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horse opera are unique in their ability to capture a dateless minute in history while offering some of the good cinematography in movie history . Whether it ’s the classic spaghetti westerns from the ' 60s and ' 70s or the raw gamy unity released today , westerns will always have an audience . The ilk of Sergio Leone and John Wayne may be gone , but their influence has never been stronger with some of the best horse opera released this past decade .
Not to remark some subtle homages to the greats , westerns today still possess the same sense of escapade and risk found in the originals . With that here are The 10 good Western Movies Of The Decade ( harmonise To Rotten Tomatoes ) .
Only films that are classify as " westerns " on Rotten Tomatoes will be considered , which is whySlow WestandThe Sisters Brothersmiss out .
Hostiles (2018) 71%
Christian Bale return to the sometime Rebecca West in 2018’sHostilesas a loath United States Army captain who is given the task of escort a Native American and his married woman . The director ofBlack Mass , Crazy Heart , andOut of the Furnace , Scott Cooper has demonstrate he ’s up to of more than just diachronic biopics .
Cooper ’s incoming into the westerly genre indicate his versatility as a theatre director , and will likely continue to do so in the futurity . Hostilesis less of a typical shoot ‘em up western and more of a reflexion of the danger of westward elaboration and manifest destiny , the duskiness residing in the affection of man as he conquers more and more . This gritty depiction of the west was well meet with critics and audience members , making it a hit for both Cooper and Bale .
Blackthorn (2011) 74%
A continuation of the classicButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , the beloved Cassidy is still active and living under the alias of James Blackthorn . After being on the run for quite some time , he face to repay home until an unexpected encounter with a stranger sales booth his homeward-bound journeying .
With Sam Shepard as the lead , Blackthorn is both an homage to the west andButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , doing it justice by continue the legacy of a legend . Not only that , actor Sam Shepard was revered for his magnetic attitude as the beloved Cassidy , whose original portrayal ofRobert Redford ’s character was transitioned dead in this not - so official subsequence .
The Keeping Room (2015) 74%
This thriller - western sandwich follows a deuce-ace of woman who succumb to take over attacks by sottish soldiers toward the end of the Civil War . The naturalistic aspects ofThe Keeping Roomgive it a darker tone , similar to that ofHostiles .
Despite having a relatively unknown casting ( aside from Sam Worthington),The Keeping Roomholds up amongst the good westerns of the decennary . what is more , director Daniel Barber ’s inclusion of diachronic reality with the civil war offers a glimpse at the give out Confederacy , the final remnants of a break away masses .
In a Valley of Violence (2016) 76%
feature some experienced adept with some surreal humor , In a Valley of Violencedid more for critics than rooter . Essentially it ’s an court to the old west but possess a alike sense of humor to that of theBallad of Buster Scruggs .
A dance band of outlaws against a crew of misfits and a dog named Abbie , In a Valley of Violenceis an acquired preference . While ride out genuine to usual trope and conventions of the old due west , managing director Ti West attempts to imbue Modern life into a genre stuck in time . Genre blending can be a hit or miss , withIn A Valley of Violencelanding right in the middle .
The Homesman (2014) 81%
Tommy Lee Jones directedand starred in his own film alongside Hilary Swank in this Cannes Film Festival selection . Another one featuring an all - star cast with names like James Spader , John Lithgow , Tim Blake Nelson , Mirando Otto , and William Fitchner , The Homesman pull on some heartstrings in this tale of protection and devotedness .
Some of the best motion-picture show are the ones that fly under the radar , avoiding detection and competition from bigger titles . The Homesmanis a quality example of this but still consists of an experienced shape .
Meeks Cutoff (2011) 86%
Another one of Kelly Reichardt ’s film fete favorite , Meeks Cutoffmade a brief appearance in theatres and was a financial failure . Among critics , the movie was labeled as a achiever whosewestern realismwas definitive in its depiction of the Oregon Trail Day .
Desperation and agony are at the head of the movie , almost guarantee the label of a thriller . The group integrity and morality are tested in their search for piddle as well as an encounter with a native American whose purpose are unknown . Reichardt ’s film is a diamond in the roughamongst the western sandwich ’s of this decadeand certainly deserves acknowledgment where its due .
Django Unchained (2012) 87%
No one make movies like Tarantino , but with the release of 2012’sDjango Unchained , it ’s now safe to say no one harness thraldom quite the same way as Tarantino did . An homage to Franco Nero’sDjango(who even makes a cameo as a slave owner),Django Unchainedrepresents the safe of what Western ’s go : Fast shootout , trumpet - wail scores , mean baddie , and some one - liner .
Christoph Waltz ( despite playing the malevolent Hans Landa in his previous office ) plays the memorable Dr. King Schultz with some of the salutary dialogue inTarantino ’s aggregation .
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) 91%
The Coen Brothers returned to the big screen with a vignette - style film focusing on 6 different tales in the unwarranted due west . Some well than others , the collection body forth a nihilistic mental attitude towards life story in the west and the inanity of the criminal offence . Despite its darker portrait , The Ballad of Buster Scruggsdoes have some light - hearted moments that prompt a laugh or two .
On top of that , the film consist of an all - star cast with name like Liam Neeson , Tim Blake Nelson , Clancy Brown , James Franco , and Willie Watson . Despite mixed review from critics , it still receive a manifest fresh from Rotten Tomatoes as well as a 77 % hearing score , make this one ofthe best productions of the Coen Brothers .
Bone Tomahawk (2015) 91 %
revulsion and westerns are two musical style that rarely transverse , butBone Tomahawkproved the dynamical couple can work absolutely . Despite its abbreviated appearance in theatres , the pic features some celebrated character actors like Matthew Fox , Richard Jenkins , and David Arquette , not to remark Kurt Russell ’s lead role as Sherrif Hunt . S. Craig Zahler ’s hauntingly fierce motion-picture show feature some fantastic view , especially one that drove hearing out of theater .
The score from Rotten Tomatoes is well deserved as an example of genre - blending done rightfield . The Dame Rebecca West may be full of dry airwave and hot Sunday , but what lurks within can become something else wholly .
True Grit (2010) 96%
A remake of the Greco-Roman John Wayne picture , unfeigned Gritstars Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon in this tale of a justice - seek young girl . After her male parent ’s slaying , naive but brace Mattie Ross kibosh at nothing to ensure justice is bring to outlaw Tom Cheney .
Revenge is a lulu best served dusty , and this one is certainly justified . Asone of Matt Damon ’s best roles , True Gritfeatures a grittier ( get it ? ) and a more realistic edition of the beloved narrative , spotlight the length people will go to for vengeance .
NEXT:10 Western Masterpieces You ’ve Probably Never Seen
