The Unholy Trinity

This would have been a good ol' RSP back in my day of the early to mid 1990s (or uh 1970's? 1950s? That is before my time) - and for the layman in the back, that of course stands for a "Reliable Studio Programmer" - yet now a film like The Unholy Trinity stands as an independent production that squeek by with a theatrical release only/thanks to the still-apparent star power of Samuel L Jackson and to an extent Pierce Brosnan. It may be putting faint praise on this by saying that it really keeps ones attention because of Jackson most of all, and if nothing else one should look to this as a sign that we still underrate him as not only one of the last "Movie Stars" but as a damn good actor.

If this is not a Major Marquis Warren ala Hateful Eight level performance then it is of course due to this not having anywhere near those ambitions nor the artistic acumen or brutality of that Theatrical Epic. This is largely shot like it is meant for a TV show, and that is not meant as a knock but rather simply what it is, that this story of a young man who comes to a town to seek out some possible answers (or may-hap some buried gold) and comes upon some bad dudes and a murder or two or ten.

That said, when Jackson is talking with the Sheriff's wife and the tension is mounting as to what he may do next and what she is going to do, it is one of those examples of why we should at least give his latter-day vehicles a chance (after all, how many of these can he have left in him?)

It is absolutely adequate and thankfully goes by quick in 90 minutes, with a climax that brings the bullets if juat minimal/Mid-competent craftsmanship. Maybe it is that I cant help but wish this was actually a movie from 70 years ago starring Randolph Scott in the Brosnan role (formidable as he is) and directed by Budd Boetticher and written by Burt Kennedy. At the least it would have more scale in its B movie dimensions than what was shot here on some OK Digital Camera.

Westerns have never been my favorite genre. I prefer the spaghetti westerns from the '60s and the revisionist westerns of the '70s (Little Big Man, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Buck and the Preacher). There's been a slight revival of the genre in recent years, but nothing much has caught my eye.

I happened to catch "The Unholy Trinity" on Hulu. It had an interesting if unspectacular plot. Pierce Brosnan as a sheriff and Samuel L. Jackson as a priest make a clever contrast to each other. My big disappointment was that the movie didn't let Jackson use his important word (you'll know what it is if you've seen "Pulp Fiction" and "Snakes on a Plane"). Other than that it's an okay way to pass time, if nothing special.

I normally don't watch movies like this, but the opening scene led me to expect more from the narrative. It's an okay story with elements of western movies from days past.

The action was decent, though most of the cast isn't memorable. Maybe I'm alone in feeling this way however many characters lacked development or seemed flat. I personally don't care for the main character, he's too bland for my taste.

Despite the movie's shortcomings I still appreciate an attempt to do something "new". It's a short movie and that's perfectly fine. The fact they didn't pad it into 2hrs or more is great, because brevity works here. This isn't a must see in my book but a fun watch nonetheless. It had a few funny moments.

My title speaks for itself , those are some really big names and so I was anxious to see it and they both, Jackson , Brosnan deliver. But the the script is tacky, no, cringe worthy. Predictable and sappy. I thought I was watching a bad soap opera despite all the mayhem, killing and violence. The story at first glance should have had lots of suspense, like you can't look away, I couldn't wait to get away, no suspense here dear reader. The production design was not even at an amateur's level. I do not know what the budget for this film was but somebody somewhere must be feeling some buyer's remorse : I know I am for the time and money . . . I . . . Expended. Steer clear.

While Westerns is not my go-to type of genre for entertainment in movies, I do occasionally sit down to watch one. And stumbling upon the 2024 Western and seeing who starred in it, of course I opted to check out what director Richard Gray had to offer.

The storyline in the movie was good, and I was genuinely entertained throughout the course of the 94 minutes that the movie ran for. Writer Lee Zachariah put together an enjoyable and entertaining script and storyline.

The acting performances in "The Unholy Trinity" were good, but of course with the likes of Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson on the cast list, then you're in good company. There are a couple other familiar faces on the cast list as well, such as David Arquette, Gianni Capaldi and Katrina Bowden.

The movie definitely looked and felt like a proper era-based Western movie, and that certainly added to the overall enjoyment of the movie.

I will say that "The Unholy Trinity" is a movie that is well-worth watching, especially if you enjoy Westerns in general.

My rating of director Richard Gray's 2024 movie "The Unholy Trinity" lands on a six out of ten stars.