Southern Justice (2006) User Reviews

Gritty exploitation film

[dbborroughs · 5/10 · 2 October 2009]

Sleazy exploitation film about an ex-army sniper who runs a strip club. When a strippers begin to turn up dead he has to find out who is behind it to save his ex-wife and daughter.

Low budget action film improves as it goes on and becomes more focused on the plot. Its a sleazy affair that is often compelling even as it becomes strangely over the top, the bad guys are Baptists who've drifted to the dark side and started to make human sacrifices. The action is handled well with its low budget giving the film a sense of reality that most big budget action sequences never have. Is this a great film? No, but it is something to watch on a slow Saturday with the beverage of your choice. Worth a look if you're in a gritty mood.

Bizarro Cult Classic from Auteur M.D. Selig!!!! A twisted gem!!!

[czarnobog · 10/10 · 8 December 2006]

What a find! This is perhaps the most enjoyably twisted screen story since Roger Ebert penned "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls." This film flies in the face of everything Hollywood believes is necessary to make a successful movie. The protagonists are amoral, the villains based around the local small town church.

Arkansas auteur M.D. Selig wrote, produced, directed, edited and stars in the sordidly sumptuous tale of Slim Manning, an ex-army sniper who inherited a strip club from his parents. Slim's ex-wife and daughter both strip at the club, and turn tricks on the side.

As if the steamily authentic pole dancing and sexy costumes weren't enough, the plot involves strippers being killed off by a weird conglomeration of crooked cops, white trash mobsters and an evil Baptist minister.

Selig is great as a poor man's Steven Seagal, dispatching all who would prey on his stable of sleazy ladies with guns or fists.

The opening scenes are a mess. No doubt footage was lost on bad film stock, leading to some screwball continuity and slapdash editing. But after a bumpy start the film kicks in smoothly. Despite the obviously low budget, there is plenty of action and the acting is generally very professional, as is the camera work and soundtrack.

Aside from handling all the chief duties of film-making, Selig also wrote and performs songs on the soundtrack.

A great party flick. Hopefully Selig will earn back his budget and get back into the director's chair. America needs more movies like this!

Diamond in the rough

[andre90069 · 9/10 · 27 June 2013]

Every once in a while there is an indie film that sticks out. This one is one of those. There is something beautiful about a movie that was made for less money than what's needed to help out a struggling African village for the next 100 years to come. This particular beauty lies within artistic cinematography combined with charming acting and a wonderfully crafted story that stays true to itself. Don't compare this film to movies such as The Matrix or Avatar - instead, let a passionate filmmaker entertain you and invite you into a vision of life in the South that will keep your attention throughout the entire film. I recommend watching this flick with your feet up and a can of beer in your hand.