Blood for Dust

Beware, this movie starts out quite slow and uneventful, but it ends in a complete bloodbath of violence. And actor Stephen Dorff (the reason I chose to watch this movie) has only got a tiny supporting role of about 3 minutes, but nevermind that, because ALL the other actors involved delivered rock solid performances! I was really impressed!

Beware (a second time) that this is NOT a glorious, funny gangster movie, this is as bleak, true to life and depressing as it gets! But it definitely is one of the better crime dramas I have seen the last couple of months. Memories of The Coen Brothers come to mind...and that is about the highest compliment I can give!

The good: this movie has got a dark cloud of doom hanging over it, envisioned by the bleak photography and underscored with dark and twisted music. From the start till the very last breath, this movie oozes slowburning despair, hidden evil and violent chaos, but somehow this movie is about innocence as well...somehow this movie succeeds in letting evil turn into something good and wholesome...

The story: a desperate salesman, in financial dire straits, who cant support his family and his sick son, takes on a job with the mob. He "only" has to drive a bag of drugs towards a delivery point and collect the money for it. All things spiral out of control in a vicseral vicious and violent way I havent seen come along in a while.

Wow, terrific direction, solid acting performances, vicious storyline, what a great movie! I dont dare reommend this sort of hardhitting movie to my friends or family, but only to those who can stumach a slowburning ACTOR's movie, which is as bleak, violent, depressing and dark as it can get...

When Scoot McNairy plays the lead you know the main character is an average joe. Because no one can play an average joe better than scoot. He does his part making the audience connect with his seemingly laconic life.

Scoots character, Cliff is not doing so good as a salesman. He has a kid in the hospital and a wife in group therapy. Much of his character development is spent at the beginning observing his time on the road. Its evident he has financial short comings.

There are two superfluous dialogue scenes with Stephen Dorf then later Rose Mason which could have been removed and you wouldn't know it. Except they serve to reinforce two things. One, that Cliff really does try to do something other than take Ricky's offer, and two, he did lack scruples in his past.

There is parallel part of Cliff's character portrayal which reveals something flawed in his past. His past life does catch up with him in the form of a former associate called Ricky. Kit Harrington. We don't know what Ricky was like before, but it becomes apparent that he is a lot more calculating and capable of evil than Cliff realized he could be.

Ricky makes an offer to Cliff he can't refuse. The movie picks up pace at this point. There is violence and double crosses and everything you would expect. Cliff has no idea what he is in for.

No pun intended of course. This is a low budget movie - with quite a bit of action inserted into it. Jon Snow seems to need money too (Kit Harrington is just one of the names you may recognize if you watch as much stuff as I do that is) ... the movie is not a bad one mind you. You may even like it a lot. But it does not really a lot new stuff ... and we are circling back to having watched a lot of movies ... to know the actors involved in this.

The action is well shot, dialog is ok I reckon (though nothing to get too excited about) and the script ... well again nothing surprising ... so while you will be able to "predict" where this is going ... just sit back and enjoy if you can.

While looking to see what new releases came out today, I noticed Blood for Dust, and saw the cast and went in blind. What a pleasant surprise. There is great acting throughout especially by the co leads. Scoot McNairy, who is one of the top character actors in the business, thoughtfully carries this movie on his shoulders as a desperate man who can't shake the past and gets mixed up in some nefarious doings. While Kit Harrington is also phenomenal in an against type role as the loose cannon Ricky. They have good chemistry as old acquaintances maybe even friends. The action is well done, and there is some pretty brutal kills. The climax is extremely intense and had me on the edge of my seat. This is a must watch, especially if you like the movie Fargo. There is also amazing character actors sprinkled throughout in cameos. Josh Lucas chews scenery with ease and makes you wonder how we don't see more of him.

If you're a fan gritty and dark, you'll love BFD. I love films where characters are driven to desperation and painted into corners, and that's exactly where Cliff finds himself as he steps into a life of crime that has depths of deception he is ill prepared for.

Montana was shot beautifully and was the perfect backdrop for this cold crime thriller. Getting transported back in time was a nice touch too.

Scoot McNairy is incredible as a downtrodden and desperate salesman. He is an actor who I think doesn't get the recognition he deserves, and was perfectly cast and he crushed the role. I enjoyed seeing Josh Lucas in a role that surprised me too, and he showed up great! Ethan Suplee was a nice touch as a large stoic henchman. And while some reviews seem critical of Kit Harrington I really enjoyed him in this as Ricky.

So yeah, if you like the gritty and dark crime thrillers, this is for you. It will even scratch your action itch too. BFD a must watch!