A gaffe a minute, a poor sense of history, and a worse understanding of geography, make this film more distracting than entertaining. (A Wyoming fur trapper travels all the way to Memphis to sell his beaver pelts - in the post-war period.) Add in a hopelessly thrown together script, and a slow-moving western concept, and you have a truly bad movie.
34 Reviews
Hmmm great story but lack of acting
momomojojo21 May 2021
The story is great but could have told much better in the act. The acting is really like back in the days simple but effective not linked to the real life. I would say the female is just lacking, that is way underneath the performance of the others, like side actors are done good. The music is great, camera is just average nothing great would say B movie.
It is about the the human boundaries limit when it is survival and they depended their whole life on 1 basket.
Every action has it reaction, things comes around.
Good ending.
It is about the the human boundaries limit when it is survival and they depended their whole life on 1 basket.
Every action has it reaction, things comes around.
Good ending.
Diligent Director
onelonedolphin-3838926 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
1st creation of 12 westerns created in 12 months! Travis is extremely responsive to constructive feedback from viewers. Looking forward to seeing the other 11 in this series. You'll notice some details that aren't authentic in this first movie. Some bits are rough. All human creations and artistic endeavors improve with repetition. Costumes and locations are extremely well done.
Bad Description for a Bad Movie
Henry72275 February 2021
I lasted 15 minutes
rareandfirsts15 March 2021
Before having to leave. In writing it is suggested "show, don't tell." In screenwriting, the "show don't tell" role is even more important. This was very poorly written almost to the point of dialog like "I am now walking across the room with a scowl on my face. The dialog was horrendous to the point that this should be used in screenwriting classes as an example of what not to do.
Save yourself some time and skip over this turkey.
Save yourself some time and skip over this turkey.
I've seen worse, but wasn't as bored as this
dlracer230 July 2021
A Bad Student Film
hidavegeorge6 April 2021
This hot mess of a student film will stand forever as proof of the many ways the pandemic hurt us. It's like some bored guy who can't write called a friend who can't direct and said, "Let's find us some folks who can't act and MAKE OURSELVES A MOVIE FILM!!"
Irony, dark humor, well done. Is it Cassavetes level? No. But quite good
random-7077812 February 2021
If you only like films that are trope filmed formula you won't like this.
If you like dark humor, irony and sophistication you will enjoy this. As far as the quirkiness it is interesting, fresh and genuine, not forced and artificial as it is in so many lower budget productions
If you like dark humor, irony and sophistication you will enjoy this. As far as the quirkiness it is interesting, fresh and genuine, not forced and artificial as it is in so many lower budget productions
"As you can see, I'm at the end of my rope."
classicsoncall25 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Well this isn't as bad as the reviewers here giving it a '1' rating, but it sure doesn't merit all the 8, 9 and 10's. It's something I've noticed with these low budget flicks, causing me to question whether it's from people who had a hand in the production and filming of them. For such a high rating it would have to be on a par with say, "Unforgiven", "High Noon" or "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", and that's certainly not the case. The concept here was interesting but the execution was decidedly on the amateurish side, notwithstanding director Travis Mill's rather lengthy résumé of short films and handful of 'B' features. He obviously took his eye off the ball in the scene where Cam Talcutt (Ward Emling) fell asleep reading the newspaper wearing a light colored shirt and suspenders, and woke up with a brown sweater on. He was back in his previous attire in the next scene.
The story did have me thinking in a different direction though from the way it wound up. With all those bodies buried in the soft dirt along the river, I thought a good rainstorm would bring back some ghosts to raise havoc with the old codger's mental well-being. Instead, the near finale brought home the meaning of the movie's title, which otherwise would have referred to all the unsavory characters who came through the Cross Trading Company outpost. Not a bad play on words there, but it would have been served much better without that goofy segue initiated by the luckless gal Sadie (Ashleigh Lewis) when she broke the fourth wall to let us in on how she got away.
The story did have me thinking in a different direction though from the way it wound up. With all those bodies buried in the soft dirt along the river, I thought a good rainstorm would bring back some ghosts to raise havoc with the old codger's mental well-being. Instead, the near finale brought home the meaning of the movie's title, which otherwise would have referred to all the unsavory characters who came through the Cross Trading Company outpost. Not a bad play on words there, but it would have been served much better without that goofy segue initiated by the luckless gal Sadie (Ashleigh Lewis) when she broke the fourth wall to let us in on how she got away.
Dark, wet, and lonely.
vhanwalker22 January 2021
A rather good film for the most part. Interestingly dark, psychotic, and wet with a splash of Dances With Wolves.
If you've ever had a rough time in your life and had to spend some time in your car with little go on, you might empathize a bit with the nature of this film.
The lighting here is one of the richest parts I enjoyed the most -- that mixed with the moody atmosphere. The horses used were well done as they almost seemed a character of themselves with many good riders.
The acting was moderate to good. I wasn't expecting A-list talent on a small budget, but there were a few notable performances. The Trapper and bounty hunter stuck out most with me.
The audio could have used a small face lift and sometimes, I felt, although, the music was great, sometimes a bit loud. There was one spot during a night scene with the Sailor and main actor where the lip reading and audio or ADR didn't match up.
Breaking the 4th wall towards the end kind of took me out of trance with the story. Figured that be something used in a comedy, but not a dark thriller type.
All in all it was a great film. Great usage of limited location and budget. Definitely worth a watch.
If you've ever had a rough time in your life and had to spend some time in your car with little go on, you might empathize a bit with the nature of this film.
The lighting here is one of the richest parts I enjoyed the most -- that mixed with the moody atmosphere. The horses used were well done as they almost seemed a character of themselves with many good riders.
The acting was moderate to good. I wasn't expecting A-list talent on a small budget, but there were a few notable performances. The Trapper and bounty hunter stuck out most with me.
The audio could have used a small face lift and sometimes, I felt, although, the music was great, sometimes a bit loud. There was one spot during a night scene with the Sailor and main actor where the lip reading and audio or ADR didn't match up.
Breaking the 4th wall towards the end kind of took me out of trance with the story. Figured that be something used in a comedy, but not a dark thriller type.
All in all it was a great film. Great usage of limited location and budget. Definitely worth a watch.
Interesting story plot
giuseppedidomenico765 February 2021
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Tony-Gavin-Micro-Movie-Studios18 January 2021
With exceptional performances from the whole cast, superb cinematography and suitably dressed sets, this dark, yet at times humorous Western film will entertain all age groups.
It's low budget has in no way detracted from the overall quality of the film other than an occasional sound quality issue as is found in most independently made films. I was engrossed in the story from start to finish despite it's purposeful slow pace. Without hesitation i can recommend this film to all audiences, not just to fans of the Western genre.
Much more entertaining than I was expecting
kcorcoran-9463415 April 2021
Like a great many others, I'm a fan of westerns. The idea of a movie set at a remote trading post in the late 1800s was enough to draw me in. The characters were all colorful, there were enough surprises to keep the story afloat, and the isolation of the set/story added intrigue and anticipation. And as a bonus, the acting was pretty solid for a cast of much-lesser-knowns.
The set was spartan and it was obviously a low budget movie, but this is what I was expecting for one of 12 movies made over a 12-month period. I have a hunch, though, that many of those viewers who gave a poor rating to this movie just can't cope with slower pace story-telling, a dearth of special effects and non A-list actors. If you do decide to give this movie a look, you'll be more content if you realize up front that this isn't The Matrix, Die Hard, or, since we're dealing with the western genre, the Unforgiven. But it is a far better movie than the overall user rating score suggests, in my opinion.
The set was spartan and it was obviously a low budget movie, but this is what I was expecting for one of 12 movies made over a 12-month period. I have a hunch, though, that many of those viewers who gave a poor rating to this movie just can't cope with slower pace story-telling, a dearth of special effects and non A-list actors. If you do decide to give this movie a look, you'll be more content if you realize up front that this isn't The Matrix, Die Hard, or, since we're dealing with the western genre, the Unforgiven. But it is a far better movie than the overall user rating score suggests, in my opinion.
Desperate times... Desperate measures...
WalterOtsego19 January 2021
The first western in the 12 Westerns in 12 Months project kicks things off. The movie is well made with some good performances. I loved the slow burn of Cam Talcutt. There were quite a few tense moments, and I was always wondering how far will Cam go to make it. Ward Emling gives a believable performance, and Ashleigh Lewis has a great presence. Creek Wilson brings another charismatic performance.
Something different
cyclone-5271925 April 2021
Entertaining for sure with nice twists
wharris566020 January 2021
This film was entertaining for sure with nice twists in the story for which the actors did a terrific job portraying their arcs in emotional exchanges. Typical of Travis Mills movies, one feels they are living the experience of the times with excellent use of camera angles and lighting, nature sounds, and essential details to human emotions. Thank you for telling this story.
A great Drama Western. Too much bad language,
ki4ihz25 January 2021
I really liked how so much of the movie was all in one setting. A bad turn in events began to cause a fair man go bad. Each actor played their parts very well. The trapper really nailed his. Showing a powerful move can still be made on a budget.
The one thing that I really didn't like was the language that Cam used. A great movie can be made without it. I gave it 7 stars . My wife will not watch a movie with harsh language. This could keep some people from wanting to buy any others in the series. Minus three stars for Cam s bad language. The movie would have been just as good or better without it. I still plan to get the other 11 in the series.
Psychological Western
jcbuchwald-2534424 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This film is as much a psychological study as anything. Cam starts out a relatively law-abiding citizen. The story takes one step at a time as the viewer becomes witness to Cam's downward struggling spiral into becoming a savage immoral survivalist.
The film is technically perfect, as good as anything that comes out of Hollywood. The dismal, sloppy, rainy setting gives the movie a morose feel that adds to Cam's mounting desperation.
Kudos and Congratulations to film maker Travis Mills on the first of his 12 Westerns in 12 Months. We will all be eager to release of the others.
A Western, in Mississippi ?
mpdoherty-3292830 June 2021
A Dark/Comedy/Drama film.
billsheri-2723827 January 2021
When I first started watching it, I didn't know what to expect. Was this going to be a drama, or a dark comedy?
Yet I know Travis and John Marrs from other films I'm in, and I knew it was going to be something different.
It drew you into the film as you placed yourself into the shoes of Cam Talcutt ( leading character) and others throughout the film.
The dark realism of life in those days, the people you encountered, and the western outfits of the times- are given special attention.
The lighting, camera work, are as real as you can get.
Some could pick apart things they don't like, like that old saying..." I would do this different"...
But as you watch it and let it sink in, you feel the directors propose and their desires.
You start to react to the actors actions, waiting for their opportunity to....
Well.. you get the movie and find out.
I enjoyed it, as i love realism, and simple acting. Not over acting.
An Amazing film, and more to come from the 12 westerns in 12 Mouths.
Surprised
barrelgirl-486151 July 2021
Great movie
cloiescornish19 January 2021
And the DRATSAB is......
rfms-3702620 January 2021
Isolation mixed with desperation will lead him to do what he never thought himself capable of. Add insult to injury, greed to need, and you've got the makings of a desperate situation. The need to survive will not break her spirit. And the promise of hope is always welcome. There may be a few predictable moments, but the surprises are sure to entertain you. A pony express rider on a, on a....well, you'll just have to watch it. It's worth watching a second time....at least.
A well-made, unique frontier story
dcarson-860-4898023 January 2021
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