In "Lone Star", a skull is found in an isolated part of a Texas border county which begins an investigation by the local Sheriff who must unlock a closet full of skeletons to solve the mystery. Critically acclaimed and a high scoring flick on this website, "Lone Star" is a film to be reckoned with. It features solid performances without the usual blockbuster star power, an engaging story, a real feel, and masterful editing which allows for a seamless presentation of the numerous flashbacks required to tell the story. You'll find little emoting or little reason to emote in this matter-of-fact contemporary film which ends with a kicker. Worth a look for just about anyone mature enough for the subject matter.

"Lone Star" was John Sayles' first look at a state, followed by "Limbo" (Alaska), "Sunshine State" (Florida) and "Silver City" (Colorado). This one focuses on a border town in Texas, and the influences of and conflicts between the white, black and Hispanic populations there. It starts when they discover the remains of racist Sheriff Charlie Wade (Kris Kristofferson), murdered under mysterious circumstances many years earlier; Sheriff Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper) leads the investigation. In the process of everything, we get to see - among other things - the battle over education in the Lone Star State: the school only wants to teach the white people's side of history, but Pilar Cruz (Elizabeth Pena) wants to teach it from the Mexican point of view. As it is, this town carries many secrets, many of which are about to blow open. This was, in my opinion, John Sayles' greatest movie ever. It is not to be missed.

Two treasure hunters find a skeleton and a rusted sheriff badge in the desert. Sheriff Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper) in border town Frontera, Texas investigates. His former love teacher Pilar (Elizabeth Peña) is trying to reform school material as the town's racial makeup changes. He had problems with his late father Buddy who was the town's legendary sheriff. Evidence suggests the dead is old Sheriff Charlie Wade. Intermittent flashbacks from 40 years ago show Buddy Deeds (Matthew McConaughey) as a deputy working under corrupt racist Sheriff Charlie Wade (Kris Kristofferson).

This is a vast wide story of a small corner of the world. It's a compelling interweaving movie of the different ethnicity in this mixed society. It's a song with many instruments. The interconnections can be overwhelming to keep track. There are powerful scenes and it never stops being compelling. The acting is solid. It's a wonderful wide set of connected stories.