The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (D: Dominik) S: Pitt, Affleck
02-24-08, 05:44 PM
#102
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Originally Posted by Drop
The more I think about it, this is my favorite film of 07.
05-20-08, 09:32 AM
#106
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Still have yet to see this movie, I totally forgot about it due to lack of press (which i thought maybe due to it being so bad?) general reactions in here seem positive so will have to check it out!!
05-20-08, 01:15 PM
#109
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Originally Posted by bunkaroo
Just watched this tonight. Really good film. Not sure why this didn't get more positive buzz, but I'm hoping it's not something juvenile like not caring for the long title or runtime.
I think the name of the film is great and it fits the film it is. If they shortened the title it just wouldn't work. Indeed the film is long (around 2 hours, 40 minutes), but it went at a perfect pace. I realize that some people might find it slow, and if you went into it thinking it would be the remake of 3:10 to Yuma (another great film of 2007), it might take you a few minutes or a second viewing to fully appreciate this wonderful gem.
You do have to be patient, but even when you're waiting for the next big scene to come you still feel rewarded. The film is just beautifully made. Great cinematography, superb acting and a wonderful story that is layed out of film so well.
The assassination scene is quite possibly the most emotionally tense scene I've seen in awhile:
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Originally Posted by bunkaroo
I was never a western guy in my teens and 20's, and I still don't care for many classic westerns (as in pre-70's), but I have to admit I am liking more and more "modern" westerns. I think Unforgiven, which I didn't see until about 6 years ago, really kicked off my interest.
05-20-08, 01:36 PM
#110
DVD Talk Legend
I liked this movie, but didn't love it. Affleck and Pitt were magnificent, the movie was beautifully shot and written, and it was damn interesting. It just took way too long to get anywhere. Trimming 20 minutes from this thing would have helped in my opinion. They spent too much time with ancillary characters that could have been cut or at least pared down. I loved seeing the demise of Ford at the end. Everything after the assassination was perfect though (except for the fact Zooey had only a few minutes screen time 
) and really took the film to another level.
) and really took the film to another level.
05-20-08, 06:18 PM
#111
DVD Talk Gold Edition
There was meant to be a lot of down time, a lot of just hanging around, a lot of normalcy. 20 minutes cut would make the film way too fast. I'm not even sure what you could cut with out sacrificing the whole tone of the film. And in terms of story, they explain the chain of events that lead to the assassination. They showed it wasn't just a simple kill and that it wasn't just about Jesse James. Those ancillary characters were very important to his death.
04-10-10, 11:32 PM
#112
Re: Brad Pitt to Play Jesse James
Watched this tonight on AMC. Amazing film. The cast is pretty amazing, Jeremy Renner is a star now. Zooey Deschaniel is a bit more famous. Of course, the always wonderful Sam Rockwell, Paul Schneider is on a major tv show.
Really enjoyed it this time around. AMC premiered it today, I presume, because Jesse James was assassinated on April 10th.
Really enjoyed it this time around. AMC premiered it today, I presume, because Jesse James was assassinated on April 10th.
04-10-10, 11:53 PM
#113
Re: Brad Pitt to Play Jesse James
Yup; the last 15 minutes are consistently top-notch in execution and artistic talent. I hope a director's cut/complete soundtrack comes out soon as it was much longer before it was cut.
04-11-10, 12:35 AM
#114
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Re: Brad Pitt to Play Jesse James
Originally Posted by gmanca
Yup; the last 15 minutes are consistently top-notch in execution and artistic talent. I hope a director's cut/complete soundtrack comes out soon as it was much longer before it was cut.
Excellent character study but I'm with on a re-release, the blu is horrendus. They needed to remaster it.
Originally Posted by Mordred
I liked this movie, but didn't love it. Affleck and Pitt were magnificent, the movie was beautifully shot and written, and it was damn interesting. It just took way too long to get anywhere. Trimming 20 minutes from this thing would have helped in my opinion. They spent too much time with ancillary characters that could have been cut or at least pared down. I loved seeing the demise of Ford at the end. Everything after the assassination was perfect though (except for the fact Zooey had only a few minutes screen time ) and really took the film to another level.
) and really took the film to another level.
Originally Posted by MoviePage
He was shot unexpectedly by a stranger and died almost immediately. That is an abrupt ending.
And I think the film showed exactly what needed to be shown about Bob Ford's life after he shot Jesse James. The initial reaction, the theatrical performances, the decline into infamy, the mixed feelings he ended up having about what he had done, and the assassination, along with some additional biographical details.
Damn near perfect film.
And I think the film showed exactly what needed to be shown about Bob Ford's life after he shot Jesse James. The initial reaction, the theatrical performances, the decline into infamy, the mixed feelings he ended up having about what he had done, and the assassination, along with some additional biographical details.
Damn near perfect film.
The ending fits with the Bob Ford story, nobody cared for him. Everyone cared for Jesse.
04-11-10, 02:20 AM
#118
Re: Brad Pitt to Play Jesse James
Wasn't bothered by the length at all. If the filmmakers can find the right tone, I welcome a movie to go on forever.
And here, finally, is a film that has a third act. Most films have a climax, one or two more scenes, and then they end. Assassination takes the time to tell the whole story that needs to be told. I was reminded of The Lives of Others where we actually see how the main events of the film impact the characters months and years afterwords.
Can't wait for Dominik's next film, Cities of the Plain (based on a Cormac McCarthy novel, no less).
And here, finally, is a film that has a third act. Most films have a climax, one or two more scenes, and then they end. Assassination takes the time to tell the whole story that needs to be told. I was reminded of The Lives of Others where we actually see how the main events of the film impact the characters months and years afterwords.
Can't wait for Dominik's next film, Cities of the Plain (based on a Cormac McCarthy novel, no less).
04-11-10, 02:23 AM
#119
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Re: Brad Pitt to Play Jesse James
Originally Posted by Idioteque...
Everything happens for a reason and fits with the movie's tone.
07-06-15, 12:29 PM
#121
Re: Brad Pitt to Play Jesse James
http://www.rogerebert.com/mzs/the-un...rd-robert-ford
"If there is any movie that makes literal the killing of your former self and the acceptance of your permanent self, it's this," says Scout Tafoya in reference to Andrew Dominik's acclaimed yet sorely under-loved 2007 masterwork, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," which is the focus of this nineteenth installment in the Unloved series. Declaring it as the "most visually beautiful film of the last 30 years" (kudos to twelve-time Oscar-nominee Roger Deakins), Tafoya discusses the profound impact the film has had on his own life, upon turning 26. He also explores the film's complex character dynamics, rich performances and haunting dialogue, while building a convincing case for the picture's emerging status as a great American classic.
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/132039621" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
"If there is any movie that makes literal the killing of your former self and the acceptance of your permanent self, it's this," says Scout Tafoya in reference to Andrew Dominik's acclaimed yet sorely under-loved 2007 masterwork, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," which is the focus of this nineteenth installment in the Unloved series. Declaring it as the "most visually beautiful film of the last 30 years" (kudos to twelve-time Oscar-nominee Roger Deakins), Tafoya discusses the profound impact the film has had on his own life, upon turning 26. He also explores the film's complex character dynamics, rich performances and haunting dialogue, while building a convincing case for the picture's emerging status as a great American classic.
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/132039621" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
Last edited by inri222; 07-06-15 at 12:35 PM.
07-06-15, 12:37 PM
#122
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Re: Brad Pitt to Play Jesse James
I watched less than 4 minutes of that video. I'm sold. I don't want to keep watching in case there's spoilers.
I'm ashamed to admit that although I've owned this on HD DVD (and Blu-ray... I think) since it came out, I've never watched it.
Fuck it. I'm going to get some grocery shopping done, and watch it now.
I'm ashamed to admit that although I've owned this on HD DVD (and Blu-ray... I think) since it came out, I've never watched it.
Fuck it. I'm going to get some grocery shopping done, and watch it now.
07-06-15, 12:47 PM
#125
Moderator
Re: Brad Pitt to Play Jesse James
I remember making a point to watch this in the theaters when it came out. IIRC, I believe it was only showing for a week or two. It was great to watch this on the big screen and I've watched the blu-ray twice since then. It's been a while, so probably warrants a 3rd viewing sometime soon.
