3:10 to Yuma Review

Russell Crowe is the bad guy, Christian Bale is the good guy. Christian's

mission: get Russell on the 3:10 to Yuma train so he can stand trial for all of his dastardly

deeds.

Okay, I will no longer start out my reviews of westerns by saying 'I don't

usually like westerns, but...' because apparently I do, Most all of the new 'modern' westerns are very good. Last years 'The Proposition' was excellent. 'Deadwood' is one of the best television dramas ever. And 'Unforgiven' is one of the best movies ever. Now, we have '3:10 to Yuma' which is an outstanding film. Christian and Russell are terrific. The story is good. It keeps moving. Wonderful cinematography. It's just real real good stuff.

Now, on the subject of Christian and Russell. They are obviously two of the

best actors working today. I'm confident that they could have switched roles in this film

and pulled it off just as well. Guess who would have played the bad guy if Jack Nicholson was in this film. I've always liked Jack, but with this years release of 'Bucket List', I

can no longer keep my mouth shut. He plays the same character in EVERY movie he's in. C'mon Jack, surprise us! I would want to see 'Bucket List' if Jack would have played the goodie two shoes guy and Morgan Freeman played the 'in your face, brash, give-em-that-wicked-smile' character that Jack plays in EVERY film he's in. Morgan could pull off that switch. Could Jack? We don't know, because he never tries. Great actors can play the good, the bad, and the ugly (another good western). The weak actors (I'd be happy to provide you with a long list, starting with Al Pacino - same character in EVERY film he is in) always seem to play the same type of character.

Jack: You are better than that. Give us something new. I know you can do it!