Quick Links Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan Co-Wrote No Holds Barred (And It Shows) No Holds Barred Is Hulk Hogan's Best Movie (Which Isn't Saying Much) McMahon's Mishandling of No Holds Barred Helped Dwayne Johnson and John Cena
As is made clear in Netflixs Mr. McMahon documentary television miniseries, the presently retired Vince McMahon was the ultimate risk-taker. However, besides professional wrestling, McMahon has failed with virtually every other business hes invested in, including a bodybuilding league, a minor-league hockey team, a social media platform, a WWE-themed restaurant, and, most famously, the XFL.
In 1989, McMahon made his first foray into feature film-making with the 1989 action film No Holds Barred, which marked the feature starring debut of 1980s wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, whose larger-than-life persona and unparalleled charisma embodied McMahons invention of sports entertainment and enabled him to realize his vision for global dominance through the power of Hulkamania.
However,...
As is made clear in Netflixs Mr. McMahon documentary television miniseries, the presently retired Vince McMahon was the ultimate risk-taker. However, besides professional wrestling, McMahon has failed with virtually every other business hes invested in, including a bodybuilding league, a minor-league hockey team, a social media platform, a WWE-themed restaurant, and, most famously, the XFL.
In 1989, McMahon made his first foray into feature film-making with the 1989 action film No Holds Barred, which marked the feature starring debut of 1980s wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, whose larger-than-life persona and unparalleled charisma embodied McMahons invention of sports entertainment and enabled him to realize his vision for global dominance through the power of Hulkamania.
However,...
- 9/28/2024
- by David Grove
- MovieWeb
While the names Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan have been suplexed by controversy lately, it’s impossible to ignore how popular they had made the WWE, then WWF, back in the ’80s and ’90s. In 1989, the maniacal McMahon had a genius idea to make Hogan, already a megastar and the longtime world champion, even bigger. Let’s make him the biggest Hollywood actor, too! Enter No Holds Barred, Hulk Hogan’s first starring movie role and the first movie/wrestling crossover event ever! Oh, and did I mention it featured Friday favorite Tom “Tiny” Lister as the mega heel? Damn right. Let’s go!
Years before WWE Studios came into existence and gave us…*ahem* gems as The Scorpion King, The Marine, See No Evil, and The Chaperone, all led by WWE superstars, Vince McMahon got into movie-making with its precursor, Shane Distribution. McMahon might’ve played it safe with...
Years before WWE Studios came into existence and gave us…*ahem* gems as The Scorpion King, The Marine, See No Evil, and The Chaperone, all led by WWE superstars, Vince McMahon got into movie-making with its precursor, Shane Distribution. McMahon might’ve played it safe with...
- 5/25/2023
- by Travis Hopson
- JoBlo.com
J. Edgar opens in theaters this Friday and it is the 33rd film directed by Clint Eastwood. Beginning with the thriller Play Misty For Me in 1971, Eastwood has directed westerns, action films, comedies, and dramas. From the very early days of his career, Eastwood had been frustrated by directors insisting that scenes be re-shot multiple times and perfected, and when he began as a director in 1971, he made a conscious attempt to avoid any aspects of directing he had been indifferent to as an actor. As a result, Eastwood is renowned for his efficient film directing and to reduce filming time and to keep budgets under control.
As seen through the eyes of Hoover himself, J. Edgar explores the personal and public life and relationships of a man who could distort the truth as easily as he upheld it during a life devoted to his own idea of justice, often...
As seen through the eyes of Hoover himself, J. Edgar explores the personal and public life and relationships of a man who could distort the truth as easily as he upheld it during a life devoted to his own idea of justice, often...
- 11/9/2011
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
South of Heaven, West of Hell
Having impressively proved himself a capable actor, country singer-songwriter Dwight Yoakam adds director-screenwriter-producer-composer to his resume, and the resulting "South of Heaven, West of Hell" would suggest a case of wearing at least one Stetson too many.
A subversive Gothic western starring Yoakam and a bunch of his Hollywood buddies, the picture, which actually is much closer to hell than its directions would imply, is an interminable, annoying mess of fractured cowboy-movie cliches.
Although Yoakam and co-screenwriter Stan Bertheaud must have had a hoot cramming in all the frat boy perversity -- castration, rape, incest and pedophilia rank high on its top 10 list -- it all comes across as the kind of indulgence that gives vanity projects a bad name.
Yoakam has cast himself as Valentine Casey, a marshal with an uncertain past who finds himself biding time in some kind of existential purgatory resembling a desolate New Mexico town called Los Tragos.
Part of that past resurfaces when the murderous, inbred Henry Gang, presided over by Bible-thumping Leland (Luke Askew), rides into town. Apparently way back when, after Val's own family died during an influenza outbreak, Leland raised Val as his own. Now Leland and his boys, including Vince Vaughn and Paul Reubens, have returned with larceny on their minds. Though Val sticks to his guns, the Henry Gang proceeds to slaughter everything around him that tries to block their path to the bank vault.
Cut to nine months later, where we find Val in the Arizona desert breaking wild horses and meeting up with Adalyne Dunfries (Bridget Fonda), the daughter of the local hotel and saloon owner who has returned to town accompanied by the odd Brigadier Smalls Billy Bob Thornton with long golden hair).
Just when it looks like Val and Adalyne are about to have a thing going, who else but the Henry Gang comes in and gums up the works, precipitating a protracted fight to the finish.
While Yoakam underplays his part to the point of catatonia, the rest of his cast, also including Bud Cort, Peter Fonda and Michael Jeter, go in the opposite direction in some kind of contest to determine who can be the most irritating. Jeter's the clear winner as the screeching Uncle Jude.
To his credit, director of photography James Glennon ("El Norte", "Election") mines plenty of atmospheric value for the low-budget buck, but there ain't enough purdy sunsets in the world to compensate for this long-winded, one-trick pony of a home movie.
SOUTH OF HEAVEN, WEST OF HELL
Trimark
Director: Dwight Yoakam
Producers: Gray Frederickson, Darris Hatch
Screenwriters: Dwight Yoakam, Stan Bertheaud
Story: Dwight Yoakam, Dennis Hackin, Otto Felix
Director of photography: James Glennon
Production designer: Siobhan Roome
Editor: Robert Ferretti
Costume designer: Le Dawson
Music: Dwight Yoakam
Color/stereo
Cast:
Valentine Casey: Dwight Yoakam
Taylor: Vince Vaughn
Brigadier Smalls: Billy Bob Thornton
Adalyne Dunfries: Bridget Fonda
Shoshonee Bill: Peter Fonda
Arvid: Paul Reubens
Agent Otts: Bud Cort
Doc Angus Dunfries: Bo Hopkins
Leland: Luke Askew
Uncle Jude: Michael Jeter
Running time -- 131 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
A subversive Gothic western starring Yoakam and a bunch of his Hollywood buddies, the picture, which actually is much closer to hell than its directions would imply, is an interminable, annoying mess of fractured cowboy-movie cliches.
Although Yoakam and co-screenwriter Stan Bertheaud must have had a hoot cramming in all the frat boy perversity -- castration, rape, incest and pedophilia rank high on its top 10 list -- it all comes across as the kind of indulgence that gives vanity projects a bad name.
Yoakam has cast himself as Valentine Casey, a marshal with an uncertain past who finds himself biding time in some kind of existential purgatory resembling a desolate New Mexico town called Los Tragos.
Part of that past resurfaces when the murderous, inbred Henry Gang, presided over by Bible-thumping Leland (Luke Askew), rides into town. Apparently way back when, after Val's own family died during an influenza outbreak, Leland raised Val as his own. Now Leland and his boys, including Vince Vaughn and Paul Reubens, have returned with larceny on their minds. Though Val sticks to his guns, the Henry Gang proceeds to slaughter everything around him that tries to block their path to the bank vault.
Cut to nine months later, where we find Val in the Arizona desert breaking wild horses and meeting up with Adalyne Dunfries (Bridget Fonda), the daughter of the local hotel and saloon owner who has returned to town accompanied by the odd Brigadier Smalls Billy Bob Thornton with long golden hair).
Just when it looks like Val and Adalyne are about to have a thing going, who else but the Henry Gang comes in and gums up the works, precipitating a protracted fight to the finish.
While Yoakam underplays his part to the point of catatonia, the rest of his cast, also including Bud Cort, Peter Fonda and Michael Jeter, go in the opposite direction in some kind of contest to determine who can be the most irritating. Jeter's the clear winner as the screeching Uncle Jude.
To his credit, director of photography James Glennon ("El Norte", "Election") mines plenty of atmospheric value for the low-budget buck, but there ain't enough purdy sunsets in the world to compensate for this long-winded, one-trick pony of a home movie.
SOUTH OF HEAVEN, WEST OF HELL
Trimark
Director: Dwight Yoakam
Producers: Gray Frederickson, Darris Hatch
Screenwriters: Dwight Yoakam, Stan Bertheaud
Story: Dwight Yoakam, Dennis Hackin, Otto Felix
Director of photography: James Glennon
Production designer: Siobhan Roome
Editor: Robert Ferretti
Costume designer: Le Dawson
Music: Dwight Yoakam
Color/stereo
Cast:
Valentine Casey: Dwight Yoakam
Taylor: Vince Vaughn
Brigadier Smalls: Billy Bob Thornton
Adalyne Dunfries: Bridget Fonda
Shoshonee Bill: Peter Fonda
Arvid: Paul Reubens
Agent Otts: Bud Cort
Doc Angus Dunfries: Bo Hopkins
Leland: Luke Askew
Uncle Jude: Michael Jeter
Running time -- 131 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 7/8/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
South of Heaven, West of Hell
Having impressively proved himself a capable actor, country singer-songwriter Dwight Yoakam adds director-screenwriter-producer-composer to his resume, and the resulting "South of Heaven, West of Hell" would suggest a case of wearing at least one Stetson too many.
A subversive Gothic western starring Yoakam and a bunch of his Hollywood buddies, the picture, which actually is much closer to hell than its directions would imply, is an interminable, annoying mess of fractured cowboy-movie cliches.
Although Yoakam and co-screenwriter Stan Bertheaud must have had a hoot cramming in all the frat boy perversity -- castration, rape, incest and pedophilia rank high on its top 10 list -- it all comes across as the kind of indulgence that gives vanity projects a bad name.
Yoakam has cast himself as Valentine Casey, a marshal with an uncertain past who finds himself biding time in some kind of existential purgatory resembling a desolate New Mexico town called Los Tragos.
Part of that past resurfaces when the murderous, inbred Henry Gang, presided over by Bible-thumping Leland (Luke Askew), rides into town. Apparently way back when, after Val's own family died during an influenza outbreak, Leland raised Val as his own. Now Leland and his boys, including Vince Vaughn and Paul Reubens, have returned with larceny on their minds. Though Val sticks to his guns, the Henry Gang proceeds to slaughter everything around him that tries to block their path to the bank vault.
Cut to nine months later, where we find Val in the Arizona desert breaking wild horses and meeting up with Adalyne Dunfries (Bridget Fonda), the daughter of the local hotel and saloon owner who has returned to town accompanied by the odd Brigadier Smalls Billy Bob Thornton with long golden hair).
Just when it looks like Val and Adalyne are about to have a thing going, who else but the Henry Gang comes in and gums up the works, precipitating a protracted fight to the finish.
While Yoakam underplays his part to the point of catatonia, the rest of his cast, also including Bud Cort, Peter Fonda and Michael Jeter, go in the opposite direction in some kind of contest to determine who can be the most irritating. Jeter's the clear winner as the screeching Uncle Jude.
To his credit, director of photography James Glennon ("El Norte", "Election") mines plenty of atmospheric value for the low-budget buck, but there ain't enough purdy sunsets in the world to compensate for this long-winded, one-trick pony of a home movie.
SOUTH OF HEAVEN, WEST OF HELL
Trimark
Director: Dwight Yoakam
Producers: Gray Frederickson, Darris Hatch
Screenwriters: Dwight Yoakam, Stan Bertheaud
Story: Dwight Yoakam, Dennis Hackin, Otto Felix
Director of photography: James Glennon
Production designer: Siobhan Roome
Editor: Robert Ferretti
Costume designer: Le Dawson
Music: Dwight Yoakam
Color/stereo
Cast:
Valentine Casey: Dwight Yoakam
Taylor: Vince Vaughn
Brigadier Smalls: Billy Bob Thornton
Adalyne Dunfries: Bridget Fonda
Shoshonee Bill: Peter Fonda
Arvid: Paul Reubens
Agent Otts: Bud Cort
Doc Angus Dunfries: Bo Hopkins
Leland: Luke Askew
Uncle Jude: Michael Jeter
Running time -- 131 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
A subversive Gothic western starring Yoakam and a bunch of his Hollywood buddies, the picture, which actually is much closer to hell than its directions would imply, is an interminable, annoying mess of fractured cowboy-movie cliches.
Although Yoakam and co-screenwriter Stan Bertheaud must have had a hoot cramming in all the frat boy perversity -- castration, rape, incest and pedophilia rank high on its top 10 list -- it all comes across as the kind of indulgence that gives vanity projects a bad name.
Yoakam has cast himself as Valentine Casey, a marshal with an uncertain past who finds himself biding time in some kind of existential purgatory resembling a desolate New Mexico town called Los Tragos.
Part of that past resurfaces when the murderous, inbred Henry Gang, presided over by Bible-thumping Leland (Luke Askew), rides into town. Apparently way back when, after Val's own family died during an influenza outbreak, Leland raised Val as his own. Now Leland and his boys, including Vince Vaughn and Paul Reubens, have returned with larceny on their minds. Though Val sticks to his guns, the Henry Gang proceeds to slaughter everything around him that tries to block their path to the bank vault.
Cut to nine months later, where we find Val in the Arizona desert breaking wild horses and meeting up with Adalyne Dunfries (Bridget Fonda), the daughter of the local hotel and saloon owner who has returned to town accompanied by the odd Brigadier Smalls Billy Bob Thornton with long golden hair).
Just when it looks like Val and Adalyne are about to have a thing going, who else but the Henry Gang comes in and gums up the works, precipitating a protracted fight to the finish.
While Yoakam underplays his part to the point of catatonia, the rest of his cast, also including Bud Cort, Peter Fonda and Michael Jeter, go in the opposite direction in some kind of contest to determine who can be the most irritating. Jeter's the clear winner as the screeching Uncle Jude.
To his credit, director of photography James Glennon ("El Norte", "Election") mines plenty of atmospheric value for the low-budget buck, but there ain't enough purdy sunsets in the world to compensate for this long-winded, one-trick pony of a home movie.
SOUTH OF HEAVEN, WEST OF HELL
Trimark
Director: Dwight Yoakam
Producers: Gray Frederickson, Darris Hatch
Screenwriters: Dwight Yoakam, Stan Bertheaud
Story: Dwight Yoakam, Dennis Hackin, Otto Felix
Director of photography: James Glennon
Production designer: Siobhan Roome
Editor: Robert Ferretti
Costume designer: Le Dawson
Music: Dwight Yoakam
Color/stereo
Cast:
Valentine Casey: Dwight Yoakam
Taylor: Vince Vaughn
Brigadier Smalls: Billy Bob Thornton
Adalyne Dunfries: Bridget Fonda
Shoshonee Bill: Peter Fonda
Arvid: Paul Reubens
Agent Otts: Bud Cort
Doc Angus Dunfries: Bo Hopkins
Leland: Luke Askew
Uncle Jude: Michael Jeter
Running time -- 131 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 7/8/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
South of Heaven, West of Hell
Having impressively proved himself a capable actor, country singer-songwriter Dwight Yoakam adds director-screenwriter-producer-composer to his resume, and the resulting "South of Heaven, West of Hell" would suggest a case of wearing at least one Stetson too many.
A subversive Gothic western starring Yoakam and a bunch of his Hollywood buddies, the picture, which actually is much closer to hell than its directions would imply, is an interminable, annoying mess of fractured cowboy-movie cliches.
Although Yoakam and co-screenwriter Stan Bertheaud must have had a hoot cramming in all the frat boy perversity -- castration, rape, incest and pedophilia rank high on its top 10 list -- it all comes across as the kind of indulgence that gives vanity projects a bad name.
Yoakam has cast himself as Valentine Casey, a marshal with an uncertain past who finds himself biding time in some kind of existential purgatory resembling a desolate New Mexico town called Los Tragos.
Part of that past resurfaces when the murderous, inbred Henry Gang, presided over by Bible-thumping Leland (Luke Askew), rides into town. Apparently way back when, after Val's own family died during an influenza outbreak, Leland raised Val as his own. Now Leland and his boys, including Vince Vaughn and Paul Reubens, have returned with larceny on their minds. Though Val sticks to his guns, the Henry Gang proceeds to slaughter everything around him that tries to block their path to the bank vault.
Cut to nine months later, where we find Val in the Arizona desert breaking wild horses and meeting up with Adalyne Dunfries (Bridget Fonda), the daughter of the local hotel and saloon owner who has returned to town accompanied by the odd Brigadier Smalls Billy Bob Thornton with long golden hair).
Just when it looks like Val and Adalyne are about to have a thing going, who else but the Henry Gang comes in and gums up the works, precipitating a protracted fight to the finish.
While Yoakam underplays his part to the point of catatonia, the rest of his cast, also including Bud Cort, Peter Fonda and Michael Jeter, go in the opposite direction in some kind of contest to determine who can be the most irritating. Jeter's the clear winner as the screeching Uncle Jude.
To his credit, director of photography James Glennon ("El Norte", "Election") mines plenty of atmospheric value for the low-budget buck, but there ain't enough purdy sunsets in the world to compensate for this long-winded, one-trick pony of a home movie.
SOUTH OF HEAVEN, WEST OF HELL
Trimark
Director: Dwight Yoakam
Producers: Gray Frederickson, Darris Hatch
Screenwriters: Dwight Yoakam, Stan Bertheaud
Story: Dwight Yoakam, Dennis Hackin, Otto Felix
Director of photography: James Glennon
Production designer: Siobhan Roome
Editor: Robert Ferretti
Costume designer: Le Dawson
Music: Dwight Yoakam
Color/stereo
Cast:
Valentine Casey: Dwight Yoakam
Taylor: Vince Vaughn
Brigadier Smalls: Billy Bob Thornton
Adalyne Dunfries: Bridget Fonda
Shoshonee Bill: Peter Fonda
Arvid: Paul Reubens
Agent Otts: Bud Cort
Doc Angus Dunfries: Bo Hopkins
Leland: Luke Askew
Uncle Jude: Michael Jeter
Running time -- 131 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
A subversive Gothic western starring Yoakam and a bunch of his Hollywood buddies, the picture, which actually is much closer to hell than its directions would imply, is an interminable, annoying mess of fractured cowboy-movie cliches.
Although Yoakam and co-screenwriter Stan Bertheaud must have had a hoot cramming in all the frat boy perversity -- castration, rape, incest and pedophilia rank high on its top 10 list -- it all comes across as the kind of indulgence that gives vanity projects a bad name.
Yoakam has cast himself as Valentine Casey, a marshal with an uncertain past who finds himself biding time in some kind of existential purgatory resembling a desolate New Mexico town called Los Tragos.
Part of that past resurfaces when the murderous, inbred Henry Gang, presided over by Bible-thumping Leland (Luke Askew), rides into town. Apparently way back when, after Val's own family died during an influenza outbreak, Leland raised Val as his own. Now Leland and his boys, including Vince Vaughn and Paul Reubens, have returned with larceny on their minds. Though Val sticks to his guns, the Henry Gang proceeds to slaughter everything around him that tries to block their path to the bank vault.
Cut to nine months later, where we find Val in the Arizona desert breaking wild horses and meeting up with Adalyne Dunfries (Bridget Fonda), the daughter of the local hotel and saloon owner who has returned to town accompanied by the odd Brigadier Smalls Billy Bob Thornton with long golden hair).
Just when it looks like Val and Adalyne are about to have a thing going, who else but the Henry Gang comes in and gums up the works, precipitating a protracted fight to the finish.
While Yoakam underplays his part to the point of catatonia, the rest of his cast, also including Bud Cort, Peter Fonda and Michael Jeter, go in the opposite direction in some kind of contest to determine who can be the most irritating. Jeter's the clear winner as the screeching Uncle Jude.
To his credit, director of photography James Glennon ("El Norte", "Election") mines plenty of atmospheric value for the low-budget buck, but there ain't enough purdy sunsets in the world to compensate for this long-winded, one-trick pony of a home movie.
SOUTH OF HEAVEN, WEST OF HELL
Trimark
Director: Dwight Yoakam
Producers: Gray Frederickson, Darris Hatch
Screenwriters: Dwight Yoakam, Stan Bertheaud
Story: Dwight Yoakam, Dennis Hackin, Otto Felix
Director of photography: James Glennon
Production designer: Siobhan Roome
Editor: Robert Ferretti
Costume designer: Le Dawson
Music: Dwight Yoakam
Color/stereo
Cast:
Valentine Casey: Dwight Yoakam
Taylor: Vince Vaughn
Brigadier Smalls: Billy Bob Thornton
Adalyne Dunfries: Bridget Fonda
Shoshonee Bill: Peter Fonda
Arvid: Paul Reubens
Agent Otts: Bud Cort
Doc Angus Dunfries: Bo Hopkins
Leland: Luke Askew
Uncle Jude: Michael Jeter
Running time -- 131 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 12/18/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
South of Heaven, West of Hell
Having impressively proved himself a capable actor, country singer-songwriter Dwight Yoakam adds director-screenwriter-producer-composer to his resume, and the resulting "South of Heaven, West of Hell" would suggest a case of wearing at least one Stetson too many.
A subversive Gothic western starring Yoakam and a bunch of his Hollywood buddies, the picture, which actually is much closer to hell than its directions would imply, is an interminable, annoying mess of fractured cowboy-movie cliches.
Although Yoakam and co-screenwriter Stan Bertheaud must have had a hoot cramming in all the frat boy perversity -- castration, rape, incest and pedophilia rank high on its top 10 list -- it all comes across as the kind of indulgence that gives vanity projects a bad name.
Yoakam has cast himself as Valentine Casey, a marshal with an uncertain past who finds himself biding time in some kind of existential purgatory resembling a desolate New Mexico town called Los Tragos.
Part of that past resurfaces when the murderous, inbred Henry Gang, presided over by Bible-thumping Leland (Luke Askew), rides into town. Apparently way back when, after Val's own family died during an influenza outbreak, Leland raised Val as his own. Now Leland and his boys, including Vince Vaughn and Paul Reubens, have returned with larceny on their minds. Though Val sticks to his guns, the Henry Gang proceeds to slaughter everything around him that tries to block their path to the bank vault.
Cut to nine months later, where we find Val in the Arizona desert breaking wild horses and meeting up with Adalyne Dunfries (Bridget Fonda), the daughter of the local hotel and saloon owner who has returned to town accompanied by the odd Brigadier Smalls Billy Bob Thornton with long golden hair).
Just when it looks like Val and Adalyne are about to have a thing going, who else but the Henry Gang comes in and gums up the works, precipitating a protracted fight to the finish.
While Yoakam underplays his part to the point of catatonia, the rest of his cast, also including Bud Cort, Peter Fonda and Michael Jeter, go in the opposite direction in some kind of contest to determine who can be the most irritating. Jeter's the clear winner as the screeching Uncle Jude.
To his credit, director of photography James Glennon ("El Norte", "Election") mines plenty of atmospheric value for the low-budget buck, but there ain't enough purdy sunsets in the world to compensate for this long-winded, one-trick pony of a home movie.
SOUTH OF HEAVEN, WEST OF HELL
Trimark
Director: Dwight Yoakam
Producers: Gray Frederickson, Darris Hatch
Screenwriters: Dwight Yoakam, Stan Bertheaud
Story: Dwight Yoakam, Dennis Hackin, Otto Felix
Director of photography: James Glennon
Production designer: Siobhan Roome
Editor: Robert Ferretti
Costume designer: Le Dawson
Music: Dwight Yoakam
Color/stereo
Cast:
Valentine Casey: Dwight Yoakam
Taylor: Vince Vaughn
Brigadier Smalls: Billy Bob Thornton
Adalyne Dunfries: Bridget Fonda
Shoshonee Bill: Peter Fonda
Arvid: Paul Reubens
Agent Otts: Bud Cort
Doc Angus Dunfries: Bo Hopkins
Leland: Luke Askew
Uncle Jude: Michael Jeter
Running time -- 131 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
A subversive Gothic western starring Yoakam and a bunch of his Hollywood buddies, the picture, which actually is much closer to hell than its directions would imply, is an interminable, annoying mess of fractured cowboy-movie cliches.
Although Yoakam and co-screenwriter Stan Bertheaud must have had a hoot cramming in all the frat boy perversity -- castration, rape, incest and pedophilia rank high on its top 10 list -- it all comes across as the kind of indulgence that gives vanity projects a bad name.
Yoakam has cast himself as Valentine Casey, a marshal with an uncertain past who finds himself biding time in some kind of existential purgatory resembling a desolate New Mexico town called Los Tragos.
Part of that past resurfaces when the murderous, inbred Henry Gang, presided over by Bible-thumping Leland (Luke Askew), rides into town. Apparently way back when, after Val's own family died during an influenza outbreak, Leland raised Val as his own. Now Leland and his boys, including Vince Vaughn and Paul Reubens, have returned with larceny on their minds. Though Val sticks to his guns, the Henry Gang proceeds to slaughter everything around him that tries to block their path to the bank vault.
Cut to nine months later, where we find Val in the Arizona desert breaking wild horses and meeting up with Adalyne Dunfries (Bridget Fonda), the daughter of the local hotel and saloon owner who has returned to town accompanied by the odd Brigadier Smalls Billy Bob Thornton with long golden hair).
Just when it looks like Val and Adalyne are about to have a thing going, who else but the Henry Gang comes in and gums up the works, precipitating a protracted fight to the finish.
While Yoakam underplays his part to the point of catatonia, the rest of his cast, also including Bud Cort, Peter Fonda and Michael Jeter, go in the opposite direction in some kind of contest to determine who can be the most irritating. Jeter's the clear winner as the screeching Uncle Jude.
To his credit, director of photography James Glennon ("El Norte", "Election") mines plenty of atmospheric value for the low-budget buck, but there ain't enough purdy sunsets in the world to compensate for this long-winded, one-trick pony of a home movie.
SOUTH OF HEAVEN, WEST OF HELL
Trimark
Director: Dwight Yoakam
Producers: Gray Frederickson, Darris Hatch
Screenwriters: Dwight Yoakam, Stan Bertheaud
Story: Dwight Yoakam, Dennis Hackin, Otto Felix
Director of photography: James Glennon
Production designer: Siobhan Roome
Editor: Robert Ferretti
Costume designer: Le Dawson
Music: Dwight Yoakam
Color/stereo
Cast:
Valentine Casey: Dwight Yoakam
Taylor: Vince Vaughn
Brigadier Smalls: Billy Bob Thornton
Adalyne Dunfries: Bridget Fonda
Shoshonee Bill: Peter Fonda
Arvid: Paul Reubens
Agent Otts: Bud Cort
Doc Angus Dunfries: Bo Hopkins
Leland: Luke Askew
Uncle Jude: Michael Jeter
Running time -- 131 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 12/18/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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