Cinema Station
Western Impressions: The Good Old Boys
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As a precursor to our film project, 12 Western Feature-Length Films in 12 Months, which Running Wild Films and 5J Media will start producing in 2016, director Travis Mills shares his thoughts on films from the genre as he studies Westerns in preparation for our own. Follow the project here on Facebook
This series of short blogs is titled “Western Impressions”.
The Good Old Boys (1995)
Tommy Lee Jones’s first Western as a director is just as good as his second, though they couldn’t be more different from each other. This is so low key and wonderful. It shows that westerns don’t need to be driven by action. This one just follows these beautifully drawn characters from event to event and by the end of the picture I feel like I know them as friends. And damn, is it romantic.
Lasting impression: The scene where Spacek tells Jones about her love that died and he says “He didn’t look like me, did he?” before he kisses her for the first time.
Western Impressions: 3:10 to Yuma (1957)
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As a precursor to our film project, 12 Western Feature-Length Films in 12 Months, which Running Wild Films and 5J Media will start producing in 2016, director Travis Mills shares his thoughts on films from the genre as he studies Westerns in preparation for our own.
This series of short blogs is titled “Western Impressions”.
3:10 to Yuma (1957)
I had only seen the new one. I suspected something better but I did not suspect a masterpiece. Glenn Ford is such a charmingly bad son of a bitch in this. I feel for him when he’s with the woman, I hate him when he’s trying to talk Heflin down, and I love him when he makes the decision at the end. Heflin is the heart of the picture, he’s the foundation. Even if Delmer Daves never made another Western, he would be one of the great Western masters just for this film alone.
Lasting impression: When the woman tells Glenn Ford, “Funny, some men you see every day for ten years and you never notice; some men you see once and they’re with you for the rest of your life.”
Western Impressions: Ulzana’s Raid (1972)
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As a precursor to our film project, 12 Western Feature-Length Films in 12 Months, produced by our company Running Wild Films and 5J Media which will begin production in 2016, I have decided to share my thoughts on films from the genre as I study Westerns in preparation to make our own.
This series of short blogs is titled “Western Impressions”.
Ulzana’s Raid (1972)
It wasn’t what I expected. Sharp’s writing is there but overshadowed by a sentimental and overabundant need to question the “Apache’s” intention. Aldrich’s tough cinema isn’t quite as tough as I always hoped it would be. The best part was the end, Lancaster under a wagon, getting shot and shooting Apaches and wanting to just die out in the desert.
Lasting impression: The final shot of Lancaster licking the cigarette paper.
Western Impressions: 3 Godfathers (1948)
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As a precursor to our film project, 12 Western Feature-Length Films in 12 Months, produced by our company Running Wild Films and 5J Media which will begin production in 2016, I have decided to share my thoughts on films from the genre as I study Westerns in preparation to make our own.
This series of short blogs is titled “Western Impressions”.
3 Godfathers (1948)
I was surprised at this one, somehow I had avoided it, turned off by the “baby” plot and the impression that it wasn’t a “serious” work of Ford’s. But it has much more weight than I guessed and also far more than it gets credit for. While the film may lean towards “comedy”, people die in this film. Tragedy rides alongside comedy from beginning to end and thus the film has a deep resonance. In some ways, these deaths feel more like the death of Howard Hawks professionals, doing their best until they just can’t anymore.
Lasting impression: Harry Carey Jr. singing “Shall We Gather at the River” with all three godfathers in silhouette on the top of a sandhill during their funeral for the baby’s mother. Beautiful moment that stands among Ford’s best.
New edition of Gus & Travis Talk Film
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Our video blog series Gus & Travis Talk Film is back with a special edition about a film we are making starring Tom Sizemore, Pam Grier, Dina Meyer, Peter Bogdanovich, Michael Richards and Joe Don Baker titled Durant’s Never Closes.
100 Crime Films: #38 Prisoners (2013)
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After a hiatus we are back with more from our 100 Crime Films video blog series. This time we discuss Prisoners (2013).
100 CRIME FILMS: #37 Revenge (1990)
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A new entry in our series 100 Crime Films. This time I discuss Tony Scott’s extremely underrated film Revenge, starring Kevin Costner.
Tags: 100 crime films, crime film, film history, Film Noir, film talk, film theory, kevin costner, revenge, Running Wild Films, tony scott, Travis Mills
100 CRIME FILMS: #36 The Onion Field (1979)
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I’m back with another video blog. This time I focus on The Onion Field, starring James Woods, John Savage, and Ted Danson. Check out my thoughts on the film here:
100 CRIME FILMS: #35 The Yards (2000)
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I have resurrected my 100 Crime Films video blog, picking back up where I left off with #35. It’s The Yards, directed by James Gray and starring Mark Whalberg, Joaquin Phoenix and James Caan.
Tags: cinephile, crime films, film buff, film history, film talk, film theory, james caan, james gray, joaquin phoenix, mark whalberg, Running Wild Films, the yards, Travis Mills
Cinema Station 
Western Impressions: Springfield Rifle
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As a precursor to our film project, 12 Western Feature-Length Films in 12 Months, which Running Wild Films and 5J Media will start producing in 2016, director Travis Mills shares his thoughts on films from the genre as he studies Westerns in preparation for our own. Follow the project here on Facebook
This series of short blogs is titled “Western Impressions”.
Springfield Rifle (1952)
It was more adventurous than the De Toth pictures I’ve seen, lacking that starkness. This is the first time to my recollection that I have seen a “spy Western”, though I must admit that this is just as much a war film as it is a western. In fact, it’s more of a war film in a Western setting.
Last impression: It shouldn’t have been called Springfield Rifle.
Tags: 12 westerns, 12 westerns in 12 months, 5j media, Andre De Toth, arizona film, film comment, film history, film theory, Gary Cooper, phoenix arizona, Running Wild Films, springfield rifle, Travis Mills, western classic, western films, Western genre, western impressions, western movie, Westerns