ajepisode13

The Old West...cannibals....cowboys....damsel in distress....posse of various characters. The plot here is an interesting one, with genuine possibilities of something special, something different. But oh dear, the directing is right out of the Ed Wood School of Film-making. The talented Kurt Russell is totally wasted, and the beautiful Lili Simmons is completely under-used. Richard Jenkins manages to deliver the better dialogue but the rest of the cast are, sadly, in the hands of someone who looks as if he's never seen a film in his life. I can't imagine there was a storyboard or considerable production-planning. There is so much scope for real suspense throughout the search for the missing townsfolk, but the director uses nothing to suggest tension or fear. He needs to watch films from the 40s and 50s, and learn how to involve the audience more. The landscapes are attractive but the cameraman uses little creative or artistic skills in the remainder of the film. So sad, because the premise is a really good one. I just wish someone with real skills had taken the helm: we would have a much better film, I believe.

This is, quite simply, one of the worst, most embarrassing series ever aired on television. Let's start with the family: Tim Roth is a most capable actor. However, he is NOT strong enough to hold down the lead in a production. He has zero charm in this series, and normally, we cheer on the lead in any TV show or movie, Roth's character is negative, hateful, pathetic and miserable. He has NO positive attractions whatsoever. The wife and mother are foul-mouthed females who seem intent on giving Brits a bad name. Neither of the women are believable, sadly. Then we have the adversary, the teenage killer who runs around in tights and is a pint-sized punk. An embarrassment to the excuse for a plot. The only saving grace in this wretched show is the performance of the ever-dependable Christopher Heyerdahl. He is excellent, and is the only reason I have put up with this trash. Christina Hendricks is a good actress, but even she looks embarrassed at her role and her dialogue at times. Now we reach the main culprit - the script-writer. I have no idea who he/she/they is/are, but the writer of this show should be shoveling sand in the desert for a living. As a writer myself, I cannot believe the inane dialogue that is thrown at the viewer. EVERY character is a foul-mouthed SOB, according to the script. Why? Why does this amateur scriptwriter think that everyone in the world swears every three seconds? He gives a bad light on Canadians and Brits. He is a bad and poor writer, unable to inject sensible dialogue into the progress of the show, and so reverts to foul-language to fill his inadequacies. I see there is now a Season 2. Perish forbid! Go watch HOMELAND, RIPPER STREET, PENNY DREADFUL, LONGMIRE if you want to hear good dialogue and see equally good performances. Shows like BANSHEE and RAY DONOVAN have much bad-language but the scripts and characters are sharp and believable. TIN STAR is a sad and pathetic excuse for entertainment.

Over the past decade, there has been a resurgence in the Western. That is good news because this is a much-loved genre. However, when a film like THE DUEL comes along, we simply reverse to square one all over again. This is a miserable and unsatisfying excuse for a film. The viewer will find it difficult to cheer on any of the cast, simply because they are one-dimensional characters. It is not the fault of the actors, however. Blame lies entirely at the feet of the director. This is one helmsman who is totally amateurish in his approach, and I will do my best to avoid his features in the future. There is zero intrigue, suspense, characterization, interest nor due care here. The pace drags throughout. And the editing is amateurish also. Liam Hemsworth is a competent actor but even he struggles with his role - yet he is the best thing about the film. And as for Woody Harrelson...! He should receive an award for the Greatest Miscasting of the Year. He is downright hopeless in the role of the Mount Hermon emperor. This part requires an actor of strength and charisma. But poor Woody falls at every step. Don't misunderstand me, I like Woody Harrelson. But not in roles like this. Abysmal casting.