Young Writers Society

We all know the genre I'm talking about. I know there's a small fan base of it on YWS. You know the question that is coming next. But for reference of the people who don't know, please see message below.

John Wayne. Clint Eastwood. James Dean. Sam Elliot. Gary Cooper.
What do they have in common? Leading men in famous movies. But what specific genre? The genre that tells fictional and fantastical version of the old west. A genre that has been around since the beginning of people crying "Go West." Everyone has watched one at some point and you'd be lying if you said it wasn't fun. So go ahead and answer the question below.

I have a zillion favorites this is not fair. Wanted: Dead or Alive, The Rifleman, Bonanza, The Lone Ranger, Big Valley, and probably more that I can't think of on the spur of the moment (sort of pun intended. Ish).

And Steve McQueen. Was awesome. In all his westerns.

clubs/2528 !

Favorite Western Book: Lonesome Dove
Favorite Book Ever: Lonesome Dove <333

Favorite Western Miniseries: Lonesome Dove

Favorite Miniseries Ever: Lonesome Dove

Favorite Miniseries Prequel: Comanche Moon, LD prequel

Favorite Western Character: Woodrow Call, Lonesome Dove

Favorite Character Ever: Woodrow Call, Lonesome Dove/Comanche Moon

What I'm going to name my future dog and/or son: Woodrow

I don't care what you say, and you can fight me on this. I really enjoyed the Magnificent Seven remake.

@Sheyren, to its defense, I watched it in a distracted setting at my grandma's house and the video quality was low, so perhaps if I watched it again in higher resolution and with lower expectations I would like it better. It wasn't teeeerrible, but I was disappointed with what I saw (and now I'm watching clips on YT to refresh my memory!). I appreciated that they "updated" the film with a more diverse crew, but besides the cowardly guy, who I think I liked more in this movie than the other and inspired me to create Asun in So7, I feel like they fell short with character development and the overall story line. It lacked that classic golden western beauty - deep characters with hearts linked to the frontier, gorgeous scenery - and felt more like an action movie than anything.

Your turn! What'd you like about it?

@Wolfical I would definitely give it another shot if I were you. It wasn't a perfect film, as the character development was forced and somewhat cliché, but I didn't go into it expecting a perfect movie. Most if everyone said it was anywhere from horrible to mediocre, so watching it, I expected horrible to mediocre. Not viewing it with a fine lens allowed me to enjoy it quite a bit. Sets were good-looking, character design were nice, characters were likeable to some extent, and action was fast-paced but fun. So if you do end up watching it again, I'd suggest don't look for perfection, but just enjoy what's there.

Also, would Firefly count as a Western? It's in space, but the places they seem to go are Western-styled.

@Sheyren Considering the choices I'm about to add in, I think Firefly fits under the standards. And this was generally just anything with light western themes.

...that my favorite western of all time, is the stupidest one in existence, Blazing Saddles. It's Mel Brooks all the way through, from the slightly offensive even back then jokes to breaking the fourth wall every five seconds. It's nearing this level of breaking the fourth wall but still pretty fun.
And this is quite possibly my favorite scene out of all of them.


Book series:
I usually just read nonfiction in terms of westerns. *displays wall of biographies* But if I had to say one series, and granted it's been a long time since I read this series, it would be Hank the Cowdog. Now anyone who doesn't know who Hank is, obviously did not grow up in a small town in the south where half of our library was the original books put there in the 50s. This series was the highlight of my young life.
Favorite Singular Book:
Dog Days of the West (Wishbone Super Adventure #1)
It's Wishbone. I've already written a full length discussion on this.


Favorite TV Series of All Time:

Louis L'Amour kind of spoiled me. He's one of the few Western writers I'll read, though I like Frank Roderus and Zane Grey. And good old Hank and Wishbone. I should also mention Star Wars: Kenobi by John Jackson Miller. (I want to name a character Annileen!)

Recently I found a collection of Western films at Walmart (one occasionally finds good movies there). Its centerpiece is Walking Thunder with a young John Denver. If you haven't seen it, then I suggest you beg, borrow or steal a copy of True Grit starring John Wayne.

Is it just me, or are there a lot of men named John in this genre...?

P.S. Would you take me seriously if I mentioned VeggieTales' Ballad of Little Joe?

@Stori, John Denver's in a western?!? Oh my gosh I'm totally watching that this weekend. And yes, I looove the True Grit with Glen Campbell and John Wayne!

Wolfical wrote:@Stori, John Denver's in a western?!? Oh my gosh I'm totally watching that this weekend. And yes, I looove the True Grit with Glen Campbell and John Wayne!

Yes, he was in a western. He played a lad who got to do all the great things modern boys aren't allowed to do- ride a horse, provide for his family... I won't spoil it; search "Walking Thunder". You're welcome.

OKAY, OKAY, OKAY, YOU READY FOR SOME FANGIRLING?!

LONESOME DOVE IS LIFE! AND I'M GOING TO READ THE BOOK OVER THE SUMMER, BUT I DID SEE THE SERIES AND... OMMMMMMMGGGGGGG!!!



P.S. This guy was stupid. Lol

FAVORITE MOVIE HAS TO BE... UHHHH... DANCING WITH WOLVES BECAUSE look at dat a** jk jk jk




Oh and P.P.S. I'm 1/16 blackfoot and Cherokee so hehe <3

FAVORITE CHARACTER!!! PEA EYE PARKER!!

JK JK JK

Gus!!!!!!!! <3333333333333


Honorable mentionables!

BLAZING SADDLES!




Cowboys vs Aliens!



McClintock!



True Grit!


Tombstone!

P.P.P.S. I have this movie with the original cover on DVD.

AND THERE ARE WAAAAY MORE BUT THAT'S ALL I COULD THINK OF! Lol

@RubyRed

I'll leave you a proper reply later on dear but for now I'm goi g to laugh at th continuous loop of Kevin Costner's butt on the feed.

LadyLizzLovelace wrote:@RubyRed

I'll leave you a proper reply later on dear but for now I'm goi g to laugh at th continuous loop of Kevin Costner's butt on the feed.

LOL! Inappropriate?

I can replace it... Lol

@RubyRed you're my new favorite person.