Movie Review: “3:10 to Yuma”

This is a remake of the 1957 classic western of the same name. Dan Evans, a crippled Union Army veteran trying to survive bad times as a rancher in Arizona, is pitted against Ben Wade, a sophisticated sociopath outlaw who must be escorted to a train station in Yuma, AZ. In the course of their travels, Dan and Ben build an unlikely bond. Both Dan and Ben make sacrifices in the end in an attempt to redeem both their characters and situations. If not for the salty language, it would have earned a PG-13 rating. Christian Bale (Dan Evans) and Russell Crowe (Ben Wade) gave masterful, powerful performances. Peter Fonda and Luke Wilson made cameo appearances.

Movie Review: Molie’re

This movie’s plot centers around the imaginary events of an undocumented 13 years in the life of famous 17th century French playwright Moliere. At a low point in his career, Moliere is rescued from a Parisian prison to compose a play and teach acting to a rich French bourgeois, Monsieur Jourdain, who is courting a rich pompous young widow. Moliere develops a mutual attachment with Monsieur Jourdain’s wife, Elmire. The story evolves into multiple nests of plays within plays. Like a classic Italian opera, infidelity and dishonesty are rife in the lives and habits of all the central characters. In the end, Monsieur Jordain, wife Elmire and Moliere realize the plight and severity of their personal character flaws. Their lives are redeemed by this realization and individual sacrifices that ultimately result in honor and lasting fidelity.