Review of Cold in July

. . . as soon as possible, to prevent what happens to Richard's family living room at the beginning of COLD IN JULY from giving other American families further grief. Under current law in Texas and most other states, you run legal risks if you march your home invaders out of your house BEFORE shooting them. (Richard and his wife Ann must trash their mantle painting, their sofa, clean off their clock and have their plaster replaced and repainted due to where their intruder was standing; many insurgents park themselves in front of your china cabinet on purpose when you have them "dead to rights.") From a practical standpoint, most able-bodied people are happy to dig graves in order to live another hour, and almost all intruders are able-bodied (when's the last time a burglar with a walker crashed through your picture window?). If you have a large piece of property, this can "kill two birds with one stone," as you won't be bothered by the deceased's close relatives if they disappear without a trace on your "back forty" (unlike how Richard and his family were featured in police reports and newspaper headlines during COLD IN JULY). This movie pits conservative border vigilantes (predating the Tea Party) running a profitable business against bleeding heart liberals with smaller guns. The out-gunned guys implausibly prevail, supposedly because they fought in the Korean War. The filming location of upper New York is supposed to be Texas. If you want to know what Texas looks like, see THE LAST PICTURE SHOW--Not COLD IN JULY!! Plus, it's fine and dandy that Richard and the rest of the people in this flick can afford all the guns they want, but do not forget that many of us are NOT so fortunate. After enjoying COLD IN JULY, please support your local chapter of BANGS (Broke Americans Need Gun Stamps).