PIC of the Week – Hostiles
Article series by Ray Schillaci
A few films to definitely check out. The action drama Den of Thieves provides enough action for the week. 1953’s spooky The Maze in 3D is out to give you goosebumps. It may be silly by today’s standards, but cinephiles will love it. With those mentioned, Lionsgate roars above the rest unveiling one of the best westerns in ten years with Scott Cooper’s Hostiles.
In the past, I’ve been indifferent about a couple of the films by Scott Cooper. Primarily, Out of the Furnace and Black Mass. They were films with tremendous potential and with great marketing behind them, but I felt they had a hollow center and did not quite hit the mark. With this deliberately bleak tale of the old west, Cooper delivers a decidedly different western with a conscience that’s more akin to the revisionist westerns of the ’70s – the story of an infamous army captain warily accepting the job of escorting his former enemy and enemy’s family through dangerous territory to a reservation.
Cooper has aligned himself with a great cast as well. Christian Bale as the tormented Joseph J. Blocker has ingrained himself into another unforgettable role. We feel his pain from the past, and the fight he has living down his reputation as a legendary Indian fighter.
His counter part, the man he hated and wanted to put to death for so many years, Chief Yellow Hawk, is a warrior of the past, who’s reflected on his violent ways, and after being captive for many years is ready to die from his affliction, but not without tremendous regrets. Wes Studi is a towering representation of this chief, and he says far more in looks than he ever conveys in words. There’s a nobility that comes from Mr. Studi that has always worked for him. In this role, the man shines like never before, and certainly deserved a mention at the last Oscars.
Once again, Ben Foster turns in a bravura performance as Sergeant Charles Wills, a former comrade of the captain, and a side of himself that Captain Blocker would prefer to go away and never return. Foster chews the scenery with such scrappy glee that’s downright evil, but it never feels like a caricature. He’s a sad human being that’s never looked to change as his former captain has.
Cooper’s whole production is first rate. The film is more than a western drama, and that’s what makes it so watchable. Western fans will rejoice knowing that somebody is out there that can elevate a tale of the west without giving it a sly nod and a wink. Hostiles is a solid adult western that takes us into a real-life situation and makes us think hard about who the hostiles are.
Hostiles is presented in 4K UHD with a 2160p transfer in 2.39:1, and it is downright gorgeous. A great example of what 4K can bring to home entertainment. Audio is also an excellent representation of what the format is capable of with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Some may question why Lionsgate did not take it a step further and offer Dolby ATMOS or at least DTS:X option. But, what they have delivered is a highly immersive surround track.
Once again, another company offering little in the way of extras. Is it because some may consider this one an arthouse western? Whatever the case, Lionsgate, Universal, and other perpetrators that skimp on extras should be put-on notice since you’re not giving us incentive to go beyond a digital download. And that’s a shame. Apparently, one has to be Marvel or a Star Wars franchise to get a boatload of special features. Otherwise, we wind up with the slim pickins like Hostiles‘ one extra…A Journey of the Soul: The Making of Hostiles. Okay, the featurette offers an in-depth look into the making with some good interviews and a large amount of production data. But seriously, we could have so much more.
Best Price – $24.95 – 4K/Blu-ray/Digital combo – Fry’s Electronics or $19.96 – Blu-ray/DVD/Digital – Amazon
