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South of Heaven, West of Hell

South of Heaven, West of Hell

List Price: $14.98
Your Price: $13.48
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: One star is too many for this film!
Review: I wish there was a negative star rating available to select, but alas, I had to give it a whole star.

This is quite possibly the worst film I have ever seen. When it was not boring me to tears, it was needlessly discusting (a scene where a man steps into a hole filled with human waste comes to mind). ...

The only reason I rented it was because one of my favorite stars was in it, but by the time he got on screen I was so mad that I had payed to see this that I didn't even enjoy seeing him in it.

...

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Total waste of film and time.
Review: Inspite of a all star cast, this movie was filled with profanity and a waste of my viewing time. The story made no sense, the language was vulgar which I don't mind, but this was senseless. I did enjoy the graphic sex, but I could not see where it did anything to further the plot, other than to get people who only watch R rated movies to rent it. Dwight Yoakam should for sure keep to singing and I hope did not use any of his own money to get into this film.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Wrong Lead
Review: It's hard to describe this movie to people and I think it's because it has a feeling to it that is not often found in most films. For me it was very thoughtful and ... not slow, but paced well. It doesn't rush through anything, leaving you time to consider the plot which is driven more by interesting snips of conversation and looks than the overt ham-fisted work we've come to expect from Hollywood.

A good example is at one point in the movie Thornton's character points out that B. Fonda's character is 'the only one of us who retains her sense of smell'. This trait of losing the sense of smell is particular to people have have died but been revived or come back, it doesn't tell which, and it adds to the undercurrents moving within the film.

The best way I describe it to my friend's is "Fargo meets the old west" because the movie evoked in me the same sort of introspective strange feeling that Fargo did.

If you're a fan of Hollywood shoot-em-ups you might want to avoid this film, but if you're into deeper films that make you think I imagine you'd enjoy this.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing work from an amazing cast
Review: It's hard to describe this movie to people and I think it's because it has a feeling to it that is not often found in most films. For me it was very thoughtful and ... not slow, but paced well. It doesn't rush through anything, leaving you time to consider the plot which is driven more by interesting snips of conversation and looks than the overt ham-fisted work we've come to expect from Hollywood.

A good example is at one point in the movie Thornton's character points out that B. Fonda's character is 'the only one of us who retains her sense of smell'. This trait of losing the sense of smell is particular to people have have died but been revived or come back, it doesn't tell which, and it adds to the undercurrents moving within the film.

The best way I describe it to my friend's is "Fargo meets the old west" because the movie evoked in me the same sort of introspective strange feeling that Fargo did.

If you're a fan of Hollywood shoot-em-ups you might want to avoid this film, but if you're into deeper films that make you think I imagine you'd enjoy this.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Extremely cool film, even better D.V.D.
Review: Kudos to Lion's Gate for adding all the bells and whistles to the D.V.D. release of Dwight Yoakam's paradigm-breaking, eclectic Western. This is a film that really shines on D.V.D., enabling all of Jim Glennon's stunning photography to shine, and all of Yoakam's tongue-in-cheek bits to be fully appreciated. Rank this one up there with "BRAZIL", "FARGO" or even "BLADE RUNNER" for sheer balls and uniqueness. However, if your I.Q. is skewed towards Jerry Springer, you'll completely miss this film's brilliance. E.G., George W. Bush won't get it... but independent thinkers will, and they're in for a treat!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: What do you expect?
Review: Maybe in the theatre it would have been a tough sit, but this is a great western. If you don't get it the first time - watch it again. Believable sets, and writing. Got to see it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: ROFL! A Treat for Bad Movie Lovers
Review: Move over, "Terror of Tiny Town"! It looks like we have the most exploitative and unintentionally farcical gimmick Western ever right here. This is either an exploitation movie trying to pass itself off as an art film, or an art film with a bunch of sex, gore and violence crammed in it to attract a certain audience (a film student could write a paper comparing this to "Caligula"). But, puh-leez! With bad lighting being passed off as "noir", Billy Bob Thornton playing his role with his hand cupped over his mouth, singer Dwight Yoakam unable to direct, write, act, or even musically score his way out of a wet paper bag, and pretentiousness gushing faster than several characters' blood, no wonder the best review that interviewers could get from theater-goers was, "It was...funny." That, it certainly was.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Thanks to this film, my VCR now stalks me in my sleep.
Review: Now and again, people will watch a ballgame(football, baseball, etc.), see someone drop the pass, and say to themselves "I could have caught that". In actuality, this is usually just spur of the moment delusional ideation. Put in the same situation, we too would have failed. This is not uncommon thinking...we do it all the time, and in regards to all sorts of situations and events as we travel through life and observe. And why have I said all this? It is because, as a person of reasonable taste and intelligence, I honestly believe there is no way possible I could write a worse script than that which Yoakam created for this film. I know, I know, it is possible that I too am committing the falacy of which I described earlier, but I simply don't believe it is possible. I have written academic term papers with more wit and substance than was contained in Yoakam's film. A film doesn't have to be conventional or realistic in order to be good. It does help, though, if it possesses something of interest. Violence, which this film contains quite a bit of, can make up for some shortfalls, if done well. In this film, though, I didn't really care who was shooting, who was being shot, or why anything was happening in general. You see, this film contained about as much character development as a bad SNL skit. The plot develops as though Yoakam simply wrote the story as he went along. It's like, "hey, the props guys got wired on crank and built an antique hot air balloon last night, get some film in the camera". And a review of this film would not be complete without a comment about the acting. Yes, there are some fine actors in this film, but sadly, that doesn't mean that fine acting was put on celluloid. I suppose it's possible, that in creating his statement, Yoakam simply decided to tell his cast to mirror the intelligence of the script in their acting. If you must watch a mindless violent film, at least watch one with style and purpose...like a Hong Kong era John Woo film. But whatever you do avoid this film. I'm sorry this review is so long...I simply had to vent after watching this abomination that passes for a motion picture.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Certainly better than the online reviewers indicate....
Review: OK, this western isn't for everyone.

But anyone who likes the old west, doesn't mind thinking a little bit, and loves all that is unique, needs to watch this DVD. I say DVD because I have viewed both the Video and the DVD. So much was cut from the Video it is difficult to get a true grasp of the story line. They really did a great dis-service to the viewers when the decison was made to shorten the film on video.

Additionally, a lot of interesting information can be gleaned from the commentary on the DVD. And, if you love the soundtrack, but are disappointed in the Original Soundtrack CD, (which was listed as 'the companion soundtrack ablbum') one option on the DVD allows you to isolate the soundtrack from the film and listen to your heart's content. The haunting music written by Dwight is played in several imaginative ways and the refrain waifs itself into your psyche over and over.

This film provides new insight into the mind of Dwight Yoakam who proves himself to be a much more intelligent man than I have heretofore recognized or given him credit for. A quirky sense of humor uncovers itself as well. Who would have thought it?

To all those online reviewers who didn't care for this film, I suggest you watch it again (as I said on DVD this time) and don't take yourself and the movie itself so seriously. Enjoy instead the absolutely breathtaking scenery, the individual personalities of each the characters, the probable reality of the precise time in history, and the subtle nuances to the story that is being told.

By all means go ahead and laugh at the humor, which is rampant, particularly in the roles played by Bud Cort, Michael Jeter, and the individual portraying U. S. Christmas. Seeing Paul Rubens in a once-in-a-lifetime role should also provide a little interest as well.

I am not a true western fan. Truth be told, I originally watched this film only to see Billy Bob Thornton (who once again gave a very creative performance in a small but important role). However, I liked it enough on VHS to buy the DVD and now enjoy it over and over as each re-viewing reveals new information, humor, and just plain enjoyment.

My hat is off the Mr. Yokam for his courage and intelligence in writing this story, his talent in directing it, his perserverance in the face of time constraints and financial difficulties in completing the film. I just plain thank him for providing an interesting western film for us to enjoy, and enjoy, and enjoy.

If you haven't seen SOHWOH at all, give it a look. If you were confused or disappointed the first time, give it another chance.

Simply said....I love it, maybe you will too.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Certainly better than the online reviewers indicate....
Review: OK, this western isn't for everyone.

But anyone who likes the old west, doesn't mind thinking a little bit, and loves all that is unique, needs to watch this DVD. I say DVD because I have viewed both the Video and the DVD. So much was cut from the Video it is difficult to get a true grasp of the story line. They really did a great dis-service to the viewers when the decison was made to shorten the film on video.

Additionally, a lot of interesting information can be gleaned from the commentary on the DVD. And, if you love the soundtrack, but are disappointed in the Original Soundtrack CD, (which was listed as 'the companion soundtrack ablbum') one option on the DVD allows you to isolate the soundtrack from the film and listen to your heart's content. The haunting music written by Dwight is played in several imaginative ways and the refrain waifs itself into your psyche over and over.

This film provides new insight into the mind of Dwight Yoakam who proves himself to be a much more intelligent man than I have heretofore recognized or given him credit for. A quirky sense of humor uncovers itself as well. Who would have thought it?

To all those online reviewers who didn't care for this film, I suggest you watch it again (as I said on DVD this time) and don't take yourself and the movie itself so seriously. Enjoy instead the absolutely breathtaking scenery, the individual personalities of each the characters, the probable reality of the precise time in history, and the subtle nuances to the story that is being told.

By all means go ahead and laugh at the humor, which is rampant, particularly in the roles played by Bud Cort, Michael Jeter, and the individual portraying U. S. Christmas. Seeing Paul Rubens in a once-in-a-lifetime role should also provide a little interest as well.

I am not a true western fan. Truth be told, I originally watched this film only to see Billy Bob Thornton (who once again gave a very creative performance in a small but important role). However, I liked it enough on VHS to buy the DVD and now enjoy it over and over as each re-viewing reveals new information, humor, and just plain enjoyment.

My hat is off the Mr. Yokam for his courage and intelligence in writing this story, his talent in directing it, his perserverance in the face of time constraints and financial difficulties in completing the film. I just plain thank him for providing an interesting western film for us to enjoy, and enjoy, and enjoy.

If you haven't seen SOHWOH at all, give it a look. If you were confused or disappointed the first time, give it another chance.

Simply said....I love it, maybe you will too.


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