Appaloosa
Synopsis
Feelings get you killed.
Two friends hired to police a small town that is suffering under the rule of a rancher find their job complicated by the arrival of a young widow.
Cast
Studio
Popular reviews
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As a buddy movie, this is really cool. Harris and especially Mortinson created some great characters.
As a western, it is entertaining enough and I appreciate a recent, well-made western with a theatrical release. However, after a second viewing it still feels more like a homage to great westerns of the past. It's a western for people who like westerns and can recall what they like about them. I'm okay with that because I like westerns.
What I don't like is Renee Zelwegger ruining every scene with her awful acting. She has an Oscar? Fuck, she's bad.
This movie gets extra points for using Lance Henrickson! maybe he should have also played Zelwegger's part, couldn't be any worse.
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The Western genre has had a bit of a lean time over the last 20 years or so. Yes we have had a few stunners,most notably from Mr Eastwood and a certain Kevin Costner. Ed Harris must be congratulated for his attempt to join those illustrious directors,but with this film he falls just short of greatness.
Tommy Lee Jones's "The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada" is probably the finest Western of the last 10 years,but had a modern take on the genre,Harris's Western however has a distinct classic feel to it with well defined good guys and bad guys.
Harris and Viggo Mortensen are an impressive double act. They exude confidence and are clinical in their work. Add a sleazy,ruthless… -
Directed by Ed Harris, the first thing that strikes you about APPALOOSA is that it's obviously made by an actor for the actors. A common complaint that occurs in thespian-led productions is that, being a compilation of intense and introspective work by the performers, the focus on acting rather than storytelling leads to some really weird and bizarre scenes that are ultimately pointless, non-essential to the narrative and creates a one-dimensionality to the whole movie because everyone is focused on the nuances of the actors which never translate to screen in an complete, edited film. APPALOOSA is a film that illustrates, for those who are interested, why directors are needed in filmmaking; to ensure that all the actors deliver performances…
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As far as Westerns go, this certainly is one.
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El Western nos entra principalmente por los ojos. Ed Harris como director, le dio prioridad a las texturas; Madera y hueso, arena del desierto, cuero sobado y tela basta, cobre, latón de bronce y el acero de las Colt, contrastando cada una con la estructura de los personajes; Virgil Cole (Ed Harris), especialmente enfocado en las rugosidades de la ley, un tipo de monje, honesto y apegado a los códigos que rigen esa tierra, cruel y rigurosa. Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen), su fiel ladero y socio en eso de ir de pueblo en pueblo haciendo cumplir las normas civilizatorias. Ed Harris como director, prefirió mostrar a su compañero de andanzas como un completo romántico, no solo en sus decisiones, sino…
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I initially watched this film because of the two lead actors; I always enjoyed their performances in other films and, as such, I was curious as to what they did in this one. Suffice to say, I was pleasantly surprised. It's a simple story with simple characters and honest motivations, made to shine by the people who portray them. The best of it all is the beautiful cinematography and the lovely soundtrack. It was one of the few films where I sat through the credits just to hear the whole song.
Recent reviews
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As a buddy movie, this is really cool. Harris and especially Mortinson created some great characters.
As a western, it is entertaining enough and I appreciate a recent, well-made western with a theatrical release. However, after a second viewing it still feels more like a homage to great westerns of the past. It's a western for people who like westerns and can recall what they like about them. I'm okay with that because I like westerns.
What I don't like is Renee Zelwegger ruining every scene with her awful acting. She has an Oscar? Fuck, she's bad.
This movie gets extra points for using Lance Henrickson! maybe he should have also played Zelwegger's part, couldn't be any worse.
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Viggo Mortensen drives this movie which is interesting because he's nothing like his previous roles. As a western goes it's just average, besides Viggo the movie wouldn't have been all that entertaining. I liked Zellweger a lot more in the second half of the movie. Harris does an okay job at both acting and directing.
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The Western genre has had a bit of a lean time over the last 20 years or so. Yes we have had a few stunners,most notably from Mr Eastwood and a certain Kevin Costner. Ed Harris must be congratulated for his attempt to join those illustrious directors,but with this film he falls just short of greatness.
Tommy Lee Jones's "The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada" is probably the finest Western of the last 10 years,but had a modern take on the genre,Harris's Western however has a distinct classic feel to it with well defined good guys and bad guys.
Harris and Viggo Mortensen are an impressive double act. They exude confidence and are clinical in their work. Add a sleazy,ruthless… -
As far as Westerns go, this certainly is one.
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A very solid film. The plot & drama were great. The comedy by Mr. Mortenson was very nice and the movie looked fantastic, lighting and setting. Very natural. My only nitpicks were aiming of a couple of gunshots and the length & timing of the film. But it's still worth a viewing, highly recommended.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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A solid Western. Well worth a watch
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This is a great old-fashioned Western with some modern ideas about relationships and well directed by Ed Harris.