Saturday Evening Movie Post [moviegique]: The Searchers (1956)

Pickings have been slim. The Olivia Wilde-helmed The Invite has been hanging on for months, a comedy with a solid 7.5 or so on IMDB. I've thought about going to see it a half-dozen times and, frankly, it just gives me the creeps. There's a John Boorman documentary on how he screwed up Exorcist II: The Heretic that gives me Jodorowsky's Dune vibes but it's awkward to get to. So I says to the Boy, I says, "Well, what if we went to see The Searchers?"

Three and a half men in hats, looking westward.

And what if we wore hats?

I had seen The Searchers twice before. The first time was as a relatively young nearly 29-year-old. (I approach 29 like Xeno's Paradox: I get closer and closer to it every year but never quite hit it.) After having avoided Westerns all my life—living in a dry, dusty place gave me an aversion to going to see movies about dry, dusty places, and all Westerns are thus—the Old Man and I took in a series at the local Laemmle. (Both the Old Man and the local Laemmle are gone, alas.)

This series turned me around, as I had absorbed some of the negative stereotyping of Westerns being one-sided, simplistic, macho—and I presume there's probably an element of this in the serials and the Republic-type B-pictures, but the movies we saw presented Indians as a threat but not necessarily as bad guys. There was a strong understanding of the difference between macho and hard, where "hard" meant doing what had to be done and not whining about it no matter how much you hated it.

The Searchers, in fact, was sort of shocking and, when I first saw it, I felt it was racist.

Hey, I said I was a young nearly twenty-nine.

A German man with blue eyes dressed as an Amerind

In fairness, very few Germans fought cowboys in the Old West.

My thinking was that, clearly Ethan (John Wayne) is meant to be racist, which doesn't make the movie racist. But the movie seems to agree with his stance which would make the movie racist.

How does it "seem to agree" with his stance? Well, it shows the victims of Comanche captivity as becoming insane, barbaric, retarded, etc.

The second time I saw it, with The Flower, I liked it better. And I started to wonder. I was much further along the road to 29 at that point, and I did a little research and discovered that, well, yes, the Comanches were savage in this particular wise, and the source book is very well researched. (Though the actual story it's based on is inverted, with the kidnapped woman preferring to stay with the Amerind tribe. That's a whole ball of wax, tho'.)

As it turns out, The Boy had never seen it, and this was my third time viewing. And I liked it even better.

That's Ethan's mother and father in the older graves.

First of all, the movie's been given the 4K treatment, and it is gorgeous. A lot of those old westerns had sharper contrast than the noirs, and Monument Valley probably doesn't even look this good in person. Like Blade Runner, every frame's a painting. Unlike Blade Runner, The Searchers isn't like watching a thousand paintings dry.

While watching this, I kept thinking: "This reminds me of Lawrence of Arabia. The landscape becomes its own character. The sense of scale makes everything feel static and urgent at the same time. Allegedly, David Lean watched The Searchers repeatedly while preparing for Lawrence.

Second, John Wayne! TJMP has an insightful video on movie stars, and Wayne is a perfect example: He was very limited in the roles that he could perform. Not necessarily by his talent, but definitely by his star status. Here, while working completely inside this tough old cowboy role, he manages to act up a storm—subtly.

When Ethan shows back up at the family home after the war, he's welcomed by brother Aaron (Walter Coy) and sister-in-law Martha (Dorothy Jordan, coaxed out of retirement by her husband Merian C. Cooper and longtime friend John Ford). The feelings between Ethan and Martha are so plain, some speculate that Debbie (Lana, and then Natalie Wood) is actual Ethan's daughter.

A man pointedly not looking at his brother touching his wife as she gazes longingly into his eyes.

Actually, it came across like a five-alarm fire this time, but people have actually missed this mutual attraction in the past.

This doesn't work, timeline-wise. And dramatically, it's far better for the unconsummated love to have driven Ethan away—he's unable to give a woman a decent home. This doesn't change his feelings for Martha, and makes the drama all that much more intense. When the posse goes out to investigate the missing cattle, and he realizes it was bait so that the Comanches could go after the houses, he stops, rests and feeds his horse—while Martin (Jeffrey Hunter) rushes back.

Ethan states the facts: The horses need rest. But when Martin has run off, we can see the agony in Ethan's eyes. He's as worried as any of them. And as much as he dislikes Martin—who is part Indian—he's also rather protective of him, not wanting him to see what he's seen, and trying to keep him from getting killed.

Seriously, Wayne is terrific here, and this character and performance would inform the rest of his career. The cast is pitch perfect: Vera Miles as the maiden waiting for Martin to settle down. Harry Carey, Jr., as the love-stricken boyfriend of Pippa Scott. You almost never notice he's 15-20 years too old.

Third, the mythic level of the film—that Ethan is the spirit of the Men who tamed the Wild West, and having tamed it, are no longer welcome—hits on so many levels. It works for the specific context of a tamed country. It works for every situation where men are sent to do rough things, only to find themselves changed and unsuited for a domestic life (if they ever were). It's Moses and the Promised Land.

This was an homage to the late Harry Carey, who used to hold his arm like this.

The music is all traditional, arranged by Max Steiner, and is perfect. The mandatory cowboy crooning song is...well, it's probably better than most. Those songs don't usually hold up well, in my opinion. At least when they did this kind of stuff in the '80s, the "for the Academy's consideration" generic pop songs were played over the closing credits. This one is less generic and only played at the front and back.

The Boy liked it, though he found the distinctions between the outdoor shooting and on-set shooting jarring—and these are the sorts of the things the 4K restoration tends to exaggerate and make more obvious.

But otherwise, it works very, very well indeed, and I understand now why it's often regarded as the greatest Western ever made. You can see its influence in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, the aforementioned Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars, of course it's musical '80s remake, Streets of Fire, and many, many more. Hollywood has been threatening to remake it as sci-fi or horror for decades, and I think we can be grateful that's never happened.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 08:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 THREE MINUTES!

I love my uploading tools!

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 07:30 PM (K40fF)

2 Good evening everyone

Posted by: Skip at September 05, 2026 07:31 PM (Ia/+0)

3 We be prods two announce we be having a "We be proud two be Gay Day" parade instead of the Labar Day parades.

We be also told that Mayer Mandami may also shows up to celebrates too.

Posted by: Mary Clogginstein from Brattleboro, Vt at September 05, 2026 07:31 PM (eO806)

4 Hey! Buy my new book, by the way! It takes place about the same time as "The Searchers" and is just like it, except for taking place in Derbyshire, and being about a giant snake, and not having Indians. It's got a character who's almost a stockman, which is like an Australian cowboy. Anyway, it's really good and needs more reviews. (Amazon took some down for some reason.)

https://shorturl.at/B8IxU

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 07:33 PM (K40fF)

5 "I've thought about going to see it a half-dozen times"

Ask for the quantity discount on tickets.

Posted by: gp at September 05, 2026 07:33 PM (Jr5Lq)

6 Hey, Skip!

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 07:35 PM (K40fF)

7 I'll put "The Searchers" on my list. It's been a long time since I saw it.

Posted by: gp at September 05, 2026 07:36 PM (Jr5Lq)

8 > Ask for the quantity discount on tickets.

"Look, in my head, I've bought 10 tickets to this movie already. I should get in free. You know what, I don't really want to see it anyway."

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 07:36 PM (K40fF)

9 I wouldn't say stars can't act, some certainly as TJM says are key holed into roles you expect. But if they were wooded they won't make it to stardom.

Posted by: Skip at September 05, 2026 07:37 PM (Ia/+0)

10 The Searchers is one of those film school films that we poured over and over. Those framings in the door. The low ceilings. Depth of shot and on and on. Great movie. I've seen it many times. Definitely racist by today's standards, but the Ethan character is clearly a racist. A confederate soldier and good old boy. But if you put aside the stupid woke reasons not to like it, it's still one of the all time greats.

I saw THE WHISPER MAN on Netflix. We know DeNiro is a douche politically, but he's not bad in the role for this movie. Problem is the movie is average to pastiche to confusing. Nothing really great about it.

Also saw the A24 movie UNDERTONE. A24 and IFC always seem to send their scary movies about now. Maybe to get them out before Halloween. UNDERTONE is podcast, ghost story, that plays like we are still in the found footage era. It's professional shot and edited, and there are a couple good moments. But overall it was a yawn. Good metaphor about the fears of motherhood which with the Clancy trial going on is relevant--though I doubt the filmmakers had that in mind.

Posted by: Lex at September 05, 2026 07:37 PM (y4H1r)

11 I never viewed from that vantage and just enjoyed the movie and John Wayne.

Posted by: Jackson K. at September 05, 2026 07:37 PM (1PMLQ)

12 I like John Wayne movies.

Posted by: Skip at September 05, 2026 07:38 PM (Ia/+0)

13 "The Arrival" (1996) No sir. I don't like it.
youtube.com/watch?v=cDGlN6mluGA

Posted by: Mister Horse at September 05, 2026 07:39 PM (Jr5Lq)

14 "The Cocaine Fiends" aka "The Pace That Kills" (1935) The dames are unanimous: 'Why, that's marvelous! I feel better already!' 'I feel swell now!' 'How thrilling!' 'I feel like making whoopie tonight!' Pretty soon, they stop writing home to Mother. Watching peppy Sheila Manners blast off in her perky carhop uniform makes my nose run.
youtube.com/watch?v=BXsHnobBAL0

"Exposed" (1947) Sassy blonde PI Adele Mara cruises SoCal in her truly humongous 1946 Lincoln Continental V12 convertible, always wearing blinding-white gloves. Stuff happens, yada yada, case solved. A few interesting LA location shots.
youtube.com/watch?v=8k8KBFJqHjM

Posted by: gp at September 05, 2026 07:40 PM (Jr5Lq)

15 "Circle of Deception" (1960) Grim, noirish film about a WW2 Brit military intelligence op that cold-bloodedly shafts a loyal soldier/agent. Worth the watch, and I'm certain you can find a better copy than this one:
youtube.com/watch?v=DZTaXTX_450

"Flight to Mars" (1951) The outbound trip is same-old same-old, but things pick up a bit when they get where they're going. All the spacewomen wear bright red lipstick, broadly applied, and cute little skirts showing lots of leg.
youtube.com/watch?v=i7FadU112eU

Posted by: gp at September 05, 2026 07:40 PM (Jr5Lq)

16 I think it's probably Wayne's best role.

The story is based on Cynthia Parker who was kidnapped by Comanches as a very young girl and raised by the tribe. She had two sons (at least), Peanut and Quanah Parker who became the last war chief.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at September 05, 2026 07:41 PM (l26NL)

17 Like Blade Runner, every frame's a painting. Unlike Blade Runner, The Searchers isn't like watching a thousand paintings dry..

youtu.be/pWdd6_ZxX8c

I can watch Blade Runner on a loop. It's one of my favorites.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 05, 2026 07:42 PM (S8cdb)

18 9 I wouldn't say stars can't act, some certainly as TJM says are key holed into roles you expect. But if they were wooded they won't make it to stardom.

Well, yes, it's not a matter of them being good actors, though they very erroneously think that it is. Audiences (particularly today) don't want to go see (e.g.) a John Cena movie--especially if John Cena is playing a trannie who is transitioning and struggling emotionally--you get the idea.

I want Cena to be in something fun where his size is fodder for cheap jokes and cool action.

As for "aren't wooden," well...Glenn Ford? Victor Mature? Uh...Jessica Biel?

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 07:42 PM (K40fF)

19 The movie just portrays life in America after the Civil War.

There was still hostility between the Yankees and the Rebels and that is just history.

I think in the movie Texas may not have rejoined the Union yet and John Wayne's character portrays those who do not like Northern Aggression and the Carpet baggers.

You have to view the movie from the perspective of 1865 -70 mentality and not dig deep into any 2026 Woke ideology.

That was the way it was back then for good or bad...

Posted by: Jackson K. at September 05, 2026 07:43 PM (1PMLQ)

20 Side note on Westerns, watched a interesting new video on arrow wounds today.

Posted by: Skip at September 05, 2026 07:45 PM (Ia/+0)

21 > Definitely racist by today's standards, but the Ethan character is clearly a racist.

Today's standards are stupid. Ethan is definitely racist, in the complicated ways people can be racist. (He wills everything to Jeffrey Hunter's character, who is part Indian, e.g.).

But it's what makes the movie work. The entire tension comes from whether or not Ethan's racism will override his humanity. And his racism is well-founded.

Talk about "you couldn't make it today"!

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 07:45 PM (K40fF)

22 Can't remember where I heard this. Someone interviewing Wayne (in England? Around McQ time?) and notices a book on the table in Wayne's room -- a volume of Noel Coward plays, and remarks on it. Wayne says something like, "Yeah, it'd be fun to try something like that, but I'd never get cast."

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 07:46 PM (q3u5l)

23 Eh, ever notice, there aren't any Comanche Indian Reservations? hm

Posted by: Common Tater at September 05, 2026 07:46 PM (8fTKG)

24 " Like Blade Runner, every frame's a painting. Unlike Blade Runner, The Searchers isn't like watching a thousand paintings dry."
-----

Always gotta throw a bomb, dontcha?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 07:46 PM (kpS4V)

25 Puddleglum,

I kid the "Blade Runner" fans.

Especially now that I know it's the official position of "Ace of Spades HQ" that it's a boring movie. ;-)

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 07:46 PM (K40fF)

26 They took away out way of life
the virgin school gal and the preachers wife

Posted by: r hennigantx at September 05, 2026 07:47 PM (/+uur)

27 I think in the movie Texas may not have rejoined the Union yet and John Wayne's character portrays those who do not like Northern Aggression and the Carpet baggers.
Posted by: Jackson K.

Carpet baggers like the late Mr Fetterman.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at September 05, 2026 07:47 PM (l26NL)

28 > Always gotta throw a bomb, dontcha?

Heheheheh.

I fully expect to watch "Blade Runner" once or twice more in my life. I hope at least one of these times I won't be bored out of my skull.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 07:47 PM (K40fF)

29 Posted by: Open Blogger at 08:30 PM

Okay, let's put Ace's time machine back on the shelf so the hamsters don't get confused at the two concurrent time streams.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant, a Moron behind enemy lines at September 05, 2026 07:48 PM (O7YUW)

30 Where does Duke find her?Bronson quarry. Location of many westerns.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at September 05, 2026 07:49 PM (iini1)

31 Eh, ever notice, there aren't any Comanche Indian Reservations? hm
Posted by: Common Tater

There's one in Oklahoma but the Comanches came and went as they pleased. They took all this relocation talk as just a suggestion.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at September 05, 2026 07:50 PM (l26NL)

32 It's funny how difficult it's been to talk about the Searchers. It's almost poison ...

I'm old enough to have seen it across different stages of my life. I've come to the conclusion that calling Ethan or the film "racist," is complaining about something that's outside the characters' scope. Ford has given us a window into something outside our more modern perspective. And I think it lines up well with what individuals of that era might have experienced.

I've always been impressed that Wayne took the role and did all the things he did with Ethan's character. Wayne's own master-class in the craft, kind of thing.

On top of that, Ford gave us wonderful glimpses into friendship, character and family that still all feel enduring and valuable to me. They all still ring true.

That closing image, one that's been yammered over endlessly, reminds us of the enduring importance of men like Ethan.

Posted by: YellowBird at September 05, 2026 07:51 PM (MEbkQ)

33 It is 8:49 in Nova Scotia

Posted by: Skip at September 05, 2026 07:51 PM (Ia/+0)

34 I watched "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die!" last weekend. It's a mashup of "Twelve Monkeys," "The Matrix", and "The World's End."

Pretty entertaining and creepy.

The parents who keep cloning their dead children after their kids are killed in school shootings are downright disturbing.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 05, 2026 07:52 PM (FZ29D)

35 That's movie is racers towards native Americans of coler and shoolds be banned on TV !!!

Posted by: Mary Clogginstein from Brattleboro, Vt at September 05, 2026 07:52 PM (YeYbg)

36 The Cowboys I think is my top John Wayne western

Posted by: Skip at September 05, 2026 07:52 PM (Ia/+0)

37 Lonesome Dove
Street of Larado
Comanche Moon

cannot remember the 4th book but Gus and Call fought the Injuns in Comanche

Posted by: r hennigantx at September 05, 2026 07:53 PM (/+uur)

38 "...a book on the table in Wayne's room -- a volume of Noel Coward plays, and remarks on it. Wayne says something like, "Yeah, it'd be fun to try something like that, but I'd never get cast.""
----

I want to hear The Duke sing "how'd you like to sin/like Eleanor Glynn/on a tiger skin?"

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 07:54 PM (kpS4V)

39 The Shootist

Posted by: r hennigantx at September 05, 2026 07:54 PM (/+uur)

40 Henry Brandon also played a bad guy in a Rocky Jones, Space Ranger serial.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 05, 2026 07:54 PM (Cqx++)

41 >>The entire tension comes from whether or not Ethan's racism will override his humanity. And his racism is well-founded.

Talk about "you couldn't make it today"!

The movie works best when I forget about racism and pay attention to Ethan's personal struggle. It's plain brilliant.

Posted by: YellowBird at September 05, 2026 07:55 PM (MEbkQ)

42 Haven't watched The Searchers in years -- may run that sucker again this weekend.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 07:55 PM (q3u5l)

43 The Green Beret was also good although not a Western....

Posted by: Jackson K. at September 05, 2026 07:55 PM (1PMLQ)

44 Was John Wayne somewhat over-rated as an actor? He seems kind of one-dimensional to me, playing the same character regardless.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 05, 2026 07:55 PM (8fTKG)

45 This week I rewatched "Late Night with the Devil" (2023), and "Panic in Year Zero!" (1962), and thoroughly enjoyed both.

I am currently watching the 9 ep doc series "Russia's War: Blood Upon the Snow" (1995).

Posted by: gp at September 05, 2026 07:56 PM (Jr5Lq)

46 The Cowboys I think is my top John Wayne western
Posted by: Skip

I think so too. It's my favorite.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at September 05, 2026 07:57 PM (l26NL)

47 I can watch Blade Runner on a loop. It's one of my favorites.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 05, 2026 07:42 PM (S8cdb)

Same here. The cinematography in The Searchers is brilliant, but those scenes and others like them always make me roll my eyes at the idea that anyone would ever try to farm or raise cattle in a place where there’s no water for 20 miles in any direction.

The real story, based on the Parker massacre and the kidnapping of Anna Parker, took place near Mexia, a few miles south of Corsicana.

Posted by: Tom Servo at September 05, 2026 07:57 PM (o+l2a)

48 I tend to appreciate the periphery actors in that era. Lee Marvin, for example. Andy Devine, or Jack Elam. Lots of good sidekicks. Slim Pickens indeed. One could say Clint Eastwood played the same character a lot, too.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 05, 2026 07:58 PM (8fTKG)

49 Eris at 38 --

That would be something, wouldn't it? I've not seen all of Wayne's stuff, but can't recall him singing in the ones I've watched. I do remember in Rio Bravo he left the singing to Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 07:59 PM (q3u5l)

50 The real story, based on the Parker massacre and the kidnapping of Anna Parker, took place near Mexia, a few miles south of Corsicana.
Posted by: Tom Servo

I'd highly recommend a book called Empire of the Summer Moon. It's about the Comanches and early Texas history.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at September 05, 2026 07:59 PM (l26NL)

51 The real story, based on the Parker massacre and the kidnapping of Anna Parker, took place near Mexia, a few miles south of Corsicana.
Posted by: Tom Servo
----

These days I would send out Ben Had and her hog blunderbuss to track the Comanche.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 08:00 PM (kpS4V)

52 The Searchers has a cruel edge that I was glad to see once, but wouldn’t watch again. I think the semi-remake by Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett, “The Missing”, is a better version of the story.

Posted by: Tom Servo at September 05, 2026 08:00 PM (o+l2a)

53 44 Was John Wayne somewhat over-rated as an actor? He seems kind of one-dimensional to me, playing the same character regardless.

I would say he's under-rated. TJMP's video (linked in the post) is worth watching to understand the limitations of the "movie star".

Some of them couldn't act. Most of them had more range than they could express while being a Star.

Another good example: Vincent Price. Smarmy second banana for years until he hit gold in horror. And he more or less played Vincent Price ever after.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:01 PM (K40fF)

54 "The real story, based on the Parker massacre and the kidnapping of Anna Parker, took place near Mexia, a few miles south of Corsicana.
Posted by: Tom Servo"

The stuff you learn here!

People say Huck Finn is racist too. People are dumb.

Posted by: fd at September 05, 2026 08:01 PM (MWfyi)

55 If you look close at that top pic, that feller with the badge is Ken Curtis - Festus Hagen, on Gunsmoke. I knew it was him, had to check. Yep. He's in the movie.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 05, 2026 08:01 PM (8fTKG)

56 by: moviegique (buy my books)

Still waiting on your next one!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 05, 2026 08:02 PM (NnhvP)

57 Anyone who says they are not Racist is a liar. We all have that inherent bad trait.

The only living person that could say they are not Racist was Jesus..

Posted by: Jackson K. at September 05, 2026 08:03 PM (1PMLQ)

58 Just Some Guy, I remember seeing Wayne on a talk show and in the early days they tried to make him a singing cowboy "like I'd pick a guitar off a guitar tree and start singin'", but I can't imagine he was possessed of a golden throat.

As we see in "Stage Coach", he was kind of a pretty boy.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 08:03 PM (kpS4V)

59 "Empire of the Summer Moon" Added to my list, thanks! Free to read at archive.org:
https://tinyurl.com/55eumdas

Posted by: gp at September 05, 2026 08:03 PM (Jr5Lq)

60 You know, I've seen all these flicks. Korean and Chinese and Japanese and Palestinian and Arab and and and...

And they're all racist. Often proudly.

This weird state we exist in where we pretend everyone is racist and therefore we can't ever talk about racism--it's not conducive to good art, I tell you what.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:03 PM (K40fF)

61 The Shootist he goes to die in peace.
But he is a killer that every other killer wishes to kill.
Kind of like the Quick and the Dead but different.
Doing this movie in 1976 was quite the risk as it was not 1960s and big movies that year was Omen and King Kong.
Siegel directed what is generally considered to be Elvis Presley's best picture, Flaming Star (1960).
I may need to watch this again.

Posted by: r hennigantx at September 05, 2026 08:04 PM (/+uur)

62 Let the left argue about what's racist or not. We've got better things to do, IMHO.

Posted by: gp at September 05, 2026 08:05 PM (Jr5Lq)

63 > Still waiting on your next one!

I released one five days ago! "Lair of the White Worm"!

Book 5 in The Exopreneurs should be out in November, and I'm going to release the last four in the cycle on a bimonthly basis.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:05 PM (K40fF)

64 I'll grant calling it racist by today's standards is dumb, but almost every piece of dialogue and sequence is about the fears of race or miscegenation. Lucy screams when the Indian attack is about to come because she knows she'll be raped and killed. They kidnap Debbie and Scar probably violates her in the ten years it takes for them to find her. Ethan can't stand the idea of any of it, and always refers to Martin as a half breed. Ethan does relent at the end when it looks like he might want to kill Debbie, but the whole film is suffused with race and racial undertones. I can't remember what John Ford's attitudes or proclivities were. He clearly understood racial injustice. When the Swede in the Man Who Shot Liberty Valance first goes to vote, Pompy, the black manservant of Tom Donophon, sits outside the poll place with a sour look. Ford was clearly conscious of many racial issues and his films show it. The Searchers, perhaps more than any of them, is all about clash of races and racial fears. Even if you remove today's discussion of "racism" from this analysis, you can't examine The Searchers without tripping over this subtext again and again.

Posted by: Lex at September 05, 2026 08:05 PM (y4H1r)

65 Presdent Obana was nots Racist Jackson K !!!!!

Posted by: Mary Clogginstein from Brattleboro, Vt at September 05, 2026 08:06 PM (YeYbg)

66 36 The Cowboys I think is my top John Wayne western
Posted by: Skip at September 05, 2026 07:52 PM (Ia/+0)
________________________

I liked that one as well. Bruce Dern said in an interview that he had people sending him nasty letters nearly two decades after that movie because his character, of course, killed Wayne's character. And, that just didn't happen.

Posted by: Orson at September 05, 2026 08:06 PM (dIske)

67 Eastwood watched every Siegel over and over and says it taught him to direct.

Posted by: r hennigantx at September 05, 2026 08:06 PM (/+uur)

68 Wayne had a very long career, starting out in B Westerns in the 1930s. By the time I was sentient he was getting long in the tooth. I guess I'm not arguing he was a bad actor, it's just by that point maybe he was kind of phoning it in a little bit? He was an American icon for sure. Mom, Dad, apple pie, chevrolet and John Wayne.

What I didn't like was, like a light switch, sometime around the early 70s everything went "anti-hero", and it became trendy for the movies to be dystopian and weird.

While it is true 'Cavalcade of America' might be a little jingoistic, going too far in the other direction isn't any better.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 05, 2026 08:06 PM (8fTKG)

69 "They Came From Beyond Space" is on Svengoolie.

It says "Based on the novel " The Gods Hate Kansas"."

Posted by: fd at September 05, 2026 08:06 PM (MWfyi)

70

I tawk to the trees

They're not answerin' me...

Posted by: Clint Eastwood in T'aint Your Wagon at September 05, 2026 08:07 PM (mS8PE)

71 I think my favorite John Wayne movie is the WWll flick "They Were Expendable" also directed by John Ford.

Posted by: Tuna at September 05, 2026 08:11 PM (lJ0H4)

72 You know, I've seen all these flicks. Korean and Chinese and Japanese and Palestinian and Arab and and and...
And they're all racist. Often proudly.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books

They are that. But from watching both Korean and Chinese films one thing shines through: they both friggin' HATE the Japanese. There are probably reasons for that I guess.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at September 05, 2026 08:11 PM (l26NL)

73 Where are we going I do know
Where are we headed I aint certain
All I know is I am on my way

Posted by: DNC Taint Your Wagon at September 05, 2026 08:12 PM (/+uur)

74 John Wayne was real purty as a youngster. Age helped him, I think, at least for the star he was going to become.

https://shorturl.at/6akoG

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:12 PM (K40fF)

75 I saw "Coyote vs Acme" yesterday (power was out at home and I was bored). It's a loving homage to Looney Tunes and there are all sorts of little Easter eggs and cameos in it. It doesn't need to be seen on the big screen.

That little puff of dust when Wile E. hits the canyon floor will never not be funny.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 08:12 PM (kpS4V)

76 71 I think my favorite John Wayne movie is the WWll flick "They Were Expendable" also directed by John Ford.
Posted by: Tuna at September 05, 2026 08:11 PM (lJ0H4)

Sounds like children in Hollywood

Posted by: r hennigantx at September 05, 2026 08:13 PM (/+uur)

77 >they both friggin' HATE the Japanese. There are probably reasons for that I guess.

Little bit o' history there. I detected a hierarchy in this goofy, fun Korean action flick.

https://moviegique.com/reviews/steel-rain-2-summit/

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:15 PM (K40fF)

78 I'd highly recommend a book called Empire of the Summer Moon. It's about the Comanches and early Texas history.
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly

The Comanches were brutal. That book certainly puts the “Peaceful Indian” to rest.
Read Cormac McCarthy afterwards and you get a feel for that part of th SW.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 05, 2026 08:15 PM (tAfvS)

79 IMDb trivia on The Cowboys notes that Dern said while filming Hateful Eight that he still gets mail cussing him out for killing Wayne.

I wonder how long Barry Morse got flak for chasing David Janssen in The Fugitive.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 08:16 PM (q3u5l)

80 Fun story about John Wayne and “The Longest Day” - he didn’t want to be in it. Wayne and Daryl Zanuck had a huge falling out and Wayne had said it would take a Million Dollars for him to ever work for Zanuck again.

So when Zanuck asked him what it would take to be in the movie, Wayne told him “A million dollars.”
Amazingly, Zanuck wanted him badly enough that he agreed, astounding Wayne. Wayne was many times over the highest paid actor in that film, but Zanuck was right - his Airborne Colonel at San Mere Eglise is one the most memorable performances of the movie.

Posted by: Tom Servo at September 05, 2026 08:18 PM (o+l2a)

81 Watch the director's cut with commentary by Martin Scorsesee

Posted by: Fredrick at September 05, 2026 08:19 PM (B7Ucf)

82 Just saw Bruce Dern in "Support Your Local Sheriff". He's a good dummy.

And, I saw him life almost two years ago...well, next month. He showed up when Joe Bob feted Roger Corman for the last time, and I thought that was cool.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:19 PM (K40fF)

83 Hard to pick a fave Wayne movie, but he has plenty I'd be fine with rewatching. "Stagecoach" (1939), "The Fighting Seabees" (1944), "Fort Apache" (194

, "The Green Berets" (196

are memorable, quality entertainment.

Posted by: gp at September 05, 2026 08:20 PM (Jr5Lq)

84 Bruce Dern is kind of a strange cat. Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson, they made some pretty bad movies in the 1960s. "Easy Rider" might be one of the better ones.

Jack Nicholson has no birth certificate; nobody is too sure where he came from.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 05, 2026 08:22 PM (8fTKG)

85 I'm working on my projects. I have a tv here in the computer room and am playing 'Project Hail Mary' from Amazon in the background.

It's actually pretty good. Reynolds may be an idiot but entertaining. Hey, and guess what. It's Amazon. There was an incredibly helpful likable black guy and tons of diversity!!

I'm stopping it as I work though. Nice effects. I'm working with AI right now as this is on. This guy is sent up in a massive ship to another solar system and the command interface is basically ColecoVision.

Still alright. Back to work. Thanks for the thread. I'll look later.

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 08:23 PM (Sco7b)

86
82 Just saw Bruce Dern in "Support Your Local Sheriff". He's a good dummy.”

I think that’s the first time he ever did comedy, and he was great at it! I still love that movie.

Posted by: Tom Servo at September 05, 2026 08:23 PM (o+l2a)

87 Bruce Dern is kind of a strange cat. Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson, they made some pretty bad movies in the 1960s. "Easy Rider" might be one of the better ones.
Posted by: Common Tater

My mother took me to see Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte when I was about 3 years old. The only scene I remember is Bruce Dern getting his hand cut off.

Thanks, mom.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at September 05, 2026 08:25 PM (l26NL)

88 Our annual custom. Go to the beach. Check into the hotel. Watch the Harry Potter marathon.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at September 05, 2026 08:26 PM (ixub4)

89 It’s amazing that Jack Nicholson ended up being such a respected actor, because for his first 10 years or so he stinks on ice.

Posted by: Tom Servo at September 05, 2026 08:27 PM (o+l2a)

90 Meep meep!

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 05, 2026 08:28 PM (tAfvS)

91 All good John Wayne flicks. I'd add "Islands in the Sky", where he's a captain who has to force land a transport plane in the frozen Quebec wilderness and keep his men safe until help arrives...if it ever will.

There's a scene where a plane finally flies overhead and everyone whoops in delight, until it flies off with no acknowledgement. "I guess they didn't see us", says Wayne offhandedly, but there's agony in his eyes. Good acting.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 08:28 PM (kpS4V)

92 You have to strain really hard to find anything good in Heretic. Woof~!

Posted by: weft cut-loop at September 05, 2026 08:29 PM (diia5)

93 89 It’s amazing that Jack Nicholson ended up being such a respected actor, because for his first 10 years or so he stinks on ice.
Posted by: Tom Servo at September 05, 2026 08:27 PM (o+l2a)
---

Bah! He was brilliant as the pain-loving patient in "Little Shop of Horrors"!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 08:30 PM (kpS4V)

94 "They Came from Beyond Space" is a dumb title for this movie. They just came from another planet. And all the aliens look like people. Lame. I want guys in rubber masks with rayguns.

Posted by: fd at September 05, 2026 08:30 PM (MWfyi)

95 84:Jack Nicholson has no birth certificate; nobody is too sure where he came from.
Posted by: Common Tater

The Overlook Hotel.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 05, 2026 08:31 PM (S8cdb)

96 The Searchers has a breathing dead Indian.

https://youtu.be/4w4p4GkvrJ8

Posted by: Mark1971 at September 05, 2026 08:32 PM (/OKHJ)

97 Think I saw Support Your Local Sheriff when it first came out, but I can't remember a thing about it. May have to revisit that some time. Anything with Garner is usually worth a look or two.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 08:32 PM (q3u5l)

98 moviegique, glad you made it.
The Searchers, ya, good movie.

on to the beginning

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 05, 2026 08:33 PM (RBKzD)

99 John Ford was on Midway Island during the attack* and produced two films of that battle. One was seen by most Americans. The other used 16mm color film USS Hornet took of VT-8 to make a more personal film, one copy of this film was sent to each of the families of the VT-8 crews who attacked the First Air Fleet.

*In fact John Ford was wounded during the attack but kept filming.

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 05, 2026 08:33 PM (2GVsD)

100 I saw "Coyote vs Acme" yesterday (power was out at home and I was bored). It's a loving homage to Looney Tunes and there are all sorts of little Easter eggs and cameos in it. It doesn't need to be seen on the big screen.

That little puff of dust when Wile E. hits the canyon floor will never not be funny.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes

BruceWayne and I saw it yesterday, too. We laughed a lot. Just can't believe the studio sat on it for so long. Heck, if they had released it earlier in the summer it might have had legs with the family crowd. Though it did occur to me that the kids wouldn't get the significance of Peter Lorre.

Posted by: She Hobbit at September 05, 2026 08:34 PM (ftFVW)

101 89 It’s amazing that Jack Nicholson ended up being such a respected actor, because for his first 10 years or so he stinks on ice.

He was so bad, he couldn't get parts, and figured he go into producing. He fought with Corman over "Easy Riders". Corman was only willing to give him half the money he wanted. So Nicholson went elsewhere. He wasn't even supposed to be in the movie.

But then Dennis Hopper pulled a knife on Rip Torn, and the producers insisted Nicholson take the part so he could babysit. (Hopper felt Nicholson was too "clean cut" for the part.)

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:34 PM (K40fF)

102 I think Jack Nicholson's first credited movie is a Roger Corman movie with Boris Karloff.

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 05, 2026 08:35 PM (2GVsD)

103 Tremors is way better than Dune.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 05, 2026 08:35 PM (RBKzD)

104 Hey!!!

Bruce Dern!! 2018 - 'Freaks' I just checked.

A cool film. Lexi Kolker played the 7 year old girl kept in the house by her father. She was amazing. It's a weird film.

If you watch the first few minutes, you just keep wondering what the hell is going on, but it keeps developing to places you may enjoy or hate. It was a great movie. In my opinion of someone who hasn't seen too many movies.

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 08:35 PM (Sco7b)

105 Aliens: "Hey, Mac!"
Earthling: "Ayup."
A: "We're lost. Do you know how we get to Beyond Space?"
E: "Oh man, you're way off! You can't get there from here."
A: "Damn."

Posted by: gp at September 05, 2026 08:36 PM (Jr5Lq)

106 'Freaks' is free somewhere. I think Roku.

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 08:36 PM (Sco7b)

107 Island in the Sky was used in a viewing experiment by (IIRC) WGN-TV in Chicago some time in the early 60s. I think they ran that movie at least a dozen times in the same week; I know I watched it three or four times during that week. Good flick.

I don't recall them running movies with that frequency again, so apparently it didn't bring in the ratings numbers they wanted?

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 08:36 PM (q3u5l)

108 You could throw the VAST majority of 70's drama right in the incinerator, and the world would be better off. Has nothing to do with the post topic, but I just wanted to say that. The fucking nihilistic communist shithead writers/directors went insane making movies then, and I hate it.

Posted by: irright at September 05, 2026 08:37 PM (dPpD4)

109 >>>Indians as a threat but not necessarily as bad guys.
---

They would cut your skull open and eat your brains while they were still warm.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 05, 2026 08:37 PM (RBKzD)

110 Jack Nicholson is in an episode of The Andy Griffith Show. He plays the defendant when Aunt Bee serves on a jury.

Posted by: Mark1971 at September 05, 2026 08:37 PM (/OKHJ)

111 103 Tremors is way better than Dune.

Posted by: Braenyard

Hmmm, hey Grok, mash up 'Tremors' and 'David Lynch's Dune'.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 05, 2026 08:38 PM (S8cdb)

112 ***In fairness, very few Germans fought cowboys in the Old West.
---

Please look closely at the cattle range wars of the 70's.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 05, 2026 08:38 PM (RBKzD)

113 Hopper, by the way, recounted the story as Torn pulling a knife on him. He recounted this on "The Tonight Show" after which Torn sue him--and won because Fonda, et al, remembered Hopper being the aggressor.

Nicholson does have a birth certificate NOW, but it was his lack of a birth certificate that led an investigator to reveal the truth of his upbringing. His grandmother had been pretending to be his mother. His "older sister" was in fact his real mother. The family hid all that because it was kind of a big deal in the late '30s and '40s.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:38 PM (K40fF)

114 Kevin Bacon as Paul Atreides?

Fred Ward as Gurney Hallack?

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 05, 2026 08:39 PM (2GVsD)

115 Huh. Only 'Freaks' I've seen is the 1932 circus side show drama/horror flick. I might like it too much to watch another movie of the same name.

Posted by: She Hobbit at September 05, 2026 08:39 PM (ftFVW)

116 109 >>>Indians as a threat but not necessarily as bad guys.
---

They would cut your skull open and eat your brains while they were still warm.

Posted by: Braenyard

But they used every part!!!

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 05, 2026 08:40 PM (S8cdb)

117 > The fucking nihilistic communist shithead writers/directors went insane making movies then, and I hate it.

There's a big hole in my movie watching from about '66-'75 because I feel the same way.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:40 PM (K40fF)

118 They would cut your skull open and eat your brains while they were still warm.

Posted by: Braenyard

I mean, they're no good cold.

Posted by: She Hobbit at September 05, 2026 08:41 PM (ftFVW)

119 His "older sister" was in fact his real mother. The family hid all that because it was kind of a big deal in the late '30s and '40s.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books)

That same situation happened to a high school buddy of mine. I think he learned the truth our senior year.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at September 05, 2026 08:41 PM (l26NL)

120 Anna,

No, Nicholson had roles prior to that. He'd been doing bit parts for years before he shared a movie with Karloff. Two, in fact, back-to-back, both for Corman, both using the same sets: The comedy, 'The Raven', and the more serious 'The Terror'.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:43 PM (K40fF)

121
"They Came from Beyond Space" is a dumb title for this movie. They just came from another planet. And all the aliens look like people. Lame. I want guys in rubber masks with rayguns.
Posted by: fd

I like the gas station lady.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 05, 2026 08:43 PM (Cqx++)

122 Upvote for Coyote vs. Acme. To quibble slightly with "All Hail Eris," I think it should be seen on big screen. Colors and framing are very well done. Eris is correct about the Looney Tunes Easter eggs; most are subltly done, and there are lots. One part I did not think work was the Bugs Bunny character. I suppose he was supposed to be like a God-character, all omniscent and stuff. I found it annoying. But on whole, a magnificent outing.

Posted by: Martin Tell at September 05, 2026 08:43 PM (sFNX2)

123 There is a creek near here name "Savage Creek" because the Native Americans killed a bunch of pioneers near there. I guess we should call it "Native American Creek".

Posted by: fd at September 05, 2026 08:44 PM (MWfyi)

124 There should be zero sympathy for the Comanche, given they lived on stolen land, and have never, not once, made a land acknowledgement.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at September 05, 2026 08:45 PM (0sNs1)

125 That same situation happened to a high school buddy of mine. I think he learned the truth our senior year.
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly

My oldest sister is 13 years older than my next older sister and 14 years older than me. If she and my dad were out with us babies sans mom he'd get some dirty looks.

Not the same, I know. But it makes me chuckle.

Posted by: She Hobbit at September 05, 2026 08:45 PM (ftFVW)

126 "They would cut your skull open and eat your brains while they were still warm."

I can see it now. A weird western/horror flick. A family foolishly crossing the great American frontier beset on one side by brain-eating Indians and on the other by Return of the Living Dead zombies. Gory sequences with an oh-so-subtle subtext about the nightmare of competition for scarce resources (the brains, of course). How can it miss?

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 08:45 PM (q3u5l)

127 117 > The fucking nihilistic communist shithead writers/directors went insane making movies then, and I hate it.

There's a big hole in my movie watching from about '66-'75 because I feel the same way.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books)

I assume you are talking about 'dramas' because, without realizing it, avoided those of that time frame. Westerns, SciFi, and action flicks, on the other hand, I've watched a ton of those from that era.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 05, 2026 08:45 PM (S8cdb)

128 Tremors is way better than Dune.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 05, 2026 08:35 PM (RBKzD)
----
Yep.

Watched a Critical Drinker video the other day where he says the script is darned near PERFECT. It should be used as an example to modern scriptwriters on how to do it right.

Men in Black (the first one) also falls into that category, I think. It's a very tight, lean machine of a script with practically zero wasted elements.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 05, 2026 08:45 PM (FZ29D)

129 117 > The fucking nihilistic communist shithead writers/directors went insane making movies then, and I hate it.

There's a big hole in my movie watching from about '66-'75 because I feel the same way.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books)

I assume you are talking about 'dramas' because, without realizing it, avoided those of that time frame. Westerns, SciFi, and action flicks, on the other hand, I've watched a ton of those from that era.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 05, 2026 08:45 PM (S8cdb)

130 "They would cut your skull open and eat your brains while they were still warm."

I can see it now. A weird western/horror flick. A family foolishly crossing the great American frontier beset on one side by brain-eating Indians and on the other by Return of the Living Dead zombies. Gory sequences with an oh-so-subtle subtext about the nightmare of competition for scarce resources (the brains, of course). How can it miss?

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 08:45 PM (q3u5l)

131 "One part I did not think work was the Bugs Bunny character. I suppose he was supposed to be like a God-character, all omniscent and stuff."

The vital essence of Bugs is that he doesn't take shit from anybody.

Posted by: gp at September 05, 2026 08:46 PM (Jr5Lq)

132
102 I think Jack Nicholson's first credited movie is a Roger Corman movie with Boris Karloff.
Posted by: Anna Puma at September 05, 2026 08:35 PM (2GVsD)

Probably “The Raven”. Corman got funding by promising to make Edgar Allen Poe movies, so of course this one has nothing at all to with Poe, except for a couple quotes at the end.

I love this movie, classic Vincent Price mock horror. Peter Lorre is in it as well, and is quite obviously drunk throughout. Price and Karloff are the two old pro’s playing along with the silliness of the script, and you can almost catch them winking at each other, and rolling their eyes at Lorre’s antics.

Nicholson is an unimportant annoyance.

Posted by: Tom Servo at September 05, 2026 08:47 PM (o+l2a)

133 Meriwether Lewis has an account in the Journals about native dietary customs. At one point game was extremely scarce, word came down that a couple hunters had snagged a deer a couple miles away. A couple of the locals took off at a full sprint on the news.

By the time Lewis arrived the deer had been cut up, but the locals were fighting over the entrails. The contents of the intestines (raw) were considered fine dining, and they were in a contest to see who could get the lion’s share. Lewis wasn’t exactly squeamish by any stretch but they ate everything. Starvation is not fun, though he didn’t believe human beings could be reduced to that.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 05, 2026 08:47 PM (bd3ok)

134 They would cut your skull open and eat your brains while they were still warm.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 05, 2026 08:37 PM

You say that like it's a Bad Thing.

Posted by: Hannibal L. at September 05, 2026 08:47 PM (0sNs1)

135 Computer hiccup. Sorry about the double post 126/130.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 08:47 PM (q3u5l)

136 "I can see it now. A weird western/horror flick."

You can watch "Bone Tomahawk" while you're waiting for that one. Recommended.

Posted by: gp at September 05, 2026 08:47 PM (Jr5Lq)

137 Scary movie I saw recently was "Don't Look Back Now." A couple in Venice is haunted by Bob Dylan. Pretty chilling.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at September 05, 2026 08:48 PM (CHHv1)

138 I liked "Freaks." I did predict it would not do well, however. It's a little more complex than other movies in its genre.

https://moviegique.com/reviews/freaks-2019/

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:48 PM (K40fF)

139 nihilistic communist shithead writers/directors went insane making movies then, and I hate it.
Posted by: irright at September 05, 2026 08:37 PM

At least National Socialists have an ethos.

Posted by: Walter Sobchak at September 05, 2026 08:49 PM (0sNs1)

140 Thx moviegique.
Ford was amazing. A few years later he did a Western without Wayne, Sergeant Rutledge. Same man making tough choices in the West, only this time it was Woody Strode

Posted by: Smell the Glove at September 05, 2026 08:49 PM (M9Oed)

141 Cosmicbook site had an article about the new 'Resident Evil' movie. I'm not a gamer and have never played.

But apparently, keeping track of ammo and missing a target is a big thing and it's captured in the movie. I'm sure the gun post people would appreciate something like that.

I thought of them immediately.

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 08:50 PM (Sco7b)

142 gp -

Bone Tomahawk is a terrific flick. Though there's a sequence near the end I don't plan on rewatching any time soon, IYKWIMAITYD.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 08:50 PM (q3u5l)

143 >>>They would cut your skull open and eat your brains while they were still warm.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others

>Wait until you see what these muslims will do to you.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at September 05, 2026 08:50 PM (eP2ub)

144 >>There is a creek near here name "Savage Creek" because the Native Americans killed a bunch of pioneers near there. I guess we should call it "Native American Creek".

When I was a kid I thought injuns only lived in the west because that's what the teevee and movies said. Then I learned Squanto invented corn.

I like Last of the Mohicans cause it's a really good movie but it also shows how incredibly vicious indians around here were. Not all, some were helpful and allies, but many of them were sadistic fucks.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 05, 2026 08:51 PM (viF8m)

145 Scary movie I saw recently was "Don't Look Back Now." A couple in Venice is haunted by Bob Dylan. Pretty chilling.
Posted by: BeckoningChasm

Hippie ghost chant-singing at you would be pretty chilling.

Posted by: She Hobbit at September 05, 2026 08:51 PM (ftFVW)

146 Yet to see a version of Dune that makes me understand wtf is going on

Posted by: Skip at September 05, 2026 08:51 PM (Ia/+0)

147 A very dear friend of mine was Nicholson's rebound girlfriend after Angelica. At least, I think that's how it went down. I never asked, and she only mentioned it to me when she was on her death-bed.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:51 PM (K40fF)

148 All Hail Eris: re: Would you like to sin with Elinor Glynn on a tiger skin?

Don't forget the following line:

Or to err with her on some other fur?

Posted by: Wenda at September 05, 2026 08:54 PM (kAt+d)

149 Yet to see a version of Dune that makes me understand wtf is going on
Posted by: Skip at September 05, 2026 08:51 PM (Ia/+0)
---
Reading the book isn't that much better.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 05, 2026 08:54 PM (FZ29D)

150 As much as I love the movie, I love Alan Le May's book more. It's with Lonesome Dove at the top of my favorite book list.

Posted by: huerfano at September 05, 2026 08:56 PM (2Xqig)

151 The Indians in The Searchers weren't too bright. During the battle scene they kept attacking while riding their horses through a muddy pond.

Posted by: davidt at September 05, 2026 08:56 PM (Q+gd/)

152 Or to err with her on some other fur?
----

Ha!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 08:56 PM (kpS4V)

153 138 I liked "Freaks." I did predict it would not do well, however. It's a little more complex than other movies in its genre.

https://moviegique.com/reviews/freaks-2019/
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 08:48 PM (K40fF)

Thanks. I enjoyed the review. But no real mention of Lexi.

Her older sister Ava was on 'Girl Meets World' at the time and I followed her on Instagram. So obviously she linked to her sister. It was really cool seeing little clips of how the director would talk with her and see how the movie was made.

In the genre it could be in, it was refreshing. The card game. Bruce and Lexi. Not really a horror movie but nice and creepy and different.

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 08:57 PM (Sco7b)

154 "Bone Tomahawk is a terrific flick."

Well written dialogue in that one. Zahler went on to make "Brawl in Cell Block 99" and "Dragged Across Concrete," neither as good as BT, IMHO.

Posted by: gp at September 05, 2026 08:57 PM (Jr5Lq)

155 Peter Fonda, in particular with the other hollywood young bucks made a series of L.S.D. related movies that seem pretty dated now. Another semi-related flick in that genre is Mondo Hollywood which has a series of characters, real and imagined of the beautiful people.

Everyone from Gene Autry to drag queens and other assorted weirdos, even later Manson gang member Bobby Bouselei makes an appearance. Always been a strange place, that’s for sure.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 05, 2026 08:58 PM (bd3ok)

156 Read Dune in high school (Ace paperback, lovely cover by John Schoenherr if memory serves). Liked parts of it well enough but could never psych myself up to read it again.

Haven't seen the current movies but saw the 80s version. I seem to remember hearing that there was a longer cut of that flick that filled in a lot of holes, but I've never run across that longer version.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 08:59 PM (q3u5l)

157 His "older sister" was in fact his real mother. The family hid all that because it was kind of a big deal in the late '30s and '40s.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books)

That same situation happened to a high school buddy of mine. I think he learned the truth our senior year.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at September 05, 2026 08:41 PM (l26NL)

Eric Clapton.

Posted by: davidt at September 05, 2026 08:59 PM (Q+gd/)

158 > I assume you are talking about 'dramas' because

Not exclusively, no. It's probably fair to say that I am extremely specific about going to see the movies of that era, because there are some great ones.

The counter-culture stuff can get bent. There is some good sci-fi though this is in spite of its nihilistic preachiness. (Not only does today suck, tomorrow will suck, too!) It's no coincidence "Star Wars" was a big hit.

It permeates so much of what came out during that time period, I am wary.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 09:02 PM (K40fF)

159 >>There should be zero sympathy for the Comanche, given they lived on stolen land, and have never, not once, made a land acknowledgement.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at September 05, 2026 08:45 PM

In fairness to the Comanches, the Apaches gave up the land willingly. They were tired of getting killed.

Posted by: huerfano at September 05, 2026 09:02 PM (2Xqig)

160 gp,

Zahler's done a number of novels as well, but I haven't read them.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 09:02 PM (q3u5l)

161 142 gp -

Bone Tomahawk is a terrific flick. Though there's a sequence near the end I don't plan on rewatching any time soon, IYKWIMAITYD.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 08:50 PM (q3u5l)

The dialogue was amazing. It was a fantastic movie that kept me interested the entire time. Sid Haig was at the start of the film and was in the Rob Zombie movies. 'The Devil's Rejects' had a hell of a gun battle and '3 from Hell' was cool too.

Avoid the 'Terrifier' films.

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 09:03 PM (Sco7b)

162 The best shot in The Searchers is while Festus and Martin are fighting over the girl, and the camera cuts to the girl watching the boys fight over her.

Posted by: davidt at September 05, 2026 09:03 PM (Q+gd/)

163 Reading the book isn't that much better.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 05, 2026 08:54 PM (FZ29D)

LOL, that was my first thought!

Posted by: Tom Servo at September 05, 2026 09:04 PM (o+l2a)

164 I recently watched Frank Sinatra in Tony Rome and The Lady in Cement (with Raquel Welch)
Tony Rome was more of a procedural, and Lady in Cement was more of a sun-drenched Noir film. I think both were filmed back to back in Miami since a lot of the B roll and generic location shots were much the same.
Raquel Welch was always a bit wooden as an actress, but she did look good in a pair of slacks.

Posted by: Kindltot at September 05, 2026 09:05 PM (rbvCR)

165 162 The best shot in The Searchers is while Festus and Martin are fighting over the girl, and the camera cuts to the girl watching the boys fight over her.

Vera Miles. The Hitchcock blonde that never was.

I like how ALL the women are into it. Much like they were into the letter--maybe one or two a year--to provide entertainment.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 09:06 PM (K40fF)

166 Made the mistake of watching the first Terrifier, just to see what the fuss was about. The guy who did the clown was creepy enough, but the flick as a whole struck me as a mindless gore-fest. And jeez, they made sequels?

Nope. Don't need 'em.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 09:06 PM (q3u5l)

167 -
I assume you are talking about 'dramas' because, without realizing it, avoided those of that time frame. Westerns, SciFi, and action flicks, on the other hand, I've watched a ton of those from that era.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 05, 2026 08:45 PM (S8cdb)
-
Not arguing, there are movies from that era, from every genre, that are great. However there are so many movies in that general timeline that seem to want you to kill everyone including yourself. And, I believe that might have been intentional, at least on someone's part.

Posted by: irright at September 05, 2026 09:08 PM (dPpD4)

168 Raquel Welch was always a bit wooden as an actress, but she did look good in a pair of slacks.

Posted by: Kindltot
---

and not dumb or illiterate

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 05, 2026 09:08 PM (RBKzD)

169 157 His "older sister" was in fact his real mother. The family hid all that because it was kind of a big deal in the late '30s and '40s.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books)

That same situation happened to a high school buddy of mine. I think he learned the truth our senior year.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at September 05, 2026 08:41 PM (l26NL)

Eric Clapton.
Posted by: davidt at September 05, 2026 08:59 PM (Q+gd/)

Disney Channel's 'Andi Mack' was based on that. Thirteen year old Andi found out her older sister was really her mother. The woman that played the older sister was hot.

It was also the series with the Disney Channels first openly gay character although the word 'gay' wasn't even used until the second season. It pretty much killed the channel.

Conservatives bailed since Disney was no longer safe, gays sucked it dry and moved on. The guy that played Andi's Dad was busted trying to pick up teenage girls on the internet. Disney+ killed all of his episodes.

A very talented cast though. But for DisneyChannel, the start of the end.

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 09:08 PM (Sco7b)

170 >>In fairness to the Comanches, the Apaches gave up the land willingly. They were tired of getting killed.

Indians weren't remotely close to the first humans to occupy north america. The whole land acknowledgement thing is dumber than dudes in dresses.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 05, 2026 09:10 PM (viF8m)

171
Reading the book isn't that much better.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 05, 2026 08:54 PM (FZ29D)

LOL, that was my first thought!
Posted by: Tom Servo

The prologue helps.

https://youtu.be/adV3BbO1Si4

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 05, 2026 09:10 PM (Cqx++)

172 I better get to bed
Have a good night everyone

Posted by: Skip at September 05, 2026 09:15 PM (Ia/+0)

173 >>Indians weren't remotely close to the first humans to occupy north america. The whole land acknowledgement thing is dumber than dudes in dresses.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 05, 2026 09:10 PM

I live in the part of Texas where the Comanches killed bison and rode through to steal from settlers in the Hill Country.

Posted by: huerfano at September 05, 2026 09:15 PM (2Xqig)

174 And jeez, they made sequels?

Posted by: Just Some Guy

And the sequels are even better! Moar please.

But yeah, if you don't like slashers they may not be for you.

Posted by: She Hobbit at September 05, 2026 09:16 PM (ftFVW)

175 G'night, Skip!

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 09:16 PM (K40fF)

176 Why does Obi-Wan call Darth Vader 'Darth' when he confronts him on the Death Star? He knows it's Annakin, and we know there are many Darths (Maul, Sidious, et al). He knows that too. You wouldn't say, "You can't win, Darth." You'd say, "You can't win, Harold." If you were addressing Sir Paul McCartney, you'd say Sir Paul or Sir McCartney maybe, not Sir like his name is Sir McCartney.

Posted by: Lex at September 05, 2026 09:18 PM (y4H1r)

177 -
The counter-culture stuff can get bent. There is some good sci-fi though this is in spite of its nihilistic preachiness. (Not only does today suck, tomorrow will suck, too!) It's no coincidence "Star Wars" was a big hit.

It permeates so much of what came out during that time period, I am wary.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 09:02 PM
-
Agreed. No good guys, no better days, no hope.
Whoever invented this bullshit, (as my dad used to say, talking about mechanical parts that are impossible to get to, to work on, to fix, needs it jammed right up their ass)

Posted by: irright at September 05, 2026 09:18 PM (dPpD4)

178 Just Some Guy--

The "Terrifier" flicks are not for everyone. They are absolutely gore-fests. I am not a gore guy, but I found "Terrifier 2" transcendent.

https://moviegique.com/reviews/terrifier-2/

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 09:20 PM (K40fF)

179 My reading of our films and television is that they very much whitewashed how savage and feral the Indians were. I am reading Empire of the Summer Moon now and it has made me realize how civilized behavior is something we owe mainly to Christianity because there is nothing we would recognize in these Stone Age cultures as a distinction between right and wrong. There is only what can be done with the strength of one's limbs, and what can be taken with daring and violence. Right and wrong to the extent they exist at all come in the form of possible or desirable vs. impossible and undesirable.

The Invite is very, very off-putting at first but I was surprised to see it paid off in the end. There was an artistic choice made to heighten the anxiety and combativeness that the characters feel by having a soundtrack that is basically a frantic cello at the first of the movie. I understand what they were doing, but it was abusive of the audience and could have been better achieved otherwise. But overall I thought it was worth watching if you hang in. I am sad to report though that Penelope Cruz is not nude in it.

Posted by: Thatch at September 05, 2026 09:20 PM (S6YCM)

180 She Hobbit -

Think I get a tad more squeamish as I get older (75's in the rear view mirror and receding faster every freakin' day), so a lot of post 70s/80s horror ain't for me. Sad, though; I grew up on sf/horror movies, and they're just not as much fun any more.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 09:21 PM (q3u5l)

181 >>I live in the part of Texas where the Comanches killed bison and rode through to steal from settlers in the Hill Country.

I live in the part of New England were indian attacks almost caused the entire American colonies to fail.

King Phillip's War was a pretty big deal and almost nobody knows about it. Someone should make a movie about it.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 05, 2026 09:21 PM (viF8m)

182 Aw, crap, Lex has found an inconsistency in "Star Wars".

That's it, boys, shut 'er down.

Oh, wait, Kathleen Kennedy beat us to it.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 09:21 PM (K40fF)

183 174 And jeez, they made sequels?

Posted by: Just Some Guy

And the sequels are even better! Moar please.

But yeah, if you don't like slashers they may not be for you.
Posted by: She Hobbit at September 05, 2026 09:16 PM (ftFVW)

Lauren Lavera was apparently late 20's filming the main high school character.

EVERY time I watch, the first 20 minutes, I'm captivated by her breasts.

I follow Little Pale Girl on Instagram. Amelie McClain. Very sweet. She's about 15 or 16. Goes to a lot of conventions. She posts a lot of photos of pictures with people with her tattooed on their body.

I asked her if that was weird. She said she loved it.

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 09:22 PM (Sco7b)

184 Thatch, I'll take that into consideration. The "sex comedy" genre is for me, generally, a no-go.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 09:24 PM (K40fF)

185 I went on a Western binge about ten to fifteen years ago. I probably saw The Searchers back then, but it didn't leave a huge impression on me. Alas, most of them didn't leave much of an impression. Except for The Unforgiven, which I kind of hated. Which makes sense, I hate deconstruction in other genres I like, it stands to reason I would hate it here, too... Anyways, too few of the movies I watched lived up to the hype, so my interest kinda faded.

I still like Rio Bravo and Pale Rider, though.

Posted by: Castle Guy at September 05, 2026 09:25 PM (3v7ra)

186 Warhammer has new game video out. Visuals are amazing but any concept of a coherent story is toast.

Posted by: Accomack at September 05, 2026 09:26 PM (kI9W2)

187 Terrifier 2 is excellent. Smart boy and his heroic older sister battle evil. Great costume.

Terrifier 3 was just a gore fest with no redeeming story IMO. I did laff at Arty making snow angels in his victim's blood and guts, because I'm a bad person.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 09:27 PM (kpS4V)

188 My great grandfather bought our family property on Vashon Island from the Salish Indians.

Waterfront. Tide rites. $50

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 05, 2026 09:27 PM (1DWAs)

189 John Ford made "Donovan's Reef." An Elvis movie without Elvis.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at September 05, 2026 09:28 PM (CHHv1)

190 The "sex comedy" genre is for me, generally, a no-go.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 09:24 PM (K40fF)
---/

Even "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy"?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 09:28 PM (kpS4V)

191 178 Just Some Guy--

The "Terrifier" flicks are not for everyone. They are absolutely gore-fests. I am not a gore guy, but I found "Terrifier 2" transcendent.

https://moviegique.com/reviews/terrifier-2/
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 09:20 PM (K40fF)

Thank you. I enjoyed that review. And Pale Girl was there. She is really sweet. I hope she gets more work.

The third movie was still good but slightly lost the edge, no pale girl. but still 9.5. I can't wait until 4.

Kids comedies and gore fests. BUT so many of the kids end up in scary movies and I had a crappy few years. Synbiotic.

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 09:30 PM (Sco7b)

192 Since I rarely watch modern movies (or tv, or whatever) that isn't very genre or niche, I've been largely sheltered from The Message (tm). Which is great! Except, that means that when I do actually encounter it, it hits me square in the face, and ruins any interest/respect I have for what I'm watching.

I was watching RiffTrax mock a vanity project (Inspector Mom) which had several amusing installments...until I hit one episode which had our main character pleads with another character (or rather, whines and nags at a character) about feminine comradery and being an 'ally.' Ug. It's hard to imagine people speaking like that and actually being earnest about it. The general mockery of the episode did not make it hurt any less, so I don't think I'll ever watch that installment again...

Posted by: Castle Guy at September 05, 2026 09:31 PM (3v7ra)

193 187 Terrifier 2 is excellent.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 09:27 PM (kpS4V)

And the breasts?
Or was it just me?

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 09:32 PM (Sco7b)

194 No matter how this ends, Western Michigan is giving Michigan a hell of a fight.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 05, 2026 09:33 PM (viF8m)

195 >>I live in the part of New England were indian attacks almost caused the entire American colonies to fail.

King Phillip's War was a pretty big deal and almost nobody knows about it. Someone should make a movie about it.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 05, 2026 09:21 PM

That may be why my ancestors left NE and headed south to Virginia and then Ohio. Do you have a book recommendation?

Posted by: huerfano at September 05, 2026 09:33 PM (2Xqig)

196 > Even "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy"?

Woody Allen is the ur-no-go for me. "Take The Money And Run" may have formed my earliest opinion about the subject.

> And the breasts?

Lauren LaVera did not pop her top in "Terrifier 2" and she (incredibly) took flak for it. I think it wouldn't work, myself, because she's supposed to be angelic.

She filled out her costume magnificently. Good enough.

I felt like "Terrifier 3" backed away from the story, and I don't like that it seems to have a case of "kill everyone from the previous plotline". That's boring.

Better than 1, nowhere near as good as 2.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 09:36 PM (K40fF)

197 37 Lonesome Dove
Street of Larado
Comanche Moon

cannot remember the 4th book but Gus and Call fought the Injuns in Comanche
Posted by: r hennigantx at September 05, 2026 07:53 PM (/+uur)

Dead Man’s Walk, where Call & McCrae meet, join the Rangers, go to war in the Santa Fe Expedition,, get captured, and are forced to walk through the desert Jornada del Muerto (Dead Man's Walk) to El Paso, barely surviving.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 05, 2026 09:37 PM (6ydKt)

198 186 Warhammer has new game video out. Visuals are amazing but any concept of a coherent story is toast.
Posted by: Accomack at September 05, 2026 09:26 PM (kI9W2)

To be fair, the story of Warhammer is a bit insane anyway.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 05, 2026 09:37 PM (Y/06r)

199 Dead Man’s Walk, where Call & McCrae meet, join the Rangers, go to war in the Santa Fe Expedition,, get captured, and are forced to walk through the desert Jornada del Muerto (Dead Man's Walk) to El Paso, barely surviving.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 05, 2026 09:37 PM (6ydKt)

Best part is that story , except for the named characters, is mostly true.

Posted by: Tom Servo at September 05, 2026 09:38 PM (o+l2a)

200 My great grandfather bought our family property on Vashon Island from the Salish Indians.

Waterfront. Tide rites. $50
Posted by: nurse ratched at September 05, 2026 09:27 PM (1DWAs)

My grandmother sold the combined donation land claims that came down through my grandfather's family.
Its gone. Life goes on.

Posted by: Kindltot at September 05, 2026 09:40 PM (rbvCR)

201 Rifftrax is roasting "Sting of Death" on Wednesday 9 September.

"A deformed man working for a marine biologist takes revenge on the people that mock him by experimenting with a deadly jellyfish."

See you there!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 09:40 PM (kpS4V)

202 I did laff at Arty making snow angels in his victim's blood and guts, because I'm a bad person.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes

*high five*

Posted by: She Hobbit at September 05, 2026 09:40 PM (ftFVW)

203 "Sting of Death" is the only good film that William Grefe made, ever. Trust me, I have the box set.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at September 05, 2026 09:41 PM (CHHv1)

204 That Amazon 'Hail Mary' video.

Movies where people have to spend half of it learning to communicate - ughh. I'm not a movie person. Maybe others like it.

Star Trek- TNG - Darmok but longer.

Ariana Greenblatt was in '65' with Adam Driver. I never saw it. Girl was in 'Barbie' at the same time and played Young Gamora. But in '65', apparently most of the movie was spent with them trying to communicate.

And there were dinosaurs about. But no...let's talk.

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 09:43 PM (Sco7b)

205 Cat fight on ABC!! Clemson vs LSU. Hope Clemson wins. Nothing against LSU but Lane Kiffen is a sleazeball.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 05, 2026 09:44 PM (S8cdb)

206 The third movie was still good but slightly lost the edge, no pale girl. but still 9.5. I can't wait until 4.

Posted by: Stateless

I liked how 3 was setting up for something possibly new and interesting (or deeper in a lore way) in 4. Looking forward to it.

Posted by: She Hobbit at September 05, 2026 09:44 PM (ftFVW)

207 I like Last of the Mohicans cause it's a really good movie but it also shows how incredibly vicious indians around here were. Not all, some were helpful and allies, but many of them were sadistic fucks.
Posted by: JackStraw

I like it for the fact it's not sugar-coated. I like Apocalypto in the same way.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at September 05, 2026 09:45 PM (5shF5)

208 >>That may be why my ancestors left NE and headed south to Virginia and then Ohio. Do you have a book recommendation?

I don't know if this is the best book on the topic but it's pretty good.

King Philip's War: The History and Legacy of America's Forgotten Conflict

Heck, if you are really interested come visit and I'll show you around. The site of the Great Swamp Fight is about 15 minutes away. I live on Narragansett Bay, named for dominant tribe who ruled this region, on an island named for the indian chief who gave the place, no beads involved, to the settlers. That's a whole different story.

New England has fallen a great deal from what it used to be but the only reason this country exists is because some tough SOBs fought for it. It wasn't given to us.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 05, 2026 09:47 PM (viF8m)

209 I like "Project Hail Mary." Admittedly it was too long by about an hour, but Rocky was very cool. Very helpful and enthusiastic, too.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at September 05, 2026 09:47 PM (CHHv1)

210 182...I never wondered that before but was flipping channels and came upon the light saber fight and it only now occurred to me. It's not about inconsistencies and Kathleen Kennedy. It's more about Lucas and how a lot of what he did was not as well thought out as we are meant to believe. It's never going to lose its spot in the history of film but was that Lucas's thought at the time? That Darth Vader was named Darth Vader the same way you would name someone John Smith?

181...I'm working on a novel about my hometown in New England, and there is a section devoted entirely to King Philip's War. If the novel ever gets published maybe then it will become a movie....

Posted by: Lex at September 05, 2026 09:48 PM (y4H1r)

211 (scratches head)

I don't think I've ever seen The Searchers. Maybe I oughta find a way to watch it.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 05, 2026 09:48 PM (1Ff7Z)

212 201 Rifftrax is roasting "Sting of Death" on Wednesday 9 September.

"A deformed man working for a marine biologist takes revenge on the people that mock him by experimenting with a deadly jellyfish."

See you there!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 09:40 PM (kpS4V)

I live in a place that considers itself high-brow and artsy (even if very touristy) but, alas, our local theater doesn't do Fathom Events. So I'd have to drive a couple hundred miles to see the "Sting of Death" in a theater....But I will be getting the blu-ray, once it (and the other three episodes) are released.

Posted by: Castle Guy at September 05, 2026 09:48 PM (3v7ra)

213 Western Michigan is giving Michigan all it can handle.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at September 05, 2026 09:48 PM (5shF5)

214 Plus, Last of the Mohicans may have one of the best earworm soundtracks of the 90s.

Actually, I will say it is the best:

https://youtu.be/YJ7nxXZnL6w

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 05, 2026 09:49 PM (Y/06r)

215 So I finally saw "Obsession". I'd say it's a so-so movie but the lead gal is excellent in it.

i do like being shocked by batshit jump scares.

Of the indie horror hits this summer, I much prefer "Backrooms". Two great performances. She was ready to leave her trauma behind and he wasn't.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 09:50 PM (kpS4V)

216 "... the Ethan character is clearly a racist. A confederate soldier and good old boy."

One detail I noticed on my last viewing: In the final attack on the Comanche village, Ethan pursues Scar into a teepee and, presumably, kills him. In the next shot, Ethan is emerging from the teepee with a human scalp in his hand - the implication being that he scalped Scar after killing him. Call that racist, if you like, or simply one of those things that men did to each other in those days, it certainly shows Ethan's brutal side.

Posted by: Nemo at September 05, 2026 09:50 PM (4RPgu)

217 Best part is that story , except for the named characters, is mostly true.
Posted by: Tom Servo at September 05, 2026 09:38 PM (o+l2a)

There is a three part TV mini-series based on the book. The actors who played Call & McRae did a great job imitating a younger version of Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duval playing the characters.
I enjoyed it.

Comanche Moon’s TV version has Keith Urban as Call and he, and the other actor playing McCrae, do a decent job with the character’s too.

James Garner plays Call in Streets of Laredo, which was set after McRae had died, and while the story isn’t the greatest, Garner did a decent job with what he had to work with.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 05, 2026 09:50 PM (6ydKt)

218
"Sting of Death" is the only good film that William Grefe made, ever. Trust me, I have the box set.
Posted by: BeckoningChasm

What about The Wild Rebels?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 05, 2026 09:51 PM (Cqx++)

219 One detail I noticed on my last viewing: In the final attack on the Comanche village, Ethan pursues Scar into a teepee and, presumably, kills him. In the next shot, Ethan is emerging from the teepee with a human scalp in his hand - the implication being that he scalped Scar after killing him. Call that racist, if you like, or simply one of those things that men did to each other in those days, it certainly shows Ethan's brutal side.
Posted by: Nemo at September 05, 2026 09:50 PM (4RPgu)

It actually is not racist, in a way. He is defeating the enemy and humiliating him in the enemy's way.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 05, 2026 09:52 PM (Y/06r)

220 Actually, I think Ethan finds Scar dead--and then scalps him. It surprised me on this viewing.

"The Searchers" is playing theaters now! 70th anniversary.

I will be flying on Wednesday and Sunday to BasedCon, so this will be the first Rifftrax in the theater I've missed in over a decade!

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 09:52 PM (K40fF)

221 >> I like "Project Hail Mary." Admittedly it was too long by about an hour, but Rocky was very cool. Very helpful and enthusiastic, too.

Watched it the other week on my flight to LA which was also too long. I liked it too. Way too long but entertaining.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 05, 2026 09:53 PM (viF8m)

222 Does Movie Vault Search for John Wayne, 3 results.

Must remedy that.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at September 05, 2026 09:53 PM (XV/Pl)

223 OrangeEnt -

If you use Amazon Prime Video, The Searchers is available to rent streaming.

On on that happy note, this kid's outta here for the evening.

Thanks for the thread, moviegique.
Have a good one, gang.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 05, 2026 09:54 PM (q3u5l)

224 222 Does Movie Vault Search for John Wayne, 3 results.

Must remedy that.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at September 05, 2026 09:53 PM (XV/Pl)

Hmmm, I have a lot more. Favorites:

Rio Bravo
Quiet Man
High and the Mighty

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 05, 2026 09:54 PM (Y/06r)

225 209 I like "Project Hail Mary." Admittedly it was too long by about an hour, but Rocky was very cool. Very helpful and enthusiastic, too.
Posted by: BeckoningChasm at September 05, 2026 09:47 PM (CHHv1)

I have it on here while I'm working but it does look cool. I have hit the Rocky parts.

I believe you have a cat. My friends' cat Snowflake is in here with the dog and I now. Upstairs in my bedroom probably sleeping. Sweetest outdoor cat and I'm really not a cat person. But she comes in and sleeps with Ralphy and I until about 4 am when I put her out.

In the same room. Not a Democratic 'sleeps with' three species thing.

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 09:55 PM (Sco7b)

226 Cat fight on ABC!! Clemson vs LSU. Hope Clemson wins. Nothing against LSU but Lane Kiffen is a sleazeball.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at September 05, 2026 09:44 PM (S8cdb)

No...Lane is not a sleazeball. Lane is the new face of college football. It's not 1958 anymore. Money talks and BS walks. All will bow to the mighty dollar. Nick Saban smiles from his waterfront condos in Destin.

Posted by: Sonny Drysdale at September 05, 2026 09:56 PM (HFAps)

227 >>No...Lane is not a sleazeball.

Yea, he is. Always has been.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 05, 2026 09:57 PM (viF8m)

228 Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 09:52 PM (K40fF)

Thank you for the thread.
And I enjoyed your posted reviews!!

Lauren in 'Terrifier 2' had her 32nd birthday a little while ago so she was about 26 -28 when they filmed it. Good for her for looking fantastic.

Posted by: She Hobbit at September 05, 2026 09:44 PM (ftFVW)

Lauren posted that Leone is still writing the script. Amelie is at all these horror fest so I think Pale Girl will be there.

Everyone have a good night.

Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at September 05, 2026 09:59 PM (Sco7b)

229 Thanks for another fine thread, 'Gique! Enjoy BasedCon.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 05, 2026 10:00 PM (kpS4V)

230 @224

>>Hmmm, I have a lot more. Favorites:

Ok, I now have 8 John Wayne films.

That's about the right number, it covers the essentials.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at September 05, 2026 10:01 PM (XV/Pl)

231 The Searchers is my second favorite Wayne western.

El Dorado is my favorite.
It’s such a complete film in a small package.
Wayne said it was an answer to High Noon’s communist cowardice, whereas in El Dorado friends help friends defend the town.

I like all if Wayne’s westerns, and a lot of his other films, but those two are top of the list.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 05, 2026 10:03 PM (6ydKt)

232 Bruce Dern asking the Cow boys not to cut the bridle

Posted by: r hennigantx at September 05, 2026 10:03 PM (/+uur)

233 Home from a victorious game Now i want to watch this western!

Posted by: LASue at September 05, 2026 10:03 PM (lCppi)

234 Kiffin is good, but total sleaze.

Posted by: Accomack at September 05, 2026 10:04 PM (8jVAy)

235 No...Lane is not a sleazeball. Lane is the new face of college football. It's not 1958 anymore. Money talks and BS walks. All will bow to the mighty dollar. Nick Saban smiles from his waterfront condos in Destin.
Posted by: Sonny Drysdale

College football has lost much of its luster for me. Do we really need two professional leagues?

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at September 05, 2026 10:05 PM (l26NL)

236 ONT is up and running.

Posted by: LRob in OK at September 05, 2026 10:08 PM (Jr+re)

237 Thanks for coming by, folks! See you on the 26th!

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 05, 2026 10:12 PM (K40fF)

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