MovieStyle: Once upon a time …

It’s been 40 years since Mel Brooks unleashed Blazing Saddles on the world, and its difficult to think of a successful Western comedy that’s been released since. But did that deter Seth MacFarland, whose A Million Ways to Die in the West is an ambitious, rude attempt to fill the vacuum? Does it succeed? Well, Karen Martin knows her oaters — she weighs in this week’s MovieStyle.

Also opening this week, is the gritty Texas noir Cold in July — though it’s set in the 1980s rather than the 1880s but it also employs some Western tropes.

Or if you’re hungry for a documentary about food, the Katie Couric-narrated cautionary tale Fed Up might curb your appetite. Finally, there’s a noble, if slightly stilted, inspirational war movie called Walking with the Enemy opening. Philip Martin renders verdicts.

Something’s missing, you say? Well, yeah, the new Disney twist on the Snow White legend Maleficent didn’t screen in time for our deadlines. So you’ll find it reviewed on the blood, dirt & angels (blooddirtangels.com) website.

Upcoming Events