Tombstone
If thereās any such thing as a film that can be considered a ārite of passageā for boys to watch in the process of helping them to become men, it may very well be this 1993 Western Classic by director George Pan Cosmatos (with reportedly a LOT of assistance from star Kurt Russell) detailing the real-life conflict between the Earp Family and the outlaw faction known as The Cowboys, which led to the legendary Gunfight At The OK Corral and later Wyatt Earpās ride of vengeance that wiped out every last faction of the notorious gang. It certainly helps that this epic saga of hard men settling their differences features a HUGE all-star cast of some of the most iconic tough guy actors to ever live, led by Russell as Wyatt Earp himself, setting a permanent standard for how the character will forever be perceived and making Kevin Costnerās dry, boring interpretation (released the same year) seem almost miniscule by comparison. It must be said that the filmās script by Kevin Jarre brings an immeasurable amount to the table, mostly because of the fact that Jarre actually did his homework on the dialects and slang of the time and incorporated it into his dialogue, giving even the smack-talking scenes an eerie air of authenticity, with bits like Doc Holliday and Johnny Ringo threatening each other in Latin causing the frame to literally drip with testosterone. Of course, the key element in the film that must always be mentioned is Val Kilmerās incredible turn as Holliday, using a perfect Southern drawl and carrying an aura of danger even when piss drunk that has to be seen to be believed, starting with his first appearance where he confronts an angry gambler in a saloon to his heartwrenching final scene, the Oscar screwjob that went on here is one of almost titanic proportions, and the performance is certainly a major part of the Kilmer Legend that only continues to grow among film buffs and acting aficionados to this day. Likewise is the work from Michael Biehn as Ringo, twisted and evil from the getgo as he casually shoots down a priest during the incredible opening massacre scene with the Cowboys and projecting his own aura of death as the movie goes on. But as far as casts go, this is just the tip of the iceberg as obviously no expense was spared to use top actors, many of whom are reduced to glorified extras and bit parts, including Sam Elliot as Virgil Earp, Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp, Powers Boothe as the leader of the Cowboys, Charlton Heston, Jason Priestley, Stephen Lang growling up a storm as Ike Clanton, Thomas Haden Church, Michael Rooker, Harry Carey Jr., Billy Bob Thornton suffering through the greatest bitchslap scene in movie history, Tomas Arana, Robert Burke, Billy Zane, John Corbett, Buck Taylor, Jon Tenney, Terry (Lost) OāQuinn, Frank Stallone, and even Robert Mitchum taking up narration duties, plus Dana Delany, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson (previously best known as Gail Stanwyck from Fletch), and Joanna Pacula carrying out the various female roles with beauty and dignity. What this story amounts to, is a real-life personal dispute between two factions that escalated to become a legendary part of American history (not to mention pop culture) and it can be said that THIS movie tells it as well as itās ever going to be done (no small feat), with beautiful cinematography, authentic costumes, and a booming, full-blooded musical score all helping to add this up for what it is, arguably the most masculine, badass, red-blooded male-oriented epic in cinema history, regardless of its genreā¦
10/10