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From the DVD cover I expected this to be trash. The title didn't exactly inspire either. It was a film I'd never heard of until I heard it might be good by my better half. She wasn't exactly impressed by my comment 'that will suck big balls'.
The cast wasn't exactly up there either. Kurt Russell hasn't bettered his turn in The Thing. He's pretty good, but usually ends up in movies beneath him.
Matthew Fox did well as Jack in Lost. Pity all that went well pear shaped at the end. Some of Lost was truly outstanding. I can't say I'd seen him anything decent since then.
I've always liked Patrick Wilson. His TV stuff is usually good, like Fargo. But there's not many outstanding films with him in. I liked Watchmen, but it doesn't really stand up to subsequent viewings. There's a little known film called Little Children he's in with Kate Winslet. It was good, but I really don't want to see it again anytime soon.
So my hopes were low. I was surprised. I was hooked from the very start until the very end. There's not many times I can say that about a film like this.
The story doesn't let up or let you down.
It gets a bit graphic in parts as the quote above suggests, but considering the nature of the story this was to be expected. Hardened horror fans will love it.
I think I preferred Kurt Russell in this than in The Hateful Eight. Matthew Fox was also rather good here. So was Wilson and the rest of them.
I really liked it. Impressive.
Also impressive is they shot it in 21 days. A first time director from his own script and on a reasonably small budget. I wish I could do that.
R
EDIT: There is a point I only recalled when I was reading other posts on this thread which is a major plus with this movie. It was Dustin's about the language. They nailed that in so many ways. I've no real idea if that is how they talked back then, but it sure as hell as felt right every time.
My favourite was Patrick Wilson remarking to Fox about 'You make flirtatious remarks in my wife's presence and there will be a reckoning.'
Another was 'This is not the time for womanly imaginings.'
It wasn't just good writing, it was the way the actors sold it as that's how they talked then.
I thought it moved slow, but the surprises forced me to keep watching. One scene scarred my daughter who actually threw up from how graphic it was.
I think it was ok, original, but I don't think I would watch it again even though I like westerns.
Cindy
Award winning screenwriter Available screenplays TINA DARLING - 114 page Comedy ONLY OSCAR KNOWS - 99 page Horror A SONG IN MY HEART - 94 page Drama HALLOWEEN GAMES - 105 page Drama
The film more or less seemed to go right to VOD, because I barely recall it in theatres. But I kept hearing good things about the film. For a long time I avoided it. Then recently, I decided to give it a shot. kurt Russell, Patrick wilson and a Sid Haig cameo. Can't be all bad. What I got was a pleseant surprise. Two additional surprises. Two townsfolk were played by Sean Young and Micheal Pare- they had about one or two lines each in the town hall meeting in the saloon and see ya later. It was odd because these two talents had had a small bit of resurgence in supporting roles in the last few years.
As the film got going, I was really getting into it. Parts loosely reminded me of The 13th Warrior/Eaters Of The dead.
the makeup on russell was so good for a short while I forgot who the actor was. I remember asking myself what happened to Tommy Lee Jones...boy, am I in trouble, mistaking Kurt Russell for Tommy Lee Jones!
The man-split was graphic and shocking, yet, you felt something over the death of that character.I also got myself rooting for Wilson's wounded one-man cavalry. Will he make it or share the same fate?
I dunno. Maybe it is true and H'wood has fear of westerns, including those that dabble in horror and/or suspense.
Finally got to see this...and I've been looking forward to this for a long time.
Almost immediately, I could tell something was "off" with David Arquette and Sig Haig's scene. It came off as a pisser, or a comedy, or just a little odd.
The oddness continued throughout and I wasn't sure if I liked the off kilter dialogue, was supposed to laugh at it, or take it seriously. I was actually very relieved to see I was not alone when I read reviews on RT and IMDB.
Same goes for the setup and plot here - is it really to be taken seriously? No...I don't think so, as it just doesn't make alot of sense if you pay attention.
At 2 hours and 12 minutes, this is way overblown and slow as molasses. In fact, the "middle" of the film is really the majority of the film, and it's nothing but walking and talking. When we finally get to the good stuff, it's handled oddly again - ultra graphic, but so far from believable or even scary/intense. To me, it was actually a little goofy.
And I think goofy is the word here overall, as really none of this can be taken remotely seriously. Almost like the far inferior Ty West flick, "In the Valley of Violence".
I wanted to love this and I even tried loving it, but in the end, I was left pretty surprised how little I actually enjoyed it.