Into the West (2005)
TNT DreamWorks Television
Mini-series with a powerful message!
Into the West (2005) is made for television mini-series that aired on TNT (DreamWorks Television) for six weeks. Each episode was two hour in length. This epic film takes place in the 1800’s emerging Western Territories. The monumental task for filming fell on six different directors for each two hour segment. There were eight producers including Executive Producer Steven Spielberg.
The main scriptwriter was William Mastrosimone. He had three other scriptwriters take some of the duties to bring these six episodes together. The flow and main overall scene theme was well maintained between the directors. The script writing was well written for that era. The actors did pull off the dialogue and dialect. The Lakota language was spoken true to form for the non Lakota members and a big thank you should go to the language instructor.
The scene transitions from each week are difficult to catch up because of the passage of time that was used and not explained. Also, with the accumulation of age for the actors, it is hard to distinguish who is who. Some of the main characters change actors so their look is different and offspring of the main family is hard to keep track of. Hopefully the forthcoming DVD will make this transition smoother. The use of the subtitles for the Lakota language gives the film authenticity to the difficulties of the language barrier during that time.
The use of Native American actors and behind the scenes personnel gives this film some creditability within the Native American community. The tendency in the past for Hollywood seems to bypass input from any Native American Tribe to get the real historical story. Hopefully this film stops that trend.
The mini-series follows two families, the Wheeler family and members of the Lakota tribe. The mini-series takes a multi-generation view into their struggles, triumphs and historical significance for each family. The points of view of family members are followed as they explore the Western Territories searching for a better life. From the gold rush, cross country railroad, ethnic diversity, Native perspective and use of Lakota language, the directors tried to be as accurate and detailed in authenticity. Of course there are going to be some inaccuracies made, but overall the film depicts the true hardships, cruelty of the time. Can you call it a Native American only film? No. But the film tries to give a history lesson from two perspectives which I think it accomplishes.
The one star drawback is that it tries to cover too much historical events in one film. And cannot give the true depiction needed. Sometimes it seems like it was a second thought on the significant relationship with the main characters. The Massacre at Wounded Knee was very accurate with the slaughter of innocent woman and children. But were the responsible people accountable for their actions?
The cast of actors is a who’s who of recognizable actors. The six episode name list is “Wheel to the Stars”, “Manifest”, “Dreams and Schemes”, “Hell on Wheels”, “Causalities of War” and “Ghost Dance.”
This DVD includes; “Interview with Executive Producer Steven Spielberg” “The Making of”, “Communications Gap-use of the Indian Lakota language”, “The Cast of”, “Family Tree”, deleted scenes and episode transitions.
I highly recommend purchasing this DVD.
Black Cloud (2005)
Building blocks or stumbling blocks?
This DVD has two filming debuts, Rick Schroder (Lonesome Dove, NYPD Blue) as director and Tim McGraw as actor. Both are good debuts. The script was also written by Rick Schroder.
"Black Cloud(2005)" is about the personal struggles and triumphs of Navajo boxer Black Cloud. (Full name) Black Cloud (Eddie Spears) faces racism from the local residents and city police near the Navajo rez. Local Sheriff Powers (McGraw) knows about the personal struggles of the Navajo Nation people. And he sees Black Cloud as a survivor, so he gives Black Cloud the benefit of the doubt when he gets in trouble. The only outlet Black Cloud has is boxing. Boxing keeps Black Cloud out of trouble when it is so easy to find on the rez. When an Olympic scout (Peter Greene) sees Black Cloud fight on the boxing under-card of an arrogant Olympic hopeful Rocket Ray Tracey (Pooch Hall), he sees Black Cloud making the Olympic boxing team. But will Black Cloud's personal demons get the best of him? Black Cloud's father is an alcoholic. He has constant parties at his house and has no time for his son. So, Black Cloud seeks out his coach and mentor, Bud. (Russell Means)
Black Cloud's girlfriend Sammi (Julia Jones) has a son by rodeo circuit, white bull rider Eddie. (Schroder) When Eddie tries to reunite with his ex, Sammie, Black Cloud's anger gets the best of him and he opens a can of whip ass on Eddie. Will this put an end to his Olympic shot?
The character relationship and dialogue could have been developed more. The background, relationships and why Black Cloud does not trust the white man were not explained thoroughly. A lot of the stereotypical Native association is utilized like alcoholism, trust, mysticism and poverty. But this is the first time I've seen Native Hip Hop in a film. The typical hard partying and attitude came along with it. Native Hip Hop has been actually infiltrating and influencing the younger generation on the rez for many years. Whether that is good or bad can still be debated.
The film shows the beauty of the Navajo Nation rez located at the four corners. Rick Schroder utilizes boxing coach Jimmy Gambin (Rocky, The Champ) to train the boxers. The boxing elements in the film are action packed and realistic.
Recognizable Native actors include; Nathaniel Arcand (Jimmy), Saginaw Grant (Grandpa) and Branscombe Richmond (Peter). "Seinfeld's" Wayne Knight makes a special appearance as the special favor, white power monger Mr. Tipping.
Rick Schroder (Little Ricky in Silver Spoons) utilizes his experiences from acting and growing up in the entertainment industry to help with filming. The DVD shows his potential as a director, but his script writing on this film could have been more polished.
Will the financial risk of movie making leave Schroder high and dry in the future?
Edge of America (2006)
Great film for everyone!
Chris Eyre (Director Smoke Signals, Skins) dribbles us onto the hard court of Three Nations woman’s Basketball. Kenny Williams (James McDaniel) is running from his past. He takes an English teaching position on the Three Nations Reservation in Utah. Unbeknownst to school administrators he is black man. This puts him as a mark for the native students.
Kenny needs some additional income so he thinks of coaching the dismal O’fer Lady Warrior’s basketball team. The interim coach Annie (Irene Bedard) is more of a mother than a coach. The local do-it-all Cuch (Wes Studi) convinces Kenny to coach the woman’s basketball team. Coach Williams soon learns that he is fighting an uphill battle with teamwork and Native family traditions especially Mother Tsosie. (Geraldine Keams)
I absolutely adored this film and totally related to this film. The woman’s balling at my old all Native high school was just as competitive with the more expensed mostly white high schools. The gym, attendance and excitement took me back to the days of playing ball for the love of it and close-knit teammates.
I try not to be a nit pick on an overall good film, but the film started off with some shaky camera angles following Kenny to the Three Nations reservation. (Personal preference) It was probably due to the handheld cameras. After a few minutes it disappeared. Filming the basketball action was comparable to other basketball films that I have seen. But I wished I would have seen the free throws.
Carla (Delanni Studi), Shirleen (Misty Upham) and Marissa (Deanna Allison) are some of the talented actresses that make up the basketball team. Leroy McKinney (Tim Daly/Producer) is the father of Carla who struggles with the loss of his wife. And the angry, outspoken Franklin (Eddie Spears) is Carla’s boyfriend plays his character outstanding. This film contains a lot of talented Native actors who are now more popular since filming.
This film was filmed in 2002 for Showtime. Maybe it’s just me but these films need to get released to the general public faster. Though, money is always at the root of the problem. I have to give kudos to Annie Humphrey’s songs that fit perfectly for this film.
Purchase this DVD for the entire family. There are not many extras on the DVD, but there is a filmography for the main actors.