Rango (2011)

The Nick with Chris on 3/9/11
This isn't really a kid's movie with inside jokes for adults, but it's not an animated adult's movie either. It falls somewhere in between. Some of the things they say are actually a little shocking and it's pretty violent for a kid's movie, but there is definite family appeal as well. Rango is a great character reminiscent of all of Johnny Depp's past roles, at times timid and other times all bravado. He pokes fun at himself, referencing when he played Captain Jack Sparrow and Don Juan DeMarco. The other voice cast members are delightful, though much more difficult to place. And finally, those weird lizard eyes, where the skin extends around most of the eyeball, really freak me out. Even animated ones.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars

New Movies in Year Three: 11

187. January 25, 2011 - True Grit (2010)

Okay, as you all know, I hate the Coen brothers. However, there are exceptions to every rule - I really liked this movie. It has all of the great things about a western, but without the nauseating, holier-than-thou, racist anti-hero that so often turned up in the classics (I'm looking at you, John Wayne). The girl was pretty good and Jeff Bridges was fantastic. Matt Damon felt a little unnecessary, but he wasn't annoying. Josh Brolin has never been my favorite actor - I don't love him here either. Thankfully, his part is small - it is the search for him that's important, not finding him.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars

120. September 12, 2010 - Maverick (1994)

Hmm. Mel Gibson in a western, huh? Granted, this is a satirical western that pushes everything way over the top and does not at all take itself seriously. It's a fun movie that includes gunfights, tense poker games, a torrid love affair and one hysterical exchange in a Native American language. The end gets a little muddled, between everyone's secrets and double-crossings coming out. Also, it's very difficult to watch Mel Gibson now in anything without making the obligatory racist/anger jokes (even Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes couldn't resist). I'm very jealous of Jodie Foster's hair.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars

November 14, 2009

The Magnificent Seven (1960)
#46 on my Top 100 List
Westerns are probably my least favorite genre, so it makes sense that the one western on my Top 100 list is a retelling of a Japanese action movie. I really love this movie for the cast as opposed to the story. Yul Brynner would never have been my first choice to play a cowboy, but damn he plays it well. Then you add Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and James Coburn plus a couple others who are less well-known and you have a really kickass group of gunfighters. Action abounds, but be warned - not everyone makes it to the end.
My Netflix rating: 5 stars