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DVD Dark Canyon
 Run time: 90 min Rating: 4.7 Genres: Western Director: Dustin Rikert Writers: Dustin Rikert, William Shockley Stars: Abraham Benrubi, Courtney Gains, Ernie Hudson |
| Storyline U.S. Marshall Duke Donovan is imprisoned, accused of being an accomplice in a bank robbery. After discovering that his partner is planning to kill his wife, he must escape prison in time to save his wife and clear his name. |
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| Plot Keywords: good versus evil, mustache, illegality, showdown, bandit | |
| Details: Country: USA Release Date: 23 October 2012 (USA) |
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DVD Dark Canyon
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So I saw this movie last fall at the Austin Film Festival when it was called "To Kill A Memory". They had a special showing. Kix Brooks was there with the Director and some of the Actors. In short, the film really surprised me. Not so much because they pulled off a cool movie on a small budget, but because the film wasn't your typical western. It was told as a flashback and really took you on a journey. After the festival, I wondered what had happened to it and was happy to see that it will be out as a limited theatrical in January. Their website also says it'll be out on DVD as a 2 disk set with the soundtrack CD included. The music in the film was awesome!! Kix Brooks talked about doing the music for the film at the festival. If you're a fan of country music, or great music in general.. you'll love this. Coincidentally, I reviewed another film the director did a few years ago called the Gundown. I liked it because they dared to try and make a movie on a shoestring, but this movie is a cut-a-bove it. Give it a shot, you won't be disappointed. Great Cast, cool locations. The indi-film spirit is alive and well with this film.
"Some say the legend of Duke Donovan began to eclipse the man." After Marshall Duke Donovan (Brooks) is thrown in jail as an accomplice in a bank robbery he learns that his former partner is plotting to kill his wife. After getting help he escapes and begins the trail of saving his wife and clearing his name. This movie continues the western tradition of "the other side of the story" that every one is told. Movies like Blackthorn, Young Guns 2 and (the one that did it best) The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance are examples of this. When the entire country seems to know what happened but when someone who was involved tells what they know everything changes. Since the plot of the movie involves a tried and true western idea and because it was R rated and didn't hold back the grit this is one of the better westerns in the last few years. Of course most of the recent westerns were Hallmark Channel westerns but even taking those away this was a good western. Even the bad acting didn't affect the way I felt about it. Overall, one of the better westerns that have come out lately. I give it a B-.
This isn't just your run-of-the-mill "shoot 'em up Western", although the sets, costumes, and gunfight scenes are all extremely well done and authentic. It's also a story with heart.
I personally feel that the measure of art in any form, whether a song, book, movie, etc., is its ability to move me. Inspire. 'Ambush at Dark Canyon' did both.
I laughed (mostly at William Shockley's portrayal of the cantankerous Cage Dalton, lol). I cried…oh, how I cried. And I rooted for Duke Donovan (played by country music star Kix Brooks), and shared in his triumph when justice was finally served.
This DVD/CD combo really is an exceptional deal, as the soundtrack is superb. I've listened to it multiple times already, and I only bought it yesterday, lol. My favorite songs are the title track, "High in the Saddle" sung by Randy Houser, "Other Side" sung by Kix Brooks, and "I Can't Wait" sung by Rafe Van Hoy. ALL the songs are great, though, and really give the film an added richness and depth.
Fantastic movie, and one I'll enjoy watching over and over again for years to come.
**** may contain spoilers *** I had really been looking forward to watching this movie for awhile. I thought I would listen through the soundtrack a few times prior to watching it tonight, and I am so glad that I did. Wow…I have to say it was one of the best soundtracks I have ever heard connected to a Western film! It had such a wide variety of songs and each added a wonderful layer to the film. I loved all the songs, but especially The Other Side, I couldn't wait to see how it was used in the movie because it really did bring tears to my eyes. This film not only met my expectations but really did exceed them. This film brought together a very talented and versatile group of actors that truly brought this story to life. I was impressed with how easily Kix Brooks has transitioned from singer into a very capable actor able to take on a serious and emotional role such as he did in this film! All of the other actors were amazing also and hit their marks on each of their characters with perfect timing. As a screenwriter I analyze the script and story more than anything. Does it have action, does it keep your interest, do the characters draw you into their world, does it flow, does it keep you guessing until the end? YES to all of the above, it certainly does! And to top it all off you have a wonderful surprise twist ending that you might not see coming. So to sum it all up…Great story, talented and well cast actors, and inspiring music that all adds up to a true western film to be proud of and to be enjoyed for years to come. This film was a job well done and easily one of the best westerns to come down the pass in the recent years!