Meanwhile, in Rivendell . . .

Well, folks, this is it.  We've reached the end of the line.  Our sun is setting.  Our days are fleeting.  We are like the sagebrush ⎼ okay, I'll stop. ;-P Legends of Western Cinema Week is over, though ⎼ for this year, at least ;) ⎼ and it's been wonderful!  I'm very much looking forward to going back and re-immersing myself in all the participation we've had, reading (hopefully) everybody's posts and continuing the Western excitement. Giveaways are wrapping up and winners are being contacted, which will be yet another cause for squealing and fangirling and general merriment as we head into August. ;) You all really delivered and helped make this party a success!  Thank you!  (And, of course, another HUGE thank-you to my two splendiferous cohosts: Heidi and Hamlette .  You rock, ladies.) Here's the link-up again so everyone can see what everybody else contributed.  Check out a new blog! Until the next time, partners, I tip...

Because why in tarnation not? I mean.  I can hardly go through an entire Western Week without devoting one post in its entirety to this masterpiece, can I? ;) Thus, a few random (and hopefully intriguing) screencaps from my favorite Western. IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND YOU NEED IT IN YOUR LIFE.  Just sayin'. ;) ⎼ ⎼ ⎼ ⎼ ⎼ ALSO: I regret to say that the drawing of the winner of my giveaway may be delayed a day or two, depending on a few current personal things.  But fret not!  "I believe all will turn out well." ;)  (Seriously, though, that information should be out by the beginning of August at the latest!)

As I've mentioned before , one of my favorite things about Westerns is the unique exploration of friendship typically to be found within them.  So, for this post, I wanted to shine the spotlight on some of the best pals I've encountered so far.  These men are the ones who work most closely with the protagonist, the ones who keep them grounded and offer some levity in the midst of what is usually none too lighthearted work. ⎼ ⎼ Heck Gilpin, Broken Trail ⎼ ⎼ I love Heck, and I love the way his character is written.  Tom first encounters him in a saloon, trying to scrape some money together by fiddle-playing.  After an adorable gesture on Tom's side, a fast friendship is formed and Heck joins their little cavalcade.  He's a quiet but vital presence throughout the movie, content to keep in the background but always ready to help out with the trail work and defend the girls.  He deserves better than the end he receives, but regardless, I'm glad he's ...

1. Do you tolerate, like, or love Westerns? I wuvs them, precious! :D (I mean, I don't watch/read a ton of new-to-me ones because of personal content concerns, but I love the ones that I do watch and enjoy very much indeed.) 2. What do you enjoy about them and, more broadly, the West? (Eg. the history, accompanying paraphernalia, etc)? I love that they're such a distinctive aesthetic.  I love their simplicity. I love the vistas of the American West to be found in them. While there's probably room for more female-centric Westerns, I do like that they tend to explore male dynamics in examining the dissonance between "healthy" masculinity and "toxic" masculinity.  While they don't always get that examination "right," necessarily ⎼ in that not every negative trait of every cowboy is presented as such ⎼ they do present interesting and worthwhile questions.  When is violence justified?  Can aggression be appropriat...

{The Plot} When seaman Jim McKay arrives in the American West to meet his fiancé Pat's father, Major Terrill, he quickly realizes that he's entered a culture of false bravery and asinine feuds.  Here, courage is tested by quickness to fight and to engage in meaningless risk.  Jim's patience and non-aggression earn him the contempt of Steve Leech, one of Terrill's ranch hands.  (Leech is also somewhat sweet on Pat, which gives him another reason to antagonize Jim.)  Even Pat begins to question Jim's refusal to fight the various men who insult him, believing the refusal must mean cowardice.  The only people who seem to understand and appreciate Jim's restraint are Ramon, another ranch hand, and Julie, local teacher and Pat's best friend.  Additional tension is mounting between Terrill and a local clan, the Hannasseys, over watering rights to a river owned by Julie.  Jim soon finds himself in the thick of it all. {My Thoughts} Something I've...

We've been here before , but that list is fairly outdated now, as you'll see.  Thusly, the impetus for the second edition. ;) Titles linked to my reviews where applicable. (Also:  Some of these movies have what one might call "mature content."  If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask and I'll try to give a thorough rundown.) #10. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) This is sad and aching and good. #9.  Hidalgo (2004) Excellent movie, this.  A little bittersweet, and not necessarily in the way I like my bittersweet stories, but Viggo Mortensen is wonderful and the ending scene is really moving (bittersweet nature notwithstanding).  Exciting races, desert sands, beautiful horses, fun lines ( "Men go maaaaad!" ). #8.   The War Wagon (1967) I love John Wayne's rapport with Kirk Douglas in this show.  Plus, it's just good, old-fashioned, low-stakes fun with quite decent storytelling.  I love the musi...

Giveaways always add a little extra oomph to a blog party, so I'm pleased to announce that Heidi, Hamlette, and I are ALL hosting individual ones this year!! To enter Heidi's, click here ; and for Hamlette's, here . To ONE giveaway winner, I will send three works of Western literature : True Grit (by Charles Portis), Riders of the Purple Sage (by Zane Grey), and To Tame a Land (by Louis L'Amour).  All three are used and in good condition, though the L'Amour book does have some creases in the cover.  Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.  I will select a winner on either the 27th or the 28th.  To enter, simply comment on this post expressing your interest and include your email address so that I can contact you if you win.   (If you do not feel comfortable leaving your email address on this public page, you can publish your comment and then immediately delete it.  I will still receive the comment, but no one else will be a...