Wyatt Earp (1994) and Tombstone (1993) were films released six months apart, each prominently featuring Old American West icon Wyatt Earp.

Although Tombstone was largely seen as the superior film, and Wyatt Earp argued as a flop by many, I take the contrarian point of view here.

I believe Wyatt Earp to be an excellent film with a strong cast of some of the my all-time favorite actors, starring Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Dennis Quaid, Tom Sizemore, Michael Madsen, Mark Harmon, Isabella Rossellini, and Bill Pullman. That is a very tough cast to of talented and charismatic actors to beat.

The three-hour wild west epic adventure is well worth the time, with memorable scenes and dialogue.

There is no denying that Vincent Gallo is a different breed of cat. Buffalo ’66 (1998) remains his finest work to date, in which he headlines the cast on top of writing and directing the low-budget independent film. A nearly unrecognizable Christina Ricci also turns in a memorable performance, as well as the great Ben Gazzara.

Buffalo ’66 is a quirky comedy/drama, but ultimately it is well done and worth checking out.

From Wikipedia:

Having just served five years in prison for a crime he did not commit, Billy Brown (Vincent Gallo) kidnaps a young tap dancer named Layla (Christina Ricci) and forces her to pretend to be his wife. Layla allows herself to be kidnapped and it is clear she is romantically attracted to Billy from the start, but Billy all the while is compelled to deal with his own demons, his loneliness and his depression.
The subplot of Billy seeking revenge on the man indirectly responsible for his imprisonment, Scott Wood, is a reference to a former Buffalo Bills kicker, Scott Norwood, who missed the game-winning field goal in Super Bowl XXV against the New York Giants in 1991.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX41P0_URcA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhURkDAWOf4

Enough time has likely passed since its release, with its cult following abating, to the point where my recommendation for Swingers (1996) tonight makes sense. The low budget independent film marked both Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau’s coming out party on their eventual road to stardom and riches in Hollywood, with a great supporting cast in Heather Graham, Ron Livingston, and Patrick Van Horn.

If you are older than 25, you likely have seen this one. But it is worth seeing again. And if you have not seen it, you might as well make room for it tonight.

The subjects of coolness, life happiness, and the dating scene for guys in their 20’s and 30’s are thoroughly broached, mocked, and pondered among aspiring actors in Los Angeles.

Escape from Alcatraz (1979) stars Clint Eastwood and is directed by the great Don Siegel. Based on true events, the film dramatizes the only successful escape attempt from the maximum security prison on Alcatraz Island. The film also features the film debut of Danny Glover.

Entertaining, and recommended.

The Wild Bunch (1969) headlines the talented William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, and Robert Ryan about an aging group of outlaws looking for one last big score as the “traditional” American West is disappearing around them.

If you are looking for well-done western action, this film is as good as any.

Mean Streets (1973) is often seen as the the film which gave birth to some of the later classics in which Robert De Niro and director Martin Scorsese collaborated. I recommend it on a standalone basis as well, though the context for future films is warranted too.