Favorite Westerns, No. 19


Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. 

Captain Joseph J. Blocker: Don't look back, my friend. Go in a good way. A part of me dies with you.

Hostiles (2017)
Starring: Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Wes Studi, Jesse Plemons, and Rory Cochrane
Director: Scott Cooper
About: Last week I looked at a western involving soldiers and Native Americans. This week, we get another film that touches on the same subjects. But this has a completely different tone. Bale stars as a Captain who is bitter after years of brutal war with Native Americans. For his final assignment, he's tasked with escorting an infamous war chief (Studi) back to his home. It's an assignment that doesn't sit well with him. And yet, in an unexpected journey, he finds some healing and a new purpose. This is a beautiful and layered performance from Bale. Pike and Studi are also good, and the supporting cast here is excellent. This is at times a brutal film and it's a darker story. And yet, I love the way it's crafted by Cooper. This isn't an easy watch but it's a rewarding finished product.

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