canuckteach

Cut the bad language and this would be a model neo-western for all age groups. The 3 leads, esp. Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges, are excellent. However, the supporting cast (tellers, diner waitresses or patrons, other police) are stunningly lifelike also.

The story revolves around 2 brothers robbing small branches of banks in sequence for 'loose cash'-not the big bundles which could be marked and traced, or 'booby-trapped' with dye. Jeff Bridges plays a Texas Ranger, soon to retire, who is tasked with chasing down the elusive pair.

It's interesting to research the RANGERS: they have jurisdiction in all 254 counties in Texas, and serve as a resource to local law-enforcement. So, the role of Bridges and his young partner, is shown with fidelity. Bridges, in fact, accurately divines which small town will be the target for (what turns out to be) the final heist.

The movie PRODUCTION CODE (1934-64) dictated that all bad guys had to suffer for their crimes-a 'vanilla' approach that led later to the grittier 'film noir' era. This film is an example of sort of a modern noir: not all the bad guys are rounded up by the end (contrary to the old Code). Refreshing! In fact, Bridges may yet get his man, but the final credits are running. 8/10 bad language (I could shoot this film without it-still be in the '1001 films to see before you die'!)

What if a pool of 'gifted' thinkers could 'foresee' serious crimes and tip the police? Arrests could be made, people locked up, no one gets hurt! Tom Cruise runs just such a crime-fighting crew and the 'murder' has fallen to near zero. Makes sense-and video replay is available to verify the facts.

Until, of course, Tom himself is indicted in a felony, with 'unmistakeable' evidence against him. He manages to get free to prove his innocence, but evading detection is tough! The authorities have spider-like devices that can creep into a building and check everyone's i.d. By retina scan. Creepy! Can Tom escape by having a double-retina transplant? (remember: in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is King!)

Finally, Tom goes on the run with one of the gifted thinkers. This enables him to evade detection, of course for a while, but she also knows different things that might be going on with various people in the crowd. She stops one hapless female and blurts out, 'he knows- don't go home.' I have never seen anything like the 2 scenes I have described here, and ORIGINALITY counts big with me. After all, every ploy has been done before in film-making, right? Well, it ain't necessarily so. 9/10.

What a cast! With Jeff Daniels as a philosophic but demented gang leader/preacher, Griffin (reminded me of Calvella in MAGNIFICENT SEVEN) and Michelle Dockery (British, of all people for a Western series-she of DOWNTON ABBEY fame!), the cast is epic! Terrific sets and costumes, along with terrific storyline and dialogue, this series is a feast! I stumbled on to it looking for a different series entirely!

As the nature of the small towns unfolds, and we meet the assorted villains, the plot slowly becomes clearer: 1) Griffin & Gang are chasing runaway protegé, Roy Goode (played by Alan Ladd cutout [short, handsome, eminently talented with firearms] Jack O'Connell).. determined to avenge his betrayal of the gang 2) there exists a mining town where a cave-in occurred and killed most of the menfolk in one swoop, leaving the ladies to fend for themselves, with only 2 untalented fellas to serve as Sherrif & deputy.

What happens if #1 rides into #2? I am in Episode 4 and I don't know yet. The buildup has been compelling.

Here's an interesting contrast between these neo-western series (this, and Hell On WHEELS at PRIME) and traditional western movies made decades ago: the people and the streets are muddy, dirty and disgusting! In fact, the characters are so unkempt, it's hard to believe there are actors willing to play the roles! There's a few ladies who are neatly attired and pretty, but everything else is strictly barnyard. It really is like jumping in a time-machine and zooming back to watch it live. My congratulations to the Director, crew and actors.

Btw: not much bad language or skin (phew! Who wants to see it on any of these beasts?) One masculine chubby woman finds an unlikely girlfriend. Just sayin so you're not surprised!

Going to up my score to 10/10.. well done, Netflix!