bobluce-22133 Reviews

High Plains Drifter (1973)

Clint's Western Ode to Leone

[10/10 · 27 May 2021]

This is an enjoyable Western movie to watch. It's a revenge story and Clint Eastwood a ranch-hand / gunslinger that drifts into a small gold mining town desperate for salvation.

Unrecognized by the town's people, he is the ghost of the former town sheriff who was bull-whipped to death by killers, that were hired by the town leaders to cover up illegal mining activities.

The movie wastes no time getting into action. The supporting actors are pitch-perfect, playing out their roles.

Along the way Clint, takes control of the town, rapes two women, kills numerous bad guys in various ways and blows up a hotel. If salvation of the town equals the destruction of the town, this is what occurs.

The movie has violent scenes, intermixed with humorous dialogue. Clint uses this story telling, as a way to project his sense of justice and morality, with one-liners, from beginning to end.

Valdez Is Coming (1971)

Burt Lancaster as Human Rights vigilante

[27 July 2020]

This is a classic American western portraying life in the Southwest after the Civil War, when disputes were settled by guns and physical violence.

The backup actors in the movie play their parts extremely well. They reinforce the main character of "Valdez" (Burt Lancaster) is an honest constable with good intentions. "Valdez" is a mixture of no justice, no peace.

"Valdez" gets crossed by a despicable gun runner and ranch owner named "Frank Tanner" (Jon Cypher) who holds strong influence in this area along the Mexican border.

When "Valdez" tries to collect $100 from "Tanner" to help support a pregnant wife after her husband has been wrongfully accused by "Tanner" and killed, he meets resistance and humiliation.

Thus begins a story of revenge with paybacks carried out by "Valdez" showing off his steel nerves, cunning mind and sharp shooting abilities that pick off "Tanners" henchmen like sitting ducks.

The story ends with a showdown between Tanner and Valdez for the $100, but reaches no final conclusion. It's a cliffhanger moment with no sequel as a followup.

This story has concurrent threads that unfold to reflect the complexity of good and bad actions.

Although PG-13, there is no filtering out of racist or sexist comments in the dialogue.

Also, the movie stars "Tanner's" girlfriend (to be his wife) "Gay Erin" (Susan Clark) who is taken hostage by "Valdez" for payment of the $100. Her role is sharp, concise and well acted, as she finally reveals her quilt in this situation.

Overall, I found the action scenes well choreographed and the movie entertaining despite a few slow sequences.

Attraction (2017)

Abstraction Movie

[5/10 · 24 February 2019]

This is a weak sci-fi love flick. The CGI imagery is exceptional. There is ethnic varIety in the selection of young actors, showing the racial diversity in Russia but none of actors develop into 3 dimensional characters. The film paints Russian youth with irrational phobias and depicts the hierarchy of the Russian politicians and military leaders as totally ineffective and sissified. The story is irrational, especially the love-hate relationships. The only take away is give extraterrestrials a chance to explain their intensions.