praise be to God and a good rifle

It can be hard to find a good modern Western, but classic comedies are always there, and such a comfort in times of need

Seraphim Falls (2006) - "In the 1860s, five men have been tracking a sixth across Nevada for more than two weeks. They shoot and wound him, but he gets away. They pursue, led by the dour Carver, who will pay them each $1 a day once he's captured. The hunted is Gideon, resourceful, skilled with a knife. Gideon's flight and Carver's hunt require horses, water, and bullets. The course takes them past lone settlers, a wagon train, a rail crew, settlements, and an Indian philosopher. What is the reason for the hunt; what connects Gideon and Carver? What happened at Seraphim Falls? "
source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: it's a Liam Neeson movie I'd never seen before
IMDB: 6.6/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 55% Audience: 53%
my IMDB: 4/10

notable quote: "You men, you always choosing a gun over a remedy."

MPAA rating: R

directed by: David Von Ancken

my notes: long and plodding but with a clever ending, there are much better options out there
overall: not  recommended

The Pledge (2001) - "On the night he retires as a Reno, Nevada detective, Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) pledges to the mother of a murdered girl that he will find the killer. Jerry doesn't believe the police arrested the right man. He discovers that this is the third incident in the area in the recent past with victims young, blonde, pretty, and small for their ages. So he buys an old gas station in the mountains near the crimes in order to search for a tall man who drives a black station wagon, gives toy porcupines as gifts, and calls himself "the wizard", all clues from a drawing by the dead girl. Jerry's solitary life gives way to friendship with a woman and her small, blonde daughter. Has Jerry neglected something that may prove to be fatal?"

source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I love Tom Noonan
IMDB: 6.8/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 78% Audience: 59%
my IMDB: 6/10

notable quote: "There can't be such devils out there."

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Sean Penn

my notes: one of those films where the hero isn't a hero and the bad guy ... well, the bad guy is complicated. I didn't love it, but it's totally worth watching.
overall: recommended

The Yearling (1946) - "The family of Civil War veteran Penny Baxter, who lives and works on a farm in Florida with his wife, Orry, and their son, Jody. The only surviving child of the family, Jody longs for companionship and unexpectedly finds it in the form of an orphaned fawn. While Penny is supportive of his son's four-legged friend, Orry is not, leading to heartbreaking conflict. "
source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I don't think I've seen it before? And Gregory Peck is a must-see.
IMDB: 7.2/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 100% Audience: 76%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "Lord, give him a few red-birds and maybe a squirrel and a 'coon and a 'possum to keep him company, like he had here."

MPAA rating: [approved]

directed by: Clarence Brown

my notes: a sweet and uncomplicated movie about family and resilience. It's dated, but worth a watch.

Academy Award winner:
• Best Cinematography, Color

• Best Art Direction - Interior Decoration, Color
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture

• Best Actor—Peck

• Best Actress—Jane Wyman

• Best Director

• Best Film Editing
overall: recommended

National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) - "Faber College has one frat house so disreputable it will take anyone. It has a second one full of white, Anglo-Saxon, rich young men who are so sanctimonious no one can stand them except Dean Wormer. The dean enlists the help of the second frat to get the boys of Delta House off campus. The dean's plan comes into play just before the homecoming parade to end all parades for all time."
source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: why not? It's always a good time for Animal House!
IMDB: 7.4/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 90% Audience: 89%
my IMDB: 9/10

AFI: 100 Years ... 100 Laughs (2000) #36

notable quote: "'Oh, my cucumber. It's bigger. Vegetables can be really sensuous, don't                 you think?'

     'No, vegetables are sensual. People are sensuous.'"

MPAA rating: R

directed by: John Landis

my notes: endlessly funny. Love this movie.
overall:  recommended

[the title quotation is from Seraphim Falls]