Matewan

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Bert E Still to this day my favorite film. Saw it multiple times at film festivals when it came out and since then a few times on DVD. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/27/24 Full Review Kimm A "Matewan" isn't an epic film like "The Godfather" or "Gigi" or "GoodFellas" or "Gladiator," but it is very good. Based on a true story, it really explains the politics and hardship of the 1920s (and other times) coal miners. It's a great script. I had to watch it for a film class and I have never forgotten the movie. Chris Cooper is brilliant, but my favorite part was James Earl Jones. He takes a small, important role and makes it so... powerful. His acting is, as always, understated and he almost steals the movie from Chris Cooper. He was such a great actor. (Still not over his death yesterday.) This is a drama with one of the best turning points in film I have ever seen. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a good drama or to learn more about the history of coal mining and how mining companies routinely screwed over the very blood of their operations. Whoever cast this movie was brilliant. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/10/24 Full Review Alec B Sayles strikes the right balance of realism and hope here. Per usual he assembles one hell of a cast. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/24 Full Review Georgan G Experience how West Virginia miners lived before unions were allowed, watch this film. Years of warfare between the unions & mine owner hired gun thugs. Shows a life of hard scrabble. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/08/24 Full Review Audience Member Over 35 years old I remember watching it in school learning about union history It's inspired by real events and won an Oscar for best cinematography The story of the Union being brought to West Virginia in 1920 to the coal miners and having them strike back against the Stone Mountain Coal Company They're very reluctant joining the blacks and Italians while facing wage cuts Love Chris Cooper, Mary McDonnell, David Straithrn, and James Earl Jones One of John Sayles' best films to this day and one of my favorite historical flicks Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/29/23 Full Review Audience Member I can't believe this beautifully told story hasn't been available to stream for free or pay *once* in the last few years, since it had a 30th anniversary in 2017 and since its subject is so very relevant to the current debate about worker's rights, fossil fuel barons, and even immigration, especially since it takes place just before a devastating financial collapse and other events (like a slide into fascism) we're clearly preparing to repeat. Just bought a DVD with this and another Sayles favorite, The Secret of Roan Innish. It's worth renting a physical DVD for. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Matewan

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