Hackman rocks. One of my favourite actors of all time!

That's an excellent still of Pitt as Jesse James, IMO. It conveys a really nice vibe.

You know, half the movies made in the United States from 1910 to 1970 were westerns. In film school they used the western to illustrate the stages that a genre goes through in its life because the Western effectively died in the 1970's and you can look at the complete arc of its development. For a "dead genre" there are still occasionally excellent examples being made.

I really enjoyed Open Range. You've got some good ones in your list. I particularly enjoyed Wyatt Earp, though a lot of people think it was too long and rambling. I love the way Kasdan develops characters, though, and don't think it was too long at all.

There are a lot of staple westerns that everyone defers to like Red River or Shane or The Searchers or The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Those are all excellent movies (particularly The Searchers, IMO), but I have a real soft spot for Peckinpah's westerns. It's probably because I was a kid when they were coming out, but The Wild Bunch, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Ride the High Country and The Ballad of Cable Hogue are all films that I can sit down and watch any time, even if I've recently seen them. Peckinpah had a great way of introducing older actors playing people who have a history and really drawing you into their relationships. Eastwood did that nicely with Unforgiven, as well.

I've got my fingers crossed. I really hope Pitt and co. deliver a memorable western. Even if the genre is dead. ;-)

Brad, I think the titles youve mentioned particularly "Young Guns" are what Western afficionados call "Designer Westerns", and not really the truest form of the genré. I have yet to see it yet but I was told that another recent good Western film is Kevin Costner's "Open Range" in 2003. His "Dances with Wolves" in the 90's winning most of the major Academy Awards was also brilliant.

If aany of you guys really want a good Western movie, watch Clint Eastwood's "The Outlaw Josey Wales". And if you get the chance, take a look at the Western films made by either John Ford or Sergio Leone.

I never used to like Western films, now I can tolerate them. ;-)

You are so right on with "The Outlaw Josey Wales" but I was leaning towards some of the westerns of my time. I love the classic ones, and they have set the standards for look and feel.

Dont worry Brad, I think were of the same age, (like late 20's?) LOL so really Western films arent really my type of movie either, glad you did like Outlaw Josey Wales.

I agree about Open Range. I had forsaken Costner. Don't know why just something about him. So I shunned Range but a coworker recomended it and I am very pleased he did. It is high on my list of westerns. Almost top but Tombstone is #1 for me and it will be very hard to beat. Another western I watched the other night on tv that I have always enjoyed is Silverado. Costner at his finest and some other actors who people would never believe in a western. Kevin Kline and John Cleese. Thats right John Cleese in a western and they are all good in it. The story is simple and a little too easy Good vs Bad but it is fun to watch.

There's a screenplay making the rounds in H'wood called LOGANSPORT about the real story of a 1913 flood that wiped out 3 midwestern states. There's an old outlaw character that claims he's Jessie James (also based on a real "imposter"). A group of young boys from a local military academy saves thousands of people from the flood. The script deals with the sociological changes that the US was experiencing and the disappearing last vestiges of the old West.

JUST READ WHERE BRAD PITT GOT A TATTOO ON THE INSIDE OF HIS RIGHT THIGH ALONG WITH A JOLIE..SNAKES ENTWINED..TO CONFIRM THEIR LOVE..YEA RIGHT??HOW LONG BEFORE IT HAS TO BE LASERED OFF????DO NOT LIKE BRAD PITT ANYMORE AS A MAN OR ACTOR..HE HAS BEEN LASERED OFF OUR FAN LIST..

BRAD PITT HAS LOST HIS SENSES..HE IS A SICK SICK MAN..MENTALLY..HE AND JOLIE DESERVE EACH OTHER..HE IS NOT ACTING LIKE THE BRAD PITT WE THOUGHT WE KNEW..HE HAS CHANGED FOR THE WORSE..INSENSITIVE TO THE POINT OF CRULETY..WE AS A GROUP HERE HAVE SCRATCHED HIM OFF..

Remember this blog was about Pitt as Jesse James not about Pitt the man and his relationships ladies. I am interested in this film, a bit surprised that Pitt would take the role of Jesse James. I do hope he lost a bit of his Achille's muscle for the part as Jesse James would have been thin and probably undernurished. Not easy to get a good healthy meal when hiding out from the law. Not that I actually know first hand but it seems like a safe assumption. I don't really know what to think about this movie but I'm curious all the same.

Crackerjack, was the screaming too loud for ya? LOL

Crazy ladies.