Thursday, October 8, 2020

BONE TOMAHAWK


Ok just watched Bone Tomahawk and I am dazzled. Kurt Russell, for one thing, has the best beard and blue eyes in the business. Richard Jenkins! Matthew Fox! Patrick Wilson! And then it is an honest-to-god Western-with all the dust and dirt and brutality and bad outfits. The cinematography is gorgeous, all long shots to enjoy the gray dusty landscape--until you get to the 45-minute denouement and then it is all up close and stomach turning. Not lots of blood, but atrocities that are creative and visceral.The palette is is so monochromatic that you are relieved to see Kurt's blue eyes.  Even the trogs are pale and pasty and carry--you guessed it--bone tomahawks from leftover bison jaws. They have their voice boxes stuck in their throats and they make sounds that I guarantee you have never imagined. Rich characterization throughout, not usually a horror staple. And after I commented to Tom that it reminded me of that brutal jailhouse movie starring Vince Vaughn (Brawl in Cell Block 99), we found that both are directed by S Craig Zahler.  A total win. 👌👌👌👌