Dutton Ranch

Dutton Ranch is a good show.   Having seen and enjoyed Yellowstone, I knew what I was getting into.  No matter where Beth and Rip go, peace isn't an option.  Things start off rocky right off the bat for the two and I can't say it gets better for them.  That said, the chaos isn't of their doing.  Now how they handle the chaos is what we've grown to know and love about the pair.  Me and pop enjoyed the show.  If you liked Yellowstone, I think you'll like Dutton Ranch.

Marshals Season 1

Marshals:  Pop and I finished season 1 and enjoyed it. It's a Yellowstone spinoff but it's not like it in many ways.  Not near as much violence, cursing and romantic moments.  It feels more like a classic television show, and it was aired on CBS.  The show follows Kayce Dutton as he becomes a US Marshall in Montana.  Since he can stay at home while working with the team, there's plenty of same issues seen in Yellowstone.  But being a US Marshal, it takes on a new look with new team members while bringing back some Yellowstone veterans.  The series really develops the different characters while working cases that fall their way.  It's a good watch.  I liked it.  

Yellowstone Television Series (2018-2024)

Pop and I finished the Yellowstone series last year.  We enjoyed it.  The series centers around the Dutton family who owns the Yellowstone ranch and have to fight external forces who want to take their land and their way of life.  It's hard not to side with them no matter how brutal they are in the defense of their land.  Wyoming is beautiful and who doesn't dream of doing something so simple as raise cattle and be left alone to enjoy life in such a setting.  

It's not a series for the faint of heart, but the western appeal and drama easily suck you in.  The characters are easy to like in spite of their ways.  They do a great job giving them each their story whether it's the extend storylines around the family, or the ranch hands or the characters from the local Reservation.  Good series have good characters and good acting and Yellowstone has both. Kevin Costner obviously stands out amongst the cast, but you'll end up invested in the majority of the characters making up this story.  And if you're a guy, you'll want to want to be Rip Wheeler by the time it's over.  And if you're a lady, you'll want your guy to be Rip Wheeler by the end of it.

The 5 seasons of Yellowstone are drama from the start.  There are so many who want their land for their own reasons, and they'll do anything to get it.  That's where it gets "fun".  I recommend Yellowstone but again there is a brutality to the show that may not be for everyone.  

The Yellowstone 1883 television series is one of my favorite series of all-time.  This one isn't as good as that one in my opinion, but again I give Yellowstone my stamp of approval.  I believe it is streaming on Peacock now.  Tomorrow, I'll take a look at Yellowstone 1923.

Rust (2024)

 

Rust: Pop and I watched this recently and we really enjoyed it.  It follows Alec Baldwin as Rust who gets his grandson, after his grandson is convicted of killing a local rancher.  Plenty of good characters and the story is good as well.  Lots to enjoy here for anyone who likes westerns.  Due to the tragedy that happened during the filming of this movie, I think maybe it's release didn't get much fanfare.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

 The 2007 movie The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford follows Jesse James' last days before being killed by Robert Ford.  Jesse James is played by Brad Pitt while Casey Affleck plays Robert Ford.  The movie shows James as moody, unpredictable and very paranoid.  Robert Ford grew up idolizing James.  As the title states, this doesn't end well.  The movie itself is a bit slow but does a good job of developing the characters.  There's definitely a slow build up and uncomfortableness as you know what is coming.  The movie does wrap things up with Robert Ford's life after killing James which is a good way to wrap up the story.  Not a movie I'd watch again but it is fine for what it is.

Geronimo: An American Legend (1993)

Geronimo: An American Legend:  Pop had watched this before and really enjoyed it.  I couldn't remember seeing it, so we watched it this week.  Great movie.  I really liked it as well.  The story centers around the time Geronimo gave himself up to the government.  Like many Indians, being moved to a reservation was not something that sat well with him.  He fought it until he could no longer fight.  The story is good and fairly accurate of how it all went down.  There is plenty of star power ingJason Patric, Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, a young Matt Damon and Wes Studi as Geronimo.  Patick and Studi were the stars of the movie.  I don't think the movie fared well when it was released in 1993, but I think it is really good and holds up well.  Another movie I highly recommend.

Godless (TV Mini-Series 2017)

 Godless:  Pop and I finished this series last week.  It's really good.  It follows a town that is populated mostly by women after most of the men folk are killed in a mine explosion.  Notorious outlaw Frank Griffin, played extremely well by Jeff Daniels, finds his way to their town looking for one of his former gang members who did him wrong.  The movie can be brutal, honest, new and realistic all in one.  The characters are easy to like and given lots of depth.  The story is really good, and it keeps you coming back.  The series is seven episodes, and I highly recommend it.  It can be violent and has elements of sexuality so I will throw that out there for those who may not care for that sort of thing.

Longmire TV Series (2012-2017)

Longmire:  Pop and I finished the Longmire TV series which followed a Wyoming county sheriff, his office and world around him.  We enjoyed the heck out this show.  It's a throwback.  It blends series we were used to in the 80s and what you'd expect from a modern series.   We loved the characters, the story, and, at times, craziness.  Overall, this feels a bit like a throwback series.  Straightforward with great characters.  Most folks will immediately recognize Katee Sackhoff of Mandalorian fame as Bo-Katan Kryze.  She's a deputy sherriff and key player in the show.  Not much else I can say about this one.  It's not the standard TV series we see today.  It's good.  And it's fun.  And not overly complicated.  Highly recommended. 

Walt Longmire is played by Australian actor Robert Taylor.

A Martinex is the owner of a local casino and nemesis of Walt.  I really liked his character.

Lou Diamond Phillips plays Walt's best friend.  He's prominent throughout the series.  Zahn McClarnon plays reservation police chief Mathias.  Both are really good in the series.