Appaloosa

From www.ropeofsilicon.com

Appaloosa Hits Theaters in September: Ed Harris's Appaloosa, a New Line reject starring Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zellweger, Harris, Jeremy Irons and Lance Henriksen, on Wednesday, 9.17.08 in New York, L.A. and Toronto, followed by a 500-screen break on Friday, 9.19.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Coming soon to a theater near you: Appaloosa



Good news, pardners: Appaloosa, Ed Harris' eagerly awaited film version of Robert B. Parker's popular Western novel, finally has a release date. The movie -- which stars Harris, Viggo Mortensen and Oscar winners Renee Zellweger and Jeremy Irons -- will gallop into theaters Sept. 19 nationwide. While you're waiting, take a look inside the current issue of Cowboys & Indians -- yep, the one with Tom Selleck on the cover -- to read my interview with Parker (who's very excited about the movie) and see some photos of Mortensen (above, left) and Harris (right) as lawmen Everett Hitch and Virgil Cole.

Posted by Joe Leydon on Cowboys & Indians Blogspot

Photos copyright of New Line Cinema

Oh that movie looks so good. "Feelings get you killed?" Well we will have to see soon what that means.

Another big hat for Viggo.

From ew.com:
Fall Movie Preview: Trailers

Fall Movie Trailers: See 'em and Rate 'em

Check out the teasers for a selection of fall's big releases and give us your grade
APPALOOSA
Sept. 17
Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, Renée Zellweger, Jeremy Irons

In 2005, when Ed Harris arrived at the Toronto Film Festival to promote A History of Violence with his costar Viggo Mortensen, he brought a book along with him. Harris wanted Mortensen to read Appaloosa, the 2005 Western novel by crime writer Robert B. Parker that he was hoping to turn into a movie. In addition to co-writing and directing the project, Harris thought he'd play Virgil Cole, the laconic lawman who sets about cleaning up the titular 1880s town, and he wanted Mortensen to play Everett, Cole's even more laconic sidekick. ''It's a totally awkward proposition, handing 
 another actor a book like that,'' Harris says, laughing. ''But I enjoyed working with Viggo in A History of Violence, and I thought he'd respond to the material.''

Mortensen did. Like Harris, he was drawn to the quiet, layered friendship between the two cowboys — which is tested by Zellweger as the woman who tries to woo them both. ''I like to ride horses, and I like Westerns, but there are a lot of bad ones,'' Mortensen says. ''What set this one apart is just how the characters are a little more guarded.'' Says Harris: ''I was just drawn to the unspoken comradeship of these guys. Though they've been hanging for years, they're not too intimate, but they know each other. Aside from in sports, or being a cop, I can't think of any other situation where a friendship like that is called for.''

The result is a decidedly old-fashioned oater — Harris shunned a revisionist approach. ''I love the original 3:10 to Yuma, My Darling Clementine, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,'' says Harris, who's directing for the first time since 2000's Pollock. ''This movie is definitely in the classic mode.''

OUR TWO CENTS We love the casting, but even Harris admits, ''You can count on one hand — or maybe half a hand — the number of Westerns that were box office successes in the recent past.''
Watch the trailer:

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20219070_20219072_20219698,00.html

Appaloosa Production Photos

Western drama reteams Harris and Mortensen, who worked together on New Line's A History of Violence. The story is adapted from Robert B. Parker's novel of the same name, centered on a pair of friends hired to protect a lawless town suffering at the hands of a renegade rancher. The arrival of an attractive widow disrupts their plans.

While talking with Entertainment Weekly, Ed Harris did admit that the western genre doesn't usually fare that well at the box office. Bringing in the whole History of Violence dynamic, the director-actor is hoping to beat the odds.

Images property of New Line Cinema

I hope the movie does well too. Just wonder why they didn't have Maria Bello instead of Renee Zwelleger though. Or maybe Maria plays stronger type women better than Renee.

From Box Office Prophet:

Appaloosa

Release Date: October 3, 2008

Randall Bragg, played by Jeremy Irons, is a wealthy rancher who has taken control over a small, non-descript town called Appaloosa in an unidentified part of the American west. He rules the town after killing its marshal and his deputy and simply takes whatever he pleases, be it property or even worse, people. The small town quietly contacts two former gunmen and offers them the recently vacated position of marshal and deputy. Virgil Cole, played by Ed Harris, is the new marshal and Everett Hitch, played by Viggo Mortensen, is his deputy. Both men understand the lure of easy wealth through evil deeds and yet they both have made conscious choices to be on the good and proper side of the law. The two sides are now bound to collide and battle for ultimate control over the town.

In this way, this story (if not the setting) is not unfamiliar to modern audiences. The latest and perhaps one of the best recent examples of this type of story is actually Batman Begins. In it, Bruce Wayne is similar to the two almost but not quite anti-heroes of Appaloosa. They use their understanding of the damaged moral make-up of their opponents to their advantage. They have this knowledge perhaps because, save for their choice and a traumatic event or two, they too could indulge in their opponent’s lifestyle.

Rene Zellweger presumably will play the young widow, Miss French, apparently a woman with her own questionable moral code who complicates Virgil Cole’s already complex ethical terrain.

Ed Harris not only stars in the film but also helped write the screenplay, produces and directs. It will be his second time assuming the position of director since his directorial debut in 2000’s Pollack. His first challenge was actually to begin filming in October of 2007, as fears of a looming actor’s strike threatened to halt productions across Hollywood. They proved to be at the time of this writing unwarranted fears but production was advanced.

The screenplay is based on a book of the same name authored by Robert B. Parker. The book itself is a well reviewed as a complex morality play which breaks from standard conventions of much of popular western fiction, which typically presents characters with clear moral distinctions. It is reported to be an engaging and easily accessible and readable novel. It is also the second pure western novel by Parker following Gunman’s Rhapsody. He is, however, best known for his private investigator novels with the Spenser character. The novels were eventually turned into a brief TV series starring Robert Urich during the mid-'80s. The novels and series explored similar themes to Appaloosa as almost anti-heroes declare their moral codes and pledge their existence to their success and triumph. (D. James Ruccio/BOP)

Thanks for all the new things, friends!

Hands up, Mr. Cowboy! Shoot first and ask later!

Oh, I love to see Viggo as a cowboy! And I love to see him with a large hat! Large hats suit him.

I'm looking very much forward to watch the movie!

From IESB.net:

Written by Stephanie Sanchez

Friday, 22 August 2008

APPALOOSA starring Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris from Warner Bros. opens in select cities on September 19 followed by a nationwide release on October 3. The IESB has got a complete photo gallery from the film along with a few story details! Enjoy! We've been all over out here. Virgil gets hired to settle things down in towns that need settling, and I go with him. -- Everett Hitch Oscar nominee Viggo Mortensen ("Eastern Promises"), four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris ("Pollock"), Academy Award winner Renee Zellweger ("Cold Mountain") and Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons ("Reversal of Fortune") star in the Western "Appaloosa," adapted from the Robert B. Parker novel. Set in 1882 in the Old West territory of New Mexico, "Appaloosa" revolves around city marshal Virgil Cole (Harris) and his deputy and partner Everett Hitch (Mortensen), who have made their reputation as peacekeepers in the lawless towns springing up in the untamed land. In the small mining community of Appaloosa, a ruthless, powerful rancher named Randall Bragg (Irons) has allowed his band of outlaws to run roughshod over the town. After the cold-blooded murder of Appaloosa's city marshal, Cole and Hitch are hired to bring the murderer to justice. While establishing new authority with equal parts grit and guns, Cole and Hitch meet provocative newcomer Allison French (Zellweger), whose unconventional ways threaten to undermine their progress and to destroy the two lawmen's decade-old partnership. New Line Cinema presents in association with Axon Films, a Groundswell Production of an Ed Harris film, "Appaloosa," starring Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, Renee Zellweger, Jeremy Irons, Timothy Spall and Lance Henriksen. The film was directed by Ed Harris from a screenplay by Robert Knott & Ed Harris, based on the novel by Robert B. Parker. Harris, Knott and Ginger Sledge produced the film, with Michael London, Cotty Chubb, Toby Emmerich and Sam Brown serving as executive producers. The behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Dean Semler, production designer Waldemar Kalinowski, editor Kathryn Himoff and costume designer David Robinson. The music is by Jeff Beal. "Appaloosa" reunites Ed Harris with a number of colleagues from his past films, including Viggo Mortensen ("A History of Violence"), Timothy Spall ("To Kill a Priest"), Lance Henriksen ("The Right Stuff"), and Timothy V. Murphy ("National Treasure: Book of Secrets"). Returning to collaborate with Harris from his feature film debut, "Pollock," are costume designer David Robinson and editor Kathryn Himoff, as well as cast members Tom Bower and Robert Knott.

All images courtesy of IESB.net

Thanks Jenn. You know I'm starting to look forward to this movie more and more. The pairing of these two male actors should create a lot of interest - both are talented and have good screen sex appeal. Should even be able to outshine the whiny, pouty-mouthed and tiresome Renee. meow!! Thankfully Ariadne Gil will provide some real on-screen beauty and sensuousness.

I've always been a fan of Ed Harris since I saw him in Appollo 13. It saddened me to see him killed in HoV. I always wondered about his violent outburst during the HoV intereview in TIFF a few years ago. He certainly made his point.

From sfbg.com by Cheryl Eddy:

Tick-tock, Us Weekly!


Oct. 3: Weirdly, there aren't many horror flicks primed for October releases this year. Guess Beverly Hills Chihuahua, which stars the voices of nearly every known Latino actor in Hollywood (Edward James Olmos, how could you?), is gonna have to fit the bill. Director Raja Gosnell also helmed both Scooby-Doo movies. Far more promising is Ed Harris' Appaloosa, a Western about two lawmen (Harris and Viggo Mortensen) whose friendship is tested by, natch, a dame (Renée Zellweger). Those of us for whom "Viggo on a horse" is box-office draw enough can work around the Zellweger.

Welcome back to the Old West: the 'Appaloosa' trailer

Posted by John Serba
August 27, 2008 22:16PM

Of this, there is no doubt: I heart Westerns.
Which means I've been anticipating "Appaloosa" for a year now, ever since I interviewed an Old West-beard-wearing Viggo Mortensen, and he said he was in the process of shooting it with director/star Ed Harris.
So when I saw this clip, I pumped ye olde fist in the air:

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg3TaAPELkQ&eurl=http://blog.mlive.com/projectmayhem/2008/08/welcome_back_to_the_old_west_t.html

Pros:

It's a Western. They're a dying breed. But good quality representatives of the genre -- e.g., last year's "3:10 to Yuma" remake, "The Assassination of Jesse James" and untouchable HBO drama "Deadwood" -- keep coming, and this gives me the same vibe.

Harris is a solid director. He previously helmed "Pollack," an excellent biopic (which earned him a Best Actor Oscar nod). He lends credibility to most any project.

Viggo. He's a grossly underrated actor. He's in the same league with Christian Bale, Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Russell Crowe when it comes to talent and intensity. He helped make "A History of Violence" a Great Bleeping Film. Plus: he's Aragorn.
Jeremy Irons. When playing a teeth-gnashing bad guy, he has the capability to scare the crap out of you.

Cons:
Renee Zellweger. I'm not a hater. In fact, I enjoy her performances (especially in "Nurse Betty" and "Jerry Maguire"). But I also believe she's slightly overrated, and doesn't necessarily deserve so much Oscar attention.

This clip is officially inflicted with the modern strain of traileritis. In other words, it shows too damn much. Teasing the big shootout? And 'net chatter from those who've read the book confirms that it gives away key plot points.

ENTER THE IESB APPALOOSA SWEEPSTAKES AT:

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_ezine&task=read&page=1&category=7&article=5383

From the National Post:

Appaloosa (2.5 stars)
Posted: September 03, 2008, 2:49 PM
by Brad Frenette

Appaloosa
**½
U.S.A., directed by Ed Harris
Starring Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger

• Appaloosa is an old-school western, the kind where men are men and women are, well, Renée Zellweger. This is Ed Harris’s first directing effort since 2000’s Pollock and here, too, plenty of red is spilled. He stares holes through the bad guys as sheriff Virgil Cole, a tough-as-nails sheriff hell-bent on ridding the small town of Appaloosa of a murderous rancher (Jeremy Irons channelling Daniel Plainview). Viggo Mortensen, a real-life cowboy, oozes cool as his partner. Zellweger is mostly a bust, and the film feels double its 114 minute running time, but Appaloosa redeems itself through unexpected moments of levity, Harris’s steady direction and the god amongst men, Lance Henriksen.

In seven words or less The good, the bad and the Viggo.

Screenings: Sept. 5, 6 p.m., Visa Screening Room (Elgin); Sept. 6, 9:30 a.m., Scotiabank Theatre 2
– Mark Medley