The Baytown Outlaws

'The Baytown Outlaws' is a direct-to-DVD action movie from first time director Barry Battles. Don't let the "Direct-to-DVD" thing scare you. This one is legit. It's so gratifying to know that you can find little gems like this among all the crap that gets feed to us in the theaters (Yeah, I'm talking to you 'Oz the Great and Powerful' and 'Jack the Giant Slayer' and every Jason Statham movie made since 'The Italian Job'). "Baytown" is about three brothers who only know violence and mayhem. They live their life one mark at a time and always looking for the one last big score. They find it in smoking hot Eva Longoria. She commissions them to get back her god son from the evil clutches of drug lord Carlos (Billy Bob Thornton). Thornton plays the same character he's played over the past couple of years ('Bad Santa', 'Bad News Bears'), and I still love it. This movie is a cool blend of other films like 'The Warriors', 'The Way of the Gun', and 'Smokin' Aces'. Its definitely worth a watch and should also restore your faith in the Direct-to-DVD bin. 7.5 out of 10.

Nostalgic for the days of Smokey and the Bandit-style redneck car chase wreckstravaganzas? Don't be, because this favorite '70s genre is back and as explosive as ever in this movie.

Celeste (Eva Longoria) has good reason to send three outlaw bounty hunters after her no-good ex-husband Carlos (Billy Bob Thornton)--he shot her three times in the gut, after all.

There is a whole lot of sexy women in this movie (Serinda Swan, Brea Grant, Arden Cho, Agnes Bruckner, and Longoria), but the only nudity comes in the form of Rose's (Zoe Bell) butt.

Celeste hires the Oodie brothers (Clayne Crawford, Travis Fimmel, and Daniel Cudmore). I can't imagine three less likely to do a job successfully. They are a laugh a minute.

Good ole boys done good.

Greed! Guns! Professional wrestling! Domestic violence! An arrogant yankee! Corrupt politicians! Misogyny! Lingerie biker babe assassins! Fishin'! Hard drink in' & hard drivin'! Sibling rivalry! Big-hearted killers! Family tragedy! Racial violence! Lynard Skynard! Road rage! Stereotypical rednecks, African-Americans, & Native Americans! Illegal aliens (actually, the only demographic represented favorably)! Spanish moss! Theological musing! An arrow through the knee (okay, not specifically Southern, but a nice touch)! If the goal was to jam as many slams on the South as a small-budget movie could handle, then writer/director Barry Battles' "The Baytown Outlaws" is a great success.

Yet in spite of all the negativity directed toward my fellow Southerners & our homeland, there is some good work in this film. The story is implausible, but stimulating. Clayne Crawford & Travis Fimmel as bad boy brothers bring unexpected depth to their characters, as does Andre Braugher as a powerful Southern Sheriff. Nice work, Barry Battles. Next time how about pickin' on some yankee bastards.

A film based on a thin story with lots of funny violence and it gets it right. Just the right amount of character development, not to overbearing/tear filled/long like say Expendables. Just enough to care a little about the characters. Does not take itself seriously at all or try and tackle any issues like race or religion. Good quirky interesting characters on both sides. Just enough plot, character development and side story's to keep you interested but not make you feel like you wish they would just get on with it. On the down side nothing really original here either but whats their is well put together.

This is no masterpiece or anything subtle but it's a very enjoyable way to kill an hour and half.

I stumbled upon this film after checking out what films Travis Fimmel was involved in lately. He is set to star in the History channel's Vikings next month, which I am excited about. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Clane Crawford (who I still remember from Swimfan and who was amazing in 2010's "The Perfect Host" was also in it. The star studded cast also includes Eva Longoria Parker and Billy Bob Thornton. Interestingly enough they have the weakest and most forgettable roles and don't take precedence away from the three outlaw characters (Travis, Clayne and Daniel Cudmore). Not sure why this movie wasn't a major hit (did it even play at the theaters?) because it had everything you could want for a promising blockbuster with all the action, comedy and storyline behind it.

It has just the right amount of character development, fun quirky characters on both sides, and doesn't take itself to seriously. The outlaw brothers have a lot of heart despite their circumstances and life of crime. A really fun and funny action movie where people don't just shoot each other or blow stuff up the whole time. Unwind and enjoy this great film.

The Baytown Outlaws certainly is a film that a lot of movie fanatics should check out!

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