First off, I'm not a western fan. I am a great movie fan,, and some of them happen to be westerns (like Tombstone, McClintock, etc).
I never loved the western genre as a whole though.
This movie takes place in the vast prarie of Montana, where Hattie & Jeb McAllister are trying to build a homestead with their children Will & Bess. Having moved to Montana from St. Louis, Missouri, life is a daily struggle for the McAllister family. Hattie wants the family to move back home, but Jeb is deadset on making their lives work there.
One day, while Jeb traveled to the nearest town for supplies, a group of 4 men ride up on the McAllister homestead, asking for some water from their well. Trying to be hospitable, Hattie offers to feed the men before they set back out on their horses,, but something about these men doesn't seem quite right. Then, while gathering some eggs from their chicken coop, Hattie discovers an alarming sight (a trophy of sorts) hanging off the side of the leaders horse.
Will Hattie be able to protect her children from these men (who obviously want mote than just water and food)?
As I said before,, I am not a western guy. I am a big fan of what the daily wire has done, and is trying to do (really liked Shut In, and loved What is a Woman), so I will happily watch whatever they come out with. This movie is not great by any means,, but it's in no way bad either. Gina Carano (luv her!!!) has come a long way since her mma days, and while I don't see her winning an academy award (who'd want to be associated with them nowadays?) as an actress, she did really great in this. The Captain actor is good as well. The supporting cast is more than adequate. Now,, the pace of the movie, the direction, and the lack of a soundtrack up until the last few minutes really is the primary things I didn't like about this picture. I understand that may be part of the "old western" type of movie that they were going for here,, but for me it just really needed a soundtrack to help build tension, add some relief, etc. IMO, a movie's soundtrack is just as important as what's happening in front of the camera. The music carries so much of the emotion that the audience should be feeling in each scene (of course, that's just my opinion). Overall,, I can't give it more than an even 7 rating. Perfectly worth watching, but not perfect.
I never loved the western genre as a whole though.
This movie takes place in the vast prarie of Montana, where Hattie & Jeb McAllister are trying to build a homestead with their children Will & Bess. Having moved to Montana from St. Louis, Missouri, life is a daily struggle for the McAllister family. Hattie wants the family to move back home, but Jeb is deadset on making their lives work there.
One day, while Jeb traveled to the nearest town for supplies, a group of 4 men ride up on the McAllister homestead, asking for some water from their well. Trying to be hospitable, Hattie offers to feed the men before they set back out on their horses,, but something about these men doesn't seem quite right. Then, while gathering some eggs from their chicken coop, Hattie discovers an alarming sight (a trophy of sorts) hanging off the side of the leaders horse.
Will Hattie be able to protect her children from these men (who obviously want mote than just water and food)?
As I said before,, I am not a western guy. I am a big fan of what the daily wire has done, and is trying to do (really liked Shut In, and loved What is a Woman), so I will happily watch whatever they come out with. This movie is not great by any means,, but it's in no way bad either. Gina Carano (luv her!!!) has come a long way since her mma days, and while I don't see her winning an academy award (who'd want to be associated with them nowadays?) as an actress, she did really great in this. The Captain actor is good as well. The supporting cast is more than adequate. Now,, the pace of the movie, the direction, and the lack of a soundtrack up until the last few minutes really is the primary things I didn't like about this picture. I understand that may be part of the "old western" type of movie that they were going for here,, but for me it just really needed a soundtrack to help build tension, add some relief, etc. IMO, a movie's soundtrack is just as important as what's happening in front of the camera. The music carries so much of the emotion that the audience should be feeling in each scene (of course, that's just my opinion). Overall,, I can't give it more than an even 7 rating. Perfectly worth watching, but not perfect.