Wooly Boys

I've just gotten out of a screening of this film and I have to say, WOW!This one will hopefully be up for some awards.Kris Kristofferson is as always charming, sexy, and wonderful. I loved his comic repartee with newcomer Adam Stradlin. Where did they find this guy, he's great!Stradlin has the intensity of a young Gary oldman and the charisma of Mel Gibson. Everyone shines.Lil' blond Bonnie Borst as the wacky greyhound bus passenger, this girl should have her own sitcom.Peter Fonda tops his performance in "The Limey" and really carries this film. Co-stars Greg Sporleader and Jad mager who I've heard are hardened Shakespeare thespians create believable in-bred hic's, better than Cooter and Roscoe P. Coltrane from "Dukes of Hazzard" I highly recommend it. 10!

Having looked everywhere for information about this film for well over a year, I was shocked when it suddenly popped up on Cable and Satellite last weekend. It was quite different to what I had expected, but nevertheless well worth the wait. If you are looking for a film that will make you laugh and make you cry, but leave you with a nice warm feeling inside, then look no further. The whole cast is excellent, without a weak link and there are fine performances by Peter Fonda, Kris Kristofferson and Keith Carradine. But, not for the first time, Joe Mazzello (Radio Flyer,Jurassic Park,The Cure, Simon Birch) steals the show.As Joe's character, Charles is taken, reluctantly, on the journey of a lifetime, he discovers a whole new world, his roots and himself. We, the viewers, see a hugely talented young actor and the character he portrays growing up before our very eyes. This is one film not to be missed!

The movie was not as good as I hoped. It wasn't bad but it was lacking. The story felt rushed, some of the humor was too obvious (there were scenes that were funny though), and there should have been clearer character development. I think it's a good film for children and older folks. I had hoped there would have been more film of the badlands and it failed to truly show the beauty of the prairie. For an independent low-budget release it was pretty good. At least it didn't make North Dakotans look like backwater hicks ( ala the horrible "Fargo" movie which was not filmed in nor did it take place in the city it was named after!)

Decades ago actors (and, certainly, actresses) often used to quit making movies, to retire and be remembered for what they've done while being young, strong, beautiful. Some decided to reappear for a special occasion, like James Cagney, some kept their decision till the end. Greta Garbo and Cary Grant come first into my mind.

Today the times have changed. After Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Jack Lemmon, Henry Fonda and others that didn't want to waste their last breaths, many actors that have approached the years where traditional lover and action hero roles don't fit much any more not only keep on playing, but aren't satisfied to get supporting roles for new young stars movies – they even make movies where all top casting positions contains their peers. And while Clint, Tommy Lee and others decided to go to space, Kris, Peter and Keith's movie takes place in (similarly isolated) American wilderness.

For Kristofferson, as a country composer and singer, and as a "Heaven's Gate" star, this is a natural environment. Carradine also had his share of roles that took him to middle USA, "Nashville" and "The Long Riders" among best remembered. And for Fonda this may be the kind of landscape that he rode along in "Easy Rider".

Though their best years are behind them they are still capable of making a good job. They are not stars like Jones and Eastwood (and, unfortunately, never have been – just a step behind, having maybe just a teaspoon less luck to make few successes in a line), and they don't get first class productions. However, taking what's been offered, none of them disappointed us. There was no need for a big theater type of acting, the three men are small people from small town and big gestures would be overacting.

Though the story keeps running in the limits of solid TV production, the writers made some unusual and funny jokes (stolen dead body, agent Collins' enthusiasm...) and avoided making the conflict between worlds of a teenage computer fan and his grandfather from isolated farm become a center point of jokes (so many times repeated in movies like "Crocodile Dundee", "Coming to America", "Starman", "Les visiteurs" etc) – screenplay is definitely better than one would expect seeing that long list of writers. However, the directing seems rather slow and too mainstream, leaving some scenes underused and a lot of potentials partially ignored. As it could be expected, the end is too sentimental containing no surprises, very TV-ish, but doesn't ruin the integrity.

Anyway, it is always a pleasure to watch those three next-to-top stars and, without having to big expectations, those who like all or some of them won't regret.

Cast, dialogue and relational theme peppered with good humor make this movie a must see. Fonda, Kristofferson, Mazzello, Carradine stand out as friends who love and work for a lifetime not just for a movie time. North Dakota boy is where I want to be...its where country stays cool, computers are a fitting bit of the action and family & friends bond for life.

Kate and Martinez bring a feisty female touch to the film that does not go overboard but compliments the boys nicely.

Some of the lines have stayed in our house bringing up a laugh and a desire to watch the show again...like "that's none-ya" and "no cussing inside" And though the main characters name is Stoneman there is nothing cold about this movie. We have viewed it often enough to have caught most of the bloopers...like "Skeeleton trees" rather than Skeleton trees as written on FBI Collins pager...but the birth of a lamb and a Wooly Boy makes up for the faux pas.

Want to feel better after a flick? Watch Wooly Boys and plan on it. Enjoy