Eye for Eye

Westerns have lost a lot. It's basically the same plot as any other western only with pretty amateur actors, even John Savage was lacking. At some point, maybe folks ought say " If you don't have the resources to make a good film, just don't make one". I applaud their effort, I just wish they had saved more finances, gotten better at everything and then shot the film. The scenery was fantastic, but the buildings, the bar, the sets in general just didn't work. The actors were robotic and didn't hold my attention at all. The story itself could've probably worked with better actors, wardrobe, sets, etc.

How cool is it to watch a film which reminds us of so many big screen and TV classics from our childhood? This genre was very popular featuring big Hollywood stars. "True Grit," "Chisum,"Tombstone," "Magnificent Seven,"and "Once Upon a Time in the West" were among dozens of great Westerns. The genre was also very popular with weekly TV series like "Gunsmoke,"Have Gun Will Travel (Paladin)," "The Lone Ranger," and "Wagon Train."

The film location was on beautiful Montana ranches showing glorious Big Sky venues reflective of rugged simpler life in the late 1800's. While obviously not a Big budget Hollywood production that is in fact part of its appeal. The revenge plot line of ex-Sheriff (Shane Clouse) versus land baron (John Savage) is epic. A subplot of the fate of widow McLaughlin (Blanca Blanco) and her son adds an additional dilemma in search of a solution.

Other reviewers seem overly critical of the production values, edits and dialogue. I suspect most of them have never watched an old fashioned western thus base their misguided opinion on expectations of 21st Century technologies in movie making. This is an Indie Film and should be viewed as such. In that perspective I found it a terrific representation of the genre.

Savage and new comer Shane Clouse (who also did the score), carry this tale of revenge and retribution beyond the norm. Although a low budget avoiding expensive sets and costumes, the story carries you back to 1878. Adapted from his novella, the film was also directed and produced by bestselling western author L. J. Martin. Don't miss it.

So fun fact, I was in this movie and it was my first acting role, so I was terrible. I played a character named Johnny who wore a red shirt, was the one who said the sheriff was a ghost in the bar, and looked at Skunk's dead body. That being said, they only let me do one take for most of my scenes and I was supposed to have 8 or so scenes, but most weren't even shot. I'm also not even in the credits, but that's probably for the best. I've also never been able to get all the way through it so don't feel bad if you can't. Overall, not the best experience or movie, but I still got paid and some good experience on what not to do if I ever make a film.

The acting, music, dialog, cinematography, and storyline are amazing! This is LJ Martin's first movie but no one would know it! The awards are piling up and all are well deserved! Don't miss this wonderful film and be sure to share it, with family and friends!!! I know I loved it!