Pale Rider

Lost a couple hours of productivity yesterday because Clint Eastwood's Pale Rider is a mesmerizing western set during the California gold rush. A mysterious man rides into town just in time to save a group of gold panners from henchmen who work for the region's dominant hydro-miner. Eastwood's character uses the actor's signature stare to intimidate thugs played by the likes of Richard Kiel and Chris Penn. His gaze is backed by the skills of a gun fighter, which are put to use as matters escalate when the hydro-miner brings in his own hired guns. This is not among the best Eastwood movies, but it's fascinating in its own right.