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Lukewarm Tarantino-wannabe without the wit or brains but lots of needless violence. Dozens of characters charge about, insulting and shooting each other, but there's really nobody to root for, and the climactic massive shootout is interesting to watch technically, but not involving emotionally, since we really don't care who makes it and who doesn't. Jeremy Piven is believable as the target, but is such a charismatic-free jerk that we hardly care what happens to him, and the larger scale import of his survival -- so he can testify against the mob -- never resonates. A few plot twists are tossed in at the end, but none of them make sense. In fact, the whole movie doesn't carry much logic, despite a number of overlong scenes of expository dislodge.

Truly wonderful, understated Christmas story with a familiar and appealing cast. Best thing about this film is its genuine warmth and simplicity -- you keep waiting for the grandiose emotional moment of manipulation, but it never comes; instead it's just a series of small, nice, natural scenes as the family comes together and remembers the pleasure of each other's company. The score is also memorable in its pleasant simplicity.

We watched this every year in my home growing up, and I was frustrated when it migrated to syndication and was edited for more commercial time before disappearing entirely. I see many comments on this site lamenting the film's absence on DVD, but I just did a search and came up with this new release for 2007: http://kultklassics.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=942589 I just bought it and suggest you do, too! Merry Christmas!

entertaining but ludicrous western mystery, starring charles bronson at the height of his career, with beautiful outdoor scenery, a familiar cast and an uneven but at times memorable score from jerry goldsmith.

bronson plays an alleged arsonist and murderer who is being escorted to trial by a state marshall, on board a train that's also on a rescue mission to an army camp beset by disease. nothing is what it seems, and there are plot twists galore, several of which make no sense. most ridiculous development sees murder suspect bronson allowed to roam the train at will, as he figures everything out.

but the taciturn star has his roughneck charms, the railway sequences through the wintry, mountainous terrain are lovely, and there's an incredible, lengthy fight atop the rolling train that is eyepoppingly good -- no special effects here -- and escalates to a jaw dropping climax as the train rolls over a high wooden bridge.

nothing special, but an entertaining diversion.