Hostiles [Blu-ray]

Hostiles Hostiles has moved into the ranks of my all time favorite Westerns. After viewing the movie two years ago, there was something that drew me back to the film, and the price of the DVD was a bargain. After watching the movie a second time through, it is a work of art in regards to its beauty, acting, and message of reconciliation. Spare on dialogue, long on expression, posture and the constant theme of irony that permeates the movie, it needs be savored as a good meal or that glass of single malt. I’ve seen a number of Christian Bale flicks, but his performance in Hostiles is the one that has left a lasting impression. As the Indian Wars of compression and extermination are all but over in the 1890’s American West, the need for the mounted cavalry which carried out the war has ceased to exist. The Bale character, who has obviously warred against the Indians with vengeance, is given one last assignment, which requires him to escort a dying Cheyenne Chief (Wes Studi) to Montana so he can die and be buried on his native land. After years of war, it is made obvious Bale is hostile to this last order. Carry out the order, or face Court Marshall. Enter Rosamund Pike, whose entire family has just been wiped out by marauding Comanche renegades, with a conditioned fear of and newfound reason to hate Indians. She accompanies Bale and his small detachment, and becomes a pivotal figure in the movies irony and reconciliation theme. A fine cast, superbly directed by Scott Cooper, of characters are drawn together along the journey to Montana where the final irony occurs. The Chief is buried on what happens to be a rancher’s land and the final conflict of the movie occurs. Bale shines in this part, first embracing the irony of his situation. Through his facial expressions, the tilt of and slow shaking of his head, it’s as if he finally realizes during this no win situation, who are the true hostiles. His last fight is brutal, cruel, and filled with poetic justice. It’s as if Christian Bale and the movie Hostiles were made for each other. Other than the scene with the fur trappers capturing the women... which seems rushed and likely great portions of this scene on the cutting room floor, this is a fantastic movie. To some, the movie may appear slow moving, but as in all art, where there appears to be nothing, the negative spaces, these spaces are just as important to the subject matter, as they are to the storyline in Hostiles. A superb musical score always compliments, and never overwhelms what is happening on the screen. I liked that. A sixty minute special feature on the making of Hostiles is included. I highly recommend viewing the movie Hostiles.

Great movie that did a good job dealing with the realities of the time and of mankind. Stories, whether in books or movies can do a good job in telling a story that we can learn from and maybe increase our perceptions. On another note. I see this alot in reviews where movies are downgraded due to a technical issue the reviewer dealt with or a dislike of the format or most anything that has nothing to do with the movie. Hopefully, we are here to pass on our thoughts about the experience of watching the story unfold. Be critical of that, either for good or the bad. But don't punish someone's hard work due to things that have nothing to do with it. Like Amazon, google, disney or hollywood or just about anything unrelated to the movie.

Very good western!! I have watched it several times!

Excellent movie. Wonderful acting. I have a blue ray DVD player. The 4K disc plays perfectly. The other disc which I assume is a blue ray disc does not play. Anyone have a similar problem?

Came in good condition, reat watch.

Great movie…..better history lesson…..as humans we haven’t changed much!

I almost turned this film off during the first scene, but I persevered and could not be more pleased that I did. A film of epic scope in the tradition of Dances With Wolves, Heaven’s Gate, The Cowboys, and True Grit, Hostiles is not for the faint of heart and not to be underestimated. Following the harrowing journey of a heterogeneous collection of sometime enemies turned unlikely allies, the plot is steady, compelling, and believable. In a time when overblown and heavy handed cinema is the norm, a gritty, emotional, and honest film, like Hostiles, is a breath of fresh air. It is as gentle as it is violent, peaceful as it is profane, calming as it is chaotic, and saddening as it is hopeful. I’ve not seen a more impactful American story told in such a profoundly unassuming fashion in many years, and I would not hesitate to call it one of the very best films set in the American West released in the last 30 years. SPOILER ALERT!!! …………….. …………….. ……………. If violence is not your cup of tea, the first scene will be shocking and hard to watch. It sets a melancholy tone that persists throughout, and, as stated above, is not for the faint of heart. Had this film ended one scene earlier or without Blocker turning around on the train platform, I would have left it with a hole in my heart. The kernel of hope that’s nurtured through the film bursts into a fledgling stalk of joy amidst the painful conclusion, in the last few moments before the credits. This is a master class in how to end a movie, and I cannot praise it enough.

This movie is only in DTS 5.1. I was underwhelmed. The impression I had was that 4k discs would all be remastered in Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. Not the case. Great movie but they went cheap and didn’t upgrade the audio to Dolby Atmos.