anja

I hate westerns. The cowboys and indians thing is played out and racist, the heros are sexist, and the plots are predictable. That said, the westerns that I've enjoyed are always exceptionally good and pull rank to other genres of film. Here are my favorite westerns:

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - alright, so some say this isn't a western. It's too likable and lacks darkness. When I read Lisa Schwarzbaum's essay in The X List about her teenage sexual awakening watching this film, I figured it was worth seeing. It's far from racy, but Paul Newman's blues are worth the watch. Who are those guys?

Unforgiven - a reinvention of the genre. The heroes here aren't all they're cracked up to be, and in a way, this is a movie about alcoholism.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Obvious, right? Initially, no. I actually refused to see this movie. Mikee watched it, and I had my back to it while working on the computer. Just the music was compelling enough to lure me to the couch within the opening title sequence. I cursed myself, and loved it all the way through. Once Upon a Time in the West is pretty good too, but I think Leone sorta got all caught up in himself making it - it looks a little like he's jerking for the camera.

The Wild Bunch - This one is really racist, and really sexist. It's also amazingly violent, but it's very powerful to watch. It's been a while since I've seen it, but I think it might genuinely be the first western I liked

American Astronaut - OK, this one really isn't a western. It's a space western musical. But damn is it entertaining. Made extremely cheaply, I think it is quite an exercise in creativity.

High Noon - this one barely makes it onto the list. The truth is that I really like the premise. Gary Cooper is a marshall trying to rally a posse for a showdown with a gang of outlaws. He can't seem to get anyone's interest and it looks like he might have to stand up to them alone. It's in real time!