The Magnificent Seven

FilmTitle: The Magnificent Seven
Year: 1960
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Length: 128 minutes
Film Genre: Western / Adventure / Drama
Director: John Sturges
Producer: Walter Mirisch
Writers: Williams Roberts (Seven Samurai: Akira Kurosawa)
Players:
Yul Brynner as Chris Adams
Eli Wallach as Clavera
Steve McQueen as Vin
Charles Bronson as Bernardo O'Reilly
Robert Vaughn as Lee
James Coburn as Britt
Plot: A small Mexican village is oppressed by the ruthless bandito Calvera. Fearing the worst the villagers hire seven gunfighters to defend them.
Acting: Some pretty good acting out of some of the most famously rugged men in film history. The actors do a good job of mastering the mannerisms of the characters they are modeled after (Seven Samurai). The actors really add so much to this film, creating characters that you really like and can't wait to see how the movie plays out.
Cinematography Good camera work, the angles and action sequences are well done.
Visual: The set pieces are great and the villages have a classic western feel
Audio: Nothing special
When I watched it last: Last weekend
What to watch for: Good acting, a good story (a western remake of Seven Samurai). some really funny comedic moments
What to watch out for:
IMDB Rating: 7.8 out of 10
Roger Ebert Rating: no review available
The Cinema Standard Overall Score: 8.1 out of 10. A great remake of Seven Samurai set in the West, full of action, adventure and comedy. If you liked Seven Samurai and like westerns this movie is for you. "What's my name?" "Bernardo" "Dang right!"
--Reviewed by Jason

The Outlaw Josey Wales

Film Title: The Outlaw Josey Wales
Year: 1976
MPAA Rating: R
Length: 135 min
Film Genre: Western/Drama
Director: Clint Eastwood
Producer: Robert Daley
Writers: Forrest Carter
Players:
Clint Eastwood as Josey Wales
Sondra Locke as Laura Lee
Chief Dan George as Lone Watie
Plot: After the murder of his family, Josey Wales decides to take the fight to the men that killed them.
Acting: Clint Eastwood is simply amazing in this film, in my humble opinion this and Unforgiven are his best work. Chief Dan George is hillarious as his Cherokee companion.
Cinematography The emphasis of certain things really stands out (Wales spitting and his gun movements). Nothing really special about the directing, Eastwood is just a good director.
Visual: It's a western. No over the top camera work, no special effects just straight forward camera work.
Audio: Again it is a Western. The audio is good, the gunfire sounds good and all the dialogue is clear and clean.
When I watched it last: 1 day prior to the review
What to watch for: Eastwood and his amazing performance. The evolution of Josey Wales from man with nothing to lose to man that has everything to fight for.
What to watch out for: Brief Nudity and moments of Strong Sexual content
IMDB Rating: 7.7 out of 10
Roger Ebert Rating: 3 out 4 stars
The Cinema Standard Overall Score: 8.5 out of 10. This is an amazing western.
--Reviewed by Jason