Last night we watched a REALLY straaaaaannge movie...we traditionally watch a Netflix movie on Saturday night and we often don't know what we're getting into. And last night's pick was a doozie. It's called "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" (2007) and while it's a hard movie to "recommend" I do have to say that it was incredibly well done. Not that I am attempting to pass myself off as an expert on movie quality, but it captured the western genre as it must have been and not the romanticized version we often see. If I had to sum the movie up in one word, "haunting" probably best describes it. Brad Pitt starred as the outlaw Jesse James and Casey Affleck as the young Bob Ford who first idolized Jesse James and in less than a year after meeting him, murdered him by shooting him in the back of the head.
If movies were rated by the inability to get it out of your head the next day, this one goes way to the top of the list.
I thought of Rob (aka son-in-law #2) after the movie was finished and his comment after seeing "There Will Be Blood," which I had heartily recommended that he and Alyssa see last year. To say he didn't enjoy the movie is a gross understatement; he said something to the effect that "There's two hours of my life that I'll never get back!" I had something of the same response to the movie last night although - repeating myself - I do think it was beautifully made. And the music? Oh, goodness. Let's just say I'm not going to be purchasing the soundtrack anytime soon. It was, you know, kind of hard to dance to...
i love the new blog! it gives me another way to procrastinate during the day. :)
ReplyDeleteas for "there will be blood", it was a complete waste of time. it's been how many months and I'm still bitter? that should say something. it was just a poor attempt at being euro-artsy, introspective philosophical via an american theme, and they failed. the acting was great, the production was great, the story was crap.
(can you tell how I really feel?)
Well, since you liked the blood movie and we didn't but you kind of liked this jesse james movie, then maybe we'll love it. I'll put it on our netflix.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, we just saw Milk and Seven Pounds - both were really good!
There ya go, Rob, sugar-coating stuff again :) And if I can find new ways for you to procrastionate I'll sure let you know!!
ReplyDeleteHi Alyssa - the "blood" movie was nominated for best picture although it WAS a bit on the strange side, I'll grant you! For some reason, though, I found the Jesse James movie to be more depressing. But I'm glad you're going to netflix it - let me know what you think. I'd like to see Milk. I remember the day he and Mayor Moscone were shot in SF. If you ever heard of the "Twinkie Defense" that was the name they gave the trial of Dan White, the guy who shot them. White later died, I think by suicide. Creepy time.
ReplyDelete