Top 5: Westerns

The western genre is under appreciated but definitely one of the most important American genres. It influenced loads of directors both in the US and abroad (in particular the Sumurai films in Japan, which turned around again and influenced westerns). Generally divided up (at least academically) into:

a. Classic Western

b. Revisionist Western

The former being more morally black and white, having the whore die, men in black hats etc. The latter being a bit more morally gray, maybe a bit more violent etc. That said, I feel classic westerns are seen as a lot less complex than they are (a problem that probably affects a lot of classic movies). BUT ANYWAY, ranting aside. Name your top 5 favorite westerns!

For me:

1. Once Upon a Time in the West - I will always see this, personally, as the ultimate western. It's beautiful, it's full of style, great dialogue, cool story, great characters. I think it's better than Leone's other westerns.

2. My Darling Clementine

3. High Noon

4. The Searchers

5. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence

As you can tell I have a soft spot for classic westerns that question the classic western thing...ah yes. PSPIDDY I WANNA SEE YOUR LIST!

1. Star Wars- It is a space western so I'm counting it.

2. Django Unchained

3. Back to the Future Part 3

As you can tell I'm not big into Westerns.

Haha, nice list Greenman.

1. Rio Bravo

Pretty much the ultimate classic western, in style and attitude. Possibly my favorite John Wayne film but he's not the only great thing about it (good lord, Angie Dickinson was a dish). Every time it comes TCM, I watch it. I should own it on blu-ray.

2. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Depending on what day you ask me, the best Leone western is this or OUATITW. I figured - for the sake of variety and the feeling that Eastwood needs to be on a list like this somewhere - that this would be my pick. I could almost make it a tie. I just adore both movies equally.

3. Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid

Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch gets a little too much love despite its greatness. I prefer the director's cut of this. It touches upon some same themes as TWB but I just love the dynamic between James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson. What a great cast too. Slim Pickens' final scene is just heartbreaking yet beautiful.

4. The Professionals

This one is so much damned fun, one of the great men-on-a-mission plots. Perfectly paced and not a dull moment. Should probably turn anyone into a fan of Burt Lancaster.

5. Dances With Wolves

1. High Noon - This movie made it cool to be vulnerable and scared while still being brave and just and a general badass. The big "Fuck all ya'll" at the end is so great.

2. The Magnificent Seven  - The only bad thing about this movie is that it should have ended after the introductions. I mean, every villain in movie history died from the steely glares alone. It's different enough from The Seven Samurai to be seen as its own movie.

3. The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre -  I'm pretty sure there isn't a single protagonist in this film. Hell, even The Man With No Name was less morally ambiguous.

4. High Plains Drifter - It's sort of like a black comedy in a way. He just goes around fucking with everybody in such epic form. But they deserve it so it's all good.

5. Firefly - I was thinking about not including this, but I agree with Greenie that space westerns count.

I didn't list The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly and Once Upon a Time In The West since you guys have those covered. I wanted to bring some different films to the discussion. And to be honest, every movie listed in this discussion so far is a movie I would sit and watch if I were to come across it on TV. And hell, the only movie here I don't own is Dances With Wolves and even then I owned it on VHS many moons ago. There are so many other movies to list but I'll give others a shot at listing them.

1. The Good the Bad and the Ugly--if you can make a 5 minute long mexican stand-off scene work, you've certainly got something.

2. Blazing Saddles--this is my second favourite Mel Brooks, behind Young Frankenstein

3. Django Unchained--Ya these aren't really classic westerns but they're all I've got.

4. Shanghai Noon

5. Tall Tale? It's a kids movie that I liked. "ahhhh my trigger finger!"

I don't watch enough Westerns to throw in a top 5.

1. Open Range - I love this movie. Robert Duvall is awesome in it, and Kevin Costner kicks some ass as well. That's all I'm gonna say about that.

We need a new top 5. Any ideas? Horror? Comedy? Action? Hentai? The Now Watching thread will reflect this decision.

Save horror for October.

BretBaber wrote:Save horror for October.  

And that, my friend, is why you rock.

I'm partial to seeing your hentai and porn picks, spiddy.

Everyone's number 1 for porn should be Backdoor Sluts IX.

BACKDOOR SLUTS IX?! Backdoor Sluts IX makes Crotch Capers 3 look like Naughty Nurses 2!!