MMC: THE WESTERN
A mega super-duper ultra genre challenge for the rest of the summer.
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Howdy, pardners. Here’s a mega challenge that will take us right to September 1st. 6(ish) weeks, 12 movies. Giddy up.
The World Cup is all but over. The air quality in NYC right now is something like 413, and the temperature is is just under 140. The time to return to movies is now.
Historically, the only genre months that we do each year are Horror and Film Noir. But everyone seems to be reading Lonesome Dove right now (I’m reading Lonesome Dove right now), and a look back at previous challenges reveals the odd under-representation of a tentpole: The Western.
Obviously there are those who look at Westerns and think “dad movies”, “boring”, “ugh”, “pass”. I’ll admit: this challenge probably wouldn’t do much to dissuade those folks. Westerns aren’t Horror films, there isn’t the same potential for endless iteration. If you don’t like dusty people and horses and vistas, you don’t like dusty people and horses and vistas.
But there is some variation, in a genre that spans 100 years. This challenge tries to strike a balance of styles, eras, themes, and figures. Good luck, have fun.
Watch the highest rated Western from TSPDT that you haven’t yet seen.
Watch a movie featuring Walter Brennan.
Watch a movie featuring Franco Nero.
Watch a snow Western.
Watch a western with great female characters.
Watch a technicolor western from 1952-1955.
Watch a movie from the weirdo west list.
Watch a “1960’s Eyeliner Western”.
Watch a 21st Century Western.
Watch a Western without problematic indigenous representation.
Watch a movie from Mill Creek’s “Western Outlaws 50 Movie Collection” (this is an old DVD box set).
Watch a Western Comedy.
Here’s my list. See you in a few weeks. Only two more challenges until SPOOKY ROYALE 3.
Disclaimer (don’t yell at me): I haven’t seen all these movies. Many of them are from a “different” time. I don’t always know what’s in them. I don’t always know If they are good. (Sometimes, I know they’re not!) I generally try not to include truly harrowing stuff, but I don’t do research for content warnings or provide them myself. IMDB and parent guides are your friend. If you have sensitivities, look both ways before crossing the street.