Greed Finds THE UNHOLY TRINITY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Richard Gray, Saban Films and Roadside Attractions is the story of loss and found with THE UNHOLY TRINITY.

Henry Broadway (Brandon Lessard) has come to say goodbye to his father Isaac (Tim Daly) on his way to the gallows in 1870s Montana. The final words to his son is to find Saul Butler and clear his name in a crime Isaac says he did not commit. Grief stricken, Henry finds his way to the town of Trinity looking for a man he has never seen before to get justice for his father. Right away he meets St. Christopher (Samuel L. Jackson) who seems to befriend him.

Following Gabriel Dove (Pierce Brosnan), Henry mistakes him for Butler and discovers more about the town than he planned. Dove tells the young man to quickly leave before local hot head Gideon (Gianni Capaldi) gets out of control, much more than he already is tracking the Blackfoot woman Running Cub (Q’orianka Kilcher). Gideon blames her for a different death in the town. Having a meal in the salon, Henry meets Rachel (Stephanie Hernandez) and the town is turned upside down.

Sherriff Dove is nowhere to be found as he has gone looking for Rubbing Cub so wife Sarah (Veronica Ferres) tries to calm thing. When he does return and realizes Henry is in trouble, it is time to discover all the secrets being hidden in the town of Trinity because the secrets are dangerous and loom large over all their lives.

Lessard as Henry is a young man unaware of what his father asked of him. He clearly does not have a grasp of how to deal with unsavory men who all have guns and aren’t afraid to use them. Wanting to do right by his father, almost immediately he realizes that there is something more happening in this town. Lessard plays his part in a larger story and does it well, especially playing opposite two big names in the film game.

One of those names is Pierce Brosnan as Sherriff Dove who immediately realizes that Henry was only given a fraction of the story about his father and the town. Keeping the townspeople safe is his ultimate goal, especially surrounded by men who find killing easy. Brosnan’s character is soft spoken and calm even when chaos is happening all around him. Knowing Henry has been misled; it seems almost immediate that he wants to protect the young man from anyone who would harm him. Brosnan is doing what he does best, embracing his role and reminding us that his ease at playing any character is vast.

Jackson as St. Christopher is a bit of a mystery man and when Henry arrives in town, he is quick to share a bit of a rundown not only of the town but how the young man might need to protect himself. It is clear that he, like others, seem to know what Henry doesn’t. Jackson gives us his predictable mash up of ‘is he good or not?’ until all is revealed. That being said there is nothing better than watching Jackson develop a character right before our eyes. He has the fantastic ability to play both good, bad and good/bad characters and in this film, he doesn’t disappoint.

Kilcher as Running Cub has a story of her own and Dove is protective of her. Her role is not a large one but it has its importance. Capaldi as Gideon is as twisted as a bad guy can get in the “Wild West” and it works in the story. Ferres as Sarah is a wife who understands her husband and is a stabilizing force for him.

Other cast include Katrina Bowden as Julia, Beau Knapp as Asa Benton, Tim Montana as Red Benton, Beau Linnell as Butch Benton, Ethan Peck as Sam Scarborough, Dylan Brosnan as Pastor, Chuck Matthews as Charlie, Eadie Gray as Mabel, Paris Brosnan as Thomas, Kelton Cole as the Innkeeper, and David Arquette as Father Jacob.

Roadside Attractions has, since 2003, grossed over $300M and garnered nineteen Academy Award nominations. They have had critical and commercial hits such as MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, BEN IS BACK, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS, WINTER’S BONE and THE COVER as well as so many others. For more information of what Roadside Attractions has to offer please visit www.roadsideattractions.com.

Saban Films was launched in 2014 and has built an impressive slate of high-quality feature films distributed with partner Lionsgate. Focusing on talent-driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production to be released across multiple platforms. Films such as SISTER OF THE GROOM, FATMAN and BREACH are part of the wonderful Saban slate, and more information can be found at www.sabanfilms.com.

Director Gray says of shooting THE UNHOLY TRINITY in Montana, “There’s a rawness to the Western genre, more than any other, where it’s really just about survival. The whole point of the Western is that it’s a frontier. When you strip back all of the conveniences and safety nets of modern life, all that’s left is raw emotion and force. No better genre provides that better than a Western.”

He is right, movie goers do love a good Western and a staple requirement is that it be filled with glaring gunmen, rugged good and bad guys, strong women and something to fight more. Well, this film gives all of that and more surrounded by a solid storyline and twists that are a bonus. The cast brings it all together with stellar performances and more than enough guesses to take up the 95-minute running time and I’m all for every minute.

In the end – the mystery brings them all together!

Return to Australia with QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD and Bluray from director Simon Wincer and Shout! Studios is the return of the tallest gunman Australia has ever experience with 1990 western QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER.

Matthew Quigley (Tom Selleck) is an American cowboy who can shoot at extraordinary ranges with his special rifle. When Australian Elliot Marston (Alan Rickman) places an advertisement in the paper looking for someone who is an excellent shot, Quigley answers the letter and is hired. When his ship arrives, he is met by Marston’s men and also in the wagon is a woman named Crazy Cora (Laura San Giacomo).

Arriving at Marston’s station, Quigley is tested and Marston who is pleased with his new employee. But the gunfighter learns quickly that what he is hired to do is kill the Aboriginals on the land and he refuses to do what he wants. That causes Marston to take action and after a beating he wakes up in the outback along with Cora. Knowing that being in the outback without water is a death sentence, the two must find a way to survive.

Cora tells Quigley her story of home and what brought her to Australia and it is a sad tale. She especially is horrified when she sees what Marston’s people are doing to the Aboriginals’ that have helped them along the way. That’s when Quigley makes it clear that what has been happening will no longer stand. That’s when the job takes a turn and the outback will know that one man stood against them all!

Selleck as Quigley is perfect in this role with the tall swagger and fitting right into western wear. His character is calm and doesn’t let much upset him, unless you are trying to hire him to kill innocent people. Then, there is a huge problem and Quigley is the only won strong enough to put a stop to it all. Selleck is charming and literally goes with the punches. Every time I have watched this film, it is because Selleck just does it all.

San Giacomo as Crazy Cora also fits into the role with ease. She is loud but certainly knows how to make crazy look good. Beginning with mistaking Quigley for someone else, it doesn’t seem to stop her from wanting to help her man. When she comes to terms with what is happening to the Aboriginal people, Cora knows that Quigley is going to make it right. San Giacomo is lovely, charming, and a great part of this cast.

Rickman as Marston just seemed to love this role so much because he gets to be a bit of a nut himself but with a gun. High on the outback horse, he is a ranch owner who thinks that hurting people is a sport and he enjoys it. Where he went wrong was attempting to hire a man with a conscience like Quigley. Rickman is just, as always, amazing as part of this cast. I have been a Rickman fan since I saw his 1982 television mini-series The Barchester Chronicles. I knew then that this was an actor to watch in everything he would do from them on – and I love being right.

Other cast include Chris Haywood as Major Pitt, Ron Haddrick as Grimmelman, Tony Bonner as Dobkin, Jerome Ehlers as Coogan, Conor McDermottroe as Hobb, Rober Wand as Brophy, Ben Mendelsohn as O’Flynn, Steve Dodd as Kunkurra, Karen Davitt as Slattern, William Zappa as Reilly and Ollie Hall as Carver.

SHOUT! Studios has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT! Studios has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Special Features include on Disc One of the 4K UHD New 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative. On Disc Two Bluray is New 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative, “Finding Crazy Cora” – Interview with Laura San Giacomo, “This One Shoots a Mite Further” – Closer Look at the Sharps Rifle with Master Armorer Mike Tristano, “The Rebirth of a Western” Featurette, Theatrical Trailer, TV Spots and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo.

QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER was a stunning, exciting, adventurous 1990’s film and I can honestly say they don’t make them like that anymore. I can’t even count how many times I’ve seen the film and can say that I will be watching it again and again in the future. It is a film that is fun and at the same time offers up the plight of Australia’s Aboriginal people who still have issues today.

If you are looking for a western with heart for the first time or just love Selleck, San Giancomo and Rickman together, then this film should be on the must-see list. This is definetly a large screen, sound system, tub of popcorn, comfy sofa type of adventure packed film that is worthy of inviting friends over for a movie night.

In the end – the west was never this far west!

DEAD MAN’S HAND

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director/writer Brian Skiba, Corin Nemec and Lionsgate is the story of a couple heading west but first must deal with a DEAD MAN’S HAND.

Reno (Jack Kilmer), aka Jean Jaques Renau, and the lovely Vegas (Camille Colliard) are recently married and on a stage coach headed west. Wanting to open up a business of their own, the couple is excited about the prospects. That is until the coach is hit by bandits and Reno must defend everyone taking them all out. Moving on to the nearest town, there is something strange amiss. 

What becomes instantly clear is that one of the bandits was the brother of Mayor Bishop (Stephen Dorff) and he is not the forgiving kind. Also, in town is Marshal Roy McCutheon (Cole Hauser) and his job is to take Bishop into custody and he is just as stubborn. Bishop has other plans as he wants revenge for his brother’s death and Reno is in danger.

Trying to escape, Reno and Vegas end up on the heinous end of Bishop’s anger. Separated, Reno is left to die while Bishop holds Vegas captive. Fate is on Reno’s side as he is rescued by Manto, an Indian who owes him a life debt and is about to repay it.  Now the race is on to stop the madness Bishop has created in a town that would be happy to see him go.

It’s going to take a bitter fight to the end for one side to walk away alive!

Dorff as Bishop is as bad as he wants to be. Of course, his character is upset about the death of his brother but I have a sneaky suspicion that he enjoyed torturing for torturing sake. Dorff has made it clear through his career that he can be the bad guy and do it with his own style, sadistically, a bit of sarcasm and no conscience at all. Nothing wrong with being good at being bad.

Kilmer as Reno is a newly happily married man with big dreams to start something awesome in the west. That all is put on a huge hold when he is forced to pull his gun. Reno knows his way around a gun and has no problem using it. Once he is captured, Kilmer puts in a powerful note to his character fighting back the western way and with a little help from his new friends. Kilmer has the family name and is adding his own touch to acting.

Hauser as McCutheron is doing what Hauser does best. Be the quiet, stand back and see kind of character. When it calls for him to step in, he does, but also is not about to cross the line for someone like Bishop. Hauser has become known for his cowboy west image and, yes, I’m saying it, stands out as Rip in the series Yellowstone. That being said, he has taken on more roles outside of the western ranch image as well and it’s good to see.

Collard as Vegas is one tough cookie who knows how to handle herself around a gun. Once Bishop gets ahold of her, she bides her time waiting for either a chance to escape or Reno to take matters into his own hands.

Shout out to Mo Brings Plenty as Mahto, he is honorable and is loyal to that meaning. He looks after Reno once he is rescued and lets it be known that there is no place for people like Bishop in their world. Plenty gives his character a quietness that has always made me believe that there are two reasons for that: 1) he is assessing everything around him and 2) sometimes words aren’t needed when action speaks more clearly.

Other cast include Forrie J. Smith as Alexander, Randall Batinkoff as Sherriff Winters, Louise Linton as Carrie, Costas Mandylor as Lucas, Tait Fletcher as Goliath, Corin Nemec as Red and William MacNamara as Johnny.

Lionsgate is a global leader in motion picture production and distribution for theatres, television, home entertainment and more. Theatre franchises include THE HUNGER GAMES, and DIVERGENT along with JOHN WICK. Now, adding this film to its 16,000-motion picture and television titles you can see everything coming soon as well as available now at http://www.lionsgate.com.

DEAD MAN’S HAND is a western that gives everything, gunfights, thieving, viciousness, and all that the wild west would be. The town itself is filled with scared townspeople who know fighting against Bishop isn’t possible. Fear is what Bishop counts on but the arrival of a U.S. Marshall puts a damper on his big power plans.

Is the film a blockbuster? Probably not, it is clearly made on a budget that would not be able to compete with what is in theatres right now. That being said, if you are a fan of westerns and all that implies, then this film is for you. Now On Demand, Digital and DVD, it’s a definetly a Sunday afternoon being lazy on the couch indulgence film.

The film is based on the graphic novel No Rest of the Wicked: Dead Man’s Hand by Kevin and Matthew Minor.

In the end – play your cards right and you just might survive!

 

The Legend Comes to Bluray with HICKOK

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and 4K Ultra HD from director Timothy Woodward Jr. and Cinedigm is a look at the frontier and the life of a gunslinger known as HICKOK.

It is 1870 and Wild Bill Hickok (Luke Hemsworth) is wandering trying to avoid the reputation that follows where ever he goes. The problem is he can’t seem to keep his hands off the pistol on his hip. Ending up in Abilene, Texas he is introduced to the town’s Mayor George Knox (Kris Kristofferson).

Knox realizes that the town has turned into the stereotypical Wild West town and the citizens are being hurt. Thinking that having Hickok as the town sheriff might be just what the town needs. Hickok also meets Phil Poe (Trace Adkins), the town saloon owner and his fiancée Mattie (Cameron Richardson) and son Joey (Hunter Fischer).

When Hickok enforces the ordinance outlawing any guns inside the city limits, it is almost as if it’s a beacon for trouble. When John Wesley Hardin (Kaiwi Mersereau) comes to town, Hickok gives him a choice of which side of the law he wants to be on.

Hickok also tries to rekindle his friendship with Mattie which sends Poe off the deep end to the point where he offers up money to get rid of the town sheriff. Now, it is up to Hickok to do what is right instead of living up to a myth.

Hemsworth as Hickok gives his character the rough exterior of a man who has come to believe in the stories they tell. Putting on the lawman hat, Hickok must see what what’s been kept from him and reconnect with the man he was before all the stories were created. Hemsworth portrays that journey and comes around to and ending that needed to happen.

Kristofferson as Mayor Knox believes having the name Hickok in the town will stop outlaws from continuing to hurt Abilene’s citizenry. At the same time, Knox sees something in the gun slinger that he’s forgotten about himself. I love seeing Kristofferson in roles such as this and am thrilled he continues to make films.

Adkins as Poe gets to be the outlaw saloon owner in HICKOK. I have seen his westerns before and it is clear that he can play both good guy and outlaw gunslinger. Of course he has used that deep voice to his advantage along with the ice cold stare that means business.

Richardson as Mattie is a woman who has a history with Hickok. Wanting him to leave town quickly, she knows Poe is a man who handles things violently. Fischer as Joey is a young man who idolizes the gunslingers without realizing the difference between lawmen and the lawless.

Other cast include Robert Catrini as Sheriff Akers, Britain Simons as The Kid, Kimberly Alexander as Lou-Ann, Max Bogner as Jenkins, Bruce Dern as Doc O’Roark.

Cinedigm is a leading distributor of amazing content in storefronts, digital platforms, Internet and Demand platforms for cable television. With an extensive library of over 52,000 films and television shows, Docudrama films, next-gen Indies and Independent films. At its inception, Cinedigm has played a pioneering role in transitioning movie theatres from traditional film prints to digital distribution to advance worldwide cinema modernization. For more on what Cinedigm has to offer please visit http://www.cinedigm.com.

The 4K Ultra HD and Bluray includes the Special Features of The Road to Abilene: The Making of HICKOK, Three Deleted Scenes and Trailer.

HICKOK has a western feel with a cast that is full of tough as nails actors who have made the genre equally tough again. Hemsworth mixed with Adkins and Kristofferson becomes a triangle of storytelling. If you love Westerns filled with action and the addition of 4K Ultra HD or Bluray that means you can curl up at home with popcorn, then let HICKOK ride into your player.

In the end – you know the myth now meet the legend!