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Summary: Mid-west point of view
Review: I am not a western fan, but I absolutely love the movie. The entire cast is wonderful, Val Kilmer is the best out of all the characters. And I know he was supposed to look sick with tuberculosis throughout the entire movie but he still looked Great!!!
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Summary: Best one-liners since Aliens!
Review: Tombstone has to be the most quotable movie since Aliens and this time its not Mr. Paxton!The dialogue and characters are excellent in this somewhat contrived western. "I'm your Huckleberry." END
Rating:
Summary: AND HELL'S COMIN' WITH ME
Review: Tombstone is based on the events prior to and following the famed "gunfight at the O.K. Corral". The main characters are Kurt Russel as Wyatt Earp, Sam Elliott as Virgil Earp (isn't he in every Western ever made?), Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, and Powers Boothe as Curly Bill. The film takes some creative liberties as far as the facts go, although the fact that the Clanton's and McLaury's were given heroes funerals after their deaths was somewhat apparent. I've heard some complaints that the movie took too long for the action to start, but what some consider boring parts I see as laying the foundations for the eventual climax. When the film is based on true events, you have to stick relatively close to the facts, otherwise you might as well just slap a new name on it and market it as an independent movie. As far as performances go, everyone fit their part. Val Kilmer's interpretation of Doc Holliday was the best I've seen and the other actors fared well, if not just as well in their roles. The premise of the film revolves around the conflict between the Earp brothers along with Doc, and the "cowboys". After a few encounters, both parties lose at least one member. When one person close to Wyatt is claimed, he and a small group of men (including Doc) retaliate with ferocity. I think this is the part of the film that kind of plays around with the facts, but it is also one of the more entertaining segments. There is a love story mixed in which is pretty much concurrent with the facts as far as I've learned. (I read the book written by Wyatt's widow) A few other A-list actors appear in this film, including Charlton Heston, Billy Bob Thornton (kinda chubby), and Jason Priestly. So if you are looking for an entertaining night at home, I would recommend this movie. If you are doing a school report on Wyatt Earp, I would still recommend this movie, just read a few books that tell what really happened.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely riveting account of a well known story
Review: This is probably the best telling of the Wyatt Earp/Doc Holliday saga I have ever seen. I have watched many movies about the legendary fight at the O.K. Corral, but none have been as enthralling as the characters in "Tombstone". Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer are more believable as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday than any other actors portraying those characters. The much praised John Ford Classic "My Darling Clementine" while a great movie, was riddled with inaccuracies even to the point of making Doc Holliday a surgeon rather than a dentist. "Tombstone" tried to stay as true to the actual characters as possible and in my opinion more than succeeded. On the heels of the slow, dragging Kevin Costner epic "Wyatt Earp", "Tombstone" is much faster paced and holds the viewers attention with drama, action and breathtaking scenery all the way to the tearjerking end. Well made movie that should hold it's own for a long time to come, I'm definately a fan.
Rating:
Summary: "Not me, I'm in my prime"
Review: Val Kilmers performance as Doc Holliday should have gave him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1993.It was clearly the best performance to date of his carreer.Hollywood just seems to ignore and dismiss this type of movie. Kilmer steals the show from Kurt Russell,as Wyatt Earp.The powerful cast includes Micheal Biehn as Johnny Ringo, Sam Elliott as Virgil Earp, Stephan Lang as Ike Clanton, as well as Powers Booth, Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thorton,Michael Rooker, Billy Zane,Jason Priestley, and last but not least, Charlton Heston in a cameo appearance as rancher John Hooker.Again, Kilmer steals the show as Doc Holliday.His performance as a retired dentist that suffers from alcoholism and tuberculosis, is nothing less than masterful, first rate acting. Dennis Quaid played the same character in "Wyatt Earp" that came out about six months later, and this reviewer thinks his performance, while good, was not up to the same standard as Kilmer.There are many "one liners"that everone remembers and have become classic.A definite "must see" western that I would rate in the top five for all-time for this genre.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite Western of all time
Review: "Tombstone" takes place after Wyatt Earp ( Kurt Russell) retires from being a U.S. Marshall. He wants peace, quiet, and above all else : prosperity. That is until Wyatt is forced back into the life. The ruthless band of outlaws known as the Cowboys ( led by Powers Boothe and Michael Biehn), gun for Wyatt, his family, and his best friend Doc Holliday ( Val Kilmer). Now Wyatt and Doc, along with Wyatt's brothers Morgan ( Bill Paxton)and Virgil (Sam Elliot)prepare for the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Before I saw "Tombstone", I was never really a huge fan of Westerns. However, "Tombstone" was so great that it managed to turn me into a huge fan of the western genre. The shoot out scenes and overall non stop action is amazing in this film. Tombstone also gives an extremely acurate portrayal of events as well. Kurt Russell gave the best performance possible as Wyatt Earp. He nailed the fierce determination and sense of justice. Val Kilmer gave the best performance in the film as Doc Holliday. Perfect portrayal of Holliday's lifestyle consisting of: drinking, smoking, gambling, women, and a quick trigger finger. Bill Paxton and Sam Elliot make nice additions as the Earp brothers. Dana Delaney gave a nice supporting role as the actress Josephine Marcus. Unbelieveable chemistry between her and Kurt Russell!! Other well known actors include Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, Jason Priestley, Stephen Lang, and Thomas Hayden Church. Billy Bob Thorton makes a hilarious cameo in the film as well. When Tombstone first came out on DVD, I unfortunately ended up buying it. The movie was great, but the DVD was just plain awful. However, I was overjoyed when Tombstone became a member of the Vista Series. This automatically puts the film on a whole new level. Vista Series DVD's always provide for the best quality possible, and tons of outstanding extras. You get a making of featurette in three parts, commentary from director George P Cosmatos, and more. I have seen many Westerns since "Tombstone", but it is still the greatest Western ever made in my opinion.
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Summary: I'll Be Your Huckleberry
Review: I will keep this short and sweet since there are many positive reviews. I think the sound and vision has an excellent transfer, and provides a great viewing experience through a widesceen TV and 6.1 sound system. This movie goes beyond the western "shoot 'em up" and focuses on the friendships and bond between the main characters as well. There are exceptional performances from the cast. But: This is Val Kilmer at his BEST. If not for any other reason, rent, buy, whatever to see the performance by Val Kilmer. You will not be sorry.
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Summary: JUSTICE IS COMING!
Review: As with a great thematic predecessor,"The Magnificent Seven", TOMBSTONE is minor masterpiece that transcends its Western genre cliches. Archetypal confrontation between GOOD & EVIL comprises a film where only the most unobservant can fail to note numerous allegorical sequences in the mythical battle of Armageddon. The scene where Wyatt Earp and his compadres ride out-of-the Sun (HORSEMEN OF APOCALYPSE)to wreck vengeance on forces of Anti-Christ( The Cowboys"red sash"is 666:The Mark of the Beast)signals what Val Kilmer ominously calls,THE RECKONING"...
The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral;and Wyatt Earp's legendary (infamous) Vendetta Ride to hunt down killers of his brother are well-known basis of a story done before and likely again. But Val Kilmer as Doc...the man "who'll lay down his life for his friend"...is electrifying in confrontation with murderous Ringo(essayed with eerie sadism by Michael Biehn,"the man of Sin" who lies,kills and steals in sheer Satanic "vengeance for being born"). Kurt Russell is excellent as "dies irae" Christ figure: "You've called down the Thunder...Now You've got it!I see a RED SASH,I kill the man wearing it...Run You cur! Tell them I'm coming...and HELL'S COMING WITH ME!"
The ensemble cast (including Moses/Charlton-TEN COMMANDMENTS-Heston)works famously to build to the film's unremittantly violent climax. The CHRISTMAS coda of the finale...narrated by Robert Mitchum...affirms ultimate victory of Goodness(The POWER OF THE COWBOY GANG WAS BROKEN FOREVER).But not before Evil is met on the terms it ultimately understands and fears.TOMBSTONE is an exciting, morally fearsome allegory:JUSTICE IS COMING!
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Summary: I Have Not Yet Begun to Defile Myself
Review: This movie has to be one of the best westerns that was ever produced. Val Kilmer was superb as Doc Holliday and Kurt Russell played the part of Wyatt Earp very well, much better in my opinion than did Kevin Costner did in the other notable movie produced at about the same time. This movie is full of terrific lines and characters. It is actually a very accurate portrayal of the events that unfolded. The only discrepancy that I noticed is that in the movie, Johhny Ringo is killed by Doc Holliday. In reality, it remains a mystery who shot Ringo in the head. Some say it was suicide, but nobody knows for sure. This movie still holds as the best western in recent years. My favorite line of the movie was when Doc says to Johnny Ringo right before he shoots Ringo dead, "Why, Johhny Ringo, you look like someone just walked over your grave". Classic!!
Rating:
Summary: I'm your Huckelberry!
Review: Boy, was Val Kilmer ever robbed. His virtuoso performance as Doc Holliday is infinitely more worthy of an Academy Award than most of those that have got the Oscar. This is ruly an all star cast: Sam Elliot, Michael Biehn, Billy Zane, Dana Delaney . . the list is endless. And they don't even come close to Jason Priestly as "sister-boy" and Michael Biehn and Powers Booth, the delciously dastardly villains. With so many good actors, you gotta have a great script, and Tombstone is one of the best written (although serious liberties were taken with the facts), directed, edited and filmed movies ever made. Even through the digressions, the story moves along at a nice clip and will keep your attention. The cinematography is really excellent and at times brilliant; lightening occurs naturally and frequently on the desert location where the movie was made, so vivid displays are woven into the film to create atmosphere and mood. The special edition DVD features are great.
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