No this isn’t a motel review, this is my list of my favorite Western Films ever. Below you’ll find their posters along with a reason or two of why I like the film or what makes said movie worth watching again and again. When starting a list of the best (IMO) Westerns of all time you can start with one of two actors- John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. I’m going to start with John Wayne in the epic directed by John Ford- The Searchers. You can’t go wrong with John Wayne crossing the United States in search of justice.

Clint Eastwood’s Academy Award winning Unforgiven, like manygreat Westerns, boasts an all-star cast including three Oscar winners Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman and Eastwood himself as well as Oscar nominated Richard Harris. This film, for me, marks the beginning of Eastwood- the great director.

In my life Tombstone is to Westerns what Tommy Boy is to comedies and Terminator 2 is to science fiction. One of the first films I ever purchased with my own money. One of the first live action films I could quote without missing a beat. It also marked the first time the thought crossed my mind, “mustaches are cool and Sam Elliot has the best mustache I’ve ever seen.”

The next three films also hold a special place in my memories. I grew up in a family that didn’t really watch movies so when we did it was a rather memorable event and when my parents actually enjoyed a movie… well, that was “the bee’s knees.” Based on my experience every filmmaker should try to make a movie for adults but safe enough for children as well. That said, ¡Three Amigos! and The Shakiest Gun in the West were two films that my parents watched, with the kids, and laughed at. They also introduced me to the greatness of Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Martin Short and Don Knotts. Then there was the film that my best friend’s family considered one of their favorites- Blazing Saddles. Again, the wild West is a great place for comedy especially in the hands of Jew from Brooklyn.

In recent years the Western has seen a dramatic drop off from popularity at the local megaplex but a few instant classics have made it to the projector room, the Australian Western The Proposition is one of those films. Again, again if this cast doesn’t make you wanna watch this movie before your next meal then I don’t know what will. The Proposition stars Guy Pearce, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, John Hurt, Emily Watson and was written for the screen by Nick Cave.

Clint Eastwood spits on a dog in The Outlaw Josey Wales.

Once Upon a Time in the West is just one of the many tremendous contributions to the genre made by Sergio Leone. Every aspect of this film is perfect. I’m not using hyperbole. The cast-  Bronson, Robards, Fonda and the beautiful Claudia Cardinale. The visuals, thanks to Leone, and score composed by Ennio Morricone. Watch this movie and just try to refute my claim.

I know many would say Rio Bravo was better but I saw El Dorado first. And I like the name nickname “Mississippi.”

Eastwood, Leone, and Morricone started the sub-genre “Spaghetti Western” with one of the greatest movies of all time- The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. If you haven’t seen this movie, see it now.

I would have thought seeing the spoof (Three Amigos) of a film first would have ruined the viewing of the film being spoofed but The Magnificent Seven is that good. Also I have to mention another Western that didn’t make this list but still holds a place in my heart (yeah, I said that) The White Buffalo (it’s a bison) starring The Magnificent Seven‘s Charles Bronson. If you watch The White Buffalo then you’ll know why I love the film and why I couldn’t put it on this list.

The other modern classic along side The Proposition is The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. This film gave me hope that the genre had not all but been forgotten by Hollywood.

You know you’re watching a Western when a moral decision is at the heart of the story. Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly star in High Noon, I need not say more.

Finally Paul Newman and Robert Redford star in what I call a disco-Western, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Interested? I thought you would be- let me know what you think after you’ve seen it.

I have to mention There Will Be Blood which for some reason unknown to me I have trouble calling a Western. Am I wrong? What are some of your favorite Westerns?

  A quick glance at the ads for MacGruber arouses almost instant suspicion and confusion. Another SNL feature-length film based off a less-than-hilarious skit, itself based off a decades old TV. show? Surely after Night at the Roxbury, The Ladies Man, and Superstar, we would have learned our lesson?

The early word on this one though has been predominately positive and some early reviews have called it a return to form for SNL the likes of Wayne’s World, or dare I say, The Blues Brothers. As is usual the style with internet hype, MacGruber fans have quickly linked its humor to last year’s stealth hit, The Hangover. So, what’s the word? Is it the best comedy of recent memory? Does it return SNL to the top of the comedy hill?

Not really.

I’ve got to say I’m a bit baffled at all the positive buzz. MacGruber certainly isn’t without its laughs, and its intention to pick apart lunkheaded 80′s macho man movies isn’t a bad one. With Will Forte as the mulleted action savant who returns from a self-imposed exile (everyone, including himself, thought he was dead) to thwart his nemesis, Dieter Von Kunth (a bloated, burly Val Kilmer) MacGruber pulls together an amiable, high-spirited cast and is fearless in the quest for a good belly laugh. If only it were a little more canny in its method and more sure in its aim. When the soundtrack, cobbled together from a very specific mix of 80′s ballads (Mr. Mister shows up), is the most on-point aspect of the satire, you might need to spend a little more time in the writing room.

When the villainous Kunth (every time a character says the name we are expected to laugh) gets his hands on a warhead, the government puts MacGruber back into the game and gives him license to put together his own team. This sequence, done in the style of the best meat headed action epics, is legitimately hilarious, with the diminutive Forte rounding up the largest group of roided out hulksters this side of The Expendables. It also has a great comedic pay-off that takes the air out of genre clichés and sets up the plot mechanism that pairs MacGruber with Lt. Dixon Piper (Ryan Philippe) and Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig). Elmo and Piper are on hand to help MacGruber retrieve the warhead and deliver some payback to Kunth, who blew up MacGruber’s wife on their wedding day.

Good thing for Forte and the movie that Philippe and Wiig show up early for the ride, because without them MacGruber would be a far less spritely and entertaining affair. Philippe, who doesn’t usually go out for stuff like this, is probably having the most fun and generates some honest laughs that are free of the straining embarrassment that comes with much of Forte’s shtick. There is a scene involving a piece of celery and Philippe that is among the most absurd things I’ve ever seen. It won’t be soon forgotten, and if this movie is a hit, expect it to be one of the main things anyone remembers from it.

Wiig is even better than Philippe and might be doing the most ‘acting’ in the film. She’s had plenty of experience on SNL, but here she hones in on the awkwardness of the character without suggesting any internal awkwardness of her own. This works well when MacGruber forces into a variety of idiotic disguises that require her to behave like an imbecile in front of throngs of confused onlookers. She’s got a down-to-earth aura that allows us to laugh with her while we are laughing at her. MacGruber could have used more opportunities for Wiig to strut her stuff. Kilmer, as the villain, is hamming it up, but he looks uncomfortable, and I’m starting to think those quickie DVD films he’s been churning out are starting to take their toll. It isn’t the extra weight as much as it a kind of resignation in the eyes that makes seeing the once great Val onscreen a kind of melancholy experience.

The script is just as absurd and one-dimensional as a really low-rent action throwback would be, and unfortunately it never throws enough variation or invention into the mix. Mostly, when faced with the conundrum of generating character interest, the writers resort to copious, irrelevant flinging of the F bomb, or belabored sexual jokes that sometimes repeat every four or five moments. Late in the game, there’s an inspired send-up of soft-focus, Cinemax sex scenes that immediately cuts to Forte and Wiig going at it like rabbits in a most unflattering way. Funny, for a few moments. To see MacGruber grunting and bucking like Mr. Ed on ecstasy isn’t the sort of sight that should be extended for several minutes.

Clunky enough on its own, that scene still has a few genuine laughs built into it. But then, literally in the next sequence, we are treated to a complete repeat of it, with another character, the cinemax montage stuff, and more bucking and spitting. It’s like the writers put the script on loop and went to lunch break. This kind of thing happens so often, that I’d be willing to bet that there might be no more than five or six original (meaning they haven’t been repeated before in this movie) jokes in the whole thing. Strangely, there’s very little of the the MacGuyver parody that the original skit based itself on in the film. This might be a blessing for the most part, but sometimes the creators don’t seem sure what they are lampooning–is it Rambo, or Magnum P.I. or the aforementioned impromptu inventor of jerry-rigged gadgets?  

For some, the silliness of MacGruber and the hack n’ slash Zuckers-esque approach to spoof comedy will be enough to get them through. For me, I was willing to give up the conceits of plot and character for a zany, laugh-packed romp. Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough genuine funny for me to really recommend dropping between 8 to 10 dollars on MacGruber.

Yes, it’s a step up from recent SNL fare, but it still doesn’t have the gumption to stand on its own, or anywhere near Wayne’s World. It will probably be pleasing to most as a Netflix rental or a date night pick from the Red box, where the expectations are low and the mood is a bit on the silly side.

Rating: ★★½☆☆ 

Atomic Popcorn would like to extend a promotional opportunity on behalf of Universal’s upcoming comedy, MACGRUBER written by Saturday Night Live’s Will Forte. The film stars Will Forte, Ryan Phillippe and Val Kilmer. MACGRUBER will hit theaters May 21ST and the promotional screening will be held Thursday, May 20th at 9:00 PM.

Check out the synopsis and trailer below: Make sure your belly is securely safe within your pants! It may erupt from laughing!

Synopsis:

Only one American hero has earned the rank of Green Beret, Navy SEAL and Army Ranger. Just one operative has been awarded 16 purple hearts, 3 Congressional Medals of Honor and 7 presidential medals of bravery. And only one guy is man enough to still sport a mullet. In 2010, Will Forte brings Saturday Night Live’s clueless soldier of fortune to the big screen in the action comedy MacGRUBER. In the 10 years since his fiancée was killed, special op MacGruber has sworn off a life of fighting crime with his bare hands. But when he learns that his country needs him to find a nuclear warhead that’s been stolen by his sworn enemy, Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer), MacGruber figures he’s the only one tough enough for the job. Assembling an elite team of experts – Lt. Dixon Piper (Ryan Phillippe) and Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig) – MacGruber will navigate an army of assassins to hunt down Cunth and bring him to justice. His methods may be unorthodox. His crime scenes may get messy. But if you want the world saved right, you call in MacGruber.

Check out the trailer right here:

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The only rule is that we will not be allowing multiple signups from the same family to sign up for our screenings any longer. You have 1 admit-two pass per family.

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I was going to write a recap and review of the 4/29/2010 30 Rock episode “Argus” but the episode wasn’t all that great, kinda like this whole season, so why not talk about Argus guest star Will Forte’s new action comedy based on his Saturday Night Live skit, MacGruber. MacGruber will be hitting theaters on May 21, 2010 (get it, “hitting” — PUN!) and if you haven’t been watching SNL (and I know you haven’t) then let me share the movie’s synopsis with you:

Only one American hero has earned the rank of Green Beret, Navy SEAL and Army Ranger.  Just one operative has been awarded 16 purple hearts, 3 Congressional Medals of Honor and 7 presidential medals of bravery.  And only one guy is man enough to still sport a mullet.  In 2010, Will Forte brings Saturday Night Live’s clueless soldier of fortune to the big screen in the action comedy MacGruber.
In the 10 years since his fiancée was killed, special op MacGruber has sworn off a life of fighting crime with his bare hands.  But when he learns that his country needs him to find a nuclear warhead that’s been stolen by his sworn enemy, Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer), MacGruber figures he’s the only one tough enough for the job.
Assembling an elite team of experts, Lt. Dixon Piper (Ryan Phillippe) and Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig)-MacGruber will navigate an army of assassins to hunt down Cunth and bring him to justice.  His methods may be unorthodox.  His crime scenes may get messy.  But if you want the world saved right, you call in MacGruber.

As we all learned in our high school drama class- movies weren’t made for reading so here’s the official trailer. I’m sold. I don’t know about you but that trailer did it for me. If you’re also on the MacGruber wagon then you might want to download the FREE official MacGruber iPhone app here. Fingers crossed, this is the perfect comedy to kick off the summer movie season.

Alright, I can’t completely dismiss tonight’s 30 Rock. Here are a few quotes worth quoting-

“I know this is a difficult time for you but word of advice- if the will says that you have to spend the night in a haunted house you better hope that everybody else there is black guys and sluts.” -Liz

“Are you soaking your tampons in vodka again?” -Liz

“How to avoid getting paper cuts while making love in a pile of money.” -John Francis Donaghy

“Dammit Griz, I’ve known you since you were six feet tall! I’m gonna to be your best man!” -Tracy

This list is near and dear to my heart, as I am a true fantasy genre freak. From my childhood till now, there are a very large number of fantasy films in my top 25, even my top 10 films of all time. With that being said, below is my list of the top 10 fantasy films ever!

10 – Willow – I know I’m going to get picked on about this one, but it is what it is. Willow is still one of my favorite films. Something about Willow is charming, fun, adventurous and simple; I love it!  Maybe it’s because Ron Howard was involved, or maybe it’s just because it’s a great, yet cute story. Who knows, but this movie has a special place on my DVD shelf that will remain as a constant in my fantasy collection.

9 – The Princess Bride – The Princess Bride, what can be said about this awesomely funny fantasy movie? Anyone who knows movies can quote way too many lines from this movie. From Andre the Giant to the ever beautiful Robin Write Penn, this movie stands tall amongst the best of the genre. This movie puts together all the ridiculous clichés of the fantasy genre all the while giving you a cast containing a mixed bag of fantastic actors. Classic and timeless – can you blame me for this pick?

8 – E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial – Spielberg. I could stop there but I am not that big of a Spielberg fanboy! This simple story of the bond between an average kid and a very lost (and ugly) alien wowed us all.  The storytelling is both personal and heartbreaking, to this day it can make me cry at the end. Spielberg takes a simple storyline, one created in his mind after his parents broke up, into one of the best movies of all time. Period.

7 – The Wizard of Oz – It’s the original. A wizard, a couple of witches, lots of freaky flying monkeys, what more do you want in a movie? A classic story and a classic film, this movie is beyond classic, it’s part of us all. Growing up close to where Frank Oz grew up, I have been on the actual yellow brick road! This is a must for all collections not matter what format!

6 – Pan’s Labyrinth – This film was such a surprise for me. The idea that this was more along the lines of an adult fantasy world really peaked my interest. The extreme violence I must say I was not expecting from the movie; it may of swayed people in the opposite direction but I truly enjoy this movie, rewatch after rewatch.

5 – The Labyrinth – This great film from the 80′s has a strong cult following, and I am glad to say I am part of that following. David Bowie as the villain, strange puppets, a gorgeous world, an interesting plot, and a very young Jennifer Connelly. Do you ask for more? I also will drop the ever awesome name of Jim Henson, what a master in all he did.

4 – Legend – Ridley Scott, yes that Ridley Scott, created such an enormous universe for this film that it surprises me how long ago it was made. He was able to bring to the screen something huge.  This is a film that many people have forgotten but if it’s on TV or if I am in the mood – I watch it. Such a great tale of deception, love and much more.  It’s an adventure/fantasy that will linger with you long after the film has ended. Enjoy it!

3 – The Dark Crystal – A lot of people know that I love this movie, and I am sad that there is an even larger number of people who have never heard of this film. This film stars lots and lots of Muppets and is actually a really incredible fantasy story that will draw you in as you watch it. If you liked Labyrinth but missed this one, then you need to watch it right away! It’s the classic hero trying to save a nearly doomed world, and you’ll be surprised by how good it is. The Muppets, the man behind them, Jim Henson, and the team bring such a gorgeous story to life in a world that is all too familiar. GRAB this one now!

2 – The LOTR trilogy – You could argue how I could put three movies into one spot on the top ten list, I honestly don’t care. These movies are separate for one reason: the length, and that only. These movies are one very large story and an amazing one at that. Sit down and watch these amazing stories unfold before your eyes and allow yourself to be drawn into the world that has been built before you.  These movies are gorgeous interpretations drawn from the pages of books that are world renown, and bring you into the world of Middle Earth. The acting, the story, the effects all bring so much to the screen, it is hard to doubt anything about these movies. They are second for a reason. Below is that reason!

1 – The Neverending Story – This is one of my top 5 films of all time. A true classic in the realm of fantasy. The story of a boy locked in a room in his school reading a book that he shouldn’t be reading. So simple, yet an awesome starting point for something that is amazing. He controls the fate of a far away world all along finding himself. I remember as a kid (and an adult) watching this over and over again, following Atreyu, along with Falkor, one of my favorite creatures ever, through their journeys. I never get sick of this movie, and it’s one of those rare gems that is worth watching again and again.

That is my list – hope you enjoyed it. Please leave some comments on movies I may of left out or any issues or questions you may have. I do own all of these in one format or another, as should you!

Here’s a recipe for … well, I’m not sure what dish this will make, but it’ll certainly be interesting: Emmanuelle Chriqui, a recurring actor on Entourage, and Val Kilmer (Tombstone) have joined forces with director Renny Harlin for the leading roles in Georgia, Harlin’s new war film.

According to THR, the film centers around “an American journalist (Kilmer) and his cameraman caught in the crossfire of  covering last year’s military conflict between Russia and Georgia … [as well as] a Georgia native (Chriqui) and doctoral student who becomes entangled with them.”

While this certainly doesn’t represent Harlin’s average action fare, I’m not entirely convinced that the man has ever made a good film in his life. When the closest you come to a good film is the lackluster Die Hard 2 or the redeemably cheesy Deep Blue Sea, you know your track record is somewhat worse for the wear.

However, I’ll always remain optimistic about any of Kilmer’s performances: he’s an acquired taste, sure, but his roles in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, Heat, and Tombstone were immaculate. I can say less about Chriqui, having only seen her in a minor role in Waiting…

The film also stars That Thing You Do‘s Jonathan Schaech, and has been written by Mikko Alanne (Breaking Dawn) and the previously uncredited David Battle. Georgia will be released sometime in 2010.

Every so often in Nicolas Cage’s career comes a film that reminds you why he’s so prevalent these days, in crappy films like Bangkok Dangerous and Ghost Rider. A film that hearkens back to Raising Arizona, or even something silly and entertaining like Face/Off. Werner Herzog’s Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans could be that film.

This trailer displays just the right dose of good direction, interesting ideas, and over the top (good over the top) Nicolas Cage. It’s enough to get me excited for the film’s release, which is currently unscheduled.

It also gives a glimpse at performances by Val Kilmer and Xzibit. What a pair!

Keep your fingers crossed that we actually have a good Nicolas Cage performance on our hands. As much as I love to slam the guy, I’d be eager to see him prove me wrong. View the trailer below.

Mike Myers had everything going against him going into “The Love Guru.” He’d been absent from the big screen for five years, last working on “The Cat in the Hat” in 2003 to settle a lawsuit between him a Universal, cashing in on the “Shrek” franchise. The previews for “Guru” was uninspiring to say the least.

But surprisingly, “The Love Guru” is actually a funny flick, and sees Myers return to the comedy that he’s does best through the years.

Myers is Guru Pitka, an American who has been raised in India and become a self-help expert. He’s second to Deepak Chopra, and wants nothing more to become the number one self-help guru and make an appearance on Oprah. So when Toronto Maple Leafs star Darren Roanoke (Romany Malco) loses his focus on the ice after his wife leaves him for rival goalie Jacques “Le Coq” Grande (Justin Timberlake), owner Jane Bullard (Jessica Alba) hires Pitka to help Roanoke.

The movie opens with an introduction featuring a voice-over cameo by Morgan Freeman, mocking his typical role in movies. Myers nails it with this first joke, immediately setting the tone for the rest of the movie. What follows is an intro to Ronaoke through sportscasters played by Jim Gaffigan and Stephen Colbert. Myers comes out of the gate firing with the jokes, and while they are the epitome of lowbrow (Timberlake’s character is notorious for his rather large endowment), they deliver the laughs. He clearly has a penchant for the male anatomy, as the majority of jokes are based on it.

Myers includes his tried and true deluge of celebrity cameos including those from Jessica Simpson, Val Kilmer and Mariska Hargitay (which comes a little too early given the context). There’s also an appearance by Kanye West and Myers appearing as himself which is a great throwback to their appearance on the Hurricane Katrina benefit show.

But for every joke that hits the spot, there are at least three that don’t. It’s obvious that Myers has abided by the adage of throwing enough shit at the wall and hoping that some sticks, but it’s painful when something doesn’t. For example, Myers employs the same “Turn your head and cough!” joke he used in the third “Austin Powers.” For those who haven’t seen the latter, it will be funny now. But for those who have followed his career might feel like he’s merely recycling material. That’s not to say, however, that the subtle throwback to the first “Wayne’s World” isn’t nearly perfect.

So while “The Love Guru” isn’t near the comedic powerhouse that was the “Austin Powers” franchise, it’s obvious that Myers poured his heart and soul into this movie and he’s clearly having a blast, as the Guru Pitka continually laughs at his own jokes.

Try not to think too hard.

You just might find yourself laughing along with the Guru.

[xxr rating=3/5]