Above Snakes

Saw this at its premiere. Nicely done indie movie.

Pros: nice cinematography, music, wardrobe, surprising ending and mid credit scene.

Cons: story slows a little in places, could use a few more action scenes.

Kind of a mystery set in a kind of western setting. The acting, for the most part is pretty solid although there are a few scenes where the acting could have been better. The flash back scenes are good and the baby is adorable. The sheriff and the daughter were both very good, the judge had some good scenes but also a couple that could have been better, same for the bad guy. Had a few light moments that were a nice change up. The ending has a twist but I won't give it away and there's a mid credit scene, that's kind of different for an indie movie. Although it's a good scene, I felt it could have been a little better. Leaves an opening for a sequel though.

Total acting score B Total story score C+ Total movie score B-

Over all it's pretty good and much of the time you may forget it's an indie movie.

I don't want to disparage the actors, but this acting is probably some of the worst I've ever seen.

However to be fair, that may also be the responsibilities of the director and editors too.

At several times various actors were talking over each other, and not in a way that seemed intentional. There's a scene about halfway through with one couple and the sheriff, and the sheriff keeps trying to interject but one person keeps talking over them.

I keep trying to come up with theories about how this happened. Did they each get a different version of the screenplay?

Getting lines wrong or missing your cue is something that happens, but someone should be paying attention.

On a positive note, the story is actually quite good and original for the genre. However the story could've been set in modern times and not changed much, but with better results.

Interesting concept. A mystery story set against an old west time period. A little slow but it all falls together at the end. Cathryn is played well and the sheriff and judge animosity toward each other comes off well. I have trouble buying the Coleman character as he doesn't seem quite mean enough. The flashback scenes are wonderful and that sheriff is the epitome of evil! Overall it's a slow enjoyable burn. Nicely done.

So if you go into this expecting a John Wayne, Clint Eastwood type shootout you'll be sorely disappointed. I think that may explain some of the undeserved low rating marks. This movie is much more mystery than horse-opera, with a setting in a turn of the century western town. It's definitely an independent movie but does have some good performances from a couple actors, the daughter especially. For an independent western noir film, it is pretty well done.

I enjoyed this movie. The acting was pretty good and the story is interesting. I especially liked the black and white scenes that told the backstory, I thought they were well done. The kid that says "Nobody will remember that in a hundred years" was funny. You have to watch the background in the saloon where he did indeed get "pulled out by the ear". I almost missed it! Was a fun watch!