For fans of crime, we have two releases that might tickle your collective fancies.
Today is the release date for Shoot ‘Em Up and 3:10 to Yuma. You can read my review of Shoot ‘Em Up elsewhere on the blog, but I thought I would put together a quick look at
3:10 to Yuma. Based on an Elmore Leonard short story, this is the second time around for this tale, Glenn Ford starred in the 1957 original.

“In Arizona in the late 1800’s, infamous outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) and his vicious gang of thieves and murderers have plagued the Southern Railroad. When Wade is captured, Civil War veteran Dan Evans (Christian Bale), struggling to survive on his drought-plagued ranch, volunteers to deliver him alive to the “3:10 to Yuma”, a train that will take the killer to trial. On the trail, Evans and Wade, each from very different worlds, begin to earn each other’s respect. But with Wade’s outfit on their trail – and dangers at every turn – the mission soon becomes a violent, impossible journey toward each man’s destiny.”

Because the original was quite good, many were questioning the logic of remaking it. I honestly have to say I was skeptical. Christian Bale is talented, but has faltered on occasion and while I do agree Crowe is talented, he is also can be a pain in the ass on the set.

But this fear appears to be unfounded. The reviews are, for the most part, positve. The Wall Street Journal and Washington Post were both were lukewarm in their reactions, but Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times) gave it four stars (out of four) with most others (Variety, L.A. Times, Miami Herald) not far behind.

Visit 3:10 to Yuma’s official website.