Carroll's DVD Review # 10

BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE

I like a good western movie every now and then. (Or a good Indian flick) This is an HBO films presentation that was released 2007. It's not action packed, so don't go into it thinking you're going to get Hollywood, because you aren't. What you will get is a historically told, well-written movie that accurately portrays the events as they were documented during the times.

Inspird by Dee Brown's acclaimed best-seller, this story begins powerfully with the Sioux triumph over General Custer at The Little Big Horn. The action settles on the struggles of three characters: Charles Eastman, a young Dartmouth educated Sioux doctor, Sitting Bull, the proud Lakota chief who refuses to submit to U.S. government policies designed to strip his people of their identity, their dignity and their sacred land, the Black Hills of the Dakotas, and Senator Henry Dawes, one of the men responsible for the government policy of Indian affairs.

In short, this story is about the massacre at Wounded Knee and the events that led up to it.

It stars Aidan Quinn, Adam Beach, August Shellenberg and Anna Paquin.

I loved it! It just goes to show that you don't need a blow them up, high priced action scene to make a remarkable film about the death of the old West. Sometimes, great writing, great acting is more than enough. And it was more than enough in this film.

I give it 8 1/2 Stars. (And I will be watching this one again sometime)

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GHOST ROCK

Gary Busey, Michael Worth and Jeff Fahey star in this forgettable Western. Well, forgettable for me. I fell asleep midway but woke up just in time to watch the climatic ending which led me to be grateful for falling asleep to begin with.

I do not feel the need to continue this review.

I give it ..... (drum roll plesae) .... 2 and a half .... No! Wait! I do like Gary Busey and Jeff Fahey so ... let's be nice, shall we? ..... 3 and a half Stars! (4 Stars if the only other option for the day is to accompany your wife at the Pottery Barn)

That's it for this week, have a great weekend and here's hoping you get to watch an awesome movie!

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