Variety Review of South of Heaven West of Hell
Well worth the wait.
Having viewed this film iii times at present, I recollect I finally have enough together to write a decent review for it. Kickoff off, I waited a long fourth dimension to see this (over two years) and information technology definitely did not dissapoint. Mainly because I knew the direction that Dwight Yoakam was moving in on this one. He wanted to create a western that was a bit dissimilar than the standard shoot 'em up and he wanted to create a story that mirrored a lot of events from his own life while ,at the same time, not spelling everything out for the audience and letting them think and decipher for themselves. While he certainly succeeded in doing this, he also manages to employ the ensemble cast for all its worth by bringing in the biggest mix of oddball and eccentric characters I've seen since Jim Jarmusch'due south "Expressionless Man".
"Southward of Sky, W of Hell" uses the pretty basic story (seemingly) of a man, Valentine Casey (Yoakem) who has been raised past an adoptive family unit known equally the Henrys. The Henrys are led past none other than western vet Luke Askew who seems to have the most level head of the gang. His socio-path son Taylor (Vince Vaughn) does most of the running while his cronies (Paul Reubens and Michael Jeter) follow him around like whipped puppies. Natalie Canerday (Linda from Sling Blade) plays Sissy, the child similar sister of the brood who is desperately in honey with Valentine. At some point, earlier the story starts, Valentine dissowned the outlaw family who raised him and fought in the Spanish American war, later becoming a sherriff.
All is peaceful for Valentine, living the life of a sheriff in a town where nothing happens, until the Henrys come riding into town raising all manners of hell and pulling a "wild agglomeration" mode attack. A few people are killed (the Henry'south must not exist much for target practise since they fired over a hundred rounds) and a couple more are shot. Valentine waits about a year, then retaliates. That'due south all I'm going to say in the fashion of the story, but there'southward a lot more than that.
Let's talk most the characters for a minute. Ol' Val is nearly the sanest one of the bunch. He's a mild-mannered, likeable guy who is tough merely when he has to be. His side kick is an "odd bird" who has a thing for wearing dresses. Bo Hopkins plays Physician Angus Dunfries, a blacksmith. A barely recognizable Billy Bob Thornton comes into town as a traveller named Brigadier Smalls. With him is his travelling buddy, the nearly mute Babcock (Warren Zevon). They are escorting Adelyne (Bridget Fonda), Doc Angus'south niece, and Val'south soon-to-be beloved interest. Paul Reubens (looking very much like he did in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer) plays i sick puppy here, equally one of the twisted members of the Henry tribe. One of my favorites was Bud Cort, playing a authorities amanuensis with some papers that strongly suggest that Valentine was killed in the state of war. He gets off the railroad train, whining most the heat and a toothache. It's pretty clear that this guy is here mainly for comic-relief. He appears to have the worst luck in history and the belt scene had me in stitches.
It'due south easy to see why this just got a express theatrical release. "Southward of Heaven, West of Hell" isn't necessarily the kind of moving picture that the masses will flock to. I think Yoakam made the film with that in listen, knowing that it would find it'due south intended audience on video. It'south true that the majority just won't become it. To savour this film, y'all have to go into information technology with an open mind and sort of block out everything effectually and that's something that a lot of people just aren't capable of. It's hard to explain just what kind of movie this is simply I remember Vince Vaughn summed it upwards best, in an interview, by maxim that it is the "punk rock of westerns".
I enjoyed this picture show a lot and I'm sure it will probably go downwardly as i of my year's favorites. At that place is a lot hither to enjoy and ane viewing is not enough. There is a lot of black comedy that I didn't choice upwardly on the start time around and there is also a lot more than going on with and betwixt the characters than what is going on on-screen. Information technology'south not only "worth a viewing". It's worth several.
18 out of xix found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Beautifully photographed, that'southward about the only practiced matter...
I beloved Dwight Yoakam's music and songwriting, he's surely one of the all-time vocalizer/ songwriters out there but I recollect he should leave the screenwriting to professional screenwriters. This flick looks beautiful, just the plot leaves a lot to exist desired and the dialogue is oftentimes very dull. It also makes no sense that I can decipher. Dwight has some positives in this, every bit bad as information technology is. For example, he looks nifty on a horse, only he looks uncomfortable in front of the camera hither, which is unusual for him, given his other movies. The characters are interesting enough, but not given enough development that we tin run across. I don't call up Dwight should give up directing entirely, but I would non recommend seeing this. The beautiful scenery and cinematography brand it watchable. The horses are cute, too.
23 out of 28 plant this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Why Does Everyone Hate This Movie?
It was surprising to me to see that 1/3 of the people who had voted for this motion-picture show gave it a 1! I thought this was one of the best Westerns to come out of Hollywood for a LONG time. The story and interim is superb, and and so is the cinematography. These three things are what make a not bad movie. You could contend the forth beingness controversy/making yous think, just it is non absolutely necessary. This is a groovy motion picture. So don't listen to the others because they have no sense of taste. If you like Westerns and Independent films, cheque this one out. It is obviously an overlooked gem.
xix out of 23 constitute this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Some films just should never be fabricated
Picking up the jacket of this DVD in the video store I was intrigued. Having watched this sorry alibi for a western I call up director Dwight should give a medal for the guy who designed the jacket and has lured to their doom other unsuspecting viewers. The script of the film is potentially interesting... and I bet that's what the impressive members of this film'south bandage thought when they signed up for this project. But, Dwight, buddy... stick to singing and interim. This must be the worst directed pic I have ever had the displeasure of seeing. Badly paced, wooden performances, awkwardly shot, weird music, and fifty-fifty terrible costumes - my God, what is Billy Bob Thornton's wig all most??? I could go along for another ten lines, but this film but isn't worth the bother. Anyone who hates wasting money should stay well away from this stinker.
34 out of 43 institute this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
worth seeing
Westerns are out of fashion but this 1 is washed with feeling and authenticity organically inspired by the casting of actors who themselves have genuine associations with the due west, instead of just sticking a cowboy hat on george clooney for eg.
Where another critic has mentioned awkwardness, I call up instead that this is a masterful portrayal of the kind of characters who inhabited the real west. They were non articulate or hip.
The stride and the photography are both somewhat indulgent, making this film evocative rather than brisk, though in that location is plenty of honest and brutal activity.
I see 2 or iii movies every 24-hour interval, and this is one of the rare ones which, though no masterpiece, I respect and would even see again.
18 out of 22 institute this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Hang upwardly your guns Dwight
Ugly fierce, incoherent western. Directed, scored and starring state vocalist Dwight Yoakum. The music score is besides a thwarting. It was exec produced by Cadet Owens. Yous would recall all this would bring you a half way decent western, but I think the Bakersfield Ca sun got to them showtime!
Fifty-fifty veteran character actors such as Bo Hopklins and Matt Clark can't save this 1. Vince Vaughn, Billy Bob Thornton, Paul (Pee-Wee Herman) Ruebens, Bud Cort, Peter and Bridget Fonda - an unusual cast for a western, is wasted in this beautifully photographed travesty. Hang up your guns Dwight, stick to singin'
18 out of 25 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Generally Unwatchable
Rebecca: This is so bad it'due south almost proficient.
Enid: This is so bad information technology'southward gone past good and dorsum to bad again.
Nosotros rented this DVD shortly subsequently Noble Willingham's expiry, thinking that we would lookout it as a tribute. There were two problems with this idea. Noble's graphic symbol gets killed off very early and the DVD was defective. It was missing the scene that explains what's going on. I have to assume that the scattering of positive comments were from people who watched an obscure director'due south cut that had this explanatory scene.
Merely seriously, the writers of the screenplay were totally inexperienced (at screenplays) and the managing director was totally inexperienced (at writing screenplays and at directing screenplays), so the roadkill that resulted should exist no surprise. Permit this comment serve as a warning to potential viewers, only because a lot of actors who have performed in excellent films are part of this ensemble does not make information technology worth viewing. In that location are some decent performances just the whole is a lot less than the sum of its parts, which in fact adds up to less than zero.
Baroque (in an uninteresting way), sadistic (in a vaguely tiresome style), foul-mouthed (in a grammar school fashion), half-baked (in a bad raw egg way), and disorganized (in a manager should burn in hell way). Information technology is mostly unwatchable, as even the isolated parts that could be entertaining are burdened with Yoakam and Bertheaud'south comically imitation dialogue. Although this at least gives the production its merely hint of unity and should dispel the temptation to arraign the consequence on excessive improv.
Imagine inserting clips of "El Topo" in no logical order into "Tombstone" and yous tin can approximate the product Yoakam inflicts on us unsuspecting Noble Willingham fans. He gave himself the atomic number 82 function as Valentine Casey, a U.South. Marshall in 1907 Arizona. Casey's old gang and surrogate family keeps popping upwards and a lot of people are killed and Casey goes after them and eventually everything gets sorted out, although even after merely watching the whole thing I couldn't have told you how. Don't understand why the gang keeps turning up or why the Marshall left them to become a lawman or why Pee Wee has put on so much weight. Don't really care either, I think nosotros will only stick to "The Corndog Man" and the real "El Topo".
And so again, what practise I know? I'thousand only a child.
19 out of thirty found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Rare: Raw, unapologetic, unstinting wild western noir
Sometimes I think I must have an organic encephalon issue: To me, films like South of Heaven are the gilded standard of film westerns; it elevates the genre to a perfectly tuned noir, where style and mythos entwine like the gunpowder that the hero burns and huffs to go on himself grounded. The film's bizarrely low IMDb User rating makes me wonder if I need assistance, or what.
I found the flick to be a wonder, from bottom (production) to acme (mythos). The writing is absolute gilded, the direction is fine-tuned, the acting beyond professional. And all the foregoing feels of-a-piece.
The product teases you along its wispy thin tendrils of character development and dusky-framed scenario snapshots, and succeeds where so many films fail; at creating a truly immersive cinematic feel that transcends its pretense of genre (western) to create a compelling shadow play of morality, honor, and all else besides.
Don't side with the rabble: Give it a shot.
3 out of three plant this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
The who's who of actors who do weird movies
2 Fondas, Paul Reubens, Vince Vaughn, Dwight Yoakum, and Baton Bob Thornton. I think between them they accept done maybe one flick that didn't leave people scratching their heads wondering if what they saw was whatsoever good.
It isn't that these movies aren't any practiced, it is just that they are too skewed to exist fun unless the viewer is skewed himself. Most people will walk abroad from a motion picture similar this and not like the experience. The pacing is too slow, the tone also muted, and none of the characters are truly likable. Dwight and Bridget's characters come close, but they are... perhaps too human to enjoy. They have their foibles and just kind of go along for the ride. The remainder of the characters are either villains, caricatures or too peripherial to the story to matter.
So, I would fence that virtually no one will like the story or the characters. Only for some the art of the moving-picture show will be enjoyable. The concepts underlying the story and the way the story and the character's understanding evolves.
For me the movie every bit a whole was limbo. I wanted some brightness, sharpness, some emotionally response other than melancholy. I can appreciate the fine art but I didn't enjoy it.
iii out of iii constitute this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
If you similar strange and oddball movies ...
I saw the picture a few days agone and, to be honest, when the final credits rolled I idea I had just watched a near miss flick. I had a lot of hopes for Mr. Yoakam's writing, directorial, star debut because of the "exterior the box" psyche his career and approach to music limited. I wasn't disappointed, exactly, perhaps stymied is a better word. Now, still, a few days after viewing the picture, I realize what a wonderfully different, engagingly off centered pic information technology was. I keep thinking of the discussion "raw" in its many connotations. The moving-picture show has no hero just it has heroism. In that location are no bang-up people simply at that place is greatness. It's a picture show of details, visual and story and the only actor in the film who didn't make me purchase his character was Vince Vaughn although he redeemed himself in the concluding reels where it seemed he had finally connected with his bad guy alter ego. Dwight was straight on all the way through, drifting in out of left field like he e'er does and standing right side by side to you lot before y'all realize he's there. This own't John Wayne or Clint Eastwood only you'll surprize yourself how much you expect it, how much you should have seen it coming and how relieved y'all are Dwight isn't the fastest gun in the west and proficient and evil laces itself through all the characters and story lines. Life doesn't run on a script and neither does this motion-picture show, it's life'southward accidents and miscalculated tosses of a stick of dynamite that propels our lives and this motion picture. Nosotros stumble our way to our destiny, to our decision. It was too great to run into all those familiar faces and I'm even so utterly and intensely bamboozeled near who and what and why Billy Bob Thorton was most in this movie. Talk near a curio. For me, the movie's finest moment came a couple of days later I had seen it, when I began to realize the appeal of this brood of "different". I imagine I'll purchase this video and lookout man information technology again every couple of years or and so. I know there's a lot I missed merely I'thou going to enjoy, at my leisure and in repeat viewings, deciphering what Dwight Yoakam was doing hither. It's a very difficult film to recommend because even an open mind can fail to observe substance to grab a hold. But once you lot watch it, you can't put it down. I really believe this will requite Dwight Yoakam the human foot in the door to take Yoakam films forward and I'1000 merely as convinced he'll do something very interesting and of lasting significance in cinema one-time in the future. Simply South of Heaven, West of Hell, will exist a stand alone piece forever. Watch the flick if you're into different, it's dreary existent, hilarious, grimy, disgusting, moments of real brilliance and, though I've heard no 1 mention it, has moments of dead on minor level special effects. Only I have a question for viewers; has anyone noticed that Dwight Yoakam in a hat and sans a hat are 2 completely dissimilar characters?
3 out of iii found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
But film the desert for goodness sakes!
guyb 23 August 2001
I rented this DVD with the take chances that it might be "too wierd." Forget that! Information technology wasn't wierd at all? It was just bad! What were all the reviews most ghosts about? I didn't see that at all? The large name talent all only had "ghost roles." Dont' be fooled by that.
Waste product of time
xiv out of 23 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
This movie makes me want to dice.
Dwight Yoakam tin't even exist bothered to get a proper comb-over for his baldheaded spot.
Information technology'south Vince Vaughn, Peter Fonda and...uh... Peewee Herman. In a Western. How can it go incorrect? How!? Only it does, and tragically. This is incomprehensible, poorly shot, vanity-project poo. Dwight adds null to the direction simply muddle an already blasphemous script with lots of wearisome-movement and fuzzy camera angles. And there's lots and lots of yelling. For no reason.
In the proper name of all that's holy, do not pick up this movie. Implore your local video stores to remove it from the shelves.
xv out of 22 establish this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Gritty, Mind-Aletering and Spiritous
A mess of things here to both love and, well not love. It is a wild experiment that is nil if not unlike and information technology is something to behold. A long and sometimes irksome Movie with a slap-up deal of quirkiness and a meandering mystical story.
A daunting task, undertaken by the Star/Director/Author, this is an impressive first time effort. Not without some self-indulgent flaws and failings, it however is an Artistic assortment of elements that dosen't quite mesh with moments of confusion.
For a Western that is quite violent, it is the gunfights that seem flat and uninspired. Especially the more elaborate confrontations containing multiple participants with dynamite and a machine gun. These come up off as less than exciting when they are surely meant to be.
The more than close-up, gritty altercations piece of work much better and overall it is the bizarre characters and the pithy, nighttime writing forth with some first-class Cinematography and staging that make this quite an off-kilter combination of a standard Western template with unexpected genre concepts.
2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Weird and Fun, a Nice picayune Picture
I'll grant you, this isn't for everyone. Simply at that place is a lot to recommend this motion picture, fine acting, fun characters, great photography, and a haunting score (by Managing director Yokum). Besides I thought that the utilize of the Western metaphor was interesting, equally it is ofttimes used equally the stage for American morality tales. What it lacks is a consistency - it would accept been a much better film if this cinematic purgatory had some rules that were understandable.
Everyone seems to exist expressionless and fighting out their final battles before going to heaven, but what does it mean that some characters go shot and "dice" and others keep on with similar injuries? Is this ane characters' purgatory and the rest are actors? Or is this a shared purgatory - and if and so, what does it mean to die? When "dead" are they dispatched to Hell? Do the ones that survive become to go to San Francisco with Bridget Fonda (sounds like heaven to me <g>)? And what did the authorities agent do to be included in this anyhow (the funniest performance in the film by Bud Cort - though Jeter comes in second as the emasculated rapist)? That said, information technology was engaging to recollect of justice and the afterlife in the American West circa 1900, especially with a footling humor.
This slice has intelligence and a sense of fun and experimentation which is pleasing to see once in a while - I just wish the writers had gone the actress mile to tie it all together a little more. I'k non maxim they had to exist obvious, but the lack of consistency held it back from beingness a cracking effort to merely an interesting one.
Anyhow, I enjoyed information technology - information technology was a breath of fresh air in an art form which is as well often predictable and simplistic. Don't let the ratings fool you; some people go mad when they don't go their regular meat and potatoes served, even when they get a delightful piece of sushi.
5 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Entertaining!
Foreign, unlike and very entertaining! A breath of fresh air, compared to the mindless marketed films of today. Be open and don't expect besides much and so you'll exist VERY entertained! The cast has good chemistry and I believe it was well directed. The only fault I found was it left me wanting more and with some questions. I hoped the DVD would have more than deleted scenes that would fill in some gaps. Nonetheless the commentary with Dwight Yokam is great. You lot could say this pic is odd, nevertheless in an entertaining manner. There was as well a bang-up deal of obscure comedy that I greatly enjoyed.
four out of 4 plant this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Love Dwight, hated this film
I really similar Dwight Yoakam...I honey seeing him in interviews, I love his music, I love seeing him in concert. He is one of the most interesting and talented people in the music industry. Sorry to say, he should stay in the music industry. This was ane of the worst movies I tin can call back seeing. I tried and tried to recall of something I liked about it, just because I similar Dwight then much...but I couldn't come up up with a single good thing to say about this flick.
xvi out of 22 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Boring AND BAD
The screenwriter should be forced to watch this daily as penance and the producers should be put to sleep or hung. A terrible waste of practiced actors on a meaningless story with a plot that isn't fit for a "teenage ninja" movie.
6 out of 10 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Original western with star cameos
I am very surprised at the negative comments about this film, which I found hugely entertaining and likable in a black fashion. Surely it is provocative and rambling merely with cameos upon odd-brawl cameos spotted in a leisurely paced gun-toting cruel western, I give full marks to Dwight Yoakam in pulling information technology off. He wouldn't have attracted those names if they didn't similar the mostly dark, witty and surprising screenplay. Billy Bob Thornton has priceless lines and delivery. The director uses unlikely outcomes of various scenes just so do most directors (otherwise films would exist a lot shorter with the evil, heartless and sadistic co-stars bringing the heroes to premature ends) and the romantic side is just as incredible as the guns and violence. It'due south the all-time western set motion picture since Dead Homo by Jarmusch (with Johnny Depp and a similarly impressive host of stars).
four out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
A Cracking Thinking Man'south Western
To begin this review, I should confess that I am a Dwight Yoakam fan. (I happen to recollect he is ane of the most brilliant stars in Country music today.) That being said, I will admit that I thought he did an infrequent job writing, directing, scoring, and starring in this picture. You should know that this is not `Bonanza' or `The Magnificent Seven'. Grittier and darker than the Sergio Leone-Clint Eastwood `Spaghetti Westerns', I would say that this movie is a cross between `The Wild Agglomeration', `Final Man Standing', and `Unforgiven'. While there are several gunfights, this is more than of a `thinking human being'due south Western'.
The casting was quite interesting. Although, I thought the talents of Billy Bob Thornton, Bridget Fonda, and Peter Fonda were underutilized. While Dwight Yoakam gave a strong performance every bit the soft-spoken, kind-hearted align, Vince Vaughn was brilliant!
If you're similar me, this is not a flick for when you're in a `shoot 'em up' mood. For that, I'd recommend `The Wild Bunch'. Withal, if you're a fan of the Western and you're looking for something with substance, then is definitely your moving picture.
8 out of 12 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Southward of Heaven, West of Hell is a real gem.
While some viewers may have difficulty in unraveling this sardonic allegory, Dwight Yoakam'southward diehard fans will be able to recognize their star at his zenith. Due south of Heaven, West of Hell is filled with irony, parody, and quiet innuendo. It is a gem of a motion-picture show which is certain to attract even those not acquainted with Yoakam's intellectuality. Pervasive blackness sense of humor weaves its way in and out of well-nigh every scene. Some may be put off by what appears to be gratuitous violence, just a further look sets upward Yoakam'south metaphorical argument regarding the internal conflict humans experience in their transformation from victims ambling through the ravages of hell toward survival in the nearly unexpected heavens, thus rescuing themselves from the morbidity of life. The film seems to be disjointed and vague in spots, and leaves the viewer seeking answers to subtle understated plot twists. Similar Yoakam, himself, the mysterious, baffling, and somewhat enigmatic writing accomplishes just what he has set out to do: engage the audition merely uncomfortably enough to evoke deeper thinking. Due south of Heaven, Due west of Hell embraces both the past and the future, much similar Yoakam's latest song drove, Tomorrow'due south Sounds Today. The movie tells a story of redemption and vindication, a shedding of old nightmares in search of new dreams. Information technology is about tying up loose ends while scaling new heights. It is at in one case ancient ritual and oddly nouveau. Dwight Yoakam is ever pushing the parameters while remaining true to who he is. He has never forsaken that identity, or given in to mediocrity. While South of Heaven, West of Hell may be Yoakam's commencement attempt in breaking through the barriers into film production, one can but hope this will not exist his terminal endeavor in this genre. He is a quintessential artist who deserves more recognition than he seems to get. If Hollywood is smart, they will sit up and have observe of the rare precious stone quietly walking among them. Truthful talent is true talent, no matter how different the parcel. Dwight Yoakam may be but becoming the brightest diamond around.
17 out of 27 establish this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
1 of the most slow westerns always.
I detest to break this to all the Dwight fans out there, simply when it comes to film making, the emporer has no clothes. This is less a western as information technology is an practice in vanity. There are many long lingering closeups of Dwight, fifty-fifty one of his rear terminate, and all of them should have been cut. The plot is not worth repeating, you've seen it a meg times, y'all know, a sheriff in a moral crunch- what sets this film autonomously is that it'south over two hours long, and apparently no one had the wherewithal cut it to a watchable length. The interim is all over the boards, some people are amazingly hammy (Peter Fonda, Billy Bob Thornton) some people are amazingly boring (Dwight, Briget Fonda) and all of them announced to be defective whatever real management. There is no cohesiveness, no drive, no shape to this film. Buy the soundtrack and enjoy information technology in the privacy of your habitation, no need to waste material your fourth dimension with the film.
5 out of nine found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
all-time ghost story in a while
Concluding nighttime I rented Due south OF Sky WEST OF HELL on dvd. I was expecting the typical western. It wasn't. It seems as if Dwight used the early 1900's and the traditional western theme as a structure for telling an interesting tale. While he pays tribute to a few classic western films, he didn't make nevertheless some other western.
Overall, I think Dwight and company did a fine job. I have read many reviews here at IMDb of people who hated the moving-picture show, and, from the voting, it looks similar there are many others who share that feeling. I am non sure what people detect so bad. Granted, the movie was not perfect, but it was good enough that I remember Dwight has a potential in writing and directing.
The story is interesting...if you become it. The filming was proficient, and it had plenty of beautiful Arizona scenery. Vince Vaughn and Luke Askew make a darn good bad guy, then good, I was auspicious for them instead of Dwight. And, if aught else, the comical parts of Agent Otts and U.S. Christmas brand the movie worth watching.
I thought the movie was very entertaining. Information technology had a David Lynch like feel which I enjoy: It was very aware of the cool. Unfortunately there were a couple of scenes that were abrasive to the point of well-nigh spoiling the entire movie. Dwight excessively smooches with not one, only two pretty girls. (Are you beginning to become the feeling that I don't like him as a lead actor?) Each of the Dunfries brothers has an emotional breakdown and ruins otherwise splendid scene.
Ane of these tantrums is during what could have been one of my all time favorite motion picture scenes. Billy Bob Thorton, Briget Fonda, and Dwight Yoakam are having what Dwight called a dada conversation. Billy Bob is presenting a fundamental piece of data in riddle like form, and Burl Dunfries is conveying on like a lunatic on PCP. The overbearing interim does not lend to the chaos, but instead, overwhelms it.
For what it's worth. I gave it 8 out of 10. I practise not run across how anyone could give it less than five stars. Non a perfect moving picture, but there are many quality pieces in it.
4 out of five institute this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
An engaging, insightful & humorously different moving-picture show
I've seen hundreds, probably thousands of movies. Seldomly do I find a film every bit refreshingly unlike and daring as Dwight Yoakam's "Southward OF HEAVEN, WEST OF HELL." Its gritty, yet realistic portrayal of the one-time due west is told with sardonic wit and brilliant characterizations. Too ofttimes the audience is spoon-fed cliché'due south and larger than life heroes, when the truth is that well-nigh men are cowards when facing the wrong terminate of a gun... nearly are bad-shots, too. The bad guy in a make-shift cell? Yeah, most films would gloss over the existence of a "hole" in the floor, or even another in the wall to accomodate a conjugal visit. Nigh filmmakers would shy away from dynamite-slinging bandits, leading men that are not perfect, bad guys that are genuinely appealing and romances that are non consummated. Simply Yoakam's deft hand, and even stronger cast, combine for a truly unique and enjoyable film. Some viewers or critics "won't get information technology." Probably the same sort that called "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" a karate-movie. "Due south OF Sky, WEST OF HELL" is a stellar piece of quality, independent filmmaking. It's not a western, not a comedy but something so much more.
half dozen out of ten found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Horribly disappointing
As a groovy fan of Dwight Yoakam's music also as his interim performance in "Sling Bract", I was extremley disappointed with "South of Sky, Westward of Hell". What a stinker! Terrible writing with very uninspired and apartment performances past several otherwise talented actors. I swear Baton Bob Thornton must have been reading direct from cue cards throughout his minor five minute robotic appearance. It's almost as if he and several of the others must take owed Dwight a favor and that'south why they agreed to take office in this project. Otherwise I can't understand why they would desire to have anything to do with such a boring and pointless picture show.
17 out of 27 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
I believe Dwight Yoakam accomplished his debut goal
Is this pic a masterpiece or a flop? Unwatchable or something to rewind over & over? Plotless or full of twists & turns? I don't know and based on all the comments hither, I don't think anyone else does either. What I exercise know is this: The director and his producer managed to get an entire bandage of actors who are pretty selective about what they appear in (different many of those on the so-chosen A-List) to act in this moving picture. The director himself relegated his character to more than of a narrator than anything else. Many people were engrossed enough to watch it all the way through (which cannot be said for the truly awful), and even those who couldn't were compelled enough to comment on this website. Whether you liked information technology or hated it, it'south safe to say that "South of Heaven, West of Hell" is unforgettable. What more could a first-time director ask for? I for one will be greatly anticipating Dwight Yoakam'southward sophomoric effort.
3 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
carringtonbroated98.blogspot.com
Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0179473/reviews