17 Comments
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Susan's avatar

Thank you for the post. I saw it and pretty much thought what you thought. I’m hoping the second chapter the story jells. Like you said maybe the confusion will make sense second chapter. Movies like this are appreciated more than typical movies. I found it cinematic close to Titanic. Even though I was confused I loved it.

M M (Lee)'s avatar

I love this review. Thank you, Sonny! Especially in this moment.

I am terrified at what's about to happen to us. Are we Germany 1930? It feels like we might be and it is agony as we await our fate.

And moving to another country is not so easy. There are family obligations and medical concerns, for starters. Can people get the medications they need in another country? How does that work?

After everything that Reagan and Thatcher did for us; after the remarkable progress such as the right to marriage for all; after the advent of people from all racial groups driving Mercedes SUV's and eating at the trendiest bars and restaurants; after all that we suddenly lose our freedom to a lunatic while watching helplessly as our friends in Ukraine and god knows where else are enslaved and butchered. It's unbearable.

Trich Wages's avatar

What a thoroughly delightful read on this Fourth of July! Thank you.

Wildhare's avatar

Thank you for this piece. We may watch “Unforgiven” tonight after guests leave, but mostly thank you for the review of “Horizon.” I loved this movie and found myself getting a bit emotional afterwards. Looking forward to the next chapters. Disheartening to read so many negative reviews. Initial box office wasn’t great but my hope is that people will see it as it deserves to be seen. Most movies these days are made for a profit motive, which is fine, but the movies made from passion and heart are always superior, IMHO. Please go see this. It is a beautiful film.

Sonny Bunch's avatar

I’m honestly not shocked by the mixed reviews; it’s a very odd film, structurally. But I’d you give yourself over to it, it’s pretty great.

Sharon King's avatar

I grew up watching westerns on TV and at the drive-in, but I didn’t like them much. “Unforgiven” left me thoughtful and speechless. “Horizon” may be a perfect way to spend the day.

Wildhare's avatar

See it!

Peter Summers's avatar

The Western mystique will never go away!! Thankfully!!! Reality will never go away either, unfortunately.

Zack Mack's avatar

“Duck, I says…”

Randy Woodall's avatar

I thought it was "Duck, says me." But maybe I'm just channeling the old Popeye cartoons. Not Popeye Doyle.

James Stoner's avatar

I don't know about the Independence Day angle, but "Unforgiven", along with "McCabe and Mrs Miller", is my favorite Western. (yes, I favor revisionism in my Westerns). Will give Horizon a look.

Thanks!

Linda Oliver's avatar

“These people think that if they’re tough enough, smart enough, mean enough … all this will be theirs someday.” That sounds like a summation of the current Republican Party and their own Manifest Destiny. None of that Willie Guthrie “This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land” nonsense, this land is THEIR land, and as it says in “Unforgiven”, we’ve ALL got it coming, but especially anyone not them.

I think I’m watching “1776” and “Dave” today.

Gerald Lewis's avatar

Independence Day was the pinnacle of what Tom Cruise's most coveted indulgence is--swaggering.

Peter Felknor's avatar

Great and powerful essay on a great and powerful film.

M. Trosino's avatar

Some men do need killin' more than others, but it's a hell of a thing, 'cause they're seldom the ones who get it.

Hell of a review. Props and Happy 4th.

Chief Joe's avatar

Some great writing here, Sonny. Sometimes people think 'oh it's just a movie review' but this was great writing. Thanks. I, like you, just admire anything that is not some boilerplate dollar-maker.

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Jul 4, 2024
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Sonny Bunch's avatar

It’s very good and I wouldn’t say it’s so violent (though maybe I’m just desensitized).