release year: 1999, made for TV
genre: western
viewing setting: cable TV, 1/13/99
what I expected: wasn't sure
what I got: a pretty cool off-beat western
synopsis: A gang of bloodthirsty bandits arrives at a little town in the middle of nowhere...but the town's residents aren't what they seem.
impressions: In order to properly discuss this movie, I have to give away a major plot point: the town is a place for dead bad guys (Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday, Wild Bill Hickok) to get one last chance before their final judgement. If they're peaceful and mild-mannered, for ten years, they go upward; otherwise (including simply picking up a gun) they go downward. The outlaw gang that rides into town makes their imposed meekness really, really tough. The whole situation was weird and neat, and it kept along at a good, entertaining pace. The requisite gunfight at the end was well-staged and sufficiently action-packed.
acting: Good acting, particularly by Sam Shepard and Randy Quaid.
final word: This was a really neat concept, and it was executed very well.
rating: B-