'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford'

[ALIASd]

Not unlike the famous outlaw himself this film had a troubled history and a questionable and inflated reputation.
First came it's original release date being pushed back a year and talk of badly received test screenings here in Los Angeles. Happily the filmmakers have used their time wisely and well and have crafted a modern masterpiece. At the recent 64th Venice International Film Festival star Brad Pitt was voted Best Actor. I'd expect to see his name in contention in the same category for the next Academy Awards.

Pitt's work in this film is a revelation, it touchs the stepping stones of his career thru 'Twelve Monkeys', 'Fight Club' and 'Babel' and bypasses them all.

Casey Affleck gives a masterful performance as Robert Ford. His mad childhood man-crush on the famous outlaw escalates beyond fandom to the heights of a modern stalker and ultimately hero displacement. A song from The Eagles' 'Desperado' album, 'Certain Kind Of Fool' describes him well:

They got respect, oh yeah,
He wants the same, oh yeah,
And it's a certain kind of fool who
Like to hear the sound of his own name

This is a film that taps the cinematic beauty of other films such as 'Days of Heaven' and 'Heaven's Gate' but has it's own singular beauty and charms.
The cast is perfect from an always dazzling Sam Rockwell as Charlie Ford and Sam Shepard as Frank James to Mary-Louise Parker and Zooey Deschanel. Special mention should also be made of the young actors that shine very brightly as various James gang members Jeremy Renner, Garret Dillahunt and Paul Schneider, one of the saving graces in 'Elizabethtown', as Dick Liddil.

Since the 1920s motion pictures have made Jesse James an even bigger star than he was in life, expanding upon the dimestore novels that secured his fame. He's been portrayed by Tyrone Power and was a major figure in 'The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid' and a favorite of mine Walter Hill's 'The Long Riders'. James' long ride has gotten better with time and struck gold now.

'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford'
is now playing in Los Angeles, New York, Austin and Toronto

The film is rated R
http://jessejamesmovie.warnerbros.com/

[Retrocool]

You know, we have a section for movies. Might want to move this.

[Barbossa]

I almost worked on this movie when it was filming in Alberta. I actually saw the film crew setting up for some winter shots at the Heritage Park in Calgary. It was the last weekend in August and they were rolling out these big white sheets to simulate snow. The steam locomotive that they used is the #107 at Fort Edmonton heritage park up in Edmonton.

Anybody know when this movie is going to get a wide release? I checked the internet, but it said its only playing at about 5 theaters right now.

[ALIASd]

Anybody know when this movie is going to get a wide release? I checked the internet, but it said its only playing at about 5 theaters right now.

The platform release pattern continues this weekend with more theatres being added. Wide release should follow by end of the month where Warner Bros. will balance 'Michael Clayton' with 'Jesse James'.

BTW - Calgary & Edmonton stand in beautifully for Missouri in the early 1880s.

[Barbossa]

BTW - Calgary & Edmonton stand in beautifully for Missouri in the early 1880s.

I think they also did some filming in the Winnipeg area.

[aimster]

This movie wins longest title of the year!

[ALIASd]

S.F. critics embrace 'Jesse James'

Clooney, Christie, Coens also honored

By Dennis Harvey
Variety
Posted: Tue., Dec. 11, 2007, 9:38am PT

Breaking away from the most of the other critical bodies this awards season, the San Francisco Film Critics’ Circle voted Andrew Dominik’s “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” as best feature film.

Last year, the S.F. crix voted best pic to “Little Children,” which didn’t receive much support for best film from other voting bodies.

Also from “Jesse James,” Casey Affleck -- as irksome yet pathetic boy-man Ford, a real-life figure popularly pilloried for shooting folk-heroic James -- was tabbed top supporting actor.

Epic feature, which divided many U.S. crix into love it or hate it camps, has proven an expensive commercial nonstarter thus far, grossing about $3.8 million domestic, or little more than one-tenth its estimated budget. Late-starting kudos momentum could conceivably brighten Warner Bros.’ prospects for foreign, DVD and perhaps even reprised Stateside theatrical play.

Otherwise, principal winners announced Monday night echoed similar judgments coming down the awards pike: the Coen Brothers nabbed top director for “No Country for Old Men”; Julie Christie was pronounced top lead actress as a wife succumbing to Alzheimer’s in “Away From Her”; George Clooney as morally conflicted corporate fixer “Michael Clayton” won for lead actor. Supporting actress was grabbed by Amy Ryan’s crude, slovenly mother of a missing child in “Gone Baby Gone.”

http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_...ryid=1983&cs=1

[Barbossa]

I want to see this movie and it still hasn't opened in wide release. It's like Darjeeling Limited which just opened at a local theater this week.

[ALIASd]

Pitt's star power couldn't help 'James'

Specialty film fails at box office despite Brad

By Pamela McClintock
Variety
December 21, 2007

"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" signals a trend that leaves Hollywood worried as 2007 rings out: A number of pics touting the biggest stars couldn't find their groove.

Specialty films like "Jesse James," featuring Brad Pitt and directed by New Zealander Andrew Dominik, joined others starring Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep in getting lost at the box office this fall. "Jesse James" has grossed just $3.8 million domestically and another $7.5 million overseas. It's still playing in 30 or so theaters in the U.S., with Warners hoping for a bump from its awards runs. But with such low box office, the film is in a precarious position.

The idea that the biggest stars aren't bulletproof is nothing new; it's just never happened to this extent in one year.

And, in the case of "Jesse James," it once again raises the age-old question -- at what point does a studio take back power from the filmmaker?

Making "James" was a long and arduous process. There was a well-publicized tug-of-war between director Andrew Dominik, who caught Hollywood's attention with indie title "Chopper," and Warners over the editing of the film.

Warners' wasn't entirely in sync with the pacing of the movie, or the length (one cut ran more than three hours). Dominik was thinking more like Terence Malick in examining the relationship between the famous outlaw and his eventual assassin, Robert Ford, played by Casey Affleck. Warners was in favor of having at least a bit more action.

Dominik based his script on the book by Ron Hansen.

Ultimately, Warners went with Dominik's version, even though Dominik didn't have final cut as part of his contract. Part of the reason was that Pitt, who produced the movie through his Plan B shingle, backed Dominik. At one point along the way, Pitt and exec producer Ridley Scott had put together their own cut. When it tested to only so-so results, they went back to Dominik's.

Another chief reason is that Warners considers itself to be a filmmaker-friendly studio. That has been one of the hallmarks of Jeff Robinov's tenure as prexy of production, and he soon will be transitioning to a larger role at the studio.

"We're not a place that says, 'It's my way or the highway,' " one Warners executive says.

The studio says "Jesse James" cost $30 million to produce. Shooting was actually completed in the latter part of 2005; the release was delayed by more than a year until September 2007 due to editing.

By the time "Jesse James" opened in five locations Sept. 21, Warners had tempered its expectations; usually, when a film underperforms at the box office, there's all sorts of hand-wringing back on the studio lot.

Warners is surprised, though, that Pitt isn't getting more awards attention in the U.S. after winning best actor for the pic at the Venice Film Fest. So far, it's Affleck who is feeling most of the awards heat. Affleck nabbed a Golden Globe supporting actor nom, and won the supporting actor nod from the National Board of Review.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...ryid=1019&cs=1

[ALIASd]

Assassination of Jesse James



December 3, 2007

Historical figures are the subject of a number of releases due in the first quarter.

Warner will release The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford on Feb. 5 (prebook Jan. 2; DVD $27.95). The movie starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck grossed $3.7 million in limited release.

Other than the cast (Pitt on the cover is usually good for a few DVD sales), Jesse James has a lot going for it. Look at what Variety said about the film: "A ravishing, magisterial, poetic epic that moves its characters toward their tragic destinies with all the implacability of a Greek drama, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is one of the best westerns of the '70s, which represents the highest possible praise." Indeed.

http://www.videobusiness.com/blog/16...870018187.html

[Barbossa]

I still don't understand why they didn't do a wide release of this movie.

[aimster]

This is still the longest movie title ever!

[ALIASd]

CONGRATULATIONS on the nominations!!!!

Actor in a Supporting Role - Casey Affleck

Cinematography - Roger Deakins

http://www.thr.com/hr/content_displa...fa7ff46aca41da

[sir clinksalot]

I REALLY wanted to see this movie, but it was marketed wrong and wasn't ever put into wide-release. I think it probably could have done well.

And wow, an Affleck that can act.

[ALIASd]

And direct. Casey gave an equally terrific performance in Ben's first film, 'Gone Baby Gone'. His co-star Amy Ryan received a nomination too.

Warner Brothers held it back too long and then put all their efforts into 'Michael Clayton'. The bet payed off but at the expense of a truly wonderful film. Hope it finds the audience it deserves upon its home entertainment debut on February 5th.