Wonderful Movie

The greatest movie ever made..!

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Spoilers herein.There is indeed a ghostly presence in the American West. It is based on myth, which gives it power. It destroys without knowing; it depends on magic and belief. Its name is family Redford.Yes, good old Robert and now his son are the culprits here. They have a wistful, idealized vision of a noble people defiled. There ‘s the evil corporation, the environmental desecration (which the natives would never have done!) and the conflict between the white and red man's magic. All set in Hallmark hues spun with an unacknowledged Hollywood mainstream gloss.It says a lot that this passes for politically correct. Give it a few years before Native Americans realize that the artificial nobility bestowed by a well-meaning Hollywood (and we include the Sundancers in this) is just as offensive as the `mad injun' stuff that preceded it.I refer the reader to `Napolean Bonapart' or Bony as he is known in the detective fiction of Arthur Upfield. Bony is a halfbreed, part white (with an advanced university degree) and part aborigine, or `black.' Because he is half black, he has tracking and intuition `in his blood,` and a mystical connection with the land. These 29 novels - in which the mystical and logical compete and sometimes cooperate - were popular books just a couple decades ago. Read one to see how offensive it is and why they are so universally rejected today. Dramatic myth which spins stereotypes is just as offensive when those stereotypes are `positive,` and the intent honest even more so because it patronizes. Now read Bony again and see how closely the current writer Hillerman copies Upfield, in many details as well as the overall tone.Stay away from this, unless you just want to appreciate the very fine photography and editing Dad arranged for his boy. Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

I just saw this movie, and I would like to say that this was a great mystery. The setting is in a Navajo county, Adam Beach plays a cop and a medicine man that makes sure things in town are going the way they are supposed to, and Wes Studi plays a good detective. When a murder of a medicine man takes place, Beach and Studi join together to solve the crime. The movie is great because it shows you how the Native American life is. The roles that Beach and Studi play, are roles of heros that would do anything in order to set things right. I cannot wait to see Coyote Waits. This movie was very good and I would highly recommend people that like mystery films, to see this movie.

This movie gave a moving portrayal of Native Americans, between ones that wants to dismiss their past and assimilate with the outsider and their cultures, and ones that wants to hang on to their tradition. It shows how some are struggling with keeping their tradition in the modern world that is continuously moving forward, while others are torn between accepting the new and keeping with the old, or even ones who are completely disillusioned with their heritage to the point of violent counter-reactions. It all comes down to a complicated clash between various characters and how each one resolves the issue within itself.This was a good mystery film too, revealing little by little as to the motive for the murders.Chris Eyre did a good job in this film, having seen his other movie Smoke Signals, he gives a somber atmosphere to both of these films. Not invoking the usual depressing ambience usually portrayed on these kind of environment, but not over-glorifying any aspects either.All in all, a worthy film to watch.

I noticed that "Skinwalkers" was filmed in the Phoenix area, but Mr. Redford knew that he'd not be filming taboo places around Phoenix as was a problem with "Dark Wind".Navajo and those associated closely with the language will note that the actors are not flawless by any stretch, but at least they tried. Adam Beach is interested in the language and the people. I give credit for trying... twice! ("Windtalkers")Tony Hillerman's books are always going to be better than his movies. I think the reason that they made Leaphorn so ignorant of his people's ways is so that bilighana (Anglo) (and you have to admit that most people watching any movie are not going to be Navajo) can understand why Chee does some of the things he does. Makes sense to Navajo and friends, but most others would just turn it off thinking it "weird" without the movie explaining thoughts and motives.I hope this is enough of a success that they will try ALL of Mr. Hillerman's books which honor the beauty of a gentle people and their beautiful home. I would like to see them try Navajo actors, but Adam Beach is giving an admirable performance, especially in capturing the wonderful quiet ways of the Navajo.