Guns & Moses

The setting and characters are unique, but ultimately this is a rather straightforward, fun, quirky, thriller. When a rabbi believes law enforcement has arrested the wrong man for a murder, the rabbi begins his own investigation, which leads to a plot vaguely reminiscent of CHINATOWN. That the rabbi seeks to exonerate a neo-Nazi accused of murdering a prominent Jewish businessman is one of the fresh spins on the thriller genre that this film takes. With many possible suspects and victims, the plot is at times unwieldy, and though comprehensible, it struggles to hang together. Cast with many actors who frequently play light or comedic roles, especially Christopher Lloyd, the film provides these actors with opportunities to show their dramatic chops effectively.

Guns & Moses opens strong. The first act establishes Rabbi Mo's community with genuine warmth, and Mark Feuerstein brings earnest charm to the role. Christopher Lloyd and Neal McDonough add professional weight to the ensemble. The premise promises innovative B-grade fun: a rabbi forced to pick up firearms.

Then reality hits. Rabbi Mo Plays Detective, Not Rambo

Act Two stretches nearly an hour with procedural investigation... Rabbi Mo driving his minivan, uncovering solar energy corruption, playing detective rather than action hero. It's competently executed but fundamentally misrepresented. Only the final 10-15 minutes deliver the advertised gunslinging.

Here's the frustration: the detective work isn't bad, but it's not what the poster sold. The screenplay becomes convoluted, dialogue turns exposition-heavy, and structural bloat kills momentum. The solar mirror field sequence shows what could've been.

6.5/10: Trim twenty minutes of mystery, frontload more action, and you'd have the entertaining genre piece audiences expected instead of this well-intentioned bait-and-switch.

Came across this little gem and felt like I had to say something! This movie is really unique, and ways in on many important themes, including race, racism, and self-reliance, aside from being a really fun thriller! Great acting all around, and kudos to the leads. Also wonderful seeing Christopher Lloyd again. Definitely check it out!

This film is a nice benefit that when you are challenged by evil forces that you don't know or understand sometimes you need to prepare yourself. Cast is A quality. Writing could have done more but I enjoyed it. Although the who done it and why was brilliantly kept you on your toes. The tactical fight at the end could have been streamlined but all in all well done.

I debated between a 7.5 and an 8. But decided to rate it as 8 here.

This movie is how Jewish representation should be done. You can tell a good story with a relatable hero and let them be Jewish. Rabbi Mo is a delightful character and a good Rabbi, here for his people, supporting his community, and willing to be there for others and counsel them. But he's flawed, he's insecure, and he finds confidence in his family, and in some unlikely places and circumstances.

It is full of Jewish love, and when appropriate, some Jewish humor. It is a movie about perception and about how to protect oneself in times of trouble.

Merecedes Mason and Alona Tal were amazing. Great characters all around and the mystery had some great twists.

It is also one of the few movies that had a diversity of Jewish characters, secular and religious, without portraying either one as bad or wrong.

Its biggest flaw, I think, was the pacing; a couple of scenes felt rushed, and some rough cinematography. But that doesn't distract too much from an otherwise strong film and Jewish Representation.