“I’m your huckleberry”

Tombstone stars Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp, Val Kilmer as John “Doc” Holiday, Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp, Sam Elliot as Virgil Earp, and Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo.

The film tells story of Wyatt Earp and his brothers and their move to the county of Tombstone, Arizona where they settle to make a life full of family and flourishing. But to Wyatt’s dismay, a gang of outlaws called “the cowboys”, led by Curly Bill and Johnny Ringo, disrupt the town’s “cosmopolitan” attraction. Wyatt has given up his law enforcement past in Dodge City, Kansas, and doesn’t want any part. But his brothers think differently. Wyatt will inevitably pin a badge back on his black vest, and along with his brothers, and the witty and dying Doc Holiday, they will face off against the outlaws until only one law rules the town.

Kurt Russell plays Wyatt excellently, with a lot more charisma and a authoritative presence than Kevin Costner in Wyatt Earp (and to come to think of it, Tombstone makes Wyatt Earp look like it was made by a bunch of amateurs). Val Kilmer, in arguably his best role, plays John “Doc” Holiday colorfully, with numerous one liners to quote endlessly. Another stand out is Michael Biehn as the enigmatic and sadistic Johnny Ringo (“And on the other side of him rode death…and Hell followed with him”)

The writing in the film is impeccable. Aside from a cheesy love story between the actress and Wyatt, and the fact that the film isn’t 100% true to the story, the film still carries on as one of the coolest and most badass westerns.

No, it’s not Unforgiven, but it also isn’t Wild Wild West. Tombstone, like Unforgiven, is a morality tale, with enough entertainment to make you want to buy a six gun and play poker drunk on irish whisky listening to “Fredrick fucking Chopin”.

Shoot Out! At the O.K. Corral







Previous Movies of the Week:

Spoiler: show

#1: Gladiator
#2: The Passion of the Christ
#3: Cool Hand Luke
#4: Fight Club
#5: American Beauty
#6: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
#7: Goodfellas
#8: Boogie Nights
#9: American Psycho
#10: Dr. Strangelove
#11: Dog Day Afternoon
#12: Unforgiven
#13: 2001: A Space Odyssey
#14: Do the Right Thing
#15: Reservoir Dogs
#16: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
#17: L.A. Confidential
#18: Big Trouble in Little China
#19: Out of Sight
#20: The Shawshank Redemption
#21: The Waterboy
#22: Field of Dreams
#23: The Godfather
#24: The Godfather Part II
#25: The Godfather Part III
#26: Network
#27: Die Hard
#28: Sin City
#29: Dawn of the Dead
#30: American History X
#31: Swingers
#32: Thelma & Louise
#33: Casablanca
#34: Independence Day
#35: Jaws
#36: Adaptation
#37: The Life Aquatic
#38: Rushmore
#39: The Royal Tenenbaums
#40: The Insider
#41: In the Line of Fire
#42: An American Werewolf in London
#43: Nightmare on Elm Street
#44/45: Evil Dead/Evil Dead 2
#46: The Princess Bride
#47: Stripes
#48: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
#49: Dead Poets Society
#50: Pulp Fiction
#51: A Christmas Story
#52: Lost in Translation
#53: The Thin Red Line
#54: Clear and Present Danger
#55: High Fidelity
#56: Saving Private Ryan
#57: The Hills Have Eyes
#58: Close Encounters of the Third Kind
#59: The Nightmare Before Christmas
#60: True Lies

I got two guns, one for the both of ya.

How has this not been a MOTM already? I haven't seen it in forever but one of the great guy movies of the '90s. Val Kilmer got lots of deserved credit but Kurt Russell was a kick ass Wyatt.

This movie is SICK. One of my favorites of the 90's at least, if not all time. Despite Kilmer's standout performance, I thought the whole cast was remarkable. SOOOOOO much better than that Kevin Costner version.

I only recently saw this for the first time and was expecting much better given all the positive talk about I'd heard over the years. Val Kilmer clearly was the best thing about the movie. I was expecting a grittier western movie, though, and not the Hollywood formula movie that this ultimately was. The gunfight was pretty cool but the love story was laughable, really. This was a movie I wanted to like, but ultimately left me wanting much much more from it.

I'm coming, and hell's coming with me!

I don't know how many times I've seen this movie, but I watch it everytime it's on. I have a fascination with the 1880's and 1890's, which is part of the reason why I love Tombstone. The part towards the end with Doc and Wyatt in the hospital is sad.

I've been to Tombstone, Arizona and I thought it was a pretty awesome place. The cemetery is beyond creepy but the main street and all of the old buildings are cool. There are signs that will say such and such died here on whatever date.

Yeah, I have this theory that if reincarnation is real, that I was born in the 1870s and lived on through the 1930s, because for some reason those periods resonate with me so well.

One of the very few movies I've watched from beginning to end without interruption. Kilmer was excellent as Holiday.


Maybe poker's just not your game, Ike. I know: let's have a spelling contest.

One of my favorite movies. Ever.

So many great one liners. Kilmer was just brilliant in thsi movie and Russel was actually really fucking good to.

From start to finish such a great movie. First movie ie ver snuck into when i was a young boy.

"well i got two guns...one for each of ya"

This movie is in my top 10 of all time. There are like 3 parts that make me cry (most of my favorite movies do).

My favorite scene is probably when his brother gets shot playing pool. Gutwrenching.

My hypocrisy only goes so far...
Alright, lets finish it...

Indeed sir...the last charge of Wyatt Earp and his immortals...


its on right now.

That's funny, because there's something about that time period that resonates with me as well. (From the 1870's-1880's all the way through the silent film era).

This is a pretty good movie. It's not quite great, but it's better than, say, Wyatt Earp.

thanks, moss.

was there ever a directors cut of this film? definitely one of my faves that i can sit down at any part and watch until the end.

doc's death at the end is probably one of buff's other crying moments. i think that's the saddest part of the movie.

One of those movies I know isn't particularly great, but I just enjoy watching.

I love the slow "NOOOOOOO." on the riverbank.