Johnny Depp......... as Jack Sparrow........... as Tonto

While trade reviews have been so-so.....that's good news to me as i agree with them NEVER!

The train footage is wild....and if you have knowledge of trains you'll have to ignore the things like lobster claw couplers and box cars that can run down the track sideways......but I'll be fine as long as it's a decent story.....they can take a few Hollywwod liberties.

 

I kinda wish WbB had gotten the toy license as the locos in the movie look alot like WbB's newer 4-6-0 engine and I could see them do a cool movie train. I may have to myself if it's any good!

Well, with a collection of Fran Strycker (the originator of the Lone Ranger) books, and a fan of all those TV shows back when, I have serious doubts that those of us who lived that are gonna like Tonto with a buzzard sitting on his head.  For me,  the second "True Grit" did not measure up to the first.  I also am of the opinion that the guy who played the Lone Ranger in those, and, kind of eccentrically, tried to live the part forever, got rough treatment from the corporate license holders.  The guy they have playing the Lone Ranger in this version looks just plain skinny, like he was lost at sea for a few months and lived off what he could drag aboard.  But I guess if you sent

off a Cheerios boxtop for a Lone Ranger sparking pistol ring, you'd be hard to please, too.  To this day, I have to swat my hand to keep from starting a collection of cap

pistols including one very rare one I had as a kid and saw on eBay.

I have to see it.  The Lone Ranger.  A really cool Tonto.  And trains.  Hi Ho Silver, away.

 

I really, really wish, that you could stream it ahead of the theater release, like the movie Europa Report (pretty good actually) that we watched tonight from Amazon, a month  b e f o r e  theater release.  I'll skip the lines and noisy theater crowds this weekend, and go see it sometime late next week. 

 

Is Lionel making a Lone ranger movie train set? I know they made an o-gauge Lone ranger set a couple years back.

If the movie was titled Tonto, it would be more appropriate. What Depp will bring to the Tonto character will have you thinking "Lone Who"? after seeing the movie.

How bad can it be?  After so many monumental stinkers by Hollywood over the years, this looks like a fun, action packed, shoot em up of the old fashioned kind.  I'll be within 10 degrees of the lens axis at 2 times the diagonal of the screen come this Saturday. 

 

I have been in love with Westerns since I had the complete Hopalong Cassidy outfit when I was 4 or so.  I know I had every cap gun Hubley et al ever made.  Neither me nor my friends became serial killers I'm proud to say.

Was catalogued again in the 2013 RTR catalog.

 

Lego has actually a nice one and offer better play value, like always..yes it's non-powered.

 

Matt: That Lone Ranger set WAS the tie-in for THIS film... which was plagued with numerous cost over-runs & was almost declared dead more than once.  Perhaps now Lionel can start selling some of those sets if it creates some good marketing tie-ins!  Although Lionel's Lone Ranger set is better than it's tepid "Christmas Story" set... its not by much.  Its unfortunate too, because unlike "Harry Potter,""Thomas," & "A Christmas Story," it was the first time Lionel was actually on time & in line with a movie/TV-related product.  It turned out to be a mistake of all things!

Most of you never listened to the Lone Ranger on the radio, and some of you don't know what a radio is.

I listened to the LONE RANGER and CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT after school and before dinner every weekday.

The Shadow knows...

LaMont Cranston.

Have tickets for a Wednesday matinee in hand.  

"Better play value"...at least in ONE person's opinion.  Nice generalization....  

Of course I know what a radio is...my brother gave me a CB for my car one Christmas

(which I have never taken out of the box...and I think that fad has passed)

 

RadioRon, I did not know that. I always thought it was just a set to celebrate the old Lone ranger tv show or something, but thanks for the info!

I plan to see it.  I was a big Clayton Moore, Lone Ranger fan as a kid.  I'm also generally a Johnny Depp fan, and do expect him to steal the show.  He's no Jay Silverheels, but the TV Tonto seemed to serve as the show's conscience as much as the straight man or sidekick.  Unfortunately, the radio & TV show were both before my time, but the reruns on the weekends always had me riveted.  I'm hoping it will come to one of the couple drive-ins we have outside the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...it would be a great way to catch it.

 

I debated getting the Lone Ranger set as a guilty pleasure, but read some cautioning details on quality here so I settled for the Lone Ranger & Outlaw Operating Car by itself.  HI-YO Silver!

I record and watch both the old Lone Ranger and Roy Rogers shows everyday.

 

http://www.cozitv.com/shows/we...anger-182201901.html

 

http://www.cozitv.com/shows/we...-Show-182433931.html

Gerry

I like to watch them because every so often a b-western actor will show up in the cast.

Last week it was Tom London, plays the sheriff on Roy's show, Bob Cason and Kermit Maynard.

For me growing up in the 50's it will always be Clayton Moore & Jay Siverheels. They replaced Clayton Moore in 1950 & 1951 with John Hart because of a contract dispute but it wasn't the same even with Silverheels.

I also grew up watching reruns of Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels, and they made a pretty good impression on me as to what the characters should be like.  I despised the 80's movie version and the attempted reboot in the early 00's.  That being said, I am cautiously optimistic for the upcoming version.

 

If they manage to keep the Lone Ranger's moral code intact, avoid making either character a buffoon, and tell a good story without being preachy or politically correct, then I think it will be all right.

 

I am still tickled with my Lionel Lone Ranger set.

 

Andy

Pennsyk4, both Kermit and Ken Maynard grew up here in Columbus. They lived about 8 blocks from what was then the fairgrounds. I worked with an older gentleman years ago that said when Kermit came back to visit his mother that he kept his horse at the fairgrounds and would ride it around town. This was back in the 1930's.

Does anyone know if any of the original show's music will be in the movie? Because if there's no William Tell Overture then I'm not gonna see it! If no Rossini then it's just another cowboy movie.

 

 

 

As a matter of fact, director Gore Verbinski already confirmed using the William Tell Overture during the movie's climax.

Even spaghetti westerns?




What, me worry?

Trains or not, I will NOT be going to the theater to see this new film.  With the price of attending a movie at the theater being what it is (and including the obligatory large buttered popcorn and a small Coke), I reserve my in-theater participation for films that really look good to me.  DVD's are what I usually wait for because I can get them for a fraction of the price.

Sorry, but I still like Jay Silverheels as Tonto. 

There is only ONE Lone Ranger. Don

Hi Eddy G, I know what a radio is, that's a Rodeo-Ray gun.

 

As for the movie, it looks ok but as Allan stated above this looks to be a DVD night.

I can picture him mounting his trusty steed, Silver and riding off into the sunset with Tonto.  Yes, Kimosabe!

Anyway Tonto can't ride a horse. Don

Spaghetti westerns, macaroni and cheese westerns, and adult westerns on TV where some days not a shot was fired.  Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, home to Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, Yancy Derringer,  Maverick, Cheyenne and so many more.  While I love DVDs and my big screen TV attached to a hard drive my son configured with about 300 HD movies, nothing beats the singular experience of a movie on a big screen with big sound and big popcorn.

Allan, When I take my grandson to the movies, we stop in the super market and buy what we need, and hide it in our pockets.

He rode that horse just like a drunkin sailor..........go figure.

This is one that will have to be seen on the big screen.  Can't wait.

RickO, could it be that Tonto was once a, a, a pirate? Oh my gosh!!! Don

Alan -- there are many excellent movies that should be seen only on the big screen, even if you have 60" big screen w/Bluray and surround sound it pales in comparison to the theatre.  Just sayin' -- this might be one of them.

Looks like a on demand movie! My buddy who saw a preview of the movie is not impressed. It has some good scenes but overall he summed it up word in two words----it sucks. 

 

Why can't Hollywood make a good Lone Ranger movie? 3 movies, 3 flops. 

I think I'll just watch "How The West Was Won" again. Good train footage at the end. Don

RickO:  I believe you have that completely correct!  I'm sick of three movies of Depp's Jack Sparrow schtick, & from the previews I've seen thats exactly what looks like will be happening in this film.

Unfortunately the critics are bashing it, he-l what do they know.

Just remember, the critics have been so right about so many films. They hated:

• The Sound of Music. They really hated this one.
• Jaws
• Star Wars
• Independence Day

Seems they hate films that people like. Go figure.

 

By the way, Scale Rail -- good call on How the West was Won. I like that one, and despite Kevin Costner Silverado and Dances with Wolves. Blazing Saddles was entertaining and pretty much skewered every western movie and social cliche I can think of.

And Matt, they seldom like westerns. Don

Just saw Lone Ranger.....Awesome.Not to be missed. Al B

Hope to see The Lone Ranger movie July 4th. pm... Do you think I will see the old

Prospector early in the movie??  The 30min production clip I saw on TV a few days ago

did not show any Prospector????  Interesting engine slide down the track was shown.  Silver should be in the Olympics...after this production.

I can't see how they got Tonto to look so bad! Jay Silverheels who played Tonto in the 1949's never ever looked that bad.

 

Phillip 

Next will be the LONE RIDER with his faithful companion Fuzzy Q Jones.

The other Tonto could!  We have tickets to see the 10 am showing at the theater on July 4.  I can hardly wait.  I'll be a fun movie to watch on the big screen, with some buttered popcorn and a good crowd!  Matt

We have come a long way in making movie 'Sets' since the late forties.  We did not have a TV until '53 so can remember I believe the 7P 30 minute radio show in '47 with me sitting on the floor next to the radio (might have to keep it turned to the station so needed to sit close), mother would be reading or sewing or darning, Dad would be listening from behind the daily newspaper, and my younger sister would be playing on the floor.  Great memories --- hope to keep on making new memories--- just returned home from seeing White House Down tonight --- don't want to ever see that happen for real either - again, we have come a long way from using just a picture on the wall for scenery or maybe an outside mural as big as a billboard--- now they can digialtize anything for scenery . 

Not Keith Richards, not his grandmother, and not even Gaahl...

 

but 'I am Crow'

 

The bird was not really supposed to be on his head, but flying behind him in the painting.

Robert 

PS Here is the artist's site to give proper credit:

http://kirbysattler.sattlerartprint.com/

A train just would not be fit for use in a movie if it didn't have grab irons on the side of the cars - passenger or freight - which enable the actors to climb onto the roof of the car.

Going Wed noon....I'll let you know what I thought.....

Just found this cool preview!

 

 

We don't know that this is a "BAD" L-R movie yet, do we???  In Hollywood, the ONLY flops are those movies that don't make money.  Trust me on that....

We all have seen a bad movie that still makes money but that is beside the point. I will see the movie tomorrow, but from the reviews I have read it don't seem to be a good movie. I'll let you know.

I saw this movie tonight (it ended about 3 hours ago. Our theatre released it Tuesday.) My girlfriend and I both agree it was a well made movie and worth the price of admission to see in theatres. What has been released in trailers does not do this movie justice. I was expecting a heavily CG'ed movie and went in thinking I would be disappointed, and I was wrong on both counts. There were a few good belly laughs included. The two major train scenes are fantasy, but did not detract from the movie.

Yes, the William Tell Overture is in the movie. It is near the end, but the whole crowd cheered when the trumpet started!

 

If/when you guys see the movie, you will understand why Tonto affixes the bird to his head and why he painted his face the way he did.

 

After going back and re-reading some of the posts I skipped over, I cannot believe the amount of trash talked about this film without it being viewed in whole.

Don't ever let facts interfere with your opinion.

It seems like this movie has been promoted forever! Between the movie trailers and the TV ads I expected it to open weeks ago.

 

Needless to say my wife and I plan to see the movie next week.

 

Steve Tapper 

When I heard it was made by Disney I thought there was a good chance it wouldn't be good. Disney's formula for making movies = make enough action to grab a typical 8 year old's attention and the heck with everything else. Maybe the new Superman movie will get better reviews.

I am eagerly awaiting the release on this side of the pond.  It doesn't open here until mid August. 

Try Disney's 'Something wicked this way comes' and see what they can do when they want to......GREAT movie most have never seen.

 

Leaving in a few minutes to see LONE......

And inbetween, he was going after people's throats in SWEENEY TODD!

 

Plus it looks like the actress who played N. Lovett from TODD  is in this one too!

 

Critics did not like the original STAR TREK either!

Hey...don't forget that Johnny Depp is part Cherokee.

I don't know about the others, but Star Wars?  I well remember being part of the 1977 opening-night crowd for SW, and the reviews the next day were ecstatic.  I don't recall ever seeing any negative critical commentary at all.

Also JAWS is, despite what it inspired afterwards, has gone down as one of the most acclaimed movies of all time, and Steven Speilberg's best.

"Alright, let's do this"   REALLY???  Did they speak like that in the 1870s?  I expected it to be followed by "dude".

From some of my heritage...here is Crow Eagle, of the Piegan Tribe, Blackfoot Nation, Browning, MT.  He had some kind of tuft there, but did not wear an eagle on his head.

Matt

Does that mean that the bird on his head says 'Jeep' 'Jeep'?

Well, FWIW, I have my doubts that they spoke all 1950's "Leave it to Beaver" squeaky-clean back in the 1870s either.

 

As to Johnny Depp and his Native American heritage, it's just been vague hearsay on Depp's part since there's been no official confirmation released to date.

 

I do recall him saying in an interview that he said his version of Tonto will help "put right" the number of times Native Americans have been "badly portrayed" in movies to date.

I am SO not interested in this movie - sorry! Was never a Lone Ranger fan - never understood the draw.

Was that supposed to be a pun?

 

I tried! lol

Birds as headdresses? Certainly not unheard of:

 

http://urbannight.wordpress.co...dian-as-inspiration/

Well I am going to ask the wife to go on a date and see a movie tonight, while we are out seeing the Lone Ranger my son in law can sneak in the new H7.

Matt is right, beside those movies they bashed one of my favorites, GODZILLA!

again what the he-l do they know!

Seen a few reviews so far, one did warn it has some "Temple of Doom" type of gore in it (Love those beating hearts) I don't think it will a huge summer movie.

 

Summer has been odd, lots of very promising movies, but none have really been memorable Ironman was good, Superman sounds OK, Star Trek was meh..

Did you beat your previous record?

I'm going to see the Superman flick tonight.  I don't have high hopes for it, but I'm in the mood for a medium-size buttered popcorn w/extra butter.  I haven't heard much about the film, but I did see the trailers.  I also notice that it kind of sputtered out just a short time after opening.

Being of direct American Indinan ancestry, I too look forward as to how Tonto will

be portrayed.

 

Johnny Depp will be a good supporting actor.

Honestly, if I had to go back and and choose just one of these two movies to see (S/TLR), I'd choose The Lone Ranger. I couldn't wait for Superman to be over.Way over done on effects.

Unlike the TV version, in this movie Tonto will be the lead character.

I expect it to be an interesting and action packed western movie that most will enjoy.

forgot to mention...reviewers say don't bring small children to see this film. Too

 

much "violence" or whatever.

 

not wanting to spoil it for anyone not yet seeing this movie, but I do have to agree. Good thing is that if one gets tired one can always close one's eyes and nap!!

Like I said...I go mostly to get out of the house for a while and to sit back and enjoy a movie while munching some popcorn.  I don't do it often, but it's fine every once in a while.  Last truly decent movie I saw was the recent Bond film.

 

As it is with everything else:  Choice in film fare is a matter of different strokes for different folks.

I actually enjoyed "Man of Steel" enough to see it twice, and that is something I rarely do.  There were certain sections of the battle at the end that dragged on a little -- OK, maybe more than a little -- but that is not enough for me to pan the film.  I enjoyed it primarily because it delved deeper into the symbolism and deeper meaning of the character of Clark Kent/Kal-El and his hero's journey in becoming Superman, and the contrasting themes and philosophies between Earth and Krypton.  Personally, I think that "Man of Steel" is the best Superman film, and the best live-action version of the character that has been made to date.

 

Oh, and there are some trains in it, too.

 

Andy

I thought "Man of Steel" was good!  I've heard mixed reviews about Lone Ranger.  The boss and I are going on a movie date tomorrow to see Lone Ranger...we'll know then.  Some movies are more fun to see at the theaters.  We like going to the movies.  I'm not gonna wait for every movie to come out on Netflix or DVD.  Matt

The reviews seem to be uniform at least....  We will see the movie in a couple of hours.  

 

In the meantime, here's the REAL Lone Ranger's (Clayton Moore) mask c. 1950 (from the Gene Autry Museum, Los Angeles, collection).

 

Saw the movie this afternoon and my buddy was right- it sucks. It has some funny moments but I am very disappointed. Being a big Lone Ranger fan I was hoping for better but I guess Hollywood just can't make a decent Lone Ranger movie. They have had 3 chances and dropped the ball all three times. A waste of money IMO. 

I'd give the new Superman film a 6 out of 10 - great actors, excellent soundtrack, decent storytelling, but full of over-the-top destruction, melodrama and cliche's. Still one of the better movies this Summer.

 

And all my friends and I very much enjoyed Skyfall

It was that whole "Jack Sparrow as Tonto" thing wasn't it?  Johnny Depp, worlds most overated actor. Who can forget the other classic that he ruined.

 

 

 

Guess what movie I'm planning to see?

 

 

Jerry

The lighter side of the Lone Ranger:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5vHYpjaUko

 

Rusty

The Dilemma...

Go see a movie in a theater or buy something train related?????

 Tinplate Marx Girard Station wins...

I'll buy the Lone Ranger video when it's released.

 

SWMBO wants to see Despicable Me II, 

so that is what we'll go see.

 

But when you've just got to have your 

Oater fix....

http://www.westernmania.com/

 

Dave

I will definitely be seeing this movie! Crazy Johnny Depp, trains, and silver bullets!!  What's not to like!!!  

 

 

Well, at least the people building the RR back ten did not have to worry about the FRA!

My son and I saw Man Of Steel on real film in a tiny independent Adirondack movie theater that had hopes converting to digital projection before the end of film reel distribution this year. I hope they make it. He wants to see the Lone Ranger this weekend so we will go.
We both liked superman. He and Zod's minion threw around a UP SD45 and Dances with Wolves got blown away by a twister. It was much better than the last Superman attamp but did not have as much heart and humor as the 70's film.

 

I am considering to go watch The Lone Ranger movie, being a western fan, but I heard that theres a very disgusting scene where the villain cuts open a guys chest and (reluctantly, I dare say it) eats his heart? Anyone who has seen the movie, please explain, was it that bad?

No table manners at all, and raw uncooked meat is dangerous. 

Just got back from seeing it. B+ overall. Good mindless summer nostalgic fun. Depp is great the whole cast is good.

No spoilers here but there is model railroading, 3 rail track on the real RR that looks exactly like O track, William Tell Overture. More train action than even I thought....some Hollywood liberties b ut all in good fun.

All the issues posted here are explained and some have a great background story.

 

A Lone Ranger O scale train set would have been so cool!! There are big Ore cars, jail house rail cars and cool passenger cars. I may have to make my own!

 

Well worth the $14 me and the wife spent. THX

RE: The Cannibal scene. It is inferred that he eats the heart. You don't actually see what is being done and the bloodiest part are the lips afterwards. Although compared to Indiana Jones, it is tamer.

 

Well, thats good, but still, I heard that you see him holding the heart and cutting him open, I heard part of the scene is a silhouette, but no body parts are actually seen in gruesome, gory detail?

I'm sure to be disapointed as we usually are with  new films.  It is very seldon we (wife and me) see anything that we really like.   A good solid western would do it, but the last time that happened was Silverado.   I'll give a passing grade to "True Grit", but John Wayne was better, of course.

 

I think we are going to see "Now You See It Now You Don't" tomorrow.   

 

We did agree on a really great movie we watched Tues nite, "Treasure Of Sierra Madre".  They don't make 'em like that any more!!

I always liked a good western. Don

Just back from seeing "Man of Steel."  Would have been better off staying home and playing trains.  Really good movies are hard to come by these days, that's for sure.  

Indiana Jones II is MUCH more gruesome than Ranger......I did not realize what was going on until after the movie and my wife brought it up......visions of trains must have blinded me!!!

Best movie we have seen in a long, long time is "World's Fastest Indian". Horrible title unless you know that it's about a old guy and his Indian motorcycle. It's a true story. Don

A photo of the 3 rail trackage in the film......O scale 3 rail in real life!

After seeing it this afternoon and posting it really sucks I've had some hours to think about it and yes it still sucks. A total waste of time. It is not even a decent summer film. 

 

I was hoping for better. 

well that's twice you said nothing. Perhaps try letting us know what disappointed you

Jay Silverheels was a harness racing driver in the late 70s. I saw him race at Vernon Downs in Upstate New York several times. 

Lets see what did I like or not like, the script was not very good, the acting was just ok, and the pace of the film was slow. The train scenes were not bad but it is not a reason to see it. 

 

I wanted this movie to be the best lone ranger ever but it was not and that is very disappointing. 

I agree Don. I saw that film a few years ago, and found it quite riveting. A wonderful human story, excellent acting, and great cinematography too. 

Based on most of the movies I've seen over the past few years, there appears to be a real lack of talent in Hollywood at all levels.  All flash and glitter with little substance.

 

Special effects--and there are plenty of them--are no substitute for a decent script, a captivating story line, and good direction and acting.

Who directed this movie?  It wasn't Spielberg?  I walked out of the "ET" movie years

ago mumbling, "Spielberg is a genius!".  (and I usually go to great lengths to avoid

science fiction)

A review by a well known western movie historian and author, Bill Magers.

 

With a truly objective state of mind I went to see Gore Verbinski’s “Lone Ranger”—and came out objecting to nearly everything. This is a bloated terrible film by any standard! Viewing this 150 minute incoherent dumb and dumber train wreck is a mocking travesty to the LR legend. First of all, the film alternates between trying to be a serious western for a few minutes here and there but immediately slams you back into Roadrunner/Wile E. Coyote/3 Stooges cartoonish lowbrow comedy carnage which includes Silver who appears as a ridiculous hat-wearing eccentric spirit horse, a crimson haired madam in a football field sized house of ill repute whose ivory-scrimshawed false leg contains a double barreled shotgun, oversized carnivorous rabbits, a cross dressing badman amongst other idiot henchmen led by uglier than sin boss Butch Cavendish (I must admit William Fichtner’s killer Cavendish is the best character in the film even though at one point he eats Dan Reid’s heart). Armie Hammer’s effete Lone Ranger verges on slapstick as straight man to Johnny Depp’s relentless mugging. To see these two legendary heroes framed by the William Tell Overture against vistas made famous by the likes of John Ford brings on a certain nostalgic swell until its continually and jarringly slam dunked back into over-the-top cartoonish shenanigans. The Lone Ranger actually utters the modern day over-used catch phrase, “Let’s do this!” Was that necessary? Was this film necessary? If you revere the Lone Ranger mythos of Brace Beemer, Lee Powell, Bob Livingston, Clayton Moore, John Hart—even Klinton Spilsbury—Hi Yo your Silver as far away from this idiotic abomination as possible.

 

 

Thanks Charlie. After reading that review, I now know that I am going to enjoy this film immensely. 

 

And he didn't even mention the trains! 

 

Me too.

Allan wrote,

"Just back from seeing "Man of Steel."  Would have been better off staying home and playing trains.  Really good movies are hard to come by these days, that's for sure. "

I couldn't agree more! The movie should have been titled, "Demolition - The Video Game On The Big Screen", as that is what it was.

 

I was a Lone Ranger fan and believe to have read every comic book available of the same. But just as I couldn't swallow a pirate with the looks of Depp, when I first saw the Lone Ranger preview months ago, Depp as Tonto just ruined it for me. I guess I'll have the popcorn at home while watching Netflix.

 

Alex

Sure are a lot of Depp haters on this Forum.

An actor is only as good as the movie he's in.

 

Rusty

I'll wait until it comes out on DVD which judging from the reviews I've seen, will probably be next week.

You can bet I'll follow that sage advice!

 

Actually, I saw enough of the various trailers in recent months to know that this absolutely/definitely wasn't a film that will get my money in any form, even on DVD.  Takes more than train wrecks to make a good movie, but I guess you could say this entire film is likely destined to become a giant train wreck in more ways than one.  

Sorry, Charlie,

I'm not a fan of professional movie critics, historians, or authors who tend to impose their views.  My wife and I have tickets for the 10 o'clock show and I'm not discouraged.  We are just going to enjoy it for what it is.  Matt

Matt

I was just passing it along for information.

I plan to see the Lone ranger movie, despite all the negatives I have read.

The movie critics I paid attention to are long deceased.  I respected their opinions cuz they had earned that respect.  Many critics now are just overpaid hacks.  That said, this movie is getting reviews very much like the one posted above.  That said, Ima gonna see it anyway and enjoy it for what it is.  As Al Hitchcock once said, "It's only a movie".

Good for you!!! Too many haters in the world. I never pay attention to 'pro' movie reviews. They get much more coverage the more negative the review.....media never hunts out a happy story....drama powers media of all types today......that's THE driving force behind FaceSpace, Twit etc etc. Drama (more the negative the better) is KING!

Go have fun!

I wouldn't say that critics are necessarily haters...far from it in most instances.  The respected ones generally have a good bit of background in their respective fields.

 

I never pay much attention to film or other critics, and prefer to make my own determination of how "good" a film might be.  I'll willingly share my views, but don't expect others to necessarily agree with them.  That's perfectly fine as far as I am concerned.

 

For example, I liked the latest James Bond film and didn't like the latest Superman.  I'm sure there are others out there with the opposite opinion.  I'll avoid the Lone Ranger film based on the snippets I have seen.  Those segments were enough for me to know the film doesn't/won't meet my expectations about being reasonably faithful to the Lone Ranger stories (and image) I choose to remember from my youth.

Most likely this film will turn out like the Thomas and the Magic Railroad film that came out 13 years ago. A critical flop and didn't do well enough at the box office, despite many famous actors (Alec Baldwin, Peter Fonda and Mara Wilson). But even after all that, Thomas fans, at least quite a bit, still find some things to like about it.

Movies are meant to entertain us. As each of us has our own interests and expectations of what is entertaining it comes down to a personal choice.

 

The movie makers tend to make movies based on what they believe the majority of audiences want to see. Right now every movie maker tries to out do the other with their special effects. If you like action and computer generated special effects than you'll probably be entertained.

 

The producers are taking a big chance on a movie like the Lone Ranger as so many of us grew up watching the Lone Ranger on TV and have formed our own opinions of this character. However for younger audiences, their target market, this will be the first time they will have an opportunity to create an impression of the Lone Ranger and Tonto.

 

My wife and I will go to see the movies next week as we just want to be entertained for a couple of hours.

 

Steve Tapper 

When it comes to many things, including movies, the only thing that matters [for you] is how much you enjoy [or hate] the movie.

 And like someone mentioned previously, the only true rating for the industry is how well it did at the box office.

 

Has movie that did terrible at the  box office ever won an Academy Award for best picture?

Maybe as Sherman or Peabody... some of you will like Johnny better.

 

http://dreamworks.wikia.com/wi..._Peabody_%26_Sherman

 

 

Rick

I use IMDB.com which collects ratings from the general public and breaks them down by age group.  After several thousand people rate the picture you have a good idea if it is worth seeing.  The lone Ranger has a rating of 6.5 out of 10 which is not great.  People 45 and over gave it a 5.6.  I'll pass

I really liked the first Pirates/Carribean.   I'm not a fan of Johnny Depp and I kept thinking how great that movie would have been if they could have brought Robert Shaw back from the dead to star in it.   He was the prototype pirate from "Swashbuckler" a few years ago.   

 

I'm sure the younger folks liked the off beat/gay/sissy acting character Depp played.  Being an older guy, I like my pirates in the vain of Errol Flynn or Tyrone Power.  I also realize movie studios do not gear their efforts to people of my generation.  

 

We always watch for movies to see, but the pickings are slim for us older folks. 

Just seeing promos for "Ranger" and the bird Depp wears on his head was enough for us to lose interest in it.    I am so happy to have a great collection of 30-50 year old movies to watch.  

Wow!  I had a totally different take after seeing the promos; "Yeah, finally, tonto is interesting!"  Very cool movie, too.  Dumb in places, but then so was Pirates . . . that's part of its charm.

 

This movie must be bad if it gets one star out of five. I never thought a movie like this could even get that low of a score!

We'd get along fine....my thoughts exactly! I had fun and so did the wife....topped off with a 5 Guys burger and it was a night!!

They have made good westerns for adults.  I can't recall what the age was that I have

read most TV programs are aimed at (all the adults I know almost break the remote in their frenzy to turn off, so-called "reality shows"...I watch The Great Race because I like to travel and they do get to different places...couldn't care less about the characters..they just get in the way of the scenery) but I don't think that target age qualified you for a driver's license.  The original Lone Ranger TV shows were

obviously low budget back lot filmings that were not staged in Mounument Valley.  They certainly held my interest as a kid.

To see one that was aimed at somebody with an I.Q. in positive numbers and produced by someone of Spielberg's ilk, that actually could be imagined as being history on

film,  I would shell out for.

 

quote:

They have made good westerns for adults

 

Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood) was quite a movie. Not a movie for kids.

Wow!  Two killers in one!  

Saw it earlier today.  It was Pirates of the Caribbean except set on the old West, which was pretty much what I was expecting, considering who the producers and directors and cast are and their styles of work.

 

That being said, I enjoyed it, but nowhere near as much as if it had been a more serious treatment of the character.  But in reality, this film was a vehicle for Johnny Depp and not the title character.

 

Andy

A good burger is my once a month treat!! Not only for health reasons but I'd rather spend that much on trains!!!

My wife and I saw it today.  It was not anywhere near a western version of Pirates.  It was a comedic, satirical, comic book depiction of the Lone Ranger (kinda glad it was not a serious version of him).  Johnny Depp actually did a good job as Tonto.  Just his facial expressions alone were good throughout the movie.  It's no serious drama with intrinsic values, it was just a fun movie.  We had some buttered popcorn for the first time in a long time.  It made the movie even better.  Matt

NDQY, you will enjoy the movie.  Matt

Wow...there are some hard tack movie fans and "critics" here.  Wonder what type of movies they DO like.

I also grew up watching the Lone Ranger runs also and liked it.  But I still liked this movie version also.  Matt

I think I saw this at the McCuaig Theater.  No popcorn, but they served wine!  Matt

Charlie, I think you will enjoy it.  Matt

AMEN TO THAT BROTHER!

Whatever happened to going to the movies just for some good old mindless fun? Does it always have to be an epic?, "true to the legend"?, historically accurate?, make us think? Does everyone think they can do or know better? Just about every movie that gets trashed by the critics usually does well in the box office, very few actually tank. I've already read critics who are trashing Despicable Me 2 because it doesn't carry the same feel or gets away from the original, for cripe sakes it's a cartoon! So don't hold too much stock in critics or others criticisms of a movie. How many of us have a favorite movie or TV show and have at least a half a dozen friends and family who think it's the stupidest thing THEY'VE ever seen? I like The Walking Dead, my wife hates it, I like Star Trek, lots of people hate it, I can't stand that version of A Christmas Carol that is more like a musical than a regular movie but it apparently is very popular. And my all time favorite is the folks who didn't like Polar Express because the characters eyes looked strange, really? That's your big hang up about this movie? My movie plans for the next few days? Superman, Despicable Me 2, The Lone Ranger and Monster University looks like I'll be eating a lot of popcorn!

 

Jerry

Well, I enjoy films like Lawrence of Arabia, The Sand Pebbles, Quiller Memorandum, Forbidden Planet, the original Day The Earth Stood Still, October Skies, Much Ado About Nothing(Kenneth Branaugh version), various ToHo Japanese monster/SciFi movies and a lot in between.  It all depends on my expectations.

 

Other films I can do without.  From what I've seen of the LR previews on TV and snipits online, it fails to meet my expectations and I can do without it.

 

Rusty

Nothing happened to them, Jerry!  There are plenty of "mindless fun" movies out there.  That's what disturbs some of us.  

Saw LR, has a bit of silliness to it that seems to work for the Pirates movies, but not this one. There is however a superb part when the Wilm Tell Overture is played and here comes the LR. My heart just jumped...best part. That's the way the whole movie should have been made, but this newer generation doesn't know about the classics. Make sure you see it in a theater that has a good sound system, you may never be able to replicate that part at home.

The movie is far from perfect.....but the part with WTO does make you sit up....like you did as a kid watching TV!! That was fun.

I've been bummed out on movies that are remakes of old TV shows for a long time. The new actors/producers never seem to get that certain "it" that made the original so good. When the first Batman movie came out with Michael Keaton, I was hoping for some campy fun like the old TV show. I was wrong. Not that it was a bad movie, it was more like the original comics than the TV series I loved as a kid. Not what I was hoping for. The Beverly Hillbillies was another of my favorite TV shows as a kid and the Jim Varney/Cloris Leachman remake was fair, but not near as fun as the original TV series.

I think movie makers have to make a decision between making something the old fogies that watched the original series will like or to produce an updated story to capture an audience that never saw the original. Kinda the way the Will Smith version of Wild, Wild, West changed things up for a new much younger audience. As a fan of the old series I didn't care for that movie, but I know lots of younger guys who did. I haven't seen the A-Team movie and a slu of others based on old TV shows for that reason. I probably won't see this new Lone Ranger either. Not that it is a bad movie, it's just not what I'm looking for. Guess the way I remember my favorite shows is tough to outdo by modern movie makers.  LOL          

My local paper gave the movie no stars While People Magazine only gave it one.  I'll wait for the DVD.

  So did I... A+  The guy in the white hat always win.

  It was nice to see something that was not all computer generated.

  The audience even applauded after the show....

Matt, that would be the Scale Rail theater. Yes, your right we do serve wine not popcorn. We are running the first year of the Sapranos now. Don

Don, we'll visit the Scale Rail Theater in the near future.  Make sure you have some good Cabernet.  None of that white wine....that's like drinking perfume.  What's up after the Sopranos?  

 

My wife and I saw Lone Ranger.  Again...it was a fun movie.  It's good for us to get out of our Lazyboy chairs, stop waiting for Netflix or when it comes out on DVD, and go the the theater to see it!  It has nothing to do with the TV series.  It's a different approach.  Go and watch it for what it is.  Buy a hot dog or some buttered popcorn while you're there.  You'll really have a great time and enjoy it!  Matt  

I am genuinely curious: why is a non-train thread (no, the fact that the film has some train scenes in it doesn't make it a railroad movie) been going on for soooooooooooo long?  Especially when discussion of this movie was already the subject of at least one other longish thread, months before it was even released.

 

Why?  I've seen other threads yanked after a couple of postings, for being insufficiently railroad-related.  Why is this one of such enduring importance to so many folks?

 

I'm not interested in debating the topic one way or another. I'd just like for someone to please explain -- in non-partisan form, please -- what the perceived overwhelming significance is?

Reporting from Houston, TX:

 

Just saw the film this afternoon. Fun and very entertaining. The train sequences were creative but entertaining. Quite a bit of humor in the movie. I would rate it worth seeing.

Well....it starts on a train.....has a great number of train scenes on a few different types of railroads, Of the 2.5 hour film over an hour is train related.  There is brief model railroad scene in the film (the first ever layout??) And there is track that looks just like O scale 3 rail......so enough train to make it talk worthy??? Just my guess....

 

It's summer and nothing else is going on. No shows, announcements ect.

This year the wife is busting my hump on the yard. Train time is down,

about all I'm doing is getting ready for the up coming Christmas season.

 

 Oh, by the by, did anyone mention the HO train the kid was playing with that

 had the O gauge air whistle ? FRAUD I TELL YOU

 

The two Matts and Dave have my ear on this one. I think we'll wait for apple TV though. There's a total lack of really nice theaters in this neck of the woods. Sometimes the screen falls off the coconut trees. Don

And I thought that it was because you had to sit on pineapples that stopped you from attending? 

'm going to a showing after Houston Tinplate layour closes!