Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was adapted into an Emmy-winning mini-series. The epic novel was broken up into four parts, with the first part debuting on 5 February, 1989. It was adapted by William D. Wittliff, and the opening feature-length episode was directed by Simon Wincer. I remember the ads for this on television, and…
Tag: sheriff
Lonesome Dove (1985) – Larry McMurtry
According to USA Today, if I only read one western in my life, it should be Lonesome Dove. I’ve enjoyed western films, and now thanks to the spreading Taylor Sheridan universe, I thought I may dip into it. Clocking in at 858 pages, the 40th anniversary edition is introduced by Sheridan, and I saddled up…
Smallville (2006) – Lockdown, and Reckoning
There’s more trouble afoot in Smallville when a deranged police officer, Flynn (Kevin Daniels), breaks into the Luthor Mansion demanding to know where the spaceship is that came down in the meteor shower. Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) uses his panic room to stay safe. Written by Steven S. DeKnight this episode was first broadcast on 19…
The Mighty Quinn (1989) – Carl Schenkel
I don’t think The Mighty Quinn ever found the right tone. They don’t quite get the island life vibe right. A film that is supposed to be a mystery, thriller and comedy has to walk a fine line, and it never seems to be able to do that. It’s no fault of the cast, Denzel…
Smallville (2003) – Visitor, and Precipice
Visitor was written by Philip Levens and it debuted on 15 April, 2003. There’s a strange young man, Cyrus (Jer Adrianne Lelliott) at Smallville High, and Clark (Tom Welling) begins to believe he may be a fellow Kryptonian. When he elicits some abilities, and confides in Clark that he believes he is an alien, that…
White Lightning (1973) – Joseph Sargent
Burt Reynolds stars as Gator McClusky, who feels like he may be a more rough and tumble relative of the Bandit. And speaking of Smokey & the Bandit, Hal Needham, who went on to direct that classic film, served as the second unit director on this film. Gator is in prison, and he’s a model…
They Call Me Trinity (1970) – Enzo Barboni
They Call Me Trinity is a spaghetti western that riffs slightly on the classic Seven Samurai story, but is filled with lots of comedic moments, and is led by a pair of charming actors, Terrence Hill and Bud Spencer. It gently pokes fun at the tropes of the genre, plays to them, and enjoys them,…
Raw Deal (1986) – John Irvin
I knew not all of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s early work were going to be winners. And there was a reason I never wanted to take a chance on Raw Deal. From everything I’d seen, trailer and image wide it looked pretty horrible. Surprise, surprise I was right. It has a horrible soundtrack and score, and the…
Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969) – Burt Kennedy
James Garner is at his charming best in Support Your Local Sheriff! Jason (Garner) rides into a small gold rush town, which we see spring up through the opening credits after Prudy (Joan Hackett) and her father, Olly Perkins (Harry Morgan) discover gold partway through a funeral – and that should tell you all you…
Mississippi Burning (1988) – Alan Parker
Mississippi Burning was relevant when it was made in the late 80s (it was relevant when I watched it nine years ago and wrote about it then), and sadly, here in 2024, it’s still relevant, because racism still seems to be way too rampant. The Oscar-winning film (Cinematography) has a stellar cast and is based…
The Mind Reels 