Organ Trail

I recently viewed Organ Trail (2023) on Paramount+. The storyline follows a young lady in the 1800s Midwest with no family, friends, or means for survival but her family horse. When a ruthless band of outlaws steals her horse, leaving her for dead, she embarks on a perilous mission to recover it, putting herself and everyone who aids her at risk.

This picture is directed by Michael Patrick Jann, in his major motion picture debut, and stars Zoé De Grand Maison (Riverdale), Mather Zickel (I Love You, Man), Lisa LoCicero (Rush Hour 2) and Nicholas Logan (The Best of Enemies)

The movie is a mixed bag. The settings, attire, and props create a perfect look and feel. However, the storyline, dialogue, and acting struggle with authenticity, although Nicholas Logan's portrayal of the villain stands out, reminiscent of a young Michael Rooker. The kills are average and disappointing, but surprisingly, the ending surpassed my expectations.

In conclusion, Organ Trail is an uneven film with some redeeming elements preventing it from being a complete disaster. I would give it a 4/10 and recommend skipping it.

This was a solid western/drama/thriller and a little horror. One plus is it's filmed on location in Montana. It's a nice back drop for a dark and dreary period western.

Overall it's a bit long, some of the scenes are too extended and unnecessary. That being said the film is pretty well acted and directed. A lot of panning shots of Montana and some pretty good sfx, fire scenes and other elements.

There's also some pretty solid character build up and arcs which do take time to develop. It's definitely low budget and most of the actors are all still in their early stages of their careers.

Overall, enjoyable effort that drives some pretty good tension and the score isn't bad either 6/10.

For most of its running time Organ Trail is a relatively grounded Western/thriller with some interesting moments and solid cinematography. There is a certain grittiness to the events - when faced with dangers, characters don't perform heroics but often panic and die abruptly or at least take a physical toll from their big or small mistakes.

Then, in the last act, Organ Trail turns into the pulpy horror movie which was suggested by its title, with a ridiculous invincibile cartoon villain shrugging off an absurd amount of damage.

Now, I have nothing against ridiculous invincible cartoon villains - in the appropriate venue. After the low-key first and middle act, this is just tonally off. It's like watching All Quiet on the Western Front and then suddenly one character starts performing Commando-like shenanigans.

6/10.

I went into this thinking it was going to be a horror flick.

But it can be more aptly described as a low budget western thriller.

There isn't really a main character in the film.

Rather, the plot centers around a string of incidents, through which three groups of people collide - a family of settlers travelling along the Oregon Trail; a gang of violent raiders, who prey on such travelers; and a couple of black homesteaders, who just so happen to have settled in the area.

The gang uses a woman they have captured as bait, to lure benevolent settlers to their death (by their hands).

After which they raid their wagons for goods and women.

The gang consists of a leader, a sociopath, a follower, and a good man trapped in a bad situation.

And, when they murder the family we are introduced to, they end up taking their daughter prisoner.

However, she ends up escaping.

After which she is taken in by the black couple.

Only to steal their horse, so as to return to the scene of the crime, so that she can bury her family.

Not knowing the gang has sent their woman to track her; while the sociopath tracks her (because she is taking too long)- just as the black homesteader sets out to get his beloved horse back.

Inevitably leading their paths to cross...in what will turn out to be an incredibly violent turn of events.

The acting is actually quite decent across the board.

And the scenery is quite stunning.

Unfortunately, the plot relies on some extremely implausible events to drive itself forward.

With a couple instances of really poor CGI effects.

On top of that...the climax is rather underwhelming...culminating with an all too abrupt ending.

Which doesn't leave you satisfied.

But it's not a bad little film.

And is entirely watchable.

With some effectively disturbing moments.

Even if it doesn't quite live up to other films based on extreme ultraviolence.

I don't really get the title, though.

Because it never has anything to do with organs.

4 out of 10.

My expectations were low. I am a huge lover of low budget films. However this was so wonky with its time frame and how historically things would have been done....its a joke. Not semi-realistic in any sense. What creates true fear is knowing it could have realistically happened. During that time period, your weapon meant everything. That means your most prized possession was your rifle. So people are going west with muzzle loaders when lever actions were all the rage as well as metallic cartridge revolver rounds? Obviously this director....nor does anyone else who has work on this know what the hell they are doing or talking about.