Westerns and... American culture...

I have never been a very big, die-hard fan of Westerns as some people have. I just don't understand their mentality about the movies. Each Western follows practically the same pattern, involves a bunch of guys wearing silly pants shooting each other without mercy, and has some form of sex- and alcohol-drive aspect to the plot. These aren't the most upstanding morals, I think many people can agree. So then why are they such a big part of American culture? Sure, pretty much all Westerns have been made by Americans, but why would Americans want to label themselves with that kind of name?

This is something I ask because I don't understand it. Apparently movies about guys acting like unforgiving, disrespectful dim-wits (to put it in a less politically-correct way) are enjoyable to watch? Help me understand.

First film blog!

Citizen Kane is a very impressive movie. The plot is a little lacking, personally, but the thought put into every aspect of the film is just amazing. For example, when we see Kane as a young boy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX-EJ8BCCTU&feature=related

This part of the film employs tracking, a relatively new tactic for filming at the moment. Also, placement and actions of young Kane while arguments are going on inside is key in Kane's character. We see that he is oblivious of his mother's plan to send him away from her guard. It turns out she doesn't love him as much as he hopes. Towards the end of the clip we see Kane's evil glare. This is a major turning point in the film, even early on. Kane's childlike happiness change into adultlike greed and a hunger for power. The scene closes on Kane's beloved sled being covered with inches of snow. His childhood is definitely being left behind.

I hope someday to be a film director; hopefully as influential and revolutionary as John Ford, the director of Citizen Kane.