Tombstone

Rating:
Summary: A great western, a remarkable movie...
Review: This isn't what the ol' west was all about. This is what Hollywood films are all about: big casts, large conflict, and compelling characters. It's all set to the backdrop of Tombstone, a large town in the ol' west where Wyat Earp and his two brothers decide to retire to and make a small fortune in silver. Doc Holliday also lives there, winning card games like Mark Maguire makes home runs. But the outlaw gang the Cowboys are menacing the town and stirring up trouble. Reluctantly, the Earps and Holliday come out of retirement to fight back and defend their town. This is an extremely remarkable film with great acting, a thick plot, and some suspense-filled shoot-outs. It's a must-see for any movie buff. One of the best westerns also made.

Rating:
Summary: "Not me, I'm in prime"
Review: This somewhat cult classic has attained its status for a few reasons. Firstly, Val Kilmer is excellent as Doc Holliday. His performance is extremely entertaining and will no doubt stick with the viewer for years. Kilmer's Holliday delivers countless classic lines and a few memorable moments such as his cup swinging antics in response to one of the film's bad guys.

Kurt Russell and the rest of the cast also deliver good performances in this film which centers around Wyatt Earp and the town of Tombstone. While this movie may not be histroically accurate, it is one of the best action films of the 90's and very much worth a viewing.

Rating:
Summary: Some issues to pick with the new Vista Series release...
Review: I won't wax eloquent about the film itself. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed this movie enough to purchase it's first release on widescreen DVD in 1996, and was very much looking forward to this new Vista Series release. I suppose the commentary and documentary could justify the additional expense I put out for the Vista Series, but I am going to take this opportunity to elucidate some negative aspects of the new release. Since this new transfer is THX certified, I was expecting a very pristine presentation compared to the 1996 DVD release. My main complaint of the new transfer is that it's black level is set waaay too low. You will find yourself cranking up the brightness to see any shadow detail at all, and even then you can't dial it in just right. On the positive side, the color is much, much nicer on the new transfer, and the sharpness is a tad more detailed also. Just a few comments now on some of the "extras". The extra 4 minutes of added footage does nicely fill some gaps in the original version, and certainly does not ruin the experience, as one very opinionated viewer noted below. The commentary by George Cosmatos is entertaining and quite informative, even more so than the three-part "Making of" documentary. The "Tombstone Epitaph" looked very nice, until I actually tried to read it. One reviewer noted that the print was too small to see. I suppose that determination hinges on the size of one's screen and the quality of one's eyesight. All I can add to his comment is that on my 32" monitor the Epitaph print was clearly legible, albeit small. But my one reservation about the Epitaph hinges about how one must navigate to read the print. Imagine that a big picture was taken of the paper, and your screen zooms in on just a portion of it. To navigate up, down, left and right to see the whole thing, you use the arrow keys on the remote. Problem is, some of the columns in the newspaper are divided down the middle by the edge of the screen. So, you can read the left half of each column, or the right half. But to read each line you must constantly be pushing the arrow keys left, right, left, right endlessly. Ridiculous, and I gave up. They should have made one column of the paper fill up one screen's width. Also included as an extra is a map of the beginning of the gunfight at the O.K. corral as penned by Wyatt Earp in 1919. This is printed on very nice looking paper, but all of the small handwriting is illegible as presented. Nice thought, though. It is hard to believe that a Director's Cut Special Edition of a film does not include any cast bio's or filmographies. Sad. Finally, the new packaging is quite slick looking, with both the cover art and internal art having a very nice rustic look to it. Quite classy. The only reservation I have is of the durability of the package. I have not experienced good longevity of this type of packaging, with the plastic DVD trays hot-glued to a paper or plastic backing. They always seem to come unglued eventually with heavy use. Just thought I would cut through the hype and offer some meat-and-potatoes info on this new Vista release.

Rating:
Summary: More Layers than Meet the Eye
Review: I want to add to the overwhelming praise for this movie by adding a couple more comments. After watching this movie for about the millionth time, I couldn't help but notice the thread in the story about the insatiable state of the human condition. Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday are the best of friends - that much we get. But if one notices how intricately Doc loves and admires Wyatt for his strength and courage, the movie gets that much better. All throughout the movie, Doc symbolizes an almost Solomonic figure, bemoaning the ever wanting, always ironic human condition - even at his death, his last words are with reference to ironic humor. Just prior to his death, he tells Wyatt that Wyatt is the only person that ever gave him hope in the world. At the same time, Earp is the guy who refuses to struggle with the life's big questions, choosing rather to face the world with courage and resolve - notice how he responds to the questions from his little brother regarding the possibility of life after death, and also to the questions from his future love regarding the meaning of true happiness in life. And let us not forget Johnny Ringo, the ultimate symbol of fatalistic nihilism! Seriously, this movie is the absolute best insofar as it is an incredible Western, but it is also deeply, deeply layered. Throw in Kurt Russell's best performance of his career, Val Kilmer's best performance of his career, and gun fighting that cannot be matched - and you've got a winner. This is one of those rare movies that one can own and watch once a year - I have yet to tire of it!

Rating:
Summary: A Western at it's Best!
Review: Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell really pulled off a great movie. This is 2 of america's greatest actors at their best! I would recommend this movie to anyone. DEFITNETLY a must see.

Rating:
Summary: Stoned Immaculate
Review: Tombstone is one of the most entertaining pieces of cinema to hit the silver screen in the past 15 years. Kurt Russell does a fantastic job portraying former Sheriff Wyatt Earp. Russell's Earp is at a crossroads in his life and sure, really, of only two things: he wants to make a lot of money and he wants to live near his two brothers Virgil (Sam Elliott) and Morgan (Bill Paxton). Needless to say when the Earp three move into the ragtag town of Tombstone business picks up a bit. The Earp's go into the saloon/casino business and start to clean up which begins to rub a few of the local cowboys the wrong way. All the ensuing altercations lead to the historic shootout at the OK Corral which is one of the films many highlights. Wyatt's sidekick is perhaps the best thing about Tombstone. Val Kilmer turns in an unforgettable performance as Doc Holiday. Holiday is by far the most intriguing character in the film and endears himself to the viewer almost instantly. Kilmer simply steals every scene he is in, which makes for one of the most memorable (and lovable) movie characters of all-time. Although Doc's hedonistic lifestyle eventually catches up with him in the end, it sure is great to watch this "fabulous disaster." The film is long but it doesn't feel it. The pacing is fantastic and almost all of the movie is action packed. Overall, Tombstone is easily in my top five favorite films of all-time...and on some days it's number 1. Highest Recommendation.

Rating:
Summary: "You Tell 'Em I'm Coming, and HELL'S COMING WITH ME!"
Review: THE FILM

"Tombstone" is certainly one of the top four greatest westerns ever made (the others being "Lonesome Dove", "Silverado", and "Dances With Wolves"). The action/shoot-out scenes are terrific, exciting and very well-staged. The set design, costumes, sets, and everything else truly takes you back to the old days of the Wild West. And the acting! WOWWEEE! Kurt Russell gives the greatest performance of his entire career as the legendary Wyatt Earp; he adds so much depth to the figure with a past/reputation that he would give anything to leave behind, but he knows that he can't.....and to put it in his own words, "And that's the damnable misery of it." He is both very human and a "wouldn't-hurt-a-fly" kind of guy, but also the baddest dude this side of the Rio Grande! This is one guy you do not want to piss off! But Val Kilmer absolutely steals the show as the gamblin' gun-totin' "Doc" Holiday; his mere screen appearence can brighten up the scene. He has the best lines (except for the one above, which is given to Kurt Russell), and presents them in a way that is bound to make you laugh/cry/do whatever it is that you're meant to do. Everyone else does great, too. Love backstories in westerns aren't usually all that great, but the one in here is very well-done. This is a must-own for any western or action fan!!! 5 STARS!!!!!

VISTA SERIES DVD

I was really hyped up about this new two-disc set, because I heard it was great. Well, not that I'm saying it's a bad DVD (FAR FROM IT!), but it fails to live up to its reputation, both in the "all-new, never before seen Director's Cut" and the Extras on Disc 2.

First of all, there's hardly any thing added in here! Four minutes at the most. In the end, you come off wishing for much more to be added in. And what makes it even more disappointing, is that if you watch the Theatrical Trailer, you will see TONS of footage not shown in the movie!! That pissed me and my dad off A LOT!! But, oh well. What can ya do? What is added in is very good. Every scene adds more character development or drama to the story, as well as make more sense to the plot/story. And the picture and sound quality is nearly flawless; just some grain here and there, but BARELY!

The Extras are nothin' to get excited about. The 3-part Making-of documentary is very entertaining, but unfortuanately it isn't very long (a little less than half an hour). It does have great interviews with the cast & crew, and it's very informative. It makes you realize how much went into making this magnificent western, and you come off respecting the film even more. Also, the cast members offer little insights on their characters, and those are very interesting! The "Tombstone Epitaph" is pointless unless you get right up to the screen; otherwise, you can't read a darn thing! Besides that, there isn't much besides some trailers and story boards (boooorrriiiing!!!), although I have not yet tried the DVD-Rom card game that is featured. That looks fun! But, ironically, the best special feature is the really neat case and cover art it comes in!

In Conclusion: This DVD, while not among the best DVD's I own, is a great buy. The film is presented in a format that is perfect! Well, nearly. Poor special features or not, at least it has special features! The original DVD didn't have diddly. The Vista Series DVD is a somewhat disappointment. But, then again, every DVD seems like a somewhat disappointment after owning and viewing the Special Extended DVD Edition of "TLOTR"! But what the Vista Series is focused on is the actual film, and in that case, it succeeded beautifully. They sould've either done A) Inserted all that footage shown in the trailer, or B) Not included the trailer at all! Then we wouldn't have any complaints and wouldn't know about it at all!

Overall, a great DVD to add to your collection.

Film: 5 Stars

DVD: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Rating:
Summary: "I have not yet begun to defile myself"..
Review: And that title line is one of Val "Doc Holliday" Kilmer's signature quotes from this incredible 1993 film.

a) If you buy "Tombstone" in any commercial form, buy the Vista Series DVD. The packaging is absolutely gorgeous and the extras are absolutely worth it.

b) If you've seen the film in its original cut many times, it's a real revelation to see the scenes that George Cosmatos filmed but which the studio forced him to cut, for time reasons. Movies over two hours long scare studios because theatre owners don't want them because they can't cram in as many showings per day, sell fewer tickets, and makea lot less money on popcorn, hot dogs and soda, so the Director's vision suffers because of it. Why and how did Doc Holliday leave Big Nose Kate? Who is that body dragged in front of Hooker's ranch before the climactic scenes.. these and many other questions are answered when you see the original cut of the film, and finally see the deleted scenes..

The extras on the second DVD will show you how a truly authentic Western was put together.. the incredible amount of care and planning that went into the detail of set and costume design and decoration. Did you know that ALL the moustaches on the cast were real? Watch the film at least once with Cosmatos' running commentary and you'll learn a lot more about one of the best, most authentic Westerns ever made.

The incredible ensamble cast works perfectly together. There's a reason for it. The film LOOKS real. There's a reason for it.

The most unfortunate thing about "Tombstone" is that it was released within a couple months of Kevin Costner's much more heavily hyped, three hour epic "Wyatt Earp".. the two films have many similarities, although Costner's adds a full extra hour by covering Earp's life before he takes his family to Tombstone, Arizona, after retiring as a lawman..

While I like Kostner's film too, "Tombstone" is the superior of the two.. Kurt Russell and especially Val Kilmer simply shine much brighter as Wyatt and Doc, than do Costner and Dennis Quaid in the same roles..

Westerns? I have a lot of favorites. #1 - Clint Eastwood's timeless "Unforgiven." #2 - "Tombstone." #3 - the epic Cinerama "How The West Was Won." And quite a few others including "The Treasure of The Sierra Madre." Unfortunately, while very few of them are made anymore, The American Western is a film genre with literally thousands of examples, a few dozen stellar standouts, but only a dozen or so true classics.. "Tombstone" is one of them.. And The Vista Series version is not a DVD you will be trading in any time soon. It's a keeper!!..

Rating:
Summary: Isn't it a daisy?
Review: To say Tombstone is a great western is not at all to do the movie justice. To say Tombstone is unbelievably good is to trammel it down in the muck. What you've got to do is grab each person you know by the lapels and shake them back and forth while screaming in their face that they absolutely must see this film. Friends don't let friends not see Val Kilmer's portrayal of Doc Holliday - easily the most inspired character in all of fiction. I will stack Val Kilmer's Doc Holliday up against any other character that has ever been created by an artist. He will win. Hamlet? Come off it love. Who do you think you're fooling with this Shakespeare routine? Certainly not me and probably not even yourself, as you yawn and scratch your way through yet another "masterpiece." Why don't you make a clean slate of it and just admit to yourself finally that Shakespeare bores the crud out of you and his plays are irritating beyond belief? But Val Kilmer's Doc Holliday... now THERE'S literature! Stack him up against Hamlet and he'll blow his brains out with his ivory handled revolvers. And as Hamlet gags and sputters and reels and staggers Val Kilmer's Doc Holliday will yell, "C'mown, Johnny, C'MOWN!" And he will advance solicitously, full of adroit concern as Hamlet collapses, saying, "Oh you're no daisy. You're no daisy atall!"

Rating:
Summary: the last great western
Review: I went to see the film when I was 19 with a friend just out of pure boredom.I went in anticipating a watered-down Hollywood movie where all the actors have mullets and bad southern accents.I left the theater dumbstruck by it's beauty.
This is my second favorite western after "The Wild Bunch"--a very CLOSE second.If you don't feel any romanticism for the old west after watching this movie,well,you just ain't human.The acting is top-notch,the set design is brilliant,and the costumes are perfect.This film was so good,that it just ruined Kevin Costner's subsequent "Wyatt Earp" for me."Tomstone" went almost un-noticed in late '93-early '94,but it has gained a great reputation of the years.I found it funny at the time when all of the critics complained of all of the mustaches in the film.I'm surprised they didn't complain about all of the six-shooters and cowboy hats!