will_varner Reviews

Tombstone (1993)

George P. Cosmatos delivers a 100% excellent Western with real talent!

[10/10 · 25 September 2002]

I not only loved this movie, I have to watch it at least quarterly. Others have commented about the great lines (my personal favorite: "Johnny Ringo, I'll be your huckleberry"), Val's performance which is equal in artistic value with George's direction, etc.

If you like this, then pick up a few classics from the time when the talent had to act because there were no special effects to speak of, and the writing was sure to give you a good time: The Magnificent Seven, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, High Plains Drifter, Outlaw Josey Wales, Once Upon a Time in the West and the newest one of this lot, Silverado.

While I haven't yet sprung for the DVD, the Director's Cut laserdisc includes George's comments on this film as well as a handful of scenes that were left on the cutting room floor.

Great film making!

Company Business (1991)

Reasonably entertaining

[25 September 2002]

While I realize that others have dis'd this movie, I found it entertaining enough to get the DVD. Géraldine Danon is certainly quite attractive and I appreciated the location work v. some bogus set. If you are looking for Oscar material you will need to pass on this one. On the other hand, if you like the talent (Hackman, et al) then you will probably find it worth your time to enjoy this. I can promise you there has been a great deal worse than this made by many times over.

House of Cards (1968)

A classic from the time when talent had to act!

[10/10 · 25 September 2002]

From the first bit of footage you will know you are settling in to see a winner. Pierre Barouh's title song is enchanting and beguiling and the singer's voice sounds like an angel. George's acting in HOC rivals his performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Blue Max. It's hard to believe his agent steered him to The A Team when he had proven he had real talent. Inger Stevens, who looks as fetching as you'll ever see her, was also at the top of her game in this movie.

The direction felt like Hitch was behind the camera, it's that good. One of my very favorite actors, Orson Welles, also works his magic. If you like Orson, you will certainly enjoy another of his potentially lesser know performances in Long Hot Summer.

What I will never understand is the production company, Universal Pictures, never released this on tape, laserdisc or DVD (if you have some influence with Universal, call in a favor to fix this). Talk about your missed opportunities! A loss for movie lovers the world over. Your only chance to see this is to obtain the CD-V version.

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

Have a great time by watching this totally excellent Western!!

[10/10 · 25 September 2002]

Tied with The Magnificent Seven, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, High Plains Drifter, Tombstone and Silverado. Each of which represent the quintessential Western, albeit from a slightly different perspectives.

Awesome talent, Claudia works the same magic on C'era una volta il West that Ursula Andress does for Dr. No. The cameo with Woody Strode and Jack Elam is sheer genius.

Jason, Charles and Henry couldn't have done a better job. While Sergio Leone mentored Clint in his early Westerns (big screen days), he wisely didn't cast him this time (Clint was doing Hang 'em High at the same time).

This movie, like those it's tied with, stands the test of time supremely well. It's a shame that the Western has had its run, given how much enjoyment most of us got out of them, but then I can't imagine too many actors and directors who could pull it off these days anyway.