Appaloosa ***

Cast: Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons, Renée Zellweger, Lance enrickson, Adam Nelson, Ariadna Gil
Director: Ed Harris
Running Length: 1:54
MPAA Classification: R

Outlaw Randall Bragg (Irons) and his gang do whatever they please in the Old West town of Appaloosa, but all that is about to change. The town leaders have had enough of him, and decide to bring in gunman Virgil Cole (Harris) and his associate Everett Hitch (Mortensen) to clean things up. As marshal, Cole demands some leeway to take care of things his way, and that is granted by the town. Soon, Cole and Hitch are able to stage a midnight arrest of Bragg at his hideout, but getting justice is not that easy. Bragg’s men are out to get him back.

Not many westerns make it to theaters these days, but “Appaloosa”, Ed Harris’ second directorial effort does not disappoint. The leads all produce real characters that are not perfect people. There is an understated humor that keeps things from getting to heavy, and everything in the film looks authentic. “Appaloosa” is an entertaining film that will satisfy any thirst for a fresh western. I recommend it.

Leatherheads ***
Cast: George Clooney, Renée Zellweger, Jonathan Pryce, John Krasinski
Director: George Clooney
Running Length: 1:54
MPAA Classification: PG-13

In 1925, professional football is struggling to survive. They play where they can, in front of few people. There is no future for someone who wants to play after graduation from college. Dodge Connelly (Clooney), an aging player has a plan. He wants to recruit college star Carter Rutherford (Krasinski) with the help of C.C. Frazier (Pryce), a sports promoter. Rutherford is a war hero, and is offered $10,000 per game. With the deal made, football becomes suddenly important. But there is a problem. Newswoman Lexie Littleton (Zellweger) is digging into Carter’s past to uncover the truth about his service in WWI, which may have been embellished.

“Leatherheads” is an amusing film that is a throwback to older screwball comedies. It is not perfect, but it does have its moments. Clooney and Zellweger play off of each other well, with quick witty dialogue. Krasinski is also credible as the young hero whose star is on the rise. Finally, the film is not all fluff, as it explores the making of a hero and the turning of a sport from being just for fun into being a business. The movie is always light and enjoyable.

Cold Mountain ***

Cast: Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renée Zellweger, Kathy Baker, Aileen Atkins, Natalie Portman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Giovanni Ribisi, Brendan Gleeson, Charlie Hunnam, Ray Winstone, Donald Sutherland
Director: Anthony Minghella

With the South on its way to losing the Civil War and he himself having just recovered from an injury, Inman desides to desert and return home to Cold Mountain, and hopefully Ada, the preacher's daughter. They barely know each other, and have not seen each other for a few years, she is his reason for living. The journey is long, but he is determined.

Ada has found herself living in disarray after the death of her father. Only the help of Ruby is keeping her alive at first, but then she begins to come into her own. She also lives, waiting for the return of Inman, and writing him letter after letter.

Some of this movie works, some does not. Inman's long journey home as well as Ada's struggle to survive are engaging, but the whole love story did not work for me. For as little time as they had together before Inman left, I find it difficult to believe that relationship would be enough to sustain either of them through all their trials and tribulations. Credible performances all around, but nothing outstanding.