Appaloosa---Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen & Renee Zellweger (2008)

It is 1882 in New Mexico where the badlands of the territory seem to breed hired killers, and gangs of robbers including those who murdered without remorse.

New Mexico did not become a state until 30 years later in 1912, until then a lot of good men died trying to bring justice to the people of the region.

It was a time when wearing a badge for any lawman did not guarantee respect; only a bigger target for killers.

The Marshal of Appaloosa Jack Bell (Robert Jauregui) and his two deputies rode out to RB Ranch to arrest two men who had killed a man and his wife in cold-blood.

However, the owner of the ranch Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) told the Marshal he was out of his jurisdiction, and that he could not spare the men.

The Marshal told one of the deputies to cut the two men out of the group and when he rode a few feet, Randall Bragg shot him, the marshal and the other deputy.

When the Marshal and his deputies did not return to town; the town council hired Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) who are traveling experience lawmen. Cole and Hitch are hired by frantic towns as marshal and deputy to bring law and order by implementing new laws for the towns, and if that did not work; their guns spoke for them.

Anyone who rides into town and does not abide by the laws, they are arrested; however if they resist by firing their weapons; they are killed. This is what happened to three of Bragg’s men.

To add spice to the town a widow Mrs. Allison French (Renee Zellweger) arrived in Appaloosa and caught the attention of Cole.

Hitch also liked Allison, but she was interested in Cole. Cole helped her get employment as a piano player; and in no time they were buying a house that was being built.

This is where Appaloosa begins to get complicated in the romance and enforcing the law areas. Will Cole and Allison become a married couple?

Maybe Allison had a secret agenda? Does she really care for Cole? Will Hitch stay in Appaloosa and give up his wandering ways? Will Appaloosa become a respectable town? And, will Cole and Hitch still be a team?

I enjoyed my DVD of Appaloosa; and I am sure it will be watched over and over again. One can always see something new when watching a movie more than once.

Happy viewing and I hope you enjoyed visiting my movie blog. Thanks.

                                   

© BEPH 2014 All Rights Reserved

PurvisBobbi44 is the sole author of this Blog and if it is seen anywhere

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Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick, Jr. in---Hope Floats

                                                                                   

When I feel the need to see something, sad, funny, true to life, and a sweet love that blooms and springs to life; I put on my old video of "Hope Floats."

Starring Sandra Bullock as Berdie Pruitt, Harry Connick, Jr. as Justin the first boy who kissed her in High School, and still loves her; and Gena Rolands as Berdie Pruitt's Mother.

This is a story to touch your heart, and you will feel for the family as Berdie who once had a lifestyle that most people would envy, now has to adjust from a cheating husband who committed adultery with her best friend, to a life without him.

Berdie with her young daughter packs up the two of them and goes back home to her Mama. Her Mama is a very strong and wise woman, who also has a heart condition, which she does not share with Berdie. But that did not stop her Mama from taking in her young grandson, to care for and love.

Life is a struggle as Berdie has to come to terms with her new life, and as her mother tells her--Get out of bed, go outside and get the stink off of you. Finally, Berdie takes her advice and looks for a job.

But the person she has to apply for a job with is from her high school days, and her nick name was "Polka Dot" and she first was very rude to Berdie, but it all turns out well.

Her daughter has problems in school with a bully, and at one point it seemed to consume Berdie, but someone comes to her rescue.

And one of my favorite singers --Garth Brooks---sings Hope Floats. A good show for the family to watch together.

Pop your corn and get ready for a great movie that shows what life can give and take away and give a great gift in the end.  

© BEPH  2011