hrm.

[thehefner]

And so I am reminded yet again of how it breaks my heart a little every time a FIREFLY/SERENITY fan claims that they hate westerns.

Comments

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

Bzuh? People are actually saying that? Is this is one of those times where I should be thankful I like the show, but don't go anywhere near the fandom?

Myself, I don't mind the genre, but I don't particularly seek it out these days. Actually, I thought a lot of the western elements in Firefly were a bit too forced and could have been toned down a lot. The language for one thing, but there was other stuff that didn't really mesh as well with the SciFi aspects, IMO.

[calliopes_pen]

The fact that it was Western themed was the reason I decided to avoid it at first--at least, once I had heard about it. Almost everyone on my friends list started squeeing about great characters, though, and someone finally convinced me to give it a shot.

I bought the DVD set and devoured it all in a day, and went to see the movie about a month later. I'm obviously hooked.

I still avoid anything like Gunsmoke or Bonanza, though. That's just me, though.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Hate, or have zero interest of ever even trying some out. Yet another reason why Browncoats make me itchy (to mix metaphors, or whatever it is I just did there).

Yeah, I totally agree with the forced bit. "Oh, look, he's getting thrown through a bar window! Only it's a HOLOGRAM, boy, what an update, how clever!" Buh. Some actors pulled the western lingo better than others. Mal was made for western, but Kaylee? Not so much.

I mean, I just wonder if these people (I've noticed it's mostly women) have ever seen, like, THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY or BUTCH CASSADY AND THE SUNDANCE KID? And so many others I could list off too.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Well, coming right off of the comment I made above, have you tried THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY? Or maybe THE WILD BUNCH? Those both are worlds away from Gunsmoke and Bonanza and wayyyyy closer to FIREFLY.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Or BUTCH CASSIDY, also?

That's what I'm wondering, if people who've never really watched westerns think of stull like Gunsmoke and Bonanza when they think of westerns? Because that would make me sad. Especially since that's not what Joss and co are trying to emulate.

[calliopes_pen]

I doubt I've ever seen any of those.

I did see part of a Western once--but after 10 minutes of cowboys shooting at Indians and arrows being shot back, I got sick of it.

The only other Western/science fiction mix I've ever been able stand (other than Firefly) was Back to the Future Part 3. And that's more sci-fi than anything else.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Ok, please please PLEASE trust me on this, not all westerns are like that. In fact, the vast majority of GOOD westerns aren't like that at all!

Definitely try those three. All very different in tone, style, acting, and music. PLEASE try those.

[seangrimm.livejournal.com]

I like F+S.
I enjoy westerns but that entirely depends on the western.
Quick and the Dead, great; Sergio Leone stuff, great.
John Wayne...hate hate hate him. So bloody annoying.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

See, I have no general interest in Wayne, but then, I've never seen him. Like, TRUE GRIT is clearly Garth Ennis' favorite movie of all time, or it's up there. So I think that alone is essential viewing for me at some point.

[kmousie.livejournal.com]

Those people make no sense. ;-)

I mean, I just wonder if these people (I've noticed it's mostly women) have ever seen, like, THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY or BUTCH CASSADY AND THE SUNDANCE KID? And so many others I could list off too.

Loved Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly is magnificent. *tries to mend your heart a tad*

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I am happy and unsurprised to learn you've seen and loved those. Thankee, you have helped!

Imagine....

[kali921.livejournal.com]

Imagine what Firefly would have been like IF PECKINPAH HAD DIRECTED IT.

No, really, IMAGINE.

AWESOME.

[metalcrowe.livejournal.com]

I gotta weigh in on the Gunsmoke point. The original radio show is, in my opinion, worlds better than the TV show, and closer to the sort of western style that is in the western elements of Firefly.

[lonebear.livejournal.com]

agreed. knowledge of good westerns will make the 'verse that much more enjoyable, as Joss has taken snippets from many classic westerns.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

VERY good point, one I am disappointed in myself for not remembering.

[2sick2pray.livejournal.com]

I don't have a vast background of westerns to draw from, but High Noon was a pretty kickass movie. The Alamo I didn't like so much, but I hate John Wayne... I just can't tolerate how iconic he is despite being such a thoroughly shittastic actor.

But I don't think I factor in here anywhere because I can't stand Joss Whedon or the entire sci-fi genre, so....

watch those generalizations!

[sabine42.livejournal.com]

Yes. And High Plains Drifter, True Grit and more John Wayne, Gary Cooper and Jimmy Stewart than you can shake stick at. Grew up on 'em. And yes, I'm a Browncoat and appreciate those details immensly.

There is a big difference between the generic "saturday afternoon" westerns that many studios spun out and the ones that stand above as emblems of the genre.

And those factors make Firefly that much better.

Re: watch those generalizations!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Aye, aye, sorry, it's just that sometimes the more... extreme factions of certain fandoms really get to me. And Browncoats, unfortunately, are party to some rather intense, in-your-face fans.

And I am heartily glad you have seen all those, because you are absolutely right, it does make the experience of Firefly all the better. It totally does. I just do wish there wasn't such a stigma in the eyes of some/many fans toward a genre which is largely responsible for influencing the awesomeness of a show they adore.

I mean, they probably wouldn't even HAVE Browncoats if it weren't for westerns.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I wonder if it's like that thing that comic nerds say about how someone's either a Superman or a Batman fan, if it's the same with being either a "John Wayne" western fan at heart or a "Clint Eastwood" western fan? Because I do love me Eastwood's Spaghetti Westerns. His American ones, ehh, not so much.

Heh heh heh, did you ever see the movie where John Wayne plays Genghis Khan? It's real. It's cracktacular. Prime drunk/stoned watching.