#34: Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

Ashley HATES westerns, generally speaking, which is why Dave has been reluctant to make Sergio Leone’s restored 1968 classic ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST required viewing. Then our local art cinema happened to have a showing, and Dave couldn’t resist the urge to see it on the big screen once again. This film has everything: saloons, vengeful sharpshooters, corrupt railroad entrepreneurs, a retired lady of the evening with requisite gold heart, and XCUs, which are that thing where the camera zooms in so close you can see the molecular structure of Charles Bronson’s face. Plus an Ennio Morricone soundtrack! Dave is all in on this one. Will Ashley come around?

The book Dave mentions:

• Once Upon a Time in the West: Shooting a Masterpiece – Christopher Frayling (2019)

 
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#33: Hands on a Hardbody (1997)

This week we finally review HANDS ON A HARDBODY: THE DOCUMENTARY(1997) thanks to a tip from Ashley’s brother about streaming options. This surprisingly moving film by S.R. Bindler documents the human drama surrounding an endurance competition to win a Nissan Hardbody pickup where 24 contestants stand with their hands on the truck until only one is left standing. This was Ashley’s introduction to the wonderful world of independent documentaries. Somehow Dave never managed to see it even though it was still playing at the dearly departed Dobie Theater across from UT when he started film school there.

Links:

• Stream Hands on a Hardbody
• “You Gotta Have the Mettle” – Leah Churner, Austin Chronicle. 4/19/2013

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