To blog, or not to blog…that is the question: Whether it is nobler to keep one’s opinions to oneself or to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune by opening one’s mouth up on the Web about all things under the sun in the form of a Blog (i.e., an online journal/diary). Does it really matter? Unlike a private diary, or journal, I believe that things said online should be said with utmost discretion, which means, I won’t criticize anyone that I know, or, anyone in the public eye, but I will praise them, when I see fit, because I believe in praise: There’s certainly enough discordant energy going around in the world today, so, why contribute to it?

This brings me to my first post and why I think the 2007 re-make of “3:10 to Yuma” starring Christian Bale (“Dan Evans”) and Russell Crowe (“Ben Wade”), among others, and directed by James Mangold, is, to-date, the best Film I’ve ever seen.

Allow me to extrapolate….

A great Film is only as great as the story (the “skeleton”), irrespective of how great the script, acting, directing or cinematography is, and this Film (based on the 1950s short story by Elmore Leonard) is an excellent example of a great story: The heart of this story is the poignant journey, inwardly and outwardly, of a father wishing to reclaim the respect of his family, but most notably, that of his adolescent, oldest son.

Every boy, early on, looks up to his father as “Superman,” as a “Hero,” and in this case, the oldest son has grown beyond this blind, juvenile “hero-worship” state into one of deep, personal disenchantment, coupled with becoming the proverbial, rebellious youth finding his way towards manhood.

For anyone who hasn’t seen this brilliant Film, yet, I’ll say no more about the story, but will say that, in this instance, everyone involved in the making of this Film did an excellent job: The Director, the Cinematographer, the supporting Actors and…the Editor(s). Whoever had the ultimate “final cut” authority did a brilliant job: I saw some of the deleted scenes, which were good, however, had they been included, they would have diluted the potency of the Film, as a whole: It works because the focal points are simple; one plot, four strong characters (“Dan Evans,” “Ben Wade,” “Charlie Prince” and “Will Evans”) and a measured, strong, and colorful ensemble of supporting ones.

The Film moves in a compelling pace and the soundtrack is wonderful!

Pay attention to any scenes with Christian Bale: He so fully immerses himself into his roles, that one feels as if one is a “fly on the wall,” privy to an actual, real conversation going on between him and another character(s).

I should think that anyone involved in the making of this Film consider it a true gem in his/her career: And, wow---to have been one of the younger, cast members (e.g., Benjamin Petry as “Mark Evans”); how many young Actors would’ve traded their eye teeth to have been a part of this, to have contributed and worked alongside such acting Idols in one of the greatest, cultural exports this country has ever produced? The quintessential “American Western” and they don’t come any more classic than “3:10 to Yuma.”

Well, enough of my effusive "exudery" for today. If you haven’t rented this on DVD yet, please, do yourself a favor this weekend, and do so! As a matter of fact, just buy it: You won’t get tired of seeing it, several times over.

Getting back to this Blog business: A bit of an explanation about my spelling; I spell each of the Arts and their practitioners beginning with a capital letter. It is a conscious idiosyncrasy (aren’t they all?), and some kind of an acceptable affectation; a show of respect; a habit I picked up when I began to study the German language in 2001. Even though it is “grammatically-incorrect,” in English, I consider it “thematically-correct,” in the Universe of Mavarla, therefore, subject to the dictates of my own Rule.

Goethe would’ve approved.