Jean Bartholomew

1883: Absorbing and gripping, this short series can stand alone or be coupled w 1923 and Yellowstone. Nothing is sugar-coated here. From eating a buffalo heart to amputating a leg, the visuals are realistic verging on overdone. Not for the squeamish. However, the dangers of the West are made clear, deliberately exaggerated to give balance to earlier, safer Western fare. That is both a relief and a challenge: search for what is true in our history. "Settling" of the West by Europeans was not pretty. But in fact 10% rather than the 80 or 90% as shown here died on the Oregon Trail. Still, were there wagon trains where nearly all perished? Likely, and perhaps this simply was one of those. In historic reality, little of death on the Oregon Trail was Indian related; nearly all was cholera, other disease, or accidents. Rivers were brutal, and we see that in the film. Snakebite not infrequent. Was there ever a blonde-headed woman w a gripping, near hypnotic voice wearing a skinny Comanche vest from her Indian lover and sporting a stylish hat flying bare-armed (without sunburn) over the plains on a golden horse? Not likely on that. But that's part of the point. This film blends creativity w hyperbole, metaphor w reality, stunning beauty and seldom seen ugliness to all together somewhat miraculously paint an essentially true landscape of the West, one that vividly challenges stereotypes. It does this through brave casting (Faith Hill? Tim McGraw? Yes, even that worked) and deliberately impressionistic rather than 100% realistic images, completely evoking the rugged lack of forgiveness that always came packaged w the West itself. The West is shown relentlessly sifting the wheat from the chaff. It is the unspoken character dominating the film. Lightning Yellow Hair is but the observant human, a supremely talented narrator and the ultimate challenge to stereotypes, but not an invulnerable one. In the end dreams are shattered but reborn as a portion of enduring truths. Beauty. Love. Goodness. Yet only time conquered the West. Bravery and skill might buy a few options, but always at cost. Does the film take on too much? Immigrant naivete w blonde ambition/achievement? Improbable couplings and philosophical, English-speaking Indians? Clothing as metaphor and shield? Gender equality w male self-actualization? Army bumbling against ancient Indian medical wisdom? Perhaps. Yet it somehow all works. Close call--but overall this is a 9 and still churning, and I do want to see it again. Definitely. ---jmjb

Wanted to like it since I really enjoy music. But the chemistry between the two hosts has to be double-digit negative--both seem acutely uncomfortable even as individuals--and the songs vary mostly from really average to terrible. Bombs away.

Grotesque violence, much of it against women, with no redeming value whatsoever. No moral to the story. Did not finish. Keep your kids far, far, far away.

The joy, heart, and soul of American marching bands are on display for all to see. If this terrific teen film encourages one kid to become involved in a band, then it's worth its weight in drums. While not a key theme here, marching bands save lives. So glad this was made.