tap for this weekend. But guess what they did get? Grind and Uptown Girls. Yay...I'm so happy...

*tries desperately from flying into murderous rage*

[Shockwave]

Im personally rooting for this one to do good, it just looks good and westerns are probably my favorite type of movie as far as rewatchablity. (a good western can be see anytime!) This looks like a clint eastwood movie, like a old school, kick ass western done right and u can bet ill be one of the first in line to see this.

Even over the much anticipated(for me) Freddy vrs Jason.

[Psychocandy]

Originally posted by Subotai
Yeah, Ebert and Roeper gave it raves - especially for Duvall, no surprise, as well as the gunfight. The best western since Unforgiven isn't exactly high praise (against what? Texas Rangers? American Outlaws?), but damn I hope this'll give the genre the same kick the horror genre got a few years back.

Tears Of The Black Tiger?

Anyway...Open Range looks excellent. I'm planning on seeing this at the cinema when it eventually hits the UK.

[Mike]

I don't think I'll ever check out Open Range. I hate westerns. The only one I sort of liked was Bad Girls. Well, actually, I liked others when I was a kid, but that's because I loved horses then. Now I can't stand most westerns. Even if Open Range got the best reviews of the year, I still most likely wouldn't see it. I don't care if others want to see it, it's just not my kind of movie.

[big J]

I sure want this to be a good film. It's been too long, since we have seen a great western film (Unforgiven). Always reliable Robert Duvall will surely be amazing as always.

[blankpage]

Originally posted by Nate6
Well, those hopes are dashed, my theater doesn't have this one on tap for this weekend. But guess what they did get? Grind and Uptown Girls. Yay...I'm so happy...

*tries desperately from flying into murderous rage*


Nate, I'm going to make it my duty to go over to Nova Scotia and make trouble, a lot of trouble. ;)

[dh1989]

Capone, of Ain't It Cool News, has posted an extremely POSITIVE review of Open Range:

Hey, Harry. Capone in Chicago here. I actually skipped a preview of FREDDY VS. JASON last night to see Kevin Costner's OPEN RANGE. I don't regret it for a minute. The main reason is that I want to see FvJ with a paying audience, true enthusiasts; but the other reason is that I dig most of what Kevin Costner has done as both actor and director, and this film is right up there with his best stuff. So shoot me. Here's my review...

The experience of sitting through Kevin Costner’s third film as a director (after the hugely successful DANCES WITH WOLVES and the hugely unwatchable THE POSTMAN) is one of the more pleasant I can think of in a summer that has been filled with far more disappointments than positive surprises. Costner returns to the picturesque rolling plains of the American heartland (although the film was made in Alberta, Canada, and they never actually say in the movie where it takes place), and this is a good thing. It’s largely accepted that Costner’s best work involves either sports (usually baseball) or the old West, and I’m not going to dispute that belief. This film is among his finest as both a director and actor. Set just after the Civil War, Costner play Charley Waite a breed of cattleman known as a “free grazer,” meaning he doesn’t own a ranch but simply moves his cattle from place to place for sale, allowing them to graze in the largely open, unowned grasslands that existed in the United States at the time. To some professional ranchers, these free grazers were free loaders and were despised and severely dealt with by some. Waite is second in command of a four-man team led by Boss Spearman, played by Robert Duvall in one of his finest roles as an older gentleman. Anyone who has the pleasure of watching Duvall in the television mini-series “Lonesome Dove” has an idea of how he plays this kind of role. He’s a man of few words, a simple sense of right and wrong, and a black-and-white idea of justice.

The film starts out slow and deliberate. We get to know each of the four men. Abraham Benrubi (“E.R.’s” receptionist Gerry) is Mose, a giant hulk of a man with a sweet disposition. As Spearman puts it, “He never starts a fight, but he finishes a lot of them.” Diego Luna is the 16-year-old newbie Button, who was recently “adopted” by the group and is still hot-tempered and inexperienced. For a while, we just take in the characters and the landscape. A torrential rain storm does a little damage to their camp site, and they fix it. In need of suppliers, the team sends Mose to a nearby town for supplies. When he doesn’t return after a couple of days, Spearman and Wait go looking for him, only to find out he’s in jail after a brawl with some men hired by the local rancher boss Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon). Baxter and the local marshall (James Russo) warn the free grazers to get the hell out of the area before some other tragedy befalls them. In need of medical attention, Mose is taken to a nearby doctor (Dean McDermott) and his sister, Sue, played by the lovely Annette Bening, who takes an innocent liking to Charley.

Upon returning to their camp, the men devise a plan to get a little revenge on the ranch men who beat up Mose, and hopefully stop any further attack on their group. Boss and Charley make a late night camp site raid of three men on their way to rough up the free grazers, but while they’re gone, Mose and Button are attacked by another group. Mose is shot in the head and Button is near death. With hardly a word between them Boss and Charley know what they must do. After dropping off Button at the doc’s, the two men make their presence and purpose known in the town. They aren’t so much recruiting others to their cause as simply telling people to stay out of the way during the oncoming battle. All of this leads to a spectacularly staged gunfight that looks and sounds about as real as any I’ve ever seen in a Western. The gun fire sounds like cannons going off in your ear, the blood...is very red and plentiful. Costner does a great job making certain you know where every player is during this shoot out, and that makes for a far more tension-filled battle.

Amidst all of this seriousness, OPEN RANGE is also a very funny film, most of which is supplied by Duvall (with Costner as straight man) and the late, great Michael Jeter (in his final performance). But what really impressed me was the attention to detail that Costner gives to his time and setting. Take a look at the way the saloon is designed. It’s not a great dance hall with a chandelier and big bar; it’s a dark, smokey, crowded place where women are nowhere to be seen. When another rain storm hits the town, a river literally runs through it. I particularly liked the way the townsfolk don’t need much convincing to turn on Baxter. He starts out the film as a very big, scary force in the community, but the more we see and hear him, the smaller and less scary he becomes. And the more we find out about Boss and Charley, the more we change our opinions of them ever so slightly. Despite knowing each other for nearly 10 years, it takes the possibility of death for them to open up to each other even a little. Also quite charming is the verbal fumbling between Charley and Sue. The romance might be the weakest part of the film, but Bening sells her character as the woman on the brink of giving up on ever finding a good man to marry and willing to accept Charley’s many faults.

Despite Costner’s obvious affection for the Old West, this is not a film explicitly about American values or Americana in general. This is a film about a era in peacekeeping that doesn’t exist anymore, for better or worse. Charley seems genuinely regretful that the situation must resort to violence, but neither man sees any alternative. If there is a message in OPEN RANGE, it’s a similar one to that in UNFORGIVEN. In both films, a major character comes from a history of violence and is now trying to live a simple, quiet life that is threatened. The bottom line is the OPEN RANGE is a great film, and I’m a little saddened that it’s coming out in the summer, where its risk of getting lost or ignored seems a lot greater. I hope this movie does well, because I’d like its success to send a message to Costner to stop making films like DRAGONFLY and WATERWORLD and stick to quality projects like this one.

Capone

[DRGONZO32]

I could be wrong but the plot of this movie has some striking similarities to another Costner western, SILVERADO.

This better be good, three crappy movies in a row couldn't be good for Costner's career. ( WATERWORLD, THE POSTMAN,)

[Lynn Minmei]

He made Dragonfly. that was crap.

[T-1000]

Open Range looks like a very good film. I'll definitely check it out this weekend.

[Nate6]

JoBlo has given it an 8/10!!! (http://www.joblo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60189) Everything about this movie is looking good...goddamn my theatre to the innermost circle of the fires of Hell!

[Lynn Minmei]

I just hope my local theater has this playing since I'm on vacation in Florida.

[Ron34]

I heard this movie got hella positive reviews

[Droog989]

I can't wait for this. Quite possibly the only movie I'm looking forward to this month. Summers a dyin', and this is all that looks promising. Jo's review certainly helps to pique my interrest.

[Rated R]

Originally posted by Nate6
JoBlo has given it an 8/10!!! (http://www.joblo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60189) Everything about this movie is looking good...goddamn my theatre to the innermost circle of the fires of Hell!


Don't worry Nate...my theatre didn't get it either. Instead we got Uptown Girls, or that's what we're getting. Next week here comes Seabiscuit...a whole month late! Fuckers...

[The Other]

Originally posted by Nate6
JoBlo has given it an 8/10!!! (http://www.joblo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60189) Everything about this movie is looking good...goddamn my theatre to the innermost circle of the fires of Hell!
It's about time. I was gettin kinda bored seeing JoBlo give all those 5's and 6's! lol

[dh1989]

My theatre didn't get this either. Only Uptown Girls, so I'll be travelling to see it. :)

[Nate6]

Originally posted by dh1989
My theatre didn't get this either. Only Uptown Girls, so I'll be travelling to see it. :)

I would travel to see it but the nearest theatre that has it is two hours away...

[badberry]

Originally posted by Subotai
The best western since Unforgiven isn't exactly high praise (against what? Texas Rangers? American Outlaws?)

Tombstone was much better than Unforgiven, IMO

[AgentSmith]

'Open Range' earns spot among the best Westerns
"OPEN RANGE" ***1/2

Directed by Kevin Costner. Starring Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Annette Bening, Abraham Benrubi, Michael Gambon, Michael Jeter and Diego Luna. Running time: 135 minutes. Classified: R (for violence).

By Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

One of the many ways in which the Western has become old-fashioned is that the characters have values and act on them. Modern action movies have replaced values with team loyalty; the characters do what they do because they want to win and they want the other side to lose. The underlying text of most classic Westerns is from the Bible: "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?" The underlying text of most modern action movies is from Vince Lombardi: "Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing."
Kevin Costner's "Open Range," an imperfect but deeply involving and beautifully made new Western, works primarily because it expresses the personal values of a cowboy named Boss (Robert Duvall) and his employee of 10 years, Charley (Costner). Boss does not believe in unnecessary violence, and is willing to put his own life at risk rather than kill someone just to be on the safe side. Charley was an expert killer during the Civil War, and has spent 10 years under Boss trying to tame that side of his character. Boss is not only his friend but also his mentor and, in a sense, his spiritual leader. Charley doesn't merely work with him, but follows him as a sort of disciple.
Boss grazes his cattle on the open range. His group includes Charley, the younger man Mose (Abraham Benrubi), big and bearded, and the kid Button (Diego Luna), who would sometimes rather play with the dog than do his work. They halt outside a town, Mose is sent in on an errand, and when he doesn't return the two men ride in after him and find him in jail. The town is run by a rancher named Baxter (Michael Gambon), whose dislike of free grazers is violent, and whose payroll includes a gang of hired thugs.
When the two men free Mose and return to camp, they find the kid in bad shape. He needs to see a doctor. That means returning to the town, and they all know that to return to Baxter's domain is to risk death. "This may mean killing," Boss says. "I got no problem with that," says Charley. The subtext of the movie is that while Boss' way is best, when actual evil is encountered, Charley's way is required.
At the doctor's house, the men meet not only the doc but a woman named Sue (Annette Bening), whom they first take for his wife and later discover is his sister. Sue's and Charley's eyes meet, setting up a strong attraction that continues through the movie. She sees that he is a good man despite his rough ways and cowboy grunge. For him, this is perhaps the first good woman he has known. The movie wisely doesn't push them into a quick kiss, but underlines their awareness and reinforces it with some quiet conversations, shy and painfully sincere on Charley's part.
I can see what Costner is getting at here, and I admire his reticence, his unwillingness to push the romance beyond where it wants to go, and yet somehow the romance itself seems like an awkward fit in this story. Only a few days are involved, violence and illness overshadow everything, and it's clear that this visit will end in a gunfight. The romance, sweet and well-acted as it is, seems imposed on the essential story.
The town is thoroughly cowed by Baxter. But the townspeople behave differently than they do in many Westerns, where gunfights are treated as a spectator sport. People in a settlement this size know everything that's going to happen, and as the showdown approaches, they get out of town, climbing the hill to the safety of the church. Afterward, they gather again to study and deal with the dead bodies; Costner says he saw that detail over and over in old photographs, although in many Westerns bodies seem to disappear after they serve their purpose as targets.
Most gunfights consist of the two sides blazing away at each other until the good guys win. The gunfight in "Open Range," which is the high point of the movie, is different. Charley has been under fire, has killed, knows how men respond to the terror of being shot at. Although he and Boss (and their few confederates, including an ornery coot played by Michael Jeter) are outnumbered, Charley thinks they have a chance. In the movie's most intriguing speech, he outlines for Boss how Baxter's men are likely to react: who will freeze, who will run, who will shoot first.
All of the elements involving Boss and his men and the showdown with Baxter are achieved with the skill of a classic Western. But again at the end, the relationship between Charley and Sue seems a little forced. They have two scenes of leave-taking when one would do, possibly because their romance even at this point seems undefined and incomplete. We suspect they will meet again, although that doesn't belong in this story; for the purposes of "Open Range," their time together is either too much or too little, and their bittersweet parting seems unsatisfying.
That is not to fault Bening's and Costner's acting in their scenes together, which is as convincing as the material permits -- maybe more so. There is a lovely scene where she serves them tea, and Costner's fingers are too big to fit through the handle on his teacup. But to bring a woman into this story at all seems like a stretch, even though I can see she's supposed to underline Costner's uncertainty about his two sides, the killer side and the Boss-following side. It is Boss, after all, who sends Charley back for a proper farewell: "She's entitled to more than just your backside, walking away." What Charley tells her is to the point: "Men are gonna get killed here today, Sue, and I'm gonna kill them."
As for Duvall, here is an actor. He embodies Boss' values rather than having to explain them. His pauses are as fascinating as his actions. Consider the scene where he buys chocolates and cigars for himself and Charley: "Best smoke these while we got the chance." He is the center of the story, the man for whom values are important, and whose response to this violent situation is based on what he believes is right, not what he believes will work. "Cows is one thing," he says, "but one man telling another man where he can go in this country is something else." His character elevates "Open Range" from a good cowboy story into the archetypal region where the best Westerns exist.

[JoBlo]

Originally posted by The Other
It's about time. I was gettin kinda bored seeing JoBlo give all those 5's and 6's! lol

Yeah, just like I was getting bored of watching movies that deserved 5's and 6's!!! ;)

[darkface]

hey JoBlo, were u hit by the black-outs btw?


And this movie does look great, i'm always up for a good western, especially with a cast this great! I'm there! Not on opening day due to vacation, but this will be a must-see once i get back.

[Nate6]

Originally posted by JoBlo
Yeah, just like I was getting bored of watching movies that deserved 5's and 6's!!! ;)

I actually don't blame you, this year blows monkey testicles in terms of movies, IMO. I haven't really seen a "great" movie yet this year...

[Nate6]

Originally posted by darkface
hey JoBlo, were u hit by the black-outs btw?

Doubt it, he lives in Montreal, Quebec. The Northeast Interconnect (covered by the Niagara Mohawk system) is what faltered. That covers NYC, Eastern Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, etc. Joblo and myself are powered by the Quebec Interconnect.

I watch too much CNN, OK?

[Frank the Tank]

I saw the trailer today as I was suprised that this looked decent. I'll never see it though, not with Costner.

[Nate6]

Originally posted by Frank the Tank
I'll never see it though, not with Costner.

:( I kinda wish people could get over this weird hatred of Kevin Costner, for some reason he may be why this movie doesn't do well. He's not that bad an actor, is he?

[Frank the Tank]

He was a decent actor years ago, but now he is the boringest actor on the face of the earth.

[optimus1]

I disagree that he is a bad actor or is boring , he just needs to do more work like this and he will be back as a major star again. He needs to work with good directors and sometimes be a co-star rather then the lead. But he still has talent.

[darkface]

I agree with you optimus1, i think he'd do good, and it'd boost his career with some good supporting cast roles instead of leads for now. Maybe he can be in the next Ocean's 12 ;)

[Lynn Minmei]

I saw the movie last night and it's one of my picks for the best of the year so far: 9/10.

[Ron34]

Originally posted by Frank the Tank
I saw the trailer today as I was suprised that this looked decent. I'll never see it though, not with Costner.

I liked kevin in waterworld

[MsMoviefan]

Loved this movie.
Theater was crowded.
And everybody saying how good it was on way out.
And I want to see it again.
Great casting as well.
Can't help but like these characters.
Good story.
Interesting & entertaining.
This is a good movie.
:-)
By the way, I had to travel a little bit to see this movie, got there early and theather was already full. Had to sit too close. So I recommend an early start if you are going.
Just think ing about some of the scenes and stuff-there is also humor and lots of food for thought in this movie besides the action.
Definitely got Kevin Costner back in top form too.

[Tingles]

Originally posted by Ron34
I liked kevin in waterworld

leeetle minority there mate...

anyway, im actually really looking forward to seeing this, i do like Kev, when he gets it right, he gets it very right, and im hoping that this will be a One.

[Lynn Minmei]

Plus, Michael Gambon was awesome as always.

[dh1989]

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0316356/CN-C124-34.jpg

Plot: "Academy-Award winning director Kevin Costner (“Dances with Wolves”) helms this traditional Western tale of a way of life that is quickly disappearing. Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall), Charley Waite (Kevin Costner), Mose Harrison (Abraham Benrubi) and “Button” (Diego Luna) freegraze their cattle across the vast prairies of the West, sharing a friendship forged by a steadfast code of honor and living a life unencumbered by civilization. When their wayward herd forces them near the small town of Harmonville, the cowboys encounter a corrupt Sheriff (James Russo) and kingpin rancher (Michael Gambon) who govern the territory through fear, tyranny and violence. Boss and Charley find themselves inextricably drawn towards the inevitable showdown as they are forced to defend the freedom and values of a lifestyle that is all too quickly vanishing. Amidst this turmoil, life suddenly takes an unexpected turn for loner Charley when he meets the beautiful and warm-spirited Sue Barlow (Annette Bening), a woman who embraces both his heart and his soul. As these courageous men prepare for the decisive battle that looms, they are also forced to confront and conquer their own internal demons."

Recently, I saw Kevin Costner, director/co-star of Open Range, on an early morning talk show, and he discussed his love of the magic of wide open vistas, and that loves shines through in this film. Every frame is magical, and captures an element of life in the Old West. The story is simplistic, yet the characters, vision, and heart elevate this western drama to a higher level. In fact, I'd go as far as to say it deserves to be ranked among Unforgiven, True Grit, and, one of my all-time favorite films, Dances With Wolves.

Robert Duvall stars as "Boss" Spearman (His true name is told in the final chapter of the film, but I wouldn't dare spoil the joke), and is as wonderful as ever. Duvall acknowledges and celebrates the wrinkles on his face, and, instead of the classic "hero," makes Boss more of a wizened, old gunslinger, looking to settle down, which raises the stakes in the action sequence, as we're allowed to invest more in him. And Duvall also delivers wonderful comedic relief, at the right moments. Kevin Costner is absolutely bad-ass as the loner Charley Waite, and delivers the best performance in a western since, well, Kevin Costner, again, as John Dunbar in Dances With Wolves. I truly loved his delivery in one sequence, in particular, where Charley explains how he first killed a man, and how it affected his life. Quite beautiful.

The final gunfight is amazing. It's staged so well, I was, for once, literally on the edge of my seat. This is not a mere "shootout," it's a wonderfully mapped-out dance, just with more blood and bullets. The guns sound like mini-cannons, and the tension level in this entire 10-minute, I'd guess, sequence is insane.

The film is beautiful, in terms of visuals. Every shot has a down-to-earth, Old West quality to it, and each is a treat for the eyes. In a time when old-fashioned classy cinematography is passed up for freaky tints and/or tilted camera angles (I am looking your way Freddy Vs. Jason), it's refreshing to see Costner work with the natural beauty of the setting, instead of trying to make it "cool."

Overall, this IS a flawed film, but with it's strong characters, tense gunfight, beautiful visuals, and amazing rain (you'll see), I found myself ignoring the flaws, which are not that big, and admiring the beauty to be found here. If you want to see a quality, exciting, and beautiful western, look no further than Open Range.

8/10

[boombust03]

Originally posted by Nate6
YES! It's been a long time since I've been so excited about seeing a film (although I really, really wanted to see Seabiscuit and still do). I can't wait to see a really good return to the western genre, with a great cast, great reviews, great trailer, and kickass poster. It just looks really amazing. My theater screwed me over once (they have yet to get the afore-mentioned Seabiscuit) and if they do it to me again, someone dies...:D

I suggest you go see :seabiscuit: first if you haven't seen it. One fine movie with three excellent performances. As for Open Range , if you can sit still and listen to dialogue between two cowpokes for 2 hours then you will probably like open range. The final showdown is cliched with costner firing off some 16 shot from his six shooter without reloading and the heroine running out in the mist of rapid action gunfire shouting, "stop it , stop it, now." and then goes up and slaps the bad guy. HEHE>LOL. Oh, i could go on but......Otherwise choose some other flick to see.

[Grebdron]

The best I've seen this year. And I am by no means a Costner fan.

Moving, beautifully shot, sincere and well-acted.

Not Unforgiven, but very good on its own.

9/10

[Scarface98.9]

I'm gonna see it tomorrow, ditching my original plans of seeing Freddy Vs. Jason

[MsMoviefan]

Originally posted by Grebdron
The best I've seen this year. And I am by no means a Costner fan.

Moving, beautifully shot, sincere and well-acted.

Not Unforgiven, but very good on its own.

9/10
I even like it 100 times better than Unforgiven.There were a lot of little things that really enhanced it-like their experiences on the trail etc. And I just totally love these characters. Great acting, really good dialogue and action. All my coworkers who saw it were raving about it as well. Looks like Costner came tahrough with a hit. And Duvall was amazing. I almost went to see Uptown Girls instead; glad I didn't.

[Eremite]

I actaully really liked it. On my review site I gave it an A-
I know I am giving it a second viewing....One of Costners better works in years

[Arc]

My second favorite movie of the year, right behind, of all things, The Matrix Reloaded.

Every scene and nearly every line had weight and meaning. While I agree some areas could have been cut, I still feel that the pacing is perfect.

Previous films with impressive gunfights (Heat, Way of the Gun) were smart in the way that they killed the musical soundtrack, and just allowed the gunfire to orchestrate the action. Costner was very wise to follow in this direction, and the first embrace between the two lovers is quite memorable as well.

Highly recommended.

[Scarface98.9]

My grade: 7.5, maybe an 8.

I'm not gonna write up a huge review, but this was a nice diversion from what I usually see in the summer, and had a great performance by Robert Duvall. Don't think it would hold on repeat viewings, but it was a very good Western, and this is coming from someone who isn't a huge western fan

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by Grebdron
The best I've seen this year. And I am by no means a Costner fan.

Moving, beautifully shot, sincere and well-acted.

Not Unforgiven, but very good on its own.

9/10


I agree whole-heartedly, I loved every inch of this movie. IMO, its THEE best shootout EVER in a Western.


And I am including The Wild Bunch too.

9/10

[Slim_JGE]

Just saw this... and wow... what a good film. I'm not usually big on Westerns, the only pure westerns I was really into before this were "Unforgiven" and "Tombstone" but this was a truly great film. Excellant script, great performances by all, Costner and Duvall imparticular. The camera work was good, the scenery amazing and a pretty decent story to boot. I give it a 8-8.5/10. Really enjoyed this.

[TheMovieMinor]

Finally got to see this film.

First of all me and my two buddies were a bit tired, so we had a feeling of another Gods and Generals, long and boring. But since Joblo gave it such a good review, I thought to check it out.

There was 15 people in the 10pm show. Just to say. Seven(7) walked out between 30-40 minutes into the movie. My group almost fell asleep. The second half was where it started to get good. All they were doing earlier was Costner and DuVall were chit chatting away in the middle of the nowhere. So finally some gunplay at the end which was really well done. Good 2nd half, but the long first half killed it.

5/10 C+