you’re able to’t truly appreciate a deconstruction with appreciating what it once was.
I have this movie at 32 (which is pretty high!)
but I understand why others might have it in their top 5.
My dad was more likely to watch Star Wars, Star Trek or a horror movie than a western.
The cast is incredible.
Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman and Richard Harris.
All have multiple Oscar nominations and Hackman won for his role as Little Bill here.
Whether it be this, Million Dollar Baby or even Sully, the performances are all incredible.
You do see a flaw in that philosophy with the weaker actors in Gran Torino.
It only seems to help very good/great actors get even better.
Ripping apart the lore of some of these western staples is a pretty fantastic idea for a movie.
David Webb People’s script is fantastic and his body of work is pretty unique.
He also wrote Blade Runner and(#80) 12 Monkeys.
This is by far his best work though.
Take even the English Bob character.
A fraud that became a celebrity due to tall tales and an ability to work the media.
You could say that’s a great parallel for influencers in 2024.
Unforgiven rips all of it down.
The Schofield Kid doesn’t save the day or even a worthy rival.
He’s a pathetic coward.
Eastwood’s William Munny couldn’t be more different than Gary Cooper or John Wayne.
He’s a drunk and a lousy farmer.
In a typical western, Morgan Freeman’s character isn’t a savior, he’s near-sighted.
It also shows how power corrupts with the sheriff not being the hero.
Like I said at the top of the blog, this is a work of art.
At this point in the list, these are all fantastic movies and it becomes a matter of taste.
It becomes more about personal connections to movies and how you feel watching them.
The rest of the movies may not all be greater works than this but I enjoy them more.
Out Of Sight
36.
Carlito’s Way
37.
Wayne’s World
45.
Back To The Future Part III
47.
A Bronx Tale
48.
The People Vs. Larry Flynt
49.
Eyes Wide Shut
50.
The Green Mile
54.
Man On The Moon
55.
Boyz N The Hood
56.
Grosse Pointe Blank
57.
The Talented Mr. Ripley
63.
The Usual Suspects
65.
In The Line Of Fire
66.
My Cousin Vinny
67.
The River Wild
79.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
Stir Of Echoes
82.
Mission: Impossible
83.
For Love Of The Game
86.
Being John Malkovich
87.
Men In Black
88.
Glengarry Glen Ross
92.
Die Hard With A Vengeance
93.
The Blair Witch Project
94.
Any Given Sunday
99.
The Wedding Singer
100.
