The Westerner

Ahh The Westerner, a great film about a hanging judge Roy Bean, played brilliantly by Walter Brennan, who has a particularly strong obsession with Lily Langtry a star of the stage. Well that's what one would say if that's what the film was about, only. There  is a fairly substantial amount of Judge Roy Bean to be found in the film, but there is also far too much filler involving Gary Cooper's bland cowboy who finds romance in the west. Everything involving the judge works, everything that does not is just very tired, and extremely forgettable. Unfortunately the film proceeds by going back and forth making for a problematic viewing experience. Luckily there is enough of Bean for one to consider the film good, but it sure would have been nice if the film had been interesting even when he was off screen.
3.5/5

Pinocchio

Ah Pinocchio, what's not to love about this film? I love everything about I don't mind admitting. The animation is just beautiful, and I miss so much the days of the truly glorious painted background like you see in this film. It's just marvelous to look at with the highlight on that front having to be Monstro in all his glory. The story itself is of course straight forward as a puppet tries to learn what is to be a real boy, but hey that's more than enough. What I love is it hardly a sugar coated journey to be found as old Pinocchio has to avoid drinking, cigars, corrupt circus performers, and naturally child slavers before dealing with a man eating whale. It's not a simple fun adventure that some of that is to be had. It's gets dark and effectively so, which makes the more expected lighthearted Disney moments truly earned by the end. It's creates a rather grim world with some very terrifying aspects which make that warm ending we find something special.
5/5