Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

I hadn’t seen this since I was a kid, but had the opportunity tonight to watch it for a second time at Robert Redford’s screening room. If you are from Utah, it’s fun to see the many recognizable areas where the movie was shot. Not my favorite of his films, but still good.

Rating: C

High Plains Drifter (1973)

I have to admit, I didn’t foresee an opening where Clint Eastwood rapes some mouthy broad in a barn. If he’s not the hero of the movie, who is? The town of cowards gives him the run of the place in exchange for helping them fend off three vengeful outlaws. He takes on a dwarf sidekick to do his bidding. It’s all very strange. I prefer my westerns with more traditional plots, sans literary references to The Scarlett Letter or winks at posthumous ghost cowboys looking for revenge.

Rating: D+

The Hustler (1961)

I realize this is considered a classic, but it would have been a much better film with a few rewrites and more thorough editing. The woman lead was terrible. Like a bad SNL reenactment of how actresses used to over-perform. Make her role a bit part with a much hotter actress. Trim Eddie’s downfall down to 5 or 10 minutes. Give all the extra time to his comeback. Make it a happy ending without all the lectures. Boom. Your welcome.

Rating: D+