Shane Review

Shane

Release Date: 2nd October 1953 - Australia

Production Companies

Paramount Pictures

Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: Western

Rating: G

Runtime: 118 minutes

Budget: $3,100,000

Box Office Gross: $20,000,000 (USA)

Plot Summary

A mysterious gunslinger
named Shane enters a small

Wyoming town where he
hopes to settle down as a
farmhand by taking a job on
homesteader Joe Starrett's
farm. All the while, Shane is
drawn into a conflict between
the townsfolk and ruthless
cattle baron Rufus Ryker.
His growing interest in
Starrett's wife, Marian, and
his affection for her son,
Joey, who idolises Shane,
makes Shane realise that he
must thwart Ryker's plan.

Cast

Alan Ladd - Shane

Jean Arthur - Marian Starrett

Van Heflin - Joe Starrett

Brandon deWilde - Joey
Starrett

Emile Meyer - Rufus Ryker

Jack Palance - Jack Wilson

Ben Johnson - Chris
Calloway

Edgar Buchanan - Fred
Lewis

Elisha Cook Jr. - Stonewall
Torrey

Douglas Spencer - Axel
'Swede' Shipstead

John Dierkes - Morgan Ryker

Ellen Corby - Mrs. Liz Torrey

Paul McVey - Sam Grafton

John Miller - Will Atkey -
Bartender

Edith Evanson - Mrs. Shipstead

Leonard Strong - Ernie Wright

Ray Spiker - Axel Johnson -
Homesteader

Janice Carroll - Susan Lewis

Martin Mason - Ed Howells

Helen Brown - Martha Lewis

Nancy Kulp - Mrs. Howells

Alana Ladd - Little Girl (Uncredited)

David Ladd - Little Boy (Uncredited)

Crew

Producer/Director - George Stevens

Based on the Novel - Jack Schaefer 

Screenplay - A.B. Guthrie Jr.

Additional Dialogue - Jack Sher

Associate Producer - Ivan Moffat

Art Directors - Hal Pereria and Walter H. Tyler

Set Decorator - Emile Kuri

Costumes - Edith Head

Makeup Supervisor - Wally Westmore

Director of Photography - Loyal Griggs

Production Assistant - George Stevens Jr. (Uncredited)

Special Photographic Effects - Gordon Jennings

Editors - William Hornbeck and Tom McAdoo

Sound Recordists - Gene Garvin

and Harry Lindgren

Music Score - Victor Young

Awards

1953 Academy Awards

Best Cinematography, Color - Loyal Griggs (Won)

-----------------------

Best Picture - George Stevens (Nominated)

Best Supporting Actor - Brandon deWilde (Nominated)

Best Supporting Actor - Jack Palance (Nominated)

Best Director - George Stevens (Nominated)

Best Screenplay - A.B. Guthrie Jr. (Nominated)

Review

One of the great Western classics of the 20th century, SHANE, was the byproduct of old-fashioned Hollywood. It was a commendable effort from the cast and crew, including its director, the late George Stevens. He has worked around the clock to produce a film that showcased the American frontier. Most importantly, it influenced movies in later years, such as the non-Western flick Logan, and is referenced numerous times in pop culture. SHANE's ending is a moment of ambiguity, and it could rival every scene from other classic westerns, the likes of which don't come off in the same mood of closing as SHANE did.

Alan Ladd gave a well-deserved performance as the strong titular protagonist. Jean Arthur was lovely in her last role as the gorgeous Marian. Jack Palance displays menace and arrogance in his star-making role as the notorious hitman Jack Wilson. Brandon DeWilde was a child star when he gave his outstanding performance of the hero-worshipping young son who wishes to be a heroic gunslinger like Shane when he grows up. Although DeWilde had a dozen mostly minor film roles after SHANE, his career was cut short by his untimely death in a fatal car crash at age 30.

I have nothing more to say about the other qualities that made SHANE great. I consider this film a great classic and one enjoyed by all ages. Even modern viewers unfamiliar with this feature will appreciate it, as their parents and grandparents have once seen the film and fondly remember it in their younger years.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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500th Review!! Pitch Perfect 3

Pitch Perfect 3


Release Date: 1st January 2018 - Australia

Production Companies
Universal Pictures
Perfect World Pictures (in association with)
Gold Circle Films

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 93 minutes


Budget: $45,000,000

Box Office Gross: $185,380,677 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren't job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this awesome group of nerds will come together to make some music -  and some questionable decisions - one last time. (Source - Metro Cinemas)


Cast
Anna Kendrick - Beca
Rebel Wilson - Fat Amy
Hailee Steinfeld - Emily
Brittany Snow - Chloe
Anna Camp - Aubrey
Hana Mae Lee - Lily
Ester Dean - Cynthia Rose
Alexis Knapp - Stacie
Chrissie Fit - Flo
Kelley Jakle - Jessica
Shelley Regner - Ashley
Ruby Rose - Calamity
Andy Allo - Serenity
Venzella Joy - Charity
Hannah Fairlight - Veracity
John Lithgow - Fergus
Matt Lanter - Chicago
John Michael Higgins - John
Guy Burnet - Theo
Elizabeth Banks - Gail
DJ Khaled - Himself
Troy Ian Hall - Zeke
Jessica Chaffin - Evan
Moises Arias - Pimp-Lo
Derek Mehn - Sunburst
Kismet Collaco - Little Fat Amy
Michael Rose - Aubrey's Father
Trinidad James - Young Sparrow
D.J. Looney - DJ Dragon Nutz
Niko Nedyalkov - Mikhael

Crew
Director - Trish Sie
Based on Book - Mickey Rapkin
Story/Screenplay/Co-Producer - Kay Cannon
Screenplay - Mike White
Executive Producers - Jason Moore,
David Nicksay and Scott Niemeyer
Producers - Elizabeth Banks, Paul Brooks
and Max Handelman
Production Designer - Tony Corbett
Costume Designer - Salvador Perez Jr.
Director of Photography - Matthew Clark
Film Editors - Craig Alpert and Colin Patton
Score - Christopher Lennertz


Review

This is it, everyone! This is the 500th review for my blog! Be sure to write any comments when you’re done looking at this milestone review. Meanwhile, I didn’t really care much for the 'Pitch Perfect' series so have not seen the first two installments about an all-female group of singers competing in musical conventions. This setting reminded me of a chorus group where my mum was one of the members and they all participate in acapella singing. There’s an equivalent of the fictional Barden Bellas convention in Australia where they compete to sing in America. Its called Sweet Adelines International. Though not quite revolutionary, 'PITCH PERFECT 3' did however convince me there are some surprises added to this sequel as rare bonuses. The humour is productive and funny and there is some unexpected action involved near end of the storyline.

The actors and actresses are doing great in keeping the plot of the sequel intact, especially because the old cast from the previous 'Pitch Perfect' movies are back in the spotlight. There is also terrific singing by the actresses in their cover songs. In fact,  I considered one of these covers to be the best and was instantly better than the original when it was performed in the film's climax.

Good but not great, 'PITCH PERFECT 3' is at least an entertaining film that was meant for the huge crowd. I could at least expect some more of the sequels of this kind when I re-watch it on home video. Happy 500!!

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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