Gritty Truth Part II

You knew that the space in this town wasn't big enough for the two of us.

After seeing a matinee opening week screening of the classic Western True Grit, this go-around by Joel & Ethan Cohen, executively produced by Steven Spielberg (and scored by Carter Burwell), I decided to share with you, dear VBA, the RCVman TOP FIVE WESTERNS OF ALL TIME. Not the usual run-on RCVman Top 100, for a welcomed change I am sure. After all we have a ten miler scheduled.

Having addressed that, here is my list. Read 'em and weep sod busters.

5) Soldier Blue. Maybe the first R rating in this genre. I still cry.
4) Tombstone. One of Val Kilmer's finest cinematic moments.
3) The Unforgiven. Clint, Gene. Nuff.
2) The Magnificent Seven. Fires on all cylinders, always and often.
1) 3:10 to Yuma. The remake. Crowe, Bale. Charlie Prince. The best of the west. I don't care if you are a .45 head or not, this is one fine movie, sunup to sundown.

Is the True Grit remake better than the original Duke version? Not fair. Totally different movies. Each works on opposite ends of the same dusty street. Both great, both truly gritty.

There is something heroically stirring about biting the reins with a six-shooter in either hand, outnumbered and alone.

The RCVman Honorable Mention, Wild West Category:

10) Once Upon a Time in the West. Sergio. Henry. The look.
9) Wild Bunch. Bang, boom and blood.
8) Little Big Man. Sprawling and snake-eyed.
7) Dances with Wolves. Familiar story well told.
6) High Plains Drifter. What were they thinking?

And in the off-beat and weird (yet absorbing, fun and entertaining) category, Top Five go to:

5) Westworld. The robot cowboy, yeah!
4) The White Buffalo. Bronson and you-know-who.
3) Blazing Saddles. Funniest movie since Young Frank.
2) Deadwood. Any episode, any season. WOW.
1) Zachariah. The first electric western. Smith, Wesson and the James Gang.

OK, so did I like TG? Yes. Saddle up and go see it, pardners.

Off to run.

Photo: There was a guy who used to come around once a year with his pony (pictured underneath the RCVboy), and shoot the kids (with his Hassleblad 3x5 not a Colt .45) to sell B&Ws to Mom & Pop. I think this was about 1960. Not sure I was a bad guy quite yet.