The Right Stuff

Philip Kaufman direcected this 1983 saga of the seven original Mercury astronauts. Stars Sam Sheperd, Scott Glenn, Dennis Quaid, Ed Harris. Based on the novel by Tom Wolfe.

Fascinating account of the start of America's space program. These guys were strapped into what amounted to a tin can and were shot into space. We learn about their struggles with the program itself, a manipulative government, the rigors of training, and the space flights themselves...which are exciting and thrill packed. We also get the perspective of the wives who lived with and supported these heroes.

Quirky, exciting, humorous, and long but well worth it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086197/

Appaloosa

Another one from the heart from Ed Harris who co-wrote, directed, and stars along with Viggo Mortensen and Renee Zellweger.

Two friends in the Old West are hired on to police the town of Appaloosa. They are professionals but have a diificult time bringing a muderer to justice. Their lives are complicated by the arrival of a widow.

This one feels just right...the cold ruthlessness but fairness of the lawmen, the bad guys who feel they are above the law, and a love story that's quirky and integral to the plot.

Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen strike just the right chord together as friends and coworkers who are good at what they do...they just don't verbalize that much about the ethics or morality of their profession.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800308/

Pollock

One from the heart from Ed Harris who portrays artist Jackson Pollock as a man tortured by alcohol, creativity, relationships, and life in general.

Harris produced, directed, and stars in this 2000 film. Marcia Gay Harden co-stars.

Good feel for the time period, but even more interesting, how Pollock took the direction he did in his art....looking for the freedom of expression that he could create but not really explain or verbalize. His paintings explode...so does his life and his marriage.

Harris makes us feel for the artist and gives us a tender but not sugar-coated bio of a remarkable man.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0183659/