Man, the new trailer for Killers of the Flower Moon packs a punch. If this is Scorsese’s last movie, it’s shaping up to be a mighty fine career-capper. Or should I say career-caper. In case you’re just tuning in, here’s the synopsis:
At the turn of the 20th century, oil brought a fortune to the Osage Nation, who became some of the richest people in the world overnight. The wealth of these Native Americans immediately attracted white interlopers, who manipulated, extorted, and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to murder. Based on a true story and told through the improbable romance of Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone), Killers of the Flower Moon is an epic western crime saga, where real love crosses paths with unspeakable betrayal. Also starring Robert De Niro and Jesse Plemons, Killers of the Flower Moon is directed by Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese from a screenplay by Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese, based on David Grann’s best-selling book.
This is one of those dark Frontier Partisans stories that deserves serious cinematic treatment — and it’s clearly getting it.
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The Man in the Hat is back. No, not talking about Indiana Jones. I don’t know that I can drag myself to the theater for that one. But I damn sure will be all over the return of Raylan Givens. I trust the creative team behind this, and if the early reviews are any indication, that trust was well-placed.
Consequence TV serves up an in-depth review:
City Primeval has the unenviable task of carrying that acclaimed show’s weight on its shoulders and adding more chapters to a story that stuck the landing with aplomb eight years ago. Not only that, the eight-episode limited series features an older Raylan in Detroit and not in Kentucky, which strips the show of a familiar setting and characters that fans came to adore like a warm blanket: New city, new characters, and none of the trappings that made Justified, well, Justified.
And yet, against all those odds, Justified: City Primeval exceeds even the highest expectations. Rather than recreate what came before, this series finds its footing by keeping true to the world — and rules — author Elmore Leonard created, while still finding new challenges for the U.S. Deputy Marshal who rocks the Stetson and treats every situation like he’s Gary Cooper in High Noon.
Keeping with the spirit of the series that came before, the author who created this character, and the book on which this series is based, City Primeval makes its plotting seem so effortless that only on a rewatch does the work really show itself. Every conversation, even the seemingly innocuous ones, carries weight. The dialogue sings the way Justified fans expect. While character movements and shots from earlier in the season reveal more profound meaning later. Like the best seasons of Justified, this 2023 model evolves as the story progresses and its characterizations deepen.
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Lady Marilyn and I will be seeing Dave Alvin in Portland on July 12. Justified creator Graham Yost once said that Dave is the voice in Raylan’s head. Which is weird, because he’s always been the voice in my head. I consider this convergence — Dave on July 12, the Return of Raylan Givens on July 18 — just one more bit of FP synchronicity.
Dave has had a rough go in recent years. He underwent treatment for Stage 4 cancer that probably should have killed him. He’s back out on the road with Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and there was no way I was missing this.
Quixotic Mainer says
I am sympatico with you completely regarding the new Indy iteration. It’s a shame, because the character meant a lot to me growing up. But I’d much rather shrug and ignore it than gnash my teeth and foam at the bit. That just gives the culture war rewriters squatters rights in the mind.
Ford has been great in 1923 though, that’s a much more fitting cap to his career.
Matthew says
Yeah, I probably won’t see the new Indy either. I didn’t see the last one.
I tend to get annoyed with both sides of the cultural war because a lot of it is just complaining.
Quixotic Mainer says
The Crystal Skull wasn’t as great, but I feel it’s heart was in the right place.I actually rewatched it after learning about the Paracus skulls and Nazca lines and came away with a more fond outlook.
You’re absolutely right with the culture war, it’s a machine to make money that runs on negative emotion.
lane batot says
Although I found the last Indiana Jones somewhat lackluster(and it’s been AWHILE!), I will go to the theater to see this new installment–they certainly have QUITE the cast involved in this newest chapter! I’ll go mainly for tradition’s sake–I’ve gone to see ALL the Indiana Jones movies at the theater–went to the first while still in college–went with a gang including one of my Anthropology/Archaeology professors–after seeing it(“Raiders of The Lost Ark”), her comment was “How about doing THAT kind of Archaeology!!” I’ll also go because I always enjoy watching some Nazis get screwed!
lane batot says
I DID go see the new Indy movie, and boy howdy, I’m glad I did! EXCELLENT! As good, I thought, as the original! Harrison Ford still holding up good in his 80’s, and still sits a horse quite naturally! Filmed on location in Morocco and Sicily, chock full of great characters(including the always plotting, menacing Nazis!), but sad, too, realizing how old Ford actually IS now, as well as one of the characters played by Antonio Banderas, who is the same age as ME! Sheesh! Where have all the years since “Raiders Of The Lost Ark” gone? And how-the-heck did they pull off the beginning of the movie(a flashback), with a much younger Indiana Jones? Modern Special Effects are actually kinda frightening now……