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I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Touches You

Perfect cast and a good story

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

This is a beautifully shot movie, the scenery is sublime it truly does take you away. The story is a simple tried and tested formula good guys trying to get on with their life bad guy throwing his weight and power around and drive them off.It does capture the flavour of that time and decent attention to detail. I've watched this movie a few times and watched it on DVD with directors commentary which a rarely do, there one thing that Costner said at the end of the commentary something along the lines of " if this is the last film I ever make then I'm quite happy with that and I mean that sincerely " I might not be quoting exactly but it sat with me as it was heartfelt. He knows he made a good job of this movie and I for one am glad he made it.The gunfight at the end is one of the best you'll see in a western albeit infinite ammo time, it's well orchestrated and encompasses the whole town, eventually the townsfolk grow a backbone and get involved, just epic.

This is an important western. Although it is classic, it avoids at all costs the cliches of the genre, both with its characters and its narrative. The script is fresh, which makes the film develop without shrillness. The cinematography is excellent, portraying the landscape as well as the action scenes. It is also an entertaining movie, a lot of things happen. It is very remarkable the realistic way in which violence is treated, probably the most believable I remember in a western. The staging includes casual, unseen actions that make the movie dynamic and credible. The main characters are charming; two tough guys but with a message, with a past and a couple of convictions, rich in contrasts and witty dialogues. Explicit but not rude; the old-fashioned way. Two guys with whom it is easy to sympathize, for their values and their sense of humor. Open Range is, in short, a very good film that deserves an opportunity because it technically and narratively brings new things. And if it is not a masterpiece it is for two reasons: it is too indebted to 'Unforgiven' and that kills originality and has a deliberately self-indulgent, unnecessarily sweetened end.

Some people say the western is dead, but I disagree; once in a while a good one comes along and shakes up people's opinions and generally impresses everybody. The last time was UNFORGIVEN, now it's Costner's OPEN RANGE, which is not up to the level of Eastwood's movie but is still generally pretty good. The biggest problem is the pacing, which is quite slow, but then for somebody who sat through THE POSTMAN, it seemed to go by pretty quick. Not much to say about this really, other than the scenery, the camera-work, and the music are all excellent, and the subdued acting from the cast is fine – with the exception of villain Michael Gambon, who is anything but subdued when he chews the scenery. I still ended up feeling sorry for him though. Costner is definitely on the back-burner here, giving all the major dramatics to buddy Robert Duvall, who is doing very well for a guy who must be about 110 by now. Then again he always looked old.I usually hate Annette Bening but she was excellent here as the love interest, whilst Abraham Benrubi has a small but pivotal role as a fellow cow poke and makes it really sympathetic. The script is intelligent and, although adding nothing new to the genre – at the heart this is a simple revenge story – keeps you interested throughout. Things (eventually) pick up for the hair-raising shoot-out at the end, which makes very good use indeed of loud gunshots and surprising stunts, so is definitely worth waiting for. All in all a good, solid addition to the genre.

Continuing my plan to watch every Kevin Costner movie in order, I come to his third directorial effort 2003's Open Range.Plot In A Paragraph: A former gunslinger (KC) is forced to take up arms again when he and his friends are threatened by a corrupt lawman.After his worst movie since the early 80's, KC responded with his best movie in 10 years. KC turned down the role of Bill in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 to do this movie, and I for one am glad he did. I'm also glad Robert Duvall took the role (within 24 hours of reading the script) as he was the only actor that Kevin Costner wanted for the role of Boss Spearman. He said if Duvall had turned down the part, he might not have made the movie at all. And that would have been a travesty. I can't praise the cast highly enough especially the two leads. Robert Duvall is perfect and KC fits this movie like a glove. It's beautifully shot and has a great score too. I'm not sure how many here will have seen it, but I love it!! At a little over two hours, this is the shortest of any movie KC has directed. I remember it took forever to come to the UK, about 6 months after its release in America, and I was disappointed (like with Thirteen Days) to find my screening less than half full, despite great reviews.