Joe Crist

I was down to watch this movie after a friend sent me the trailer, because who doesn't want to watch a goofy western featuring a coma survivor with heavenly powers? I was hoping for something along the lines of Undead or Alive (2007), even if there weren't going to be any zombies in the saloons, and Joe Crist didn't disappoint.

I was hooked from the very start by the liberal use of the Wilhelm screams, a trick gay-run-teed to elicit gut laughs from fans of B movies. Joe comes out swingin' (or shootin'), and the action doesn't stop. With a runtime of only 53 minutes, there's no time to get bored!

While the writing isn't great and some of the delivery feels forced, both of those negatives make a positive when you're paying homage to old western films, because let's be real...we didn't watch those for the quality conversation either.

I will say that Mark Allen Michaels (writer/director/producer) has come a LONG way since Vampirez on a Boat. Joe Crist is still low budget, but it FEELS like a lot more money and time went into this project. Dallas Valdez as Joe Crist was the perfect choice; he's a natural protagonist in Michael's nutty stories. And he has a lot of hats.

If you enjoy bonkers films and can appreciate low-budget projects, definitely give this one a watch. If you don't laugh at the Wilhelm screams, we can't be friends.

Written and directed by Mark Allen Michaels, Joe Crist is a wild Western! I love how this movie starts and gets right to the point! It packs a punch into its short runtime. The cinematic style is wonderful; I love how the color of the film, as well as the music, characters, and setting, all pay homage to the Western film genre. The special effects are great too! The sound design and music are top notch. The music, especially, really adds to the Western and pulls you into the movie's world. There truly is something for everyone in this movie: mystery, love, action, crime, and even bits of comedy.

There was a time when movie making was an art. A time when a masterfully written script would be cast by exceptional actors and brought to life by a visionary director.

Like three peas in a pod that work together and in unison to achieve one polished finished product.

Now before everyone attacks me and gets my post deleted or banned, I am a mature Christian and have watched my fair share of "religious" themed movies. Many were bad, a few were good and mostly due to the ego centric attitudes of the writers who often think they can also direct or act at the same time.

This movie is not worth a 9 or a 10. A good idea for a script, but a very poorly written script in the end.

Acting was sub par, mostly over the top and very unbelievable and unauthentic. There was zero emotional investment in any of the characters.

Sets were ok, sound was bad in some spots. But the writing was bad, so even with the best intentions of your actors, it failed to deliver.

Directing was sub par.

So it astounds and surprises me that for such a poorly made film, we have raving 9's and 10's, must see comments. Perhaps Gone with the Wind or 12 Angry Men could warrant such high marks. This movie is a 2 at best.

Well, that was fun-a good old-fashioned shoot-'em-up western. Joe Crist takes viewers on an exhilarating ride as Joe Crist, a man on a divine mission, sets out to cleanse a Western town of its human vermin.

This film is pure fun and briskly paced, making it an enjoyable watch from start to finish. With its copious body count, Joe Crist could easily double as a great drinking game, yet it manages to keep the violence at an almost cartoonish level with judicous use of the Wilhelm scream, adding a layer of playful sensibility to the action.

Kudos to the cinematography and production design, which elevate this modest-budget movie and give it a big heart. The visuals and setting perfectly capture the essence of a classic Western, immersing the audience in its dusty, rugged world.

If you're looking for a film that combines the charm of traditional Westerns with a unique, modern twist, Joe Crist is definitely worth a watch. It's a spirited, action-packed adventure that promises a good time.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

These are not the words of Joe Crist, the notorious titular bounty hunter, born again to blow the brains out of the bad men terrorizing the town belonging to his best friends, but mirrors the spiritual sentiment of this satirical, semi-religious romp. Framing the story as an homage to all things Sergio Leone, director Mark Allen Michaels entertains the wild energy of a Western, while stripping the genre of its contemplative seriousness in substitution for something super silly.

Fully stocked with Wilhelm screams, whip style camerawork, and cartoonish sound effects to amplify the absurdity, it becomes quickly apparent that JOE CRIST intends to play as parody instead of a straight drama or stereotypical faith based movie. The opening scene makes good and sure that everyone is on the same page that this isn't gonna get played during Bible School study.

The film's religious context is on the forefront of Joe Crist's self righteous journey, but the digital blood bath painting the town red doesn't let the audience forget that violence is the real answer, even if Joe Crist may be the second coming of Christ in lightening wielding form. Because of the outright goofiness up front, it's hard to dial the tone back down, making the movie's less refined qualities more noticeable in its quieter moments - but the brisk runtime allows plenty of room for hootin n hollerin hilarity that makes still it worth a watch. The tangible chemistry of the cast feels like the folks involved had a blast bringing this film to fruition, as some scenes act almost like extended SNL sketches. Perfect to put on at a party packed with lots of booze for some guaranteed good times.

The power of Joe Crist clearly compelled them, will it do the same for you?