tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post1986987319964802172..comments2023-10-20T13:34:46.654-07:00Comments on Kevin's Movie Corner: Comfort Movies: Big Jake Kevin Deanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-43199921337978982842014-09-24T07:36:51.029-07:002014-09-24T07:36:51.029-07:00I must ask you what my daughter always asks me whe...I must ask you what my daughter always asks me when I am basking in the glow of "Bend of the River". How many people have to get shot before you are comforted?<br /><br />Duke on the TV is great, but Duke on the big screen is practically a religious experience. I think "Donovan's Reef" was my first John Wayne at a theatre experience. I never had so much fun. The first western at a theatre for me was "True Grit". I lived that movie.<br /><br />I love the way you said just typing the names of those character actor favourites made you happy. Those guys are family.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-33856993286053014862014-09-23T12:51:01.317-07:002014-09-23T12:51:01.317-07:00Jeff, it is a pretty violent movie isn't it. P...Jeff, it is a pretty violent movie isn't it. Probably up there with THE COWBOYS as the Duke's most violent. <br /><br />But those opening scenes are very effective, you're right. These are a mean group of men and we are glad to see Jake and Sons take them on. You can tell its a 1970s movie as the blood looks like red paint. <br /><br />The lack of remorse over Sam and Dog's death is my major peeve with the movie. While George Sherman is credited as the director, its rumored Wayne directed large chunks of it. I wonder if something was left out of the editing. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-82336365110669220972014-09-23T06:36:52.515-07:002014-09-23T06:36:52.515-07:00Nice post, Kevin! While BIG JAKE doesn't carry...Nice post, Kevin! While BIG JAKE doesn't carry quite the resonance for me as it does you, I do enjoy the film very much, especially the great supporting cast and the Duke looming large and in charge. I totally agree with you about the lack of even one second of remorse for the death of McCandles' dog and friend Sam at the climax (this sort of thing is always a major pet peeve of mine in movies...lazy screenwriting<br />...or a victim of editing?)<br /><br />Something you didn't mention was just how nasty and violent the opening of the film is, as Boone's crew (an especially nasty, unkempt bunch) wipe out a whole bunch of innocent people at the McCandles' ranch. This sadistic edge runs throughout the film, despite its overall jaunty tone, and works as an effective way to remind viewers just what a pack of total murderous scumbags Wayne and sons are dealing with.Jeff Flugelhttp://thestalkingmoon.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.com