I know this film has already been mentioned here but felt like putting my two bits on the table. I know it appeared on at least one of Messy's long movie lists and so may have been overlooked because Mess has a habit of listing about 50 films at once and seems to be pretty generous in his love of all kinds of film.

I just wanted to say if you have not seen this go get it and check it out. I don't like to talk a lot about plot and that sort of thing because I think that you should be allowed to see the film with fresh eyes and enjoy what's coming. I will say I think that Mr. Jones direction and the story do seem to be a tip of the hat to another great film "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" by the late great Sam Peckinpah featuring probably the best Warren Oates performance ever caught on film. So if you've seen "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" and liked that you will certainly like "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada."

If you have not seen either one of these films, well, now you've got two great films to check out.

One other thing that is sort of an aside here is a gripe I have about guns and gunplay in films. I just throw this out for general discussion but I really think there are very few filmmakers that can insert a gun or gunplay into a film without making it seem either completely gratuitous, dumb, clumsy, a total cliche, or in general utterly ham fisted. It's not that I have a problem with violence in films - I'm a fan of Peckinpah after all - it's just that so many people suck royally at putting it on film. I just think it should feel like something if you are going to use it. I think that would be the point of inserting a gun or gunplay into a film...or it should be the point...that you are going to make the audience feel something. Anyway, it's just my gripe and it ruins a lot of movies for me.

Just to be fair I feel the same way about sex in films, good film sex has some sort of emotion behind it, otherwise it's just getting a peek at some naked bodies. Just as an example a couple films that use sex to great effect would be, in my opinion, "Last Tango in Paris" or more recently "Monster's Ball." I guess my point is it takes me out of the film when it's obvious the nudity or violence is just thrown in for you to ogle rather than moving the story along or showing something about the characters. I like sex and violence in films, hey I'm a guy, but I guess just like in life I prefer good sex and resorting to violence only when it's what's needed.

Ha! No politics in this post at all...but I've opened the door to a talk about sex and violence...so come on jump in the waters wet and warm and clothing is optional...hang your gun belt on the hooks by the door...even Grillboy can take part in this one, leave the bugs at home though will ya...

Oh yeah and has anyone investigated whether Mr. Baerwald owns any stock in, say, Husqvarna...might explain his over zealous promotion of the many uses of a chainsaw.