The Legend of God's Gun

and was blown away. The first 15 minutes are slow and the acting a little bad, but after that -- Wow. I don't think I've ever seen a Western done for this little money -- I'm guessing someone in Hollywood is going to see the director and immediately put him to work on Crank 3 or something. The look of the film is daring, audacious, and totally makes the movie. The acting -- well let's say it's an homage to the Spaghetti Westerns of the 60's! Which is good.

There is one other low budget flick I can compare this too -- PARIAH. This film is just as ballsy, and I am impressed by both. Also PI! I don't want to give away the plot too much as it's not out yet -- my friend is a critic -- can't say for whom and he was reviewing it when we watched....

I've heard rumors it will be in theaters -- if it is -- you've got to check it out -- I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Otherwise buy it on DVD - this film reminds me of two of my favorites -- BOONDOCK SAINTS and SIX STRING SAMURAI -- for those of you who don't know Six String -- rent it now! Okay I'm not going to gush anymore, but I enjoyed it a lot.

My two cents.

This spaghetti western homage and slightly immature wannabe cult film looks interesting enough, with it's grainy, purposely scratched film-print look. The filmmakers get high marks for definitely knowing how to use a camera and edit a film successfully. The scenery is great. That's all fine.

The problem is that they left out a few essentials like interesting characters and a coherent plot. You just can't replace them with references to other movies and pretentious 1960's style film school tricks a'la Natural Born Killers!

Visuals are indeed strong and the music really good too, including a music video right in the middle! That's pretty much all there is to recommend about The Legend Of God's Gun.

Message to the filmmakers : Take a screen writing class, or may the good Lord smite thy motion picture cameras!

Before you view this movie, read about the psychedelic band SPINDRIFT(who you will hear about soon), then you will understand that the film is more than it seems. If you are still not convinced, go see the band live(they tour constantly) and listen to some very interesting tunes that take accents from Westerns as well as different kinds of influences from all over. Understand that both the band SPINDRIFT and director Mike Bruce went out and filmed this because they LOVED Westerns. They had NO money. Literally, NO budget, practically NO story, and paid NO actors!!!!! So get with it. This film was done in Hollywood, but outside of Hollywood. More DIY than it could ever be. Its a fun, interesting work of art done by people who just plain love Westerns. There are many underlying references to other films in this movie. Like the bounty hunter dragging the body, straight out of DJANGO! Like Joseph Campenella's(from BONANZA!) narration. Like the song "Conversation with a Gun" taken from the ole Johnny Bond/Tex Ritter days. Anyone who doesn't appreciate this film doesn't know enough about westerns. Go home and research a bit kids. Get with it.

Reading the comments and looking over the voting can give a good idea of what to expect. Most votes have been either ones or tens with more ones than tens. The lack of polish and film professionalism contributed to the ones. But then the film was by musicians, not experienced film-makers and actors. And there are reasons for those tens. In my view though the continuity was rough many scenes were well-done. Props were good. Excellent make-up. Original story (for me anyway) with a couple of neat twists towards the end. Music a strong point. I found the film different from anything I have ever seen, and I have watched lots of westerns. As for the lack of polish, I can do without the polish. So it comes to a matter of taste. If your mind can blank out certain weaknesses, you might really enjoy this film.

THE LEGEND OF GOD'S GUN...well, what can I say? I was suckered in by the glowing ratings on the DVD case, which compared this to Tarantino at his best. Well, the only Tarantino link here is that this is one of those tedious films which copies the look of his GRINDHOUSE double feature with Robert Rodriguez, with low-fi visuals and fake print damage. The story, about a vengeful gunslinger, is pure nonsense and the acting an embarrassment from a group of over-enthusiastic amateurs. However, it's the visuals which really take the biscuit. I can't imagine a cheaper looking or more inane kind of film. Style over substance works occasionally, but not when the style is pitiful - as it is here.