He won 7 Oscars, including Best Director, for the modern western drama Dances with Wolves (somewhat of an apology for all those John Ford westerns that went before).
With band Modern West Costner performed recently on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and has managed to get three songs from the album Untold Truths into the soundtrack for his latest film, Swing Vote.
Not bad going for the man who also brought us Waterworld and The Postman. And it seems there may now even be a sequel to 1991’s “well-crafted PC touchy-feely hippie crap“.
The post on the Libertas film blog is over a year old so ‘The Holy Road’ may not be coming soon but some of the comments are well worth reading.
The Coen brothers cast Jones first when making the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel and described him as “the real thing” as far as Texas and Texans are concerned.
I remember reading an interview with him in Empire magazine around the time the film came out where he described how he loved going to work on a movie set just down the road from his house. I can’t see him living in Hollywood!
The Induction Ceremony takes place at 7pm on Thursday 15 January 2009 and entry into the ranks of Texan cowboys is described as:
the highest honor we bestow on individuals who have shown excellence in competition, business, and support of rodeo and the western lifestyle in Texas
No Country For Old Men though was not the first time Jones starred in a cowboy themed movie - remember Space Cowboys? Probably as enjoyable as the biker gang tribute Wild Hogs…..
It seems Mel Brooks got it right all those years ago in that classic comedy campfire scene from the 1974 hit Blazing Saddles - farting is funny and may also be good for you!
At least that’s what I take from this science story on the BBC website: ‘Fart gas’ link to blood pressure. According to scientists at Johns Hopkins University, smelly hydrogen sulphide is “produced by an enzyme in blood vessels where it relaxes them and lowers blood pressure.”
Researcher Dr Solomon Snyder said: “Now we know hydrogen sulphide’s role in regulating blood pressure, it may be possible to design drug therapies that enhance its formation as an alternative to the current methods of treatment for hypertension.”
The image that comes to my mind is the Vicks ’stick’ nasal inhaler:
If in future you find yourself in a high stress situation and feel your chest tightening simply reach for your handy ‘fart pen’, take a quick whiff and feel the tension within melt away. I can see the marketing ad on TV now!
A cheaper alternative would be to watch again one of the greatest American comedies of all time - coming in at number six in the AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Laughs list. And so, without any apologies, I offer you the YouTube video Blazing Saddles - Farting Cowboys. It’s less than a minute long and just think of the health benefits!
Taking the fart gag too far? “How ’bout some more beans Mr Taggart?”
Just had an email through from Amazon suggesting prices are now slashed on all western DVDs, including the half price 15 disc boxset of John Wayne: The Early Years. Buy ‘em while you can…
It’s more of a 60’s romp than traditional western but nevertheless is a superb movie. And so we bid a fond farewell to Paul Newman who played Butch Cassidy alongside partner in crime Robert ‘Sundance’ Redford.
The Oscar-winner passed away on 26 September 26 2008, aged 83.
I saw an advert for the Ed Harris western Appaloosa tonight. Is the film any good? The Telegraph review is pretty mixed and seems to lay the blame at Renée Zellweger’s feet (well her character’s anyway):
A pity that Harris’s homage to westerns should be compromised so intrusively. For most of its length, in terms of its themes, pacing and visual sweep, it’s a treat.
I have to say the trailer does look promising and Viggo Mortensen is always a welcome addition to any film. He even managed to inject some quality into the Demi Moore one-handed press-up fest that is GI Jane !
You can check out the trailer below:
I like the fact the western has become cool again. Many might disagree with me but just stop to consider the most recent additions to the genre:
There are some top quality actors donning a cowboy hat and turning in some pretty impressive performances in those films.
Even the recent Coen brothers masterpiece No Country For Old Men was a modern-day western taking Cormac McCarthy’s novel and turning it into a truly eerie experience. Made me appreciate the risks country Sheriffs face today.
I doubt I’ll get to see Appaloosa for several weeks so if you do go and see it leave a comment and let me know what you thought.
